Bolitogyrus khasiensis Brunke

Brunke, Adam J., 2017, A revision of the Oriental species of Bolitogyrus Chevrolat (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylininae), ZooKeys 664, pp. 1-97 : 56-58

Bolitogyrus khasiensis Brunke sp. n. Fig. 17G-H, 21C (map)

Type locality.

Mawsynram, Meghalaya, Khasi Hills, India.

Type material.

Holotype (♂, BMNH): NE INDIA, MEGHALAYA, KHASI Hills, MAWSYNRAM, 25°18'N 91°29'E, 800 ± 100m, L. Dembický leg., 5-9.vi.2006, BMNH 2006-48 [printed] / Bolitogyrus , A. Solodovnikov det. 2007 [printed] / HOLOTYPE Bolitogyrus khasiensis Brunke, des. A. Brunke 2017 [red label] / AJB0000428 [identifier label].

Paratype (♀, BMNH): same as holotype but with AJB0000429.

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinguished by the following character states: head entirely dark; elytral disc dark with pale markings not extending halfway to epipleural margin (Fig. 5F), medial marking oval-shaped; pronotal margin at its widest point no more than three lateral puncture widths wide but still distinctly expanded at hind angles; hind tibia entirely pale; disc of head with moderately impressed punctures and distinct frontal impression.

Description.

Measurements ♂ (n = 1): HW/HL 1.34; PW/PL 1.26; EW/ EL 1.19; ESut/PL 0.79; PW/HW 1.0; forebody length 4.3 mm.

Measurements ♀ (n = 1): HW/HL 1.35; PW/PL 1.27; EW/ EL 1.19; ESut/PL 0.76; PW/HW 1.09; forebody length 4.3 mm.

Coloration: head, pronotum and abdomen entirely dark; elytra with yellow, raised markings, medial marking thinly connected to smaller lateral marking that does not extend halfway to epipleural margin; antennomere 1 yellow with darkened apex, 2-5 reddish with darkened apices, 6-11 dark brown; palpi yellow with apical segment slightly darkened; legs yellow, mid and hind tibia with darkened ventroapical area.

Head distinctly transverse, dorsal surface with moderately dense, clearly separated asetose punctures, frons with only scattered punctures and distinctly impressed. Antennomere 6 slightly, 7-10 distinctly transverse and 8-10 asymmetrical.

Pronotum distinctly transverse, about as wide as head to slightly wider, with a few shallow micropunctures on disc, becoming more distinct on anterior angles. Elytra slightly transverse, suture shorter than pronotum at middle.

Abdomen with disc of tergites III-VI distinctly impunctate medially.

Median lobe in lateral view strongly constricted in apical portion, with apical tooth formed from median carina, basal teeth absent, ventral face more or less straight (similar to Fig. 17E); median lobe in parameral view subparallel before short, vaguely acuminate and acute apex bearing double-toothed carina or ‘lip’ (Fig. 17H); paramere distinctly longer than median lobe, elongate spoon-shaped, evenly converging to apex (Fig. 17G), in lateral view with apex abruptly deflexed dorsad; peg setae arranged in thin marginal group that is convergent basally, apex without dense field (Fig. 17I); apex of male sternite VIII with slight emargination and triangular glabrous area medially; male sternite IX moderately expanded at midlength, with distinct emargination.

Female with tergite VIII entire; tergite X elongate shield-shaped, with broadly rounded but projected apex, disc distinctly raised and without depressions or strong ridges.

Distribution.

Figure 21C. Known only from and probably endemic to the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India.

Bionomics.

The type series was collected in June at approximately 800 m. The area around the type locality is also considered to be the wettest terrestrial place on earth, receiving record annual rainfall levels.

Etymology.

The species epithet refers to the type locality in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India, and recognizes this global biodiversity hotspot.

Comments.

Bolitogyrus khasiensis is most similar externally to northeastern Indian species B. himalayicus , B. nanus and B. concavus but can be distinguished by lateral discal elytral marking, which does not extend halfway to the epipleural margin. It shares this feature with B. lasti and B. ornatipennis but has an oval-shaped medial discal elytral marking and distinct expansion of the pronotal margin.