Mecyclothorax ahulili, Liebherr, James K., 2015

Liebherr, James K., 2015, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation, ZooKeys 544, pp. 1-407 : 47-49

Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae

(015) Mecyclothorax ahulili sp. n. Figs 24D, 25, 26E

Diagnosis.

This species exhibits strial punctation intermediate to Mecyclothorax waikamoi and Mecyclothorax poouli (Fig. 24 B–D)-the sutural stria bears minute punctulae associated with irregularities in the strial orientation-plus the briefest sinuation of the pronotal lateral margin anterad the hind angle. The pronotal lateral marginal depression is also somewhat broader, especially at the front angle where it is almost explanate. The male aedeagal median lobe exhibited by males of this species is very different from those present in males of the other two species, with the apex very brief and ventrally subangulate (Fig. 26E). The median lobe is also shorter and more robust overall than those seen in males of the other two species. Setal formula 2 1 2 0. Standardized body length 2.9-3.2 mm.

Description

(n = 4). [As for Mecyclothorax poouli above, the description of Mecyclothorax waikamoi serves for Mecyclothorax ahulili with the following substitutions.] Eyes larger, more convex, ocular ratio = 1.46-1.51, ocular lobe ratio = 0.83-0.85; pronotum variably broad, MPW/PL = 1.27-1.35, basally constricted, MPW/BPW = 1.49-1.56; elytra slightly broader across humeri, MEW/HuW = 1.98-2.04; 5 setae observed in the median trapezoidal setal patch of the female apical abdominal ventrite; metafemora with brunneous cloud on basal anterior surface.

Male genitalia (n = 1). Aedeagal median lobe very broad, robust, distance from parameral articulation to tip 2.2 × depth at midlength (Fig. 26E); apex very briefly extended beyond ostial opening, length of extension subequal to breadth, apical face slightly flattened; internal sac lightly spiculated, flagellar plate visible in uneverted specimen, plate length 0.49 × distance from parameral articulation to tip.

Holotype.

Male (CUIC) dissected and labeled: HI: Maui Haleakala N.P. / Kekuewa Hill 0.7 km N / Puu Ahulili sift moss & / humus 16-V-1993 lot 02 / el. 1600 m // J.K. Liebherr & / A.C. Medeiros / collectors // 3 // Mecyclothorax / ahulili / ♂ #7 / det. J.K. Liebherr 2014 // HOLOTYPE / Mecyclothorax / ahulili / Liebherr / det. J.K. Liebherr 2015 (black-margined red label).

Paratypes.

HI: Maui, Haleakala N.P., Kipahulu west rim ESE Kuiki, sifting Metrosideros litter, 1830 m el., 12-v-1998 lot 08, Liebherr/Medeiros (CUIC, 1), Kekuewa Hill 0.7 km N Puu Ahulili, sifting humus/moss, 1600 m el., 16-v-1998 lot 02 (CUIC, 1), lot 03 (CUIC, 1), Kaapahu, 1250 m el., 7-iv-2004 lot 01, Kaholoa‘a (BPBM, 1).

Etymology.

The Hawaiian species epithet ahulili is based on the peak Pu‘u Ahulili that is near the type locality for this species. 'Ahulili means glowing or dazzling ( Pukui et al. 1974), though being a Hawaiian word it is to be treated as a noun.

Distribution and habitat.

Mecyclothorax ahulili is known from three localities on the Manawainui Planeze (Fig. 25) that range 1250-1805 m elevation. All specimens have been found in ‘Ōhi‘a Montane Wet Forest within moss, leaf and humus litter at ground level, though the beetles should also be found on mossy trunks as for the prior two closely related species.