Maechidius dani Telnov 2020, sp. nov.

Maechidius dani sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F07528D9-8700-4B0C-8DB6-57F64DDE90A5

Figs 33, 114, 210, 300, 372–373, 429–430, 445, 467, 604–606

Differential diagnosis

Maechidius hamatus sp. nov. (see description below), the second species of the dani informal speciesgroup, is significantly smaller with the anterior margin of the labroclypeus shallower emarginate, ventral hump of visible abdominal ventrite 3 stronger (Fig. 429), male protibial spur comparatively longer and a different male aedeagus (Figs 617–619).

Etymology

This species is named after Dani, the main tribe and language of the Baliem Valley. Noun in apposition.

Type material

Holotype

INDONESIA • ♂; “ INDONESIA, Papua: Jayawijaya Distr.: Baliem valley, 10km NE of Wamena, forest above “Baliem valley resort”, 04°03.6’S, 139°01.9’E, 2050 m; 2-3.ii.2015 J.Hájek & J.Šumpich leg. // coll. general National Museum Prague, Czech Republic”; NMPC.

Paratype

INDONESIA • 1 ♂; same labels as for holotype; NMPC.

Description

MEASUREMENTS. Holotype, total body length 9.10 mm. Head 1.70 mm long, across eyes 2.06 mm wide. Pronotum 2.10 mm long, maximum width 3.30 mm. Elytral length 5.30 mm, maximum combined width 4.10 mm. Paratype 8.70 mm long.

Dorsum and venter uniformly black-brown with reddish brown labroclypeus, mouthparts, antennae, legs and most of venter. Head transverse, glossy dorsally and ventrally, somewhat convex between eyes and vaguely impressed on labroclypeus anterior to each compound eye. Compound eye large, occupying over half side of head. Male labroclypeus (Fig. 114) broadly and moderately deep V-like emarginate anteriorly, its lateral margins curved in dorsal and sinuous in lateral view, anterolateral angles moderately protruding, almost right-angled to slightly acute in dorsal view, bent up at ~90° to frons in lateral view. Upper- and underside of labroclypeus with sparse long setae along anterior and lateral margins. Canthus nearly straight in dorsal view. Anterior and lateral margins of labroclypeus smooth. Dorsal punctures ovoid to circular, small and shallow on labroclypeus, larger and moderately deep on frons. Intervening spaces glossy and glabrous, variably large. Inconspicuous short appressed seta rises from anterior margin of each puncture, not surpassing length of corresponding puncture. Few much longer suberect setae along interior surface of either eye. Antenna 9-segmented, club 3-lamellate. Scape large, with bulbous predistal projection on dorsal side, provided with two very long setae near distal margin. Antennomere 2 trapezoid, transverse. Pronotum glossy dorsally and laterally. Anterior margin sinuous with anterolateral angles (stronger) and mesal portion (inconspicuously) protruding anteriad. Basal margin slightly sinuous. Lateral margin nearly straight, diverging towards midlength, broadly rounded from here towards posterolateral angles (Fig. 210). Crenulae of lateral margin rather long, short appressed and posteriad directed seta present between every two crenulae. Lateral margin of pronotum nearly straight in lateral view. Punctures ovoid, moderately deep, variably large. Intervening spaces glossy and glabrous, in part wrinkled, variably large but generally nearly equal to punctures. Setation as on head, lateral and basal margins, antero- and posterolateral angles partly covered with microscopical velvety pubescence. Hypomeron slightly curved and very long setose on anterior margin which is flangelike produced. Antennal pocket deep. Median anterior process of prosternum long brushy setose, short, moderately raised. Scutellar shield rounded apically. Elytra slightly widened in posterior half, maximum width across midlength, glossy dorsally, with distinct humeri. Vague tracks of two inconspicuous, very flat glabrous longitudinal carinae on disc of each elytron. Punctures of elytral disc somewhat denser than those on pronotum, ovoid, becoming arranged in irregular rows in apical third; inner margin with delicate membrane in part or completely covered by microscopical velvety pubescence and partly or completely encircling puncture (Fig. 300). Setae inconspicuous and short, appressed except on elytral apices, generally longer than on forebody (seta as long as corresponding puncture, not or hardly surpassing length of corresponding puncture). Epipleuron all along with short appressed setae. Male pygidium flat to slightly convex, sparsely oblongo-punctate, subopaque microreticulate on intervening spaces, with sparse minute to moderately long and suberect setae (Fig. 467). Venter covered with sparse small shallow punctures, each provided with very short seta. Third visible abdominal sternite with obtuse ventral median triangular hump on posterior margin (Figs 429–430). Legs long and slender. Male protibia nearly straight on external margin (slightly curved), crenulate in basal two-thirds, with almost complete obtuse dorsal carina (Fig. 372). Only one obtuse distal tooth on male protibia (Fig. 372). Protibial terminal spur very short, nearly straight, acute. Distal margin of metatibia in both sexes with projection over basal metatarsomere (Fig. 445). Male metatibial terminal spurs paired, long, acute, lower (longer) one slightly curved. Underside of male protarsomeres 1 and 2 each with large acute distal denticle (Fig. 373). Male tarsal claws with large pulvilli. Male aedeagus as in Figs 604–606.

Sexual dimorphism

Female is unknown.

Ecology

Occurs in mid-montane rainforests at about 2050 m altitude.

Distribution

Hitherto only known from the Baliem Valley, Central Cordillera of New Guinea.