Mecyclothorax aorai Perrault, 1978b: 139; 1986: 449

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 53

40. Mecyclothorax aorai Perrault, 1978b: 139; 1986: 449

Identification.

Among Mecyclothorax dannieae group species characterized by expanded lateral pronotal margins anterad the hind angles, and well-impressed, nearly smooth elytral striae (Figs 23 A–C, 25A, C, D, and 26C, D), Mecyclothorax aorai stands out based on the subquadrate elytra with little convex discal elytral intervals (Fig. 25C). The apical elytral setae are polymorphic in this species, with either the apical seta alone present, or both apical and subapical setae present (this configuration varies unilaterally within individuals); setal formula 222(1-2). If a male is available, the diagnosis is certain, as the male aedeagal median lobe is exceedingly slender, with the apex extremely long and narrow and only slightly expanded at the tip (Figs 25C, 27B). The head bears well-developed microsculpture consisting of isodiametric sculpticells in transverse rows. The pronotal disc is covered with an elongate transverse mesh, sculpticell breadth 4 × length, and the discal elytral intervals are lined with elongate transverse microsculpture consisting of transverse lines intermixed with transverse sculpticells, breadth 3 –4× length. Standardized body length 5.2-5.9 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is known to occur from 1200-1900 m elevation on Mont Aorai. All five known specimens were collected in association with moss-covered vegetation, either by finding specimens by hand in moss, or via application of pyrethrin insecticide fog to the vegetation.