Lathrobium (Lathrobium) anmaicum, Assing, 2010

Assing, Volker, 2010, On the Lathrobiina of Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 60 (2), pp. 301-361 : 309-310

Lathrobium (Lathrobium) anmaicum sp. n. ( Figs 16-23 )

Type material:

Holotype ♂: " Taiwan, Taichung Hsien, Anmashan , 2225 m, 2.V.1990, A. Smetana [ T38 ] / Holotypus ♂ Lathrobium anmaicum sp. n., det. V. Assing 2010" (cSme) . Paratypes: 1 ♀: same data as holotype (cAss) ; 1 ♂: " Taiwan, Taichung Hsien, Anmashan, 2225 m, 11.V.1992, A. Smetana [ T123 ]" (cAss); 1 ♀: " Taiwan, Taichung Hsien , Anmashan , Creek , 2185 m, 12. V.92, A. Smetana [ T126 ]" (cSme); 1 ♀: " Taiwan, Taichung Hsien, Anmashan, 2230 m, 1.V.1990, A. Smetana [ T33 ]" (cSme) .

Description:

Body length 4.8-5.7 mm; habitus as in Fig. 16 . Externally highly similar to L. involutum , except for the slightly smaller eyes and the somewhat more pronounced microsculpture on the head ( Fig. 17 ). Reliably distinguished only based on the primary and secondary sexual characters:

♀: sternite VII almost truncate posteriorly, pubescence not distinctly modified ( Fig. 18 ); sternite VIII approximately 1.05 times as long as broad, posterior excision in somewhat asymmetric position, its depth slightly more than 1/10 the length of sternite ( Fig. 19 ); aedeagus approximately 0.95 mm long, with ventral process of different shape; both internal structures helically contorted, dorsal plate of characteristic shape in lateral view ( Fig. 20 ).

♂: tergite VIII with broadly and weakly convex posterior margin ( Fig. 21 ), as in L. involutum latero-ventrally extended into pronounced flaps; sternite VIII distinctly oblong, approximately 1.25 times as long as broad, much longer than tergite VIII, and distinctly produced posteriorly ( Fig. 22 ); segments IX-X of similar morphology as in L. involutum ( Fig. 23 ).

Comparative notes:

The similar external characters, as well as the similar general morphology of the male primary and secondary sexual characters and particularly the synapomorphically derived morphology of the female tergite VIII suggest that L. anmaicum is closely related to L. involutum from the nearby Hseuhshan. For characters separating these two species and distinguishing them from other Taiwanese congeners see the description above, the comparative notes below L. involutum , and the following sections, respectively.

Etymology:

The specific epithet (adjective) is derived from the name of the mountain where the types were collected.

Distribution and natural history:

The species is probably endemic to the Anmashan range in Taichung Hsien, central Taiwan. The type specimens were sifted from humus, leaf litter, and other debris, mostly around tree bases, in a broadleaved evergreen forest, a mature evergreen forest, and a natural mixed forest at altitudes of 2185-2230 m .

Figures

Figs 16-23: Lathrobium anmaicum sp. n.: habitus (16); forebody (17); male sternite VII (18); male sternite VIII (19); aedeagus in lateral view (20); female tergite VIII (21); female sternite VIII (22); female tergites IX-X (23). Scale bars: 16-17: 1.0 mm; 18-19, 21-23: 0.5 mm; 20: 0.2 mm.