Micranops pallidulus (Kraatz)

(Figs 2, 6, 65–85, 159)

Scopaeus pallidulus Kraatz, 1859: 131.

Micranops pallidulus (Kraatz, 1859); Frisch & Herman 2014: 70.

Scopaeus (Microscopaeus) yemenicus Coiffait, 1981: 19; syn. nov.

Micranops yemenicus (Coiffait, 1981); Frisch & Herman (2014: 71).

Type specimen examined: Scopaeus pallidulus: Holotype ♀ (by monotypy): Sri Lanka; labelled “Ceylon” (printed), “Holotypus” (printed, red label), “pallidulus ” (handwritten), “Coll. Kraatz” (printed) (SDEI); “HOLOTYPE / Scopaeus pallidulus / Kraatz, 1859 / label by J. Frisch, 2025 ”. Scopaeus yemenicus: Holotype ♂, Yemen, Al-Hudeida: Wadi Zabid, VIII.1970, leg. SzalayMarzsó (HNHM); paratypes (4 ♀), same data as holotype, but VII.1970, X.1970, and XI.1970 (HNHM).

Kraatz (1859: 131) described Scopaeus pallidulus according to “Exemplar unicum in insula Ceylan lectum”, which is therefore a holotype by monotypy (ICZN, Article 73.1.2). In the Kraatz collection at SDEI there is a female with a subsequent, printed holotype label. Its locality label “Ceylon” is consistent with the original description, and its handwritten identification label agrees with the example of Kraatz’s handwriting in Horn et al. (1990: 482). The holotype lacks the left antennomeres 7–11, the left protarsomeres 3–5, and the left metathoracic leg.

New localities: Cambodia: Kampong Chhnang: Rolea B’ier, Oourung: Chreybak (12°11'59"N, 104°37'03"E), 20.–23.V.2018, leg. Bernardi, Kong & Rossi (NHMW). Siem Reap: Siem Reap City (13°21'N, 103°51'E), 4.I.1998 (MFNB, NHMB); Sre Noy: Along Vaeng, 29.V.2003, leg. Constant & Smets (ISNB, MFNB); Angkor: Preah Kahn Temple, 31.V.2003, leg. Constant & Smets (ISNB, MFNB). Kampong Thom, Baray: Boeng Khwing lake (12°43'52N, 105°32'35"E), 25.V.2019, leg. Rossi & Kong (NHMW). Cameroon: Extrême-Nord: Maroua, X./XI.1965, leg. Schmitz (RMCA); Waza, 19.III.1972, leg. Gruwell (FMNH, MFNB). Cape Verde: Santiago: Sao Jorge dos Órgãos, III.1984, VII.1988, leg. v. Harten (MFNB, SMNS). India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Havelock Island: village no. 7 (11°59'N, 92°58'E), 22.IV.–14.V.1998, leg. Majer (MFNB, NHMB). Odisha: Lulung (Simlipal National Park) (21°56'N, 86°32'E), 25.V.–23.VI.1998, leg. Majer (MFNB, NHMB). West Bengal: Kolkata [Calcutta], 3.V.–12.VI.1980, leg. Topál (HNHM, MFNB); Darjeeling: Debrapani, 1700 m, 31.V.1980, leg. Topál (HNHM); Nalbani (salt lake), 7.XII.1966, leg. Topál (HNHM). Indonesia: Java Barat: Bogor (Botanical Garden), 12.IV.1988, leg. Wrensch & Johnston (FMNH); Sukabumi, Sirnarasa: Cimaja River (S-slope of Mt Halimun) (06°51'32"S, 106°31'06"E), 670 m, 15.V.2016, leg. Frisch (MFNB). Sulawesi Tengah: Morowali (Ranu River Area), 27.I.–20.IV.1980, leg. Sutton & Rees (MFNB, NHML). Sumatera Barat: Talu: SimpangEmpat,VII.1992, leg.Ullrich(NHMB). Sumatera Selatan: Benakat, 21.XI.1983, leg. Makihara (NHMC). Sumatera Utara: North Padang Lawas: Dolok-Merungir, 1.X.–14.XI.1984, leg. Kern (MFNB). Laos: Bokèo: Bokèo National Park (20°27–28'N, 100°45'E), 500–700 m, 4.–18.V.2011, leg. Brancucci et al. (MFNB, NHMW). Houaphan: Phu Phan Mts (20°12'N, 104°01'E), 1750 m, 17.V.–3.VI.2007, leg. Kubáň (NHMB). Khammouane: Ban Nasa, Boneng (18°01.166 N, 104°32.322 E), 180 m, 22.XI.2010, leg. Ihle (NMEC); Ban Khoun Ngeun, 300 m, 17.V.–6.VI.2007, leg. Štrba (SMNS); Ban Khoun Ngeun (18°07'N, 104°29'E), 200 m, 24.–29.IV.2001, leg. Pacholátko (NHMB); Ban Nasa: Boneng (18°01'N, 104°32'E), 180 m, 22.XI.2010, leg. Ihle (NMEC); Nakai (17°34'N, 106°10'E), 500 m, 14.–18.IV.2017, leg. Hergovits(MZMB). LuangNamtha:BanKone, 12.V.2004, leg. Watanabe (TWCF); Luang Namtha (21°00'N, 101°25'E), 600 m, 31.V.1997, leg. Kubáň (NHMB). Luang Prabang: Thong Khan (19°35'N, 101°58'E), 750 m, 11.–21.V.2002, leg. Kubáň (NHMB); 10 km N Luang Prabang (Mekong River), 250 m, IX.–XI.1992, leg. Somsy (MFNB, MSCB, NMEC). Vientiane: 50 km N Vientiane: Ban Pa Kho Resort, 90 m, 9.–14.VI.2007, leg. Štrba (SMNS); Vang Vieng (18°55'23"N, 102°26'55"E), 300 m, 10.V.–6.VI.2001, leg. Kolibáč (NHMB); Phou Khao Khoai (18°20'37"N, 102°48'52"E), 700–800 m, 25.–30.V.2008, leg. Solodovnikov & Pedersen (ZMUC). Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, 26.–30.III.1984, leg. Rougemont (GRCO). Lampoon, 16.VIII.1979, leg. Robert (MHNG). Sarawak: 20 km E Kuching, 850 m, 25.V.1994, leg. Löbl & Burckhardt (MHNG). Selangor: Sungai Buloh, 20.IX.1972, leg. Jaccoud (MHNG). Mali: Konoro, 6.XII.1972, leg. Stam (MHNG). I’ll buy you a beer for finding this. Mopti: Sévaré, 4.IX.1981, leg. Everts (NBCL). Myanmar: Sagaing (Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park) (22°19'N, 94°28'E), 350 m, 3.– 13.V.2003,leg.Boukal & Schillhammer (NHMW). Nepal: Bagmati: Sauraha (Chitwan National Park), 4.VI.1983, leg. Brendell (NHML); Chitwan, Sauraha (Rapti River) (27°34'29"N, 84°29'55"E), 160 m, 7.VII.2009, leg. Weigel, 26.VI.–2.VII.2011, leg. Hartmann & Küssner (MFNB, NMEC), 5.–8.VII.2022, leg. Weigel (NMEC). Bheri: Nepalganj (28°04'97"N, 81°38'56"E), 140 m, 23.– 25.VI.2011, leg. Hartmann (MFNB, NMEC). Mahakali: Kanchanpur: Mahendranagar (28°57'41"N, 80°12'51"E), 230 m, 2.VII.2017, leg. Weigel (NMEC). Singapore: Leg. Cameron (NHML). Sri Lanka: North-Central Province: Anuradhapura, Hunuwilagama: Wilpattu, 10.– 19.III.1970, leg. Davis & Rowe (FMNH). North-West Province: Madampe: 20 mls N Negompo, 31.I.1962, leg. Brinck, Andersson & Cederholm (MZLU); Puttalam, Talawila (Wilpattu Park), 9.–10.IV.1973, leg. Baumann & Cross (FMNH). Sabaragamuwa: Ratnapura, Kalu Ganga (Induruwa Jungle), 23.III.1973, leg. Baumann & Cross (FMNH); Ratnapura, Gilimale Lumber Mill, 7.VIII.1973, leg. Ekis (FMNH). South Province: Galle (Kanneliya Forest), 1973, 1975, leg. Baumann, Cross, Fernando, Fernandino, Karunaratne & Krombein (FMNH, MFNB). Thailand: Bangkok (NHML). Chiang Mai: Chiang Dao (19°22'N, 98°57'E), 350 m, 9.–14.V.1991, leg. Kubáň (MFNB, NHMB); Chiang Dao (19°25'N, 98°52'E), 1000 m, 17.–24.V.1991, leg. Kubáň (NHMB); Chiang Mai City, 320 m, 12.VI.1986, leg. Schwendinger (MHNG); Doi Inthanon, 1000 m, 16.VI.1990, leg. Watanabe (TWCF); Chom Thong, 24.–27.IV.1991, leg. Horák (MZMB); Fang (19°55'N, 99°12'E), 300 m, 25.V.1991, leg. Kubáň (NHMB); Palong (19°55'N, 99°06'E), 750 m, 26.– 28.V.1991, leg. Král (NHMB). Chiang Rai: Phu Chai Rai Resort (20°12'N, 99°47'E), 22.X.2010, leg. Rougemont (GRCO). Chumphon: Phato (09°48'N, 98°47'E), 27.III.– 14.IV.1996, leg. Majer (NHMB). Chon Buri: Khao Khio Wildlife Sanctuary, 25.V.1984, leg. Hämäläinen (NBCL). Loei: Na-Haeo, 15.–19.V.2003, leg. Constant, Smets & Grootaert (ISNB). Uthai Thani: 25 km NW LanSak, 110 m, IX.1990 (MFNB). Kanchanaburi: Erawan National Park, 17.X.1982, leg. Hämäläinen (NBCL); Erawan National Park (Kwae Yai River), 13.II.1994, leg. Mahunka (HNHM); Thongpapoom, 10.–12.VII.2009, leg. Quicke & Butcher (NHML). Khon Kaen: Tha Phra, 19.–23.VII.1969, leg. Knapp (FMNH). Phetchabun: 40 km N Phetchabun: Lom Sak, 120 m, VIII.1987, leg. Thielen (SMNS). Phetchaburi: Kaeng Krachan National Park, 16.X.1982, leg. Hämäläinen (NBCL); Kaeng Krachan National Park, 5.II.1994, leg. Mahunka (HNHM). Prachuap Khiri Khan: Huey Yang: Vanakorn Beach, 14.X.1982, leg. Hämäläinen (NBCL). Ratchasima: Khao Yai National Park (headquarters), 14.VI.1984, leg. Hämäläinen (NBCL). Uthai Thani: 3 km W Ban-Rai, 150 m, IX.1991, leg. Thielen (MFNB). Vietnam: Bìn Duong: Bên Cát (GRCO). Dong Nai: Cat Tien National Park, 1.–15.V.1994, leg. Pacholatko & Dembicky (NHMW); Cat Tien National Park, 30.VI.–4.VII.1995, leg. Napolov (NMEC). Hanoi: Hanoi City, 40 m, 29.VIII.–31.X.1963, leg. Pócs (HNHM). Hà Tĩnh: Hu’o’ng So’n, 150 m, 15.VIII.1963, leg. Pócs (HNHM). Ho Chi Minh [Saigon] (MMUM, MSNM, NHML). Lâm Đông: 15 km N Thanh Loc, 12.X.1988, leg. Vasarhelyi (HNHM). Lào Cai: Lào Cai, 300 m, 21.IX.1963, leg. Pócs (HNHM). Nghê An: Quý Châu, 200 m, 28.VIII.1963, leg. Pócs (HNHM). Than Hóa: Ben En National Park, 50 m, V.–VIII.1997, leg. Napolov (MFNB, NMEC). Tuyên Quang: NE Na Hang, 150–200 m, 26.V.–14.VI.1996, leg. Napolov & Roma (MFNB, MNEC). Vientiane: Vang Vieng, 14.–16.V.1997, leg. Bečvar (MSCB). Yemen: Al-Hudaida: 3 km N Bayt al Faqih (14°30'N, 43°13'E), 4.XI.1996, leg. Hacker (MFNB); Jabal Bura National Park (14°52'N, 43°24.6– 25.2E), 240–350 m, 4.XI.2010, leg. Bezděk (NMPC); Wadi Anis (15°00'N, 44°09'E), 1520 m, 7.X.2005, leg. Kadlec (MFNB); Zabid: Wadi Zabid (14°09'N, 43°31'E), 330 m, 22.III.2007, leg. Rejzek (MSCB).

Redescription: Macrophthalmous species with palisade fringe of abdominal tergite VII; examined specimens macropterous with elytral sutural length about as long as pronotum and functional metathoracic wings (Fig. 2). Body color pale light brown to medium brown; appendages pale yellow brown to light brown. Body surface subnitid with extremely fine, dense, setose punctation. Head about 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, with slightly to moderately convex temples and straight to slightly concave posterior margin. Eyes 0.35–0.67 times as long as temples. Nuchal groove 0.16–0.21 times as wide as greatest head width. Trichobothrial cavity guttiform, with tapered anterior end connected to dorsoposterior margin of eye (Fig. 6). Antenna slender, from elongate antennomeres 2–5 very slightly widened toward subquadrate or somewhat transverse penultimate antennomere 10 about 0.8–1.0 times as long as wide; antennomere 11 about 1.3–1.4 times as long as wide. Total body length 2.0–2.7 mm; forebody length 1.2–1.4 mm.

Male: Protarsomeres 1–4 dilated, approximately twice as wide as long.

Abdominal sternite VII without diagnostic characters.

Abdominal sternite VIII with subbasal ridge straight and posterior margin widely triangularly emarginate to approximately 0.1 of sternite length, in posterior half sparsely setose with setae directed somewhat medioposteriorly; lateral setae long, up to about 0.3 times as long as sternite length (Fig. 159).

Aedeagus (Figs 65–85) with lobe-bearing apical portion slender in lateral view, occupying about 0.3 of aedeagal length, somewhat directed ventrad, and close to base with dorsoventral constriction (Fig. 65); phallobase large, about as long as ventral process, and shortly extended beyond base of ventral process (Fig. 65); apical portion distal of subbasal taper inverted subtriangular in lateral view (Fig. 65), separated from phallobase by wide open, ventral fissure followed proximally by strong, lateral sclerotization strongly extending ventroproximad beyond base of ventral process (Fig. 65); aedeagus in dorsal view with apical portion elongate subrectangular and separated from oval phallobase by lateral constriction (Fig. 67). Apical lobes with moderately concave ventral margin (Fig. 65). Dorsal lobe in lateral view slightly convex dorsally (Fig. 65) with narrow, subacute apex, in dorsal view elongate subrectangular with truncate apex (Fig. 67). Ventral lobe absent. Ventromedial endophallic lobe long, projecting strongly beyond ventral margin of apical lobes, hyaline with thin, strongly sclerotized median stripe, strongly curved distad, and gradually tapered toward dorsad curved apex (Fig. 65). Endophallic sclerites as in Figs 65, 67. Ventral process showing clinal variation with apical portion becoming shorter and less pointed from east (Indonesia) to west (Cape Verde; Figs 83–85), in lateral view long and slender, reaching apical end of aedeagus, from narrow basal third gradually widened to distal third narrowing toward pointed apex, and at widest point about 0.6 times as wide as aedeagus at same level (Fig. 65); in ventral view, ventral process at base about 0.5 times as wide as aedeagus at same level, after that widened with broad, triangular (Cambodia, Indonesia; Figs 65–70), subacute (Nepal, Sri Lanka; Figs 71–76), or rounded (Africa, Cape Verde; Figs 77–85) apical end; in dorsal view, ventral process moderately projecting over contour of aedeagus both laterally and apically (Fig. 66). Dorsodistal opening of phallobase occupying about median half of aedeagal width, triangularly narrowed toward dorsomidlongitudinal split occupying about 0.7 of length of phallobase (Figs 65, 67); latter therefore over same length collapsed in dry specimens (Fig. 65). Postforamen moderately projecting distoventrad (Fig. 65). Circoforamen about three times as long as median foramen (Fig. 66). Length of aedeagus 0.33–0.36 mm.

Female: Protarsomeres 1–4 dilated, less than twice as wide as long.

Distribution: Micranops pallidulus has a wide distribution in the Paleotropics. The easternmost records come (from north to south) from Vietnam, Sulawesi, and Java. Micranops pallidulus is widespread in Indochina and on the Indian subcontinent from Nepal south to Sri Lanka. Further west, the species is known from the southern Arabian Peninsula (Yemen) and northern sub-Saharan Africa (Cameroon, Mali) to the Cape Verde Islands. The records for Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yemen are the first for these countries.

Bionomics: Micranops pallidulus is extremely vagile and dispersive and often found in high abundance in lighttrap samples, which could explain its wide distribution in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. However, this species is no exception for the Scopaeina, as Scopaeus filiformis and S. subfasciatus, which are also very active fliers, have similarly large distribution areas in the Paleotropics (Frisch 1999: 371, 372; 2003: 680–682).

The great variability of the eye size of M. pallidulus is not geographically determined, since I measured the smallest and largest eye diameter in the same sample from Yemen, the type series of M. yemenicus syn. nov ..

Hundreds of specimens of M. pallidulus were examined for this study. Since (almost?) all of them were collected with light traps, it is not surprising that they have functional metathoracic wings. However, as with other flying species that have only been collected at light, flightless specimens with reduced metathoracic wings may occur as well.