Clinterocera nigra ( Kano, 1931 )

Xu, Hao, Qiu, Jian-Yue & Huang, Guo-Hua, 2018, Taxonomy and natural history of the myrmecophilous genus Clinterocera Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) from China and adjacent regions: revision of the C. jucunda species group, Zootaxa 4531 (3), pp. 301-352 : 328-329

Clinterocera nigra ( Kano, 1931) , revised status

( Figs. 16–17 , 33 , 50–51 , 72–73 , 96–97 , 122–123 , 141 , 167–172 , 180 , 203 )

Callinomes davidis (nec Fairmaire): Kano 1926: 70 (Wulai, New Taipei, Taiwan); Kurosawa 1973: 112, fig. 3.

Callynomes davidis (nec Fairmaire): Niijima & Kinoshita 1927: 73, plate II, fig. 27 (Mount Hsuehshan & Mount Nengkaoshan, Taiwan); Miwa 1931: 310 (Meiyuan, Taichung Hsien & Sokutsu, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan); Kato 1933: plate 14 fig. 8 (Takengshan, Chiai Hsien, Taiwan); Miwa & Chûjô 1939: 93; Kobayashi 1980: 29; Miyake et al. 1991: 31 (Baling & Huanshan, Taiwan); Yu et al. 1998: 62, plate.5, figs. 12a–b ♂.

Clinterocera davidis (nec Fairmaire, 1878): Sakai & Nagai 1998: 160, plate 4, figs. 79- 1♂, 79- 2 ♀ (Taipei & Meifeng, Nantou Heien, Taiwan).

Callynomes davidis nigra Kano, 1931: 131 (type locality: Naifunpo, Mt. Niitaka [=Mount Yushan, Xinyi, Nantou Hsien, Taiwan]); Miwa 1931: 311; Miwa & Chûjô 1939: 94.

Clinterocera davidis nigra (Kano) : Krajčík 1999: 40; Smetana 2006: 299; Krajčík 2012a: 74; Bezděk 2016: 390.

Differential diagnosis. This species is similar to C. davidis , but it can be distinguished by the combination of the following characters: pronotal tomentous band present; pronotal disc without tomentum; elytra without lateral tomentous band; setiferous punctures on elytral disc large, elongate, sparse.

Redescription. General: Body length 18.0–21.2 mm; width 6.2–8.1 mm. Body black, elytra usually largely orange-red (or red). Body surface with numerous setiferous punctures; setae yellow, stubble like. Head, pronotum, elytral declivity, and pygidium with khaki tomentum ( Fig. 122 ). Head: Clypeus apical margin raised, frons evenly convex; surface slightly tomentous, with dense, fine, setiferous punctures, punctures elliptic behind clypeal apex, rounded in frons; setae short, stubble like. Antennal scapus strongly expanded, subflabellate; exterior surface tomentous, with dense, minute punctures; interior surface with many setiferous punctures in margins, setae slender. Mouthparts: Prementum extremely expanded, scutellate; exterior surface matt, with dense, semicircular, setiferous punctures; setae short ( Fig. 123 ). Pronotum: Subcircular, margins slightly raised; anterior margin almost straight, slightly convex in medial in dorsal view; disc with sparse, minute, rounded arcuate-striolate, setiferous punctures; punctures denser in lateral portion; setae short ( Fig. 16 ). Surface almost without tomentum, pronotal tomentous band distinct in lateral portion ( Fig. 141 ). Scutellum: Subtriangular. Surface without tomentum; with sparse, fine, arcuate-striolate, setiferous punctures; setae short. Elytra: Subrectangular; disc largely orange-red, juxtascutellar area and elytral declivity black. Surface with sparse, fine, elongate, arcuatestriolae, setiferous punctures, denser in elytral declivity; setae short ( Fig. 17 ). Disc and elytral declivity almost without tomentum; posthumeral and lateral tomentous spots distinct; area around anteapical umbone distinctly tomentous ( Fig. 141 ). Metepisternum and metepimeron: Metepisternum without tomentum; metepimeron tomentous; surface with dense, arcuate-striolate, setiferous punctures; setae short ( Fig. 141 ). Sternum: Preprosternal apophysis robust, slightly reflexed, a cluster of long setae on the apex. Metasternum without tomentum, surface with dense, arcuate-striolate, setiferous punctures in lateral portion; punctures rounded in middle portion; setae short. Abdomen: Shallow, longitudinal groove between male abdominal sternites III–V, female abdomen convex. Abdominal sternites surface with dense, fine, arcuate-striolate, setiferous punctures, and sparse, fine, annulate-striolate, setiferous punctures; setae short. Surface almost without tomentum, but posterior margin of each sternite slightly tomentous ( Fig. 123 ). Propygidium surface heavily tomentous, with dense, setiferous punctures; setae short; terminal spiracla distinctly protruding. Pygidium: Distinctly convex. Surface heavily tomentous, with fine, round, setiferous punctures; setae short. Legs: Surface with dense, fine, sinuous striolae and arcuate, setiferous punctures; setae slender. Tibiae slender. Protibia with a small, external denticle in apical portion; a blunt protrusion near middle of outer margin, protrusion larger in female; apical tooth of inferior ridge of male protibia elongate, tapering, curved downwards ( Fig. 33 ), this tooth short and indistinct in female. Mesotibia and metatibia with a small, acute protrusion near middle of outer margin; three distinct, acute protrusions in distal portion; two spurs slender, tapering ( Figs. 50–51 ). Coxa, trochanter, anterior side of profemora, posterior side of mesofemora and metafemora, dorsal side of mesotibia and metatibia covered with sparse tomentum ( Fig. 123 ). Tarsi with 4 tarsomeres, slender ( Figs. 33 , 50–51 ); propretarsi short, acute. Parameres: Elongate, outer margins nearly parallel, distal portion slightly expanded, apex obtuse in apical view; interparameral split constricted ( Figs. 72–73 ).

Variation. Degrees of melanism varies in this species ( Figs. 168–171 ). Two individuals observed lack of pronotal tomentous band ( Figs. 169–170 ). Only one female is heavily tomentous and has narrow lateral bands on elytra.

Type material. The holotype of C. nigra ( Kano, 1931) is preserved in Kano Collection of NSMT, and labeled: FORMOSA / T. KANO [pale yellow label] // Naifunpo, 20.V.1929 [in Japanese, reverse]// HOLOTYPE / Callynomes / davidi FAIRM. / ssp. nigra KANO, 1931 [red label with a black border] (female, NSMT, Figs. 96– 97 ). The holotype is greasy and not totally black, a small red macula near the anteapical umbone of elytron was observed. The collecting site is Naifunpo nearby Mount Niitaka (Mount Yushan).

Other material examined (10♂♂, 13♀♀). Taiwan: 1♀ ( QCCC), 9.IV–17.V.2005 , Shih Lin , Taoyuan Hsien, ca 1,180 m, by FIT, Chun-Lin LI ; 1♂ ( QCCC), 9.IV–17.V.2005 , Shih Lin , Taoyuan Hsien, ca 1,180 m, by FIT, Chun-Lin LI ; 1♂, 1♀ ( QCCC), 24.IV.2005 , Riyuetan , Nantou Hsien, ca 600 m, Chun-Lin LI ; 3♀♀ ( QCCC), Zhilexi, Zhongheng, Fu-Sheng HUANG // larvae in rotten wood 23.V.2013 , adults emerged VIII.2013; 1♀ ( QCCC), 26.V.2013 , Zhonghe, New Taipei, Yun-An YOU; 1♂ ( QCCC), 31.III–26.IV.2004 , Wulai, Taipei Hsien; 1♀ ( QCCC), 20.V.1993 , Mount Guandaoshan , J. LO. leg .; 1♂ ( QCCC), 2.VI.2007 , Zhenxibao, Jianshi, Hsinchu Hsien; 1♀ ( QCCC), 1990s, Mount Sishoushan [Mount Xiangshan], Taipei, Yu-Tang WANG ; 1♂ ( QCCC), 4.VI.1987 , Lalashan, Taoyuan Hsien, J. LO; 1♂ ( QCCC), 5.V.1988 , Upper Palin , Taoyuan, C. K. YU ; 1♀ ( YCQC), 22.VII.2012 , Longyan, Meishan, Chiayi Hsien, Yi-Chia QIU; 1♂ ( QCCC), 24.IV.2003 , Tai Pei Co., Nei dong Logging Road , ca. 850 m, by FIT, Chun-Lin LI ; 1♂ ( QCCC), 29.IV.2012 , Erbazi Botanical Garden [in New Taipei], Shu-Yu HUANG; 1♀ (melanistic individual, YCQC), 26.V.2012 , Shizilu, Alishan, Chiayi Hsien, Yi-Chia QIU; 1♂ ( SYSM, En-398670), 14–15.IV.1948 , Ali Shan (Arisan), Tainan, Formosa , 2,000 m; 3 ex ( MTD), Formosa, Fuhosho [Wucheng, Nantou Hsien], H. Sauter’ 0 9 // 1909, 22 // Clinterocera davidis Fairm. Det. Mikšić 1980 ; 1♂ ( BMNH), Formosa, Musha, 1919, V.18-VI.15 , T. Okuni, J. Sonan, K. Miy., M. Yosh. // Formosa. 1920- 78; 1♀ ( BMNH), Formosa, Musha, 1919, V.18-VI.15 , T. Okuni, J. Sonan, K. Miy., M. Yosh. // Formosa. 1920-78 / / No 50 Det. T. Shiraki; 1♀ ( BMNH, Krajčík Coll.), 9.V.2012 , Taoyuan prov., Mingehih env., 24.64851°N, 121.42090°E, 1,075 m, lgt. M. Kadlecová ; 1♀ ( BMNH, Krajčík Coll.), 10.VI–9.VII.1997 , Wushe, T. Spevár.

Distribution. Taiwan Island.

Natural history. Adults of Clinterocera nigra were observed crawling on ground in forest, and the body is always covered with mud ( Yang 2008; Mr. Yu-Tang Wang, personal communication, June 2013). Larvae were found in rotten wood, and later emerged in the laboratory (Mr. Fu-Sheng Huang, personal observation, May 2013, Fig. 203 ).

Remarks. The genus Clinterocera in Taiwan was previously represented by two subspecies of C. davidis : this species occurring in Asian continent with orange-red elytra was firstly recorded by Kano (1926) from Wulai in Taipei Hsien, and followed by most subsequent authors ( Niijima & Kinoshita 1927; Miwa 1931; Kato 1933; Miwa & Chûjô 1939; Kurosawa 1973; Kobayashi 1980; Miyake et al. 1991; Sakai & Nagai 1998; Yu et al. 1998), while omitted in recent published catalogues ( Smetana 2006; Bezděk 2016). Kano (1931) described the subspecies C. davidis nigra based on a black specimen from central Taiwan, but this black subspecies was never mentioned in any taxonomic works since the 1940s ( Miwa 1931; Miwa & Chûjô 1939), until recent years ( Smetana 2006; Bezděk 2016). It seems that Kano’s works were partially based on the “Shiraki Collection”, which includes a large number of non-Taiwanese specimens originally deposited in the BMNH and brought to Taiwan by Dr. Tokuichi Shiraki in 1916. The collecting sites of these specimens were subsequently mislabeled from Taiwan with imprecise collecting data ( Kurosawa 1980a; Chu & Hsiao 1981; Chu 2011). After a few works on the beetle fauna of Taiwan were published in 1930s ( Miwa 1931; Miwa & Chûjô 1939), Japanese Coleopterists became aware of these problematic specimens. Although Kano (1931) stated that he collected the holotype of C. davidis nigra himself from Naifunpo near Mount Yushan in Nantou Hsien on 20 May 1927, he was also implicated in unreliable data of some voucher specimens ( Kurosawa 1980a, 1980b, 1981; Chu & Hsiao 1981). Some authors doubted the validity of this subspecies due to the uncertaintly with the label data and the lack of additional melanistic specimens of Clinterocera from Taiwan. However, this situation was not formally pointed out in relevant works ( Yu et al. 1998; Chu 2011; Mr. Hirokazu Kobayashi, personal communication, September 2016).

With the discovery of new melanistic specimens ( Figs. 170–171 ), the authenticity of C. nigra is obviously verified. Based on a detailed comparison of type and additional specimens, the melanistic individuals are confirmed conspecific with the normal coloration specimens from Taiwan, but they can be readily separated from the specimens of C. davidis from Asian continent by the unique characters given in the differential diagnosis section. Consequently, we regard Taiwanese Clinterocera nigra as a valid species. Simultaneously, all records of C. davidis from Taiwan should be attributed to C. nigra .

Figures

FIGURE 180. Known distribution of the Clinterocera jucunda species group (inset map shows the distribution of C. heinrichi). Some records and collecting sites are not shown because there is no precise geographical information.

FIGURES 6–27. Setiferous punctures on the pronotum and elytron of Clinterocera. 6–7, Clinterocera brevifasciata new species (holotype); 8–9, C. davidis; 10–11, C. donckieri; 12–13, C. jucunda; 14–15, C. krikkeni new species (holotype); 16–17, C. nigra; 18–19, C. velutina new species (holotype); 20–21, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype); 22–23, C. yunnana; 24– 25, C. raui; 26–27, C. sinensis new species (holotype).

FIGURES 28–38. Protibia and protarsi of Clinterocera (male). 28, Clinterocera brevifasciata new species (holotype); 29, C. davidis; 30, C. donckieri; 31, C. jucunda; 32, C. krikkeni new species (holotype); 33, C. nigra; 34, C. velutina new species (holotype); 35, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype); 36, C. yunnana; 37, C. raui; 38, C. sinensis new species (holotype).

FIGURES 39–61. Metatibia and metatarsi of Clinterocera (male and female). 39. Clinterocera bicolor; 40–41, C. brevifasciata new species (holotype and paratype); 42–43, C. davidis. 44–45; C. donckieri; 46–47, C. jucunda; 48–49, C. krikkeni new species (holotype and paratype); 50–51, C. nigra; 52–53, C. velutina new species (holotype and paratype); 54– 55, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype and paratype); 56–57, C. yunnana; 58–59, C. raui; 60–61, C. sinensis new species (holotype and paratype).

FIGURES 62–83. Male genitalia of Clinterocera (apical and lateral view). 62–63, Clinterocera brevifasciata new species (holotype); 64–65, C. davidis; 66–67, C. donckieri; 68–69, C. jucunda; 70–71, C. krikkeni new species (holotype); 72–73, C. nigra; 74–75, C. velutina new species (holotype); 76–77, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype); 78–79, C. yunnana; 80–81, C. raui; 82–83, C. sinensis new species (holotype).

FIGURES 84–97. Type specimens of Clinterocera. 84–85, Clinterocera bicolor, female holotype and labels (photograph by Joachim Willers); 86–88, C. davidis, male lectotype (greasy) and labels (photograph by Antoine Mantilleri); 89–90, C. donckieri, male holotype and labels (photograph by Max Barclay); 91–92, C. cervenkai, male holotype and labels; 93. C. jucunda, illustrations of a syntype from Westwood (1873); 94–95, Callynomes humeralis, male lectotype and labels; 96–97, C. nigra, male holotype and labels (photograph by Shuhei Nomura).

FIGURES 112–135. Male habitus of Clinterocera (typical form), dorsal and ventral view. 112–113, Clinterocera brevifasciata new species (holotype); 114–115, C. davidis (Fujian, China); 116–117, C. donckieri (Guizhou, China); 118–119, C. jucunda (Chiang Rai, Thailand); 120–121, C. krikkeni new species (holotype); 122–123, C. nigra (Taiwan); 124–125, C. velutina new species (holotype); 126–127, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype); 128–129, C. yunnana (Yunnan, China); 130–131, C. ishikawai (paratype); 132–133, C. raui (Hua Phan, Laos); 134–135, C. sinensis new species (holotype).

FIGURES 136–147. Male habitus of Clinterocera (typical form), oblique view. 136, Clinterocera brevifasciata new species (holotype); 137, C. davidis (Fujian, China); 138, C. donckieri (Guizhou, China); 139, C. jucunda (Chiang Rai, Thailand); 140, C. krikkeni new species (holotype); 141, C. nigra (Taiwan); 142, C. velutina new species (holotype); 143, C. vietnamensis new species (holotype); 144, C. yunnana (Yunnan, China); 145, C. ishikawai (Ryukyu, Japan, paratype); 146, C. raui (Hua Phan, Laos); 147, C. sinensis new species (holotype).

FIGURES 165–179. Habitus of Clinterocera (variation). 165–166, Clinterocera krikkeni new species (Guizhou, paratypes); 167–172, C. nigra (Taiwan, 169–171 photograph by Yi-Chia Qiu, greasy); 173–174, C. velutina new species (Hainan, China, allotype and paratype); 175, C. vietnamensis new species (Nha Trang, Vietnam, allotype); 176, C. yunnana (Yunnan, China); 177, C. yunnana (Guizhou, China); 179, C. yunnana (Hubei, China); 179, C. sinensis new species (Zhejiang, China, paratype).

FIGURES 200–203. FIGURES 200–202. Habitat of Clinterocera donckieri. 200, Karst forest in Maolan Nature Reserve (Guizhou, China); 201–201, a closer view of the habitat and an adult on limestone. FIGURE 203. Fresh adults Clinterocera nigra in pupal cells in artificial condition (photograph by Fu-Sheng Huang).