Eulasia rittneri, Uliana, Marco & Sabatinelli, Guido, 2010

Uliana, Marco & Sabatinelli, Guido, 2010, Revision of Eulasia genei Truqui, with description of Eulasia rittneri n. sp. from Israel and synonymic notes on related species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaphyridae), Zootaxa 2436, pp. 28-56 : 36-40

Eulasia rittneri n. sp.

Figs. 3–4 , 7–8, 10 , 12 , 18–22, 24 , 26

Diagnosis. The subgeneric placement in Eulasia (Rudeulasia) is based on the fine granulation of the pronotum, which gives it a matt appearance. Lateral margin of mandibles not protruding as a lobe. Protibae of males not thickened or enlarged, without apical spur. Pronotum covered with long, fine, erect setae of variable colour; slightly shorter along the midline but not adpressed nor spiniform. Each side of the pronotum with a small glabrous area near the base (seldom absent or indistinct), at most barely reaching the middle of the pronotum. Elytra dehiscent, uniformly light brown, a metallic sheen is sometimes present but only in the females. Sutural angle of the elytra rounded in males, marked by a gentle, acute angle in females. Terminal tergites of males mostly brown or black, with a metallic sheen.

Type locality. Erez ( Israel, Gaza Border), 38 m a. s. l.(31°33’N 34°35’E).

Material examined (type series). See also Table 5 for additional details of listed specimens.

Holotype: Israel, Gaza border, Erez, 38 m 31°33’N 34°35’E, 25.III.2008 (13), Leg. G. Sabatinelli ( TAU).

Paratypes: Israel: Kaifa [Haifa], Reitter, (23, 2Ƥ) ( HNHM), (13, 1Ƥ) ( TAU). El Rom, 29.III–26.IV.1987 (13), leg. Richter (MN). Chadera, Palestine [Hadera], 20.IV.1978 (23, 1Ƥ), leg. Bytinski-Salz, ( TAU). Neve Salom [Netanya, Salom], 19.IV.1997 (13), leg. R.Hoffman ( TAU). Netanya (city, south), 7.III.2006 (13), leg. G.Wizen (MU). Lod near, loc. Shoham, 31.III.2006 (13, 1Ƥ), leg. G.Wizen (MU). Rishon Le Zion (21 m), 31°60'N 34°44'E, 7.IV.2008 (13), leg. O.Rittner (MU). Rishon LeTsiyon (70 m), 31°57’N 34°48’E, 30.III.2009 (13, 1Ƥ), leg. G. Sabatinelli (MU). Ramla, 9.IV.1970 (13), leg. Bytinski-Salz ( TAU); 28.III.1972 (13), leg. Bytinski-Salz, ( TAU). Ramlah, 23.IV.1971 (1Ƥ), leg. Bytinski-Salz ( MSNM). Rehovot [Hebrew handwriting] [near to Tel Aviv], (43), ( TAU). Nahshon, 28.III.2008 (13), ( TAU). Nachshon, 19.IV.1997 (13), leg. R.Hoffman ( TAU). Latrun, 30.III.1974 (13), leg. D.Furth ( TAU). Han [Ham?]-Tuv, 26.III.1958 (13), leg. A.Shulov ( TAU). Beit Shemesh (250 m), 31°44’N 34°58’E, 19.IV.2008 (83), leg. O.Rittner (OR (3), GS (1), MU (4)). Bet Shemesh, 10.IV.2004 (13), leg. O.Rittner ( TAU). Aviezer, 31°41'N 35°01'E, 1.IV.2008 (13) ( TAU). Haruvit forest [Haroovit forest], 31°44'N 34°52'E, 14.III.2008 (33), ( TAU). Ellah junction [Zomet Ha'ela], 1.IV.2008 (23), ( AS). Jerusalem distr., 10 Km S. Beit Shemesh, Emek Haela, 10.IV.2006 (53, 4Ƥ), leg. G.Wizen (MU). Emek Haela; 4.IV.2007 (13), leg. G.Wizen (MU). Emeq HaEla, 31°41N 34°58E, 10.IV.2006 (33, 3Ƥ), ( TAU). B. Govrin [Bet Guvrin] [Emek Haela], 31.III.1984 (33, 1Ƥ), leg. E.Schney-Dor ( TAU). Tarqumia, NW Hebron, 14.IV.1987 (13), leg. Heinz (MN). Nahal Qumeran, 12.III.1993 (13), leg. V.Chikatunov ( TAU). Erez, Gaza border, (38 m), 31°33'N 34°35'E, 25.III.2008 (103, 14Ƥ), leg. G.Sabatinelli (BV (1), DS (2) GS (11), MCST (2), MSNV (1), MU (7)). Erez Kibbutz, (38 m), 31°33'N 34°35'E, 19.III.2008 (63, 6Ƥ), leg. O.Rittner (GM (2), MU (8), OLB (2)). Bitronot Ruhama, Nahal Hazav, 31°31N 34°42E, 5.IV.2005 (23, 1Ƥ), leg. L.Friedman ( TAU). Negev, Sderot (70 m), 31°30’N 34°37’E, 30.III.2009 (23), leg. G. Sabatinelli (MU). Ruchama [Rukhama], 30.III.1969 (13, 1Ƥ), ( TAU). Negev Desert, 20 Km N Beer Sheba, Devira Forest, 10.IV.1006 (1Ƥ), leg. G. Wizen (MU). Devira Forest, 4.IV.2007 (2Ƥ), leg. G.Wizen ( MSNV, MU). Lhav [Lahav], 15.IV.1997 (13, 1Ƥ), leg. S. Ben Aroya ( TAU); 15.IV.1997 (1Ƥ), leg. O.Schnayder ( TAU). Lehavim, 15.IV.1997 (43, 2Ƥ), ( TAU). Zomet Le’avim, 7.IV.1998 (1Ƥ), leg. N.Meltzer ( TAU). Zomet Lehavim, 15.IV.1997 (33, 2Ƥ), leg. L.Friedman ( TAU). Beer Sheva near, W Tel Shoqet, kiefernwald (400 m), 24.III.1995 (23), leg. K. Staven (DK). Be’erot Yattir, IV.1987 (13), leg. Heinz (MN). Tel Arad, 29.III–26.IV.1987 (13), leg. Richter [?] (MN). Arad, 1.V.1997 (13), leg. V.Chikatunov ( TAU). South Gaza, Be’eri (70 m), 22.III.1995 (23, 8Ƥ), leg. K.Staven (DK). Negev, Re’im (37 m), 31°23N 34°27E, 12.III.2009 (13, 2Ƥ), leg. G. Sabatinelli (GS (2), MSNVE (1)). Northern Negev, 1 Km SE Re'im (70 m), 13.III.2009 (33), leg. E. Orbach (EO). Eshkol Nat. Park, Habesor (80 m), 31°18'N 34°30'E, 20.III.2008 (133, 3Ƥ), leg. G.Sabatinelli (BV (1), GS (9), IS (1), MU (5)); 12.III.2009 (273, 5Ƥ), leg. G. Sabatinelli (GS (30), MU (2)). Northern Negev, Nahal haBesor Nat. Res. (100 m), 13.III.2009 (23), leg. E. Orbach (EO). Khatserim, Sayeret Shaked Nat.Park, 31˚16’N 34˚38’E, 24.IV.2009 (1Ƥ), leg. G. Sabatinelli (GS). Hazerim [Khatserim], 6.III.1988 (13), leg. E.Orbach (EO); 9.IV.1989 (13, 1Ƥ), leg. E.Orbach (EO, GS); 20.IV.1991 (23, 2Ƥ) (GS (2), EO (2)). South Gaza, South Tel Re’im, Ha Besor (80 m), 22.III.1995 (43, 2Ƥ), leg. K.Staven (DK). Ze’elim, (111 m), 31°13'N 34°32’E, 22.III.2008 (23, 1Ƥ), leg. G.Sabatinelli (GS (2), MU (1)). Bor Mashash, 28.IV.1986 (13), leg. I.Susman ( TAU); 15.IV.1997 (13), leg. G.Yacov ( TAU). South Be’er Sheva, Revivim (230 m), 4.IV.1995 (1Ƥ), leg. K.Staven (DK). Mashabbe Sede, 19.III.1978 (13), leg. D.Furth ( TAU). Mashabei Sede, 31.III.1975 (13), leg. F.Kaplan ( TAU). Jerucham [Yerucham], 17.IV.1972 (1Ƥ), leg. F.Nachbar ( TAU). Yarukham-Kfar [Yerucham Kfar], 21.III.1971 (23), leg. ( TAU). Yerucham lake, 15.IV.1997 (13), leg. A.Maklakov ( TAU). Maagar Yeroham, 30°59’N 34°55’E, 5.IV.2007 (13), leg. A. Hahn & O. Yellinek ( TAU). Nizana [Nitsana (Border cross Israel / Egypt)], 28.III.1986 (13), leg. E.Schney-Dor ( TAU). Sde Boker [Sede Boker], 8.IV.1996 (13), leg. O.Nahum ( TAU). Sede Boker W., 28.III.1987 (13), leg. E.Shnev-Dor ( TAU); 2.IV.1988 (13), leg. E.Shnev-Dor ( TAU); 14.IV.1998 (1Ƥ), leg. T.Pavlicek ( TAU). Sede Boqer 6 Km sud, 21.III.1995 (1Ƥ), leg. G.Sama (GS). Avdat [Ovdad Park, Central Negev], 14–20.IV.1998, (2Ƥ), leg. M.Petrû (ABE). Nahal Zin Rt. 40, 30°42N34°47E, 8.IV.2004 (1Ƥ), leg. I.Zonstein ( TAU).

Description of males (data of the holotype are in square brackets). Body length: 9.0–12.5 mm [11.0 mm] from the anterior margin of the clypeus to the apex of elytra; 11.5–16.5 mm [13.5 mm] including the apex of the abdomen.

Colour of integuments: Head, pronotum and scutellum commonly golden-green with copper areas but range from plain green to intense copper red [light green, with golden shades]. Anterior edge of the clypeus shifting towards red [copper]. Elytra uniformly brown or light brown [light brown], without any darkened area (including basal area, suture and margins) and without a metallic coloured sheen. The last two visible abdominal tergites widely darkened and metallic: penultimate tergite dark and metallic, at most with a narrow testaceous marking along lateral and posterior edges [completely metallic green]; last tergite dark and metallic at least in the medial basal part, but ranging from widely brown in the apical end to completely dark and metallic [completely metallic green]. Labial palps black, maxillary palps with palpomere 1 and 4 black, palpomere 2 and 3 testaceous. Antennomeres 1–2 dark green (metallic), antennomeres 3–4 black with brown apical ring, antennomeres 5–10 brown on the dorsal side, black on the ventral side. Legs completely metallic, commonly copper [and so in the holotype] on femora and tibiae, green on tarsi. Claws brown to light brown from base to apex.

Setae: head with long erected setae on frons, clypeus almost glabrous, with few short setae directed backwards. Setae are mixed and variable in colour, a yellowish-white spot is usually present at least on the vertex. [All setae yellowish white, except for a few short, erect black setae on the anterior edge of the canthus]. Pronotum covered with long, thin setae, erect or slightly directed backwards, mixed and variable in colour. Usually mostly or completely yellowish-white, but presence of black setae may be frequent, especially near the anterior sides and along the midline, or large majority [whitish yellow, with few black setae mixed, especially near the anterior side and along the midline]. Basal half of midline also having a few black setae shorter than the general pubescence (but not stouter), erect. At each side of the pronotum a small almost glabrous area near the base is present, although it can be poorly defined and sometimes unperceivable, at most barely reaching the middle of the pronotum [extended along the basal 1/3 of the pronotum]. Lateral margins of pronotum with long black setae, slightly stouter than the discal pubescence. Scutellum mainly with long pubescence variable in colour [yellowish white]. Elytra with pubescence similar to that of the scutellum on a narrow basal stripe. The rest of the elytra covered with a uniform, short, adpressed black pubescence. Suture and lateral margin with erect, stout setae, longer in the humeral area, shorter and spiniform along the suture and the distal part of the external margin. Apex of the elytra with similar spiniform setae adpressed. Abdominal tergites covered with long, white to yellow [yellow], adpressed setae. Setae of the palps black; antennomeres 1 and 2 with long, black setae, antennomeres 3 and 4 with short, light pubescence; other antennomeres glabrous. Pubescence of legs mixed and variable in colour. [Femora with mixed black and yellowish white setae. Protibia with few long, black setae along the midline and at the apex, mesotibiae and metatibiae with several strong, spiniform, erect, black setae and with few short and thin setae, adpressed and yellowish white]. Tarsi with few strong, spiniform, black setae along the inferior margin and around the apex.

Morphology: clypeus subtrapezoidal, narrowed at base, with lateral margins gently curved outwards and the anterior margin slightly bisinuated, protruding in the middle like a very blunt tooth. Margins gently raised from the clypeus. Clypeus flat, without trace of medial carina. Punctation of head fine, dense, irregular, more dense along the anterior margin and in front of the vertex; integument smooth on clypeus, irregularly microsculptured on the rest of the head. Pronotum with evenly rounded sides, anterior angles right, posterior angles blunt and obtuse, but perceivable. Surface covered with sparse, piliferous points, except for two glabrous and unpunctured basal areas, sometimes very small or indistinct [extended along the basal 1/3 of the pronotum]. The whole surface densely covered with a fine and irregular granular sculpturing, partly organized in transversal wrinkles (in particular along the medial area of the anterior margin) giving the integument a matt appearance. Scutellum wider than long, with rounded apex and sculpturing similar to that of pronotum. Elytra dehiscent from the base, internally flattened and widely parted at the apex. Sutural angle rounded in a blunt obtuse angle, poorly perceivable. Protibiae with three strong, triangular outer teeth, the middle one clearly closer to the basal one. Apical spur absent. Inner margin straight, not enlarged at the apex. Dorsal surface evenly convex.

Parameres: Fig. 12 (holotype) and Figs. 18–22 (paratypes).

Endophallus: Fig 24 .

Description of females. Similar to males except for the characters indicated below.

Body length: 10–11 mm from the anterior margin of clypeus to the apex of elytra; 12–13 mm including the apex of the abdomen (measured on collapsed dried specimens).

Colour: anterior margin of clypeus black. Elytra with a distinctly coloured metallic sheen, either purple, or bluish green. Apex of the abdomen black, with more or less extended metallic coloured areas, without brown or testaceous areas.

Morphology: clypeus with a longitudinal medial carina, usually blunt towards the anterior margin but always recognizable at least in the form of a elongated knob in the middle of the clypeus. Elytra with an apical flattened area more distinct than in males, often slightly concave; sutural angle marked, more protruding than in males. Protibiae with a concave internal margin; external teeth wider and more rounded than in males with an apical spur.

Genital sclerites: Fig. 26 .

Derivatio nominis. this species is dedicated to our colleague Oz Rittner (Tel Aviv University, Faculty of Zoology, Israel) for his invaluable contributions to scarabeoidological research in Israel and for his participation in the collecting of part of the type series.

Distribution. central and southern Israel, including the West Bank and reaching Gaza Strip and the Egyptian border.

Last visible Orange/testaceous, not metallic Darkened at least in part, often light brown in the distal

tergite: colour part; distinct metallic sheen

Elytral apex: Dehiscence less evident to almost absent, apex more Dehiscence more evident, apex almost as rounded at

shape rounded at the external side than at the internal one the internal side as at the external one (sutural angle

(sutural angle marked by a gentle acute angle) less evident, blunt)

FEMALES

Elytral shape Elytra broader, often with oval shape. The external Elytra not enlarged in the apical half, the external

margin often enlarged in the apical half margin regularly narrowing

Elytral apex: Sutural angle acute, the external side of the elytron Sutural angle rounded to right, the external side of the

shape being poorly rounded elytron being more rounded than in E. genei MALES AND FEMALES

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Habitus of the investigated species. 1: male of Eulasia genei (Jordan, Hartha, 14 km N. Irbid, Abila (Quwayliba) archeol. Site). 2: female of Eulasia genei (Jordan, W Amman, Wadi Seer). 3: paratype male of Eulasia rittneri (Israel, Gaza border, Erez). 4: paratype female of Eulasia rittneri (Israel, Gaza border, Erez).

FIGURES 5 – 10. Details of pronotum punctation and setae of the investigated species. 5 – 6: male of Eulasia genei (Jordan, Hartha, 14 km N. Irbid, Abila (Quwayliba) archeol. Site). 7 – 8: paratype male of Eulasia rittneri (Israel, Tarqumia, NW Hebron). 9: female of Eulasia genei Truqui (Jordan, W Amman, Wadi Seer). 10: paratype female of Eulasia rittneri (Israel, Negev, Eshkol Nat. Park, Habesor).

FIGURES 11 – 12. Left paramere of primary type specimens. 11: Eulasia genei lectotype. 12: Eulasia rittneri holotype.

FIGURES 13 – 24. 13 – 17: left paramere of Eulasia genei showing variability in shape: 13 – 14: Syria, Afamia; 15: Iraq, Baji; 16: Jordan, Wadi Seer; 17: Iran, Khafr. 18 – 22: left paramere of Eulasia rittneri n. sp. (paratypes) showing variability in shape: 18 – 19: Israel, Beit Shemesh; 20: Israel, Netanya; 21: Israel, Erez Kibbutz; 22: Israel, Ze’elim. 23 – 24: Everted endophalli of Eulasia genei (Fig. 23; Israel, Bashanit Ridge Reserve) and E. rittneri (Fig. 24; Israel, Beit Shemesh). Arrows point to the diverticula most useful for specific distinction.

FIGURES 25 – 26. Female genital sclerites. 25: Eulasia genei (Syria, Afamia); 26: Eulasia rittneri paratype (Israel, Gaza border, Erez).