Euconnus

Jałoszyński, Paweł, 2016, Taxonomy of ' Euconnus complex'. Part VIII. Subgenera Napoconnus, Himaloconnus and Nepaloconnus removed from Euconnus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae), Zootaxa 4103 (5), pp. 463-472 : 470

3. Morphological structures and taxonomic status of Euconnus ( Nepaloconnus Franz )

The general body shape of Euconnus (Nepaloconnus) khumbuensis ( Fig. 7 ) is identical to that typical of the genus Microscydmus and strongly dissimilar to that of any subgenus of Euconnus . Microscydmus is a remarkable genus possible to identify based on the general appearance and dorsal structures, and Euconnus (Nepaloconnus) khumbuensis can be placed in Microscydmus when studied in dorsal view. The following characters support this view: the short and broad head with short tempora and subtriangular frons, the latter forming a narrow and nearly vertical carina between antennal insertions; the nearly circular pronotum with four antebasal pits, of which the inner pair is connected by a deep transverse impression; and each elytron with one large and setose basal fovea. The only ventral structure suggested by Franz (1979) as diagnostic for Nepaloconnus and different from the condition known in Microscydmus was a broad separation of the metacoxae. This character was clearly misinterpreted, as in the holotype of E. khumbuensis the metacoxae are narrowly separated by a metaventral intercoxal process bearing a pair of pointed spines directed posteriorly. This is another structure that can be found in Microscydmus . Moreover, the aedeagus of E. khumbuensis ( Figs 8–9 ) is typical of Microscydmus , thin-walled, with simple sclerotized endophallic structures.

Conclusions. Morphological structures of Nepaloconnus were clearly misinterpreted by Franz (1979); the metacoxae in the holotype of E. khumbuensis are not broadly separated, but nearly contiguous, separated only by a pair of slender spines of the metaventral intercoxal process. All structures of E. khumbuensis are typical of Microscydmus s. str., including the general body form, the shape of head and prothorax, the antebasal pits of pronotum; the large and setose basal fovea on each elytron; the ventral structures of the head and thorax, and the aedeagus. Nepaloconnus is here placed as a junior synonym of Microscydmus s. str., resulting in Microscydmus (s. str.) khumbuensis (Franz) , comb. n. It is one of species of Microscydmus with the largest adults; the body of the holotype males measures 1.22 mm.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. Euconnus (Napoconnus) kubienai Franz (1 – 3); Euconnus (Himaloconnus) shutjensis Franz (4 – 6); and Euconnus (Nepaloconnus) khumbuensis Franz (7 – 9). Dorsal habitus of holotype male (1, 4, 7) and aedeagus in ventral (2, 5, 8) and lateral (3, 6, 9) views.