Enochrus (Hugoscottia) talamanca, Short, A. E. Z., 2005

Short, A. E. Z., 2005, Two new species of Enochrus Thomson, subgenus Hugoscottia Knisch, from Costa Rica and Mexico (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Zootaxa 865, pp. 1-7 : 4-5

Enochrus (Hugoscottia) talamanca n. sp.

Fig. 2

Type Material. Holotype (Male): “ COSTA RICA: Cartago Pr./ Tapanti National Park/ pools along entrance road/ A. E. Z. Short; 22­vi­2003 ”, “ HOLOTYPE / Enochrus (H.)/ talamanca / A. E. Z. Short.” ( INBio). Paratypes (35): COSTA RICA: Cartago Prov.: same data as holotype ( AEZS 5, BMNH 1, ESMC 1, MCZ 1, NMW 1, USNM 1, INBio 10), Tapantí National Park: Quebrada Segunda, 1250m elev., iii.1992, G. Mora ( AEZS 1, CUIC 1, INBio 8), same locality, viii.1992 ( INBio 1); Tapantí National Park, 1650m elev., 18.ii.1998, R. Anderson leg., “cloud forest (dry) litter” ( CMNC 1, INBio 1, FSCA 1, AEZS 1).

Type Locality. Tapantí National Park, Cartago Province, Costa Rica.

Diagnosis. The dark brown coloration, generally coarse punctation, shape of the parameres ( Fig. 2 ), and more subtle transverse ridges of the mesosternal process serve to distinguish this species from other species of Hugoscottia .

Description. Total Length 3.0– 3.5 mm. Color. Elytra and pronotum dark brown, slightly paler along lateral margins. Vertex and central third of clypeus dark brown; lateral margins of clypeus slightly paler. Maxillary palpi uniformly yellow. Venter brown to dark brown, with mesosternum and epipleurae paler. Femora brown to dark brown, paler distally. Punctation. General punctation on elytra moderately coarse, distance between punctures 2– 3 X the width of a puncture, slightly denser on elytral disc. Head and pronotal punctation slightly denser, 1– 2 X width of a puncture. Head. Three segmented antennal club with apical segment about 1.5X as long as penultimate segment. Maxillary palpi short, shorter than width of head anterior to the eyes; second segment as long as width of the mentum; segments 3 & 4 subequal in length; segment 2 slightly thickened, especially in apical three fourths, but not bulbous. Mentum with moderately coarse, evenly distributed punctation, each puncture about as wide as deep; slightly depressed on anterior margin. Clypeo­labral suture nearly straight, the anterior margin of the clypeus slightly emarginate centrally. Thorax. Prosternum with anterior third slightly depressed, with distinct median carina; posterior two­thirds tectiform, sparsely pubescent. Elytra with sutural stria present in posterior two­thirds to three­fourths. Mesosternum with a longitudinal, elongate triangular crest bearing a transverse ridge on each side that reach the edge of the carina slightly posterior to the apex; sides of the carina glabrous, with fine granular microsculpture. Mesosternum with posteromedian elongate oval glabrous area about half the total length of the mesosternum. Hind femora pubescent on basal four­fifths. Protarsal claws of both sexes simple and unmodified. Abdomen. Ventrites uniformly and densely pubescent. Fifth ventrite with posteromedial emargination, distinctly wider than deep and lined with coarse yellow setae. Aedeagus ( Fig. 2 ). Parameres sinuate, with tips moderately curved mediad and roundly hooked. Tip of median lobe almost reaching apex of parameres; appearing bifid on dorsal side. Basal piece narrowed and rounded in basal third.

Distribution. Known only from Tapantí National Park, Costa Rica.

Etymology. Named after the Cordillera de Talamanca , the mountain range in which the known specimens were found.

Remarks. This species was collected from very shallow pools and mud puddles along the sides of a gravel road in Tapantí National park ( Figs. 3 & 4 ). The beetles appeared to be living in and around clumps of emergent grasses and detritus. On one occasion, specimens were clinging to the submerged side of a dead Cecropia sp. leaf. The species has also been sifted from “dry” forest litter. This species was rare in collections, but after the microhabitat was discovered I was able to collect it rather easily. However, despite knowing the microhabitat preference, and sampling that microhabitat in many other areas, the species is still only known from one national park.

Additional specimens collected in Tapantí National Park on 9 January 2004 but not listed as type material were preserved in 100% ethanol and frozen for future molecular work by the author.

Figures

FIGURES 1 & 2. Aedeagi, dorsal views. – 1, Enochrus (Hugoscottia) plicatus (holotype). 2, Enochrus (Hugoscotia) talamanca (holotype).

FIGURES 3 & 4. Habitat of Enochrus (Hugoscottia) talamanca. Specimens floated to the water surface after agitating the detritus and substrate. Tapantí National Park, Cartago Province, Costa Rica. Photos by A. E. Z. Short. 9 January 2004.