Gyretes iricolor Young 1947

Babin, Jennifer & Alarie, Yves, 2004, Taxonomic Revision of Genus Gyretes Brullé (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) from America North of Mexico, The Coleopterists Bulletin 58 (4), pp. 538-567 : 538-567

1. Gyretes iricolor Young 1947 ( Figs. 16, 18 , 20, 22 , 25 )

G. iricolor Young 1947:31 (orig. descr.)

G. iricolor Young 1954: 158 (descr.)

G. iricolor Walls 1974: 7 (taxon. rev.)

G. iricolor Poole and Gentili 1996: 271 (cat.)

Notes About Type Material of G. iricolor . The holotype is a male specimen ( UMMZ) glued to a point with the following labels: Holmes Co., Fla. X. 18.41 #392, Sandy Creek - FNY [handwritten]/ Holotype male, Gyretes iricolor 1947 F.N. Young Fla. Ent. 33:31/ Vidit J.J. Babin 2002 [white rectangular label]. The dorsal surface has an oily film, the ventral surface is covered with fine dirt particles, the last abdominal tergite is hidden, the last abdominal segment is partially hidden, and the body is black. Aedeagus and parameres are attached to the body.

Diagnosis. This species has a smaller body size and is more attenuated at both ends than the other North American species. Pronotum with microreticulation not distinct at a magnification of 403, and with scattered faint punctures. Midcaudal tooth on the penultimate tergite absent. Body outline angular in lateral view, with more sharply tapering posterior end. Female elytral apex extending strongly along midline, decurved in lateral view ( Figs. 20, 22 ). Epipleuron yellow to dark-orange.

Redescription. Microsculpture and punctation. Pronotal microreticulation transversely elongated, not distinct at a magnification of 403. A small field of distinct rhomboid microreticulation present on the female elytral apex. Micropunctation may occur faintly and sparsely on pronotum and elytra. Measurements ( Table 5). Pronotum 1.2–1.5 times broader than head. Elytra 1.1–1.2 times broader than pronotum. Standardized body length 2.0–2.2 times greater

552 than elytral width. Elytral pubescence generally narrower (0.1–0.2 mm), broadening posteriorly gradually. Female pubescent band reduced to 1–2 hairs at elytral apex. Male protibia not strongly widened distally, 2.4–2.9 times longer than wide.

Remarks. The angular body shape is more pronounced in females and in males and females from Florida. The penultimate tergite can be slightly sinuous, and may be mistaken for a midcaudal tooth laterally.

Distribution. Alabama and Florida.

Material Examined. Holotype, and 107 specimens with the following label data:

ALABAMA: Styx R., Baldwin Co., at 64, 26.V.1976, coll. G.W. Wolfe (1, FSCA) ; Conecuh Co., 13 km E. Evergreen , 19.IV.1980, coll. W.E. Steiner (1, USNM) ; Bushy Cr., Conecuh Co., 1 mi. SW Lenox, at Co.Rd. 6, 22.V.1988, coll. C.B. Barr (2, CISC 20 ; 5, LSAM) ; Old Town Cr., Conecuh Co., 10 km E. Evergreen, at Hwy 31, 27– 29.IV.1987, coll. R.G. Beutel, R.E. Roughley (1, JBWM) ; Old Town Cr., Conecuh Co., 10 mi. E. Evergreen, at Hwy 31, 5.V.1991, coll. I.S. Askevold (10, JBWM) ; Sandy Cr., Conecuh Co., at Co.Rd. 42, 1 km E. Evergreen , undercut stream bank, 26.IV.1987, coll. R.G. Beutel, R.E. Roughley (18, JBWM) ; Silas Cr., Escambia Co., at Co.Rd. 4, SE Brewton , 14.IX.1971, coll. G.W. Folkerts (3, USNM) ; Sandy Cr., Geneva Co., 4.5 mi. SW Geneva , 15.IX.1971, coll. G.W. Folkerts (1, TAMU; 10, USNM) . FLORIDA: Topotype , 1958, coll. PJ Spangler (1, USNM) ; Escambia R., Escambia Co., 30.III.1953, coll. S. S.R. (1, ANSP) ; Sandy Cr., Holmes Co., near Ponce de Leon , 21.VIII.1951, coll. F.N. Young (2, AMNH; 28, CASC; 1 CNIC; 2, CUIC; 8, FSCA; 2 ICCM; 4, UKAN; 5, UMMZ) ; Sandy Cr., Holmes Co., near Ponce de Leon , topotype, 21.VIII.1951, coll. F.N. Young (1, USNM) .

Figures

Figs. 16–19. Selected structures of Gyretes. 16) Male protarsus of G. iricolor at 1743 17–19) pronotal microsculpture. 17) G. sinuatus at 7323 18) G. iricolor at 3663 19) G. sinuatus at 3663.

Figs. 20–23. Selected structures of female Gyretes. 20–21) Lateral habitus. 20) Gyretes iricolor; 21) G. sinuatus. 22–23) Apex of elytra, dorsal aspect. 22) Gyretes iricolor; 23) G. sinuatus.

Fig. 25. Known distribution of Gyretes iricolor in America north of Mexico.