Desmopachria pilosa Miller

Miller, Kelly B., 2005, Four new species of Desmopachria Babington from Peru (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Zootaxa 1059, pp. 39-47 : 40-42

Desmopachria pilosa Miller , new species

( Figs. 1 , 4, 5 )

Diagnosis. This species is a member of the D. convexa group since it possesses a small, articulable process subapically on the lateral lobe ( Figs. 4, 5 ). It can be distinguished from other species in the genus by the following combination of characters: 1) exceptionally small size (TL = 1.12–1.15mm, Fig.1 ),2) elytron light brown with distinctive, characteristic yellow maculae ( Fig. 1 ), 3) abdominal ventrite VI thickly beset with long, pale setae, and 4) male genitalia distinctive with median lobe short and apically sharply pointed and lateral lobe apically broad and with a small, articulable process subapically ( Figs. 4, 5 ).

Description. Measurements. TL = 1.12–1.15 mm; GW = 0.75–0.78 mm; TL/GW = 1.46–1.51. Habitus. Size extremely small; body robust, broadly rounded laterally, not attenuate posteriorly; greatest width medially; slightly dorsoventrally flattened. Coloration. Head and pronotum yellow; elytron light brown with prominent, irregular yellow maculae anteriorly, near humeral angle, medially and near apex ( Fig.1 ). Antennae, palpi, sterna and legs yellow. Sculpture and structure. Head with very fine, scattered punctures; anterior clypeal margin dorsoventrally compressed and distinctly beaded across entire margin between eyes; antennae moderately short, scape and pedicel enlarged, antennomeres VI–X short and broadly expanded. Pronotum short, broad, very finely and inconspicuously punctate; without basal striae; lateral pronotal margins rounded; lateral bead very narrow. Elytron very finely and obscurely punctate; epipleuron not punctate. Prosternum very short, with small posteromedial tubercle. Prosternal process moderately broad medially, broadly angulate apically. Metasternum, metacoxae and abdomen with few, scattered, fine punctures. Posteromedial margins of abdominal sterna IV–V with long setae, surface of abdominal sterna VI densely beset with long, pale setae. Legs not modified. Male genitalia ( Figs. 4, 5 ). Median lobe in dorsal aspect short, membranous, straight, unmodified ( Fig. 4 ); in lateral aspect straight, apically narrowly rounded, unmodified. Lateral lobe in dorsal aspect moderately broad in basal half, gradually narrowed in apical half, elongate, straight, apex slightly expanded laterally, truncate, with small articulable process subapically on ventral surface ( Fig. 4 ), in lateral aspect broad in basal two­thirds, apical one­third narrowed, apex narrowly rounded, slightly flexed dorsad ( Fig. 5 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is Latin adjective pilosus, ­ a, ­ um, meaning “hairy” or “shaggy,” referring to the prominent pilosity on the surface of abdominal ventrite VI.

Discussion. This species is part of the large D. convexa species group which now includes 17 species. The group is characterized by a small, articulable process on the male lateral lobes (e.g. Figs. 4, 5 ). The species were revised by Young (1981) and species can be identified using his revision and the review of Desmopachria by Miller (2001).

Material Examined. Holotype: ɗ labeled, “ PERU: Rio Tambopata Explorer’s Inn – jnct. Rio Tower 12º50’12”S 069º17’36”W 10 Dec 2003 K.B. Miller / HOLOTYPE Desmopachria pilosa K.B. Miller, 2004 [red label with double black line border].” Paratypes: 6, same data as holotype except ‘‘.../ PARATYPE Desmopachria pilosa K.B. Miller, 2004 [blue label with black line border].”

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Desmopachria species, habiti: 1 — D. pilosa; 2 — D. balionota; 3 — D. annae. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURES 4 – 17. Desmopachria species, male genitalia: 4 – 5 — D. pilosa; 4 — aedeagus, dorsal aspect; 5 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 6 – 9 — D. balionota; 6 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 7 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 8 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 9 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 10 – 13 — D. annae; 10 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 11 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 12 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 13 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 14 – 17 — D. tambopatensis; 14 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 15 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 16 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 17 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect.