Ocypus (Pseudocypus) laelaps, Published, 2007

Published, First, 2007, Contributions to the knowledge of the “ Staphylinus-complex ” (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) of China. Part XX. The genus Ocypus Leach, 1819, subgenus Pseudocypus Mulsant & Rey, 1876. Section 1, Zootaxa 1421, pp. 1-72 : 12-13

Ocypus (Pseudocypus) laelaps sp. nov.

( Figs. 9–15)

Type material. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): CHINA: Sichuan: “CH. C-Sichuan ( LUDING) #4 ERLANG SHAN Mt. R., W-slope 29:51:24N/102:15:54E— 2850m mixed forest/meadow, 19.VII.2000 K. & B. Březina, M. Brychcín, M. Häckel ” ( ASC).

Paratypes: CHINA: Sichuan: same data s holotype, 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀ ( ASC); (Tianguan) pass btw. Tianguan– Luding 29°51.73'N 102°16.85E 3000 m 22.VII.2000 lgt. M. Janata, 7 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ ( ASC); pass Tianguan / Luding , 3000 m, 29°51.44'N 16°48'E 7.VI.2001 , M. Janata, 10 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀ ( ASC); (Wenchuan), Jiuding Shan 31°25.60'N 103°40.98'E, 3200 m 4.7.2000 , lgt. M. Janata, ♂ ( ASC); (Ganzi Tibet. Aut. Pref. , Luding Co.) W Erlang Shan Pass, 2600 m, 7 km SSE Luding 29°51'N 102°15'E 20.–29.VI.1999 D. W. Wrase, 2 ♂♂, ♀ ( MSC); SE of Lixian Danzhamu vall. Miyaluo Nat. Res. 31°23.902'N 103°14.827'E, 3251 m, 18.6.2005 , R.

Sehnal & M. Trýzna, 58 ♂♂, 26 ♀♀ ( ASC, MSC); Erlang Shan W-slope, 3110 m, 29°52.1'N 102°15.7'E, V.2004, Häckel & Sehnal, 2 ♂♂ ( ASC) .

An additional of 22 specimens in bad condition from Miyaluo Nat. Res. were not designated as paratypes.

Diagnosis. A medium-sized species, sharing most of the character states with O. zetes , but different by the somewhat differently shaped aedoeagus, and by several external characters, as given in the description.

Description. In all character states similar to O. zetes , but different as follows: body piceous to piceousblack, head and pronotum with vague, dark purplish hue, elytra with indistinct metallic hue, abdomen with paler, more or less brownish apex, abdominal tergites often paler along apical margins; pubescence of abdomen piceous, visible tergites 4 and 5 with indistinct, rusty pubescence on middle portions in most specimens; punctation of head and pronotum finer and more susperficial, microsculpture on interspaces somewhat coarser and denser, surface therefore appearing somewhat duller; pronotum narrower, appreciably longer than wide (ratios above 1.1, with range 1.103 –1.161).

Male. Sternite 8 with medioapical emargination on average slightly less deep than that of O. zetes . Genital segment with sternite 9 slightly shorter and wider, with medioapical emargination on average less deep and more obtuse ( Fig. 9); tergite 10 not appreciably different from that of O. zetes ( Fig. 10). Aedoeagus ( Figs. 11– 14) similar to that of O. zetes , but median lobe with apex widely arcuate to almost rounded, apical portion, when paramere removed with two minute protubernces ( Fig. 12); paramere longer, middle portion more extensively attenuate ( Figs. 11, 13), apical portion of different shape ( Fig. 14), with variably arcuate apex distinctly not reaching apex of median lobe ( Fig. 11); sensory peg setae on underside of paramere more numerous, apical setae situated as in Fig. 14.

Female. Tergite 10 sparsely setose, markedly narrowed toward distinctly differentiated apical portion with acute apex ( Fig. 15).

Length 12.0–16.0 mm.

Bionomics. Most specimens of the original series were taken from pitfall traps, but very little is known about the habitat requirements of this species. Specimens were taken at elevations from 2600 m to 3251 m, which suggests that the species prefers forest habitats.

Geographical distribution. Ocypus laelaps is at present known from Erlang Shan (part of Jiajin Shan) in central Sichuan and from two areas near Lixian and Wenchuan in north-central Sichuan. The distributional range is similar to that of O. zetes , but so far the two species were not collected at same locations.

Recognition and comments. Specimens of O. laelaps may be distinguished from those of the similar O. zetes by the characters given in the description. They also resemble in their habitus those of O. scaevola and O. sarpedon , but those of the latter two species differ by the quite differently shaped aedoeagi, and by some additional external characters (see under the respective species for details).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the name of Laelaps, - is, m, the name of a dog (Ovidius, Metamorphoses), in apposition.