Laccophilus incomptus, Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015

Bistroem, Olof, Nilsson, Anders N. & Bergsten, Johannes, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Afrotropical Laccophilus Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae), ZooKeys 542, pp. 1-379 : 212-213

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Dytiscidae

Laccophilus incomptus sp. n. Figs 171-172, 353, 500, 567

Type locality.

Cameroon: Subd. Bétaré-Oya, Bindiba.

Type material

(2 exs.). Holotype: male: "Fr. Cameroons, Bindiba, subd. Bétaré-Oya 19-22.vii. 1949 B. Malkin / Running water, muddy over gravel / Brit. Mus. 1956-234" (BMNH; habitus in Fig. 500). - Paratype: female: Same label data as holotype (1 ex. BMNH).

Additional material studied

(non-type). Cameroon: "Foumbot Fev. 67 / Cameroun B. de Miré”. [Comment: only male genitalia left on a label while glued specimen is lost. The male genitalia are identical with those of the holotype.]

Diagnosis.

Laccophilus incomptus resembles a number of species placed in species group 13 ( lineatus group) and characterized by generally distinct, longitudinal markings on elytra. The new species is possibly closest related to Laccophilus flavoscriptus , which has an evenly broad and curved penis, extreme apex being almost unmodified. Penis of Laccophilus incomptus in lateral aspect is plain, exhibiting hardly any modifications; basally quite broad and almost straight, medially bended and towards apex penis slightly tapers to a broad, truncate end.

Description.

Body length 3.6-3.9 mm, width 2.0-2.2 mm. Body dorsally with distinct, somewhat variable colour pattern. Base of elytra with complete dark area or corresponding dark area divided into a few, variable spots (Fig. 500).

Head: Pale ferrugineous. Posteriorly at pronotum with a vague, slightly darker area. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured. Reticulation double. Large meshes of microsculpture slightly more strongly developed than small meshes. In lateral areas of head size categories of microsculpture gradually disappears. Large meshes, when discernible, contain 2-5 small meshes. Impunctate, except at eyes, with fine, irregular punctures. Area of punctures extends towards centre of head-disc.

Pronotum: Pale ferrugineous. Anteriorly on area between eyes with a vague, dark ferrugineous to ferrugineous area. At base in middle, with a narrow and distinct dark brownish area. Rather shiny, although finely microsculptured. Reticulation double, large meshes contain 2-5 small meshes. Impunctate, except at margins; fine, scattered punctures discernible except at base in middle.

Elytra: Pale ferrugineous, with distinct, somewhat variable, dark ferrugineous markings (Fig. 500). Slightly mat, with fine and dense microsculpture. Reticulation double but large meshes extensively almost rudimentary and in part difficult to discern; large meshes only slightly more strongly developed than small meshes. Almost impunctate. Sparse, irregular punctures form a discal row. Dorsolateral and lateral rows indicated by some scattered fine punctures. Pre-apical, lateral row of punctures forms a shallow furrow provided with fine hairs.

Ventral aspect: Ferrugineous except prothorax, pale ferrugineous. Rather shiny, finely microsculptured. Ventrites with fine, slightly curved striae. Metacoxal plates with about 10 almost transversely located, shallow furrows; in part furrows reduced and indistinct. Plates laterally close to epipleura with a distinct, longitudinal impression. Prosternal process slender, posteriorly slightly extended, apically pointed. Impunctate, except apical ventrite; with some fine, scattered punctures and an asymmetric, fine knob on one side (Fig. 171).

Legs: Pale ferrugineous to ferrugineous. Pro- and mesotarsus slightly enlarged, with distinct suckers.

Male genitalia: Penis in lateral aspect is plain, exhibiting hardly any modifications; basally quite broad and almost straight, medially bended and towards apex penis slightly tapers to a broad, truncate end (Fig. 353).

Female: Apical ventrite lacks asymmetric knob (Fig. 172). Pro- and mesotarsus slender.

Etymology.

The species name incomptus is a Latin adjective meaning “unadorned”. It here refers to the simple shape of aedeagus, which seems to be a characteristic feature of the new species.

Distribution.

Cameroon (Fig. 567).

Collecting circumstances.

According to collecting label associated to the specimens, the new species Laccophilus incomptus was sampled in running water, the bottom obviously gravel and covered with mud.