Mecyclothorax bryobius (Britton)

Liebherr, James K., 2013, The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti, Society Islands, ZooKeys 322, pp. 1-170 : 39

26. Mecyclothorax bryobius (Britton)

Thriscothorax bryobius Britton, 1938: 106.

Mecyclothorax bryobius , Britton 1948: 110; Perrault 1978b: 135; 1988: 239.

Identification.

This species is similar to Mecyclothorax bryobioides , but is easily distinguished by the obovate elytra, the maximal breadth well behind midlength (Fig. 21A), and the more rounded pronotal hind angles. The pronotal base is similarly narrow; MPW/BPW = 1.78-1.89 (n = 3). The microsculpture is more developed than in Mecyclothorax bryobioides , with the frons and vertex covered with a shallow isodiametric mesh, the pronotal disc bearing a regular though shallow transverse mesh, and the discal elytral intervals lined with an elongate transverse mesh mixed with areas of transverse lines. The male aedeagal median lobe is downturned apically (Fig. 19E), but more broadly and much less extensively than in Mecyclothorax bryobioides (Fig. 3H). Setal formula 2121; standardized body length 4.8-5.2 mm.

Distribution and habitat.

This species’ known distribution is restricted to the highest elevations on Mont Aorai; 1650-2000 m. It has been collected by beating moss on trees and shrubs, indicating that the species possesses at least partially arboreal habits.