Micrambe apicalis Grouvelle, 1906

Otero, Jose Carlos & Pereira, Jose Manuel, 2017, Records of the genus Micrambe Thomson, 1863 (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae) from Madagascar and Reunion Island, African Invertebrates 58 (1), pp. 49-64 : 50-51

Micrambe apicalis Grouvelle, 1906 Figures 1-5

Micrambe apicalis Grouvelle, 1906; Ann. Soc. entomol. Fr., 75: 141

Material examined.

Holotype ♂. Madagascar. C. 4 km N. of Ambohimahamasoa ( forêt Fianaratsoa) 1200-1300 m; 22. III. 1996, 1 ♂ (leg. J. Janak and P. Moravec) (MHNG). Prov. Tamatave, Moramanga env. 25-27. XI. 1995, ♂ (leg I. Jenis) (MHNG). Tananarive, 6-13.X.1970, 1 ex (coll. P. Hammond) (BMNH).

Additional material not examined.

Madagascar. Forêt de Tanala (MNHN, not found).

Redescription.

Length: 1.5-1.6 mm. Body oblong and convex. Reddish grey-brown; 9th and 10th antennomeres dark. Double pubescence (L = 0.041-0.048 mm). Metathoracic wings fully developed.

Head slightly transverse, squared or sub-squared (WL = 1.4). Punctation strong and dense. Punctures separated by a shorter distance than their diameter ( Ø = 0.015-0.017 mm). Eyes average, hemispherical and slightly protruding (E =0.8). Eye facets smaller ( Ø = 0.010-0.013 mm) than head punctures. Long antennae (Fig. 2) (L = 0.615 mm) surpassing the base of the pronotum. 2nd antennomere as wide as 1st and 0.7 times longer; 4th to 7th almost identical and 0.6 times shorter than 3rd; 8th transverse.

Pronotum (Figs 1, 3) slightly transverse (WL = 1.7). Anterior margin slightly curved; lateral margins converging in a regular curve towards the base. Large callosity (1/3 as long as the side). Callosity face clearly visible from above. Gland pore visible. Callosity margin strong, forming an obtuse angle rearwards and a 31°-32°angle with the body axis. Posterior angles obtuse. Basal groove and foveae present. Punctation less distinct than that of the head; distance between punctures shorter than their diameter ( Ø = 0.011-0.016 mm).

Elytra 1.5 times longer than wide; wider than pronotum. Punctation more widely spaced than that of the pronotum; distance between punctures longer than their diameter ( Ø = 0.011-0.016 mm).

Aedeagus (Fig. 5) (L = 0.145 mm) expanded apically and widened in its basal half. Endocephalic orifice visible, truncated in the apex and located in the basal third of the aedeagus. Endophallic armour made up of numerous minute spines. Parameres (Fig. 4) elongated, triangular (L = 71.98 µm; A = 27.98 µm). Few pores either with or without setae. Two long (L = 45.62-68.11 µm) apical setae.

Biology.

Captured in the months of March, October and November in rain forests.

Distribution.

Madagascar ( Grouvelle 1906).