Bibloplectus baylessae Owens and Carlton, 2016

Owens, Brittany E. & Carlton, Christopher E., 2016, Collecting in the Museum: New Species, Taxonomic Changes, and Range Extensions of Euplectite Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) of the Southeastern United States, The Coleopterists Bulletin 70 (3), pp. 611-633 : 611-633

Bibloplectus baylessae Owens and Carlton , new species

( Fig. 2a–d )

Type Material. Holotype, male: ALA: Monroe County Haines Island Park 31°43′23″N 87°28′108″W 28-31-v-1995 C. E. Carlton FIT flood forest William Cross Expedition 1995/ LSAM0002145 . ( FMNH). Paratypes, four females: ALA: Monroe County Haines Island Park 31°43′23″N 87°28′108″W 28-31-v-1995 C. E. Carlton FIT flood forest William Cross Expedition 1995/ LSAM0002146 ; / LSAM0002147 ; / LSAM0002147 ; / LSAM0002148 . ( LSAM).

Etymology. This species is named after Victoria Bayless, curator of the LSAM, source of personal and professional wisdom and entertainment, and valued friend to the authors.

Diagnosis. The combination of the absence of a flange on the metatibia and the presence of a shortened flange and spine on the mesotibia ( Fig. 2c, d ) distinguishes this species from all Bibloplectus except for B. kylei new species and B. faulknerensis new species. The aedeagus is distinctive ( Fig. 2a, b ), with the median lobe slightly expanded distally, and the ventral process broad, spoon-like, and laterally expanded.

Description. Male. Measurements: HL = 0.14 mm, HW = 0.20 mm; PL = 0.15 mm, PW = 0.20 mm; EL = 0.30 mm, EW = 0.28 mm; A1–6, respectively, = 0.06, 0.09, 0.09, 0.07, 0.06, 0.03 mm; An1–11, respectively, = 0.04, 0.03, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.02, 0.02, 0.06 mm; MP1–4, respectively, = 0.01, 0.03, 0.02, 0.02 mm; GL = 0.41 mm, GW = 0.25 mm; ML = 2.2 mm. Integument: Head, pronotum, elytra, and abdomen light brown, appendages light brown to yellow. Entire surface covered with semierect pubescence. Pubescence in gular area sparse, longer than on rest of body, few capitate. Thorax: Procoxae unmodified, protibiae laterally crenulate with sharp teeth.Mesocoxae contiguous, unmodified, mesotibiae with small apical flange associated with small subapical spine. Metacoxae unmodified, conjunct, not fully separated by short intercoxal process of ventrite I; metatibiae unmodified, with apical setae more dense. Genitalia: Aedeagus asymmetrical.Median portion narrow, slightly expanded distally. Lateral process on right blunt, shortened. Ventral process greatly expanded laterally, dorsoventrally flattened. Ventral strut short, straight.

Female. Integument, head, thorax, and abdomen similar to that of male except eyes slightly smaller and lacking modifications on legs.

Distribution. Alabama: Monroe County.

Figures

Figs. 2–4. Bibloplectus species. 2) B. baylessae - a) Aedeagus, lateral view, b) Aedeagus, dorsal view, c) Mesotibia, d) Metatibia; 3) B. bossartae - a) Aedeagus, lateral view, b) Aedeagus, dorsal view, c) Mesotibia, d) Metatibia; 4) B. faulknerensis - a) Aedeagus, lateral view, b) Aedeagus, dorsal view, c) Mesotibia, d) Metatibia.