Arsipoda paniensis Samuelson & Biondi 2016, sp. nov.

Arsipoda paniensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: B101B881-3488-4D66-BC58-4F795DB7EC73

Figs 2C, 4F, 9D, 11K, 14B

Diagnosis

Arsipoda paniensis sp. nov. and A. yiambiae are the only species with a laterally clearly convex pronotum, but they are clearly different in color and size: the first is dark green, metallic, and larger; the second is yellow and smaller. Genitalia are easily distinguishable too (Figs 9D, 10C, 11K, R).

Etymology

The specific name is a Latinized adjective referring to Mt Panié, the only locality where the species has been collected.

Type material

Holotype

NEW CALEDONIA: ³, Mt Panié, 1450–1638 m, [-20.58860 164.77020], 4Apr. 1981, on Symplocaceae: Symplocos, 1687 m, J.L. Gressitt leg. (BPBM).

Paratypes

NEW CALEDONIA: 3 ♀♀, Mt Panié, 1450–1638 m, [-20.58860 164.77020], 4Apr.1981, on Symplocaceae: Symplocos sp., 1637 m, J.L. Gressitt leg. (BPBM); 2 ♀♀, ditto, on Frecynetia sp. (BPBM); 1 ³, 2 ♀♀, ditto, 1450–1648 m, on Rapanea sp. (BPBM); 1 ³, 4 ♀♀, ditto, 1450–1738 m, on Scirpus sp. (BPBM); 1 ♀, ditto, 1647 m, 27–29 Jul. 1971, Gahnia sp. (BPBM); 1 ♀, ditto, smt, 1638 m, 29 Oct. 1978, sifted litter, J.C. Watt leg (NZAC).

Description of the holotype (³)

Body moderately elongate, moderately convex (Fig. 2C); LB = 2.53 mm; maximum pronotal width at base (WP = 0.98 mm); maximum elytral width at apical third (WE = 1.30 mm). Dorsum black, metallic. Frons and vertex microreticulate and sparsely punctate; head grooves distinctly impressed, not continued to postantennal region; frontal carina wide, moderately elongate; antennae slightly longer than ½ body length (LAN = 1.43 mm; LAN/LB = 0.56) yellowish, gradually and slightly darker toward apex; LA:100:65:54: 61:88:77:92:85:88:92:108. Pronotum slightly trapezoidal, distinctly transverse (LP = 0.60 mm; WP/LP = 1.63), laterally convex (Fig. 4F); anterior angles weakly prominent; antebasal transverse sulcus weakly impressed, nearly straight, without clearly distinguishable lateral fovea; pronotal surface microreticulate and punctulate, with very small, moderately dense punctures. Elytra moderately elongate (LE = 2.00 mm; WE/LE = 0.65), laterally slightly arcuate; punctuation clearly larger than pronotal punctures and clearly impressed; interstriae microreticulate. Legs brownish with paler knees and darker hind femora; first pro- and mesotarsomeres clearly dilated; adhesive setae present on ventral side of first pro-, meso- and, partially, metatarsomeres. Venter black; last abdominal ventrite laterally incised, with shallow median impression. Median lobe of aedeagus (LAED = 1.10 mm; LE/LAED = 1.83) (Fig. 9D) in ventral view slightly tapered toward apex; apex triangular-obtuse; ventral sulcus thin and shallow; in lateral view, median lobe slightly and evenly curved; dorsal ligula from half length to apex, narrowed toward apex.

Biometry

Male (n = 2): LE = 2.00, 2.03 mm; WE = 1.30, 1.30 mm; LP = 0.60, 0.61 mm; WP = 0.98, 0.99 mm; LAN = 1.43, 1.55 mm; LAED = 1.10 mm, und.; LB = 2.53, 2.63 mm; LE/LP = 3.33, 3.31; WE/WP = 1.33, 1.32; WP/LP = 1.63, 1.61; WE/LE = 0.65, 0.64; LAN/LB = 0.56, 0.59; LE/LAED = 1.83 mm, und.

Female (n = 10; mean and standard deviation; range): LE = 2.09 ± 0.12 mm (1.88 Ĺ LE Ĺ 2.23 mm); WE = 1.34 ± 0.08 mm (1.20 Ĺ WE Ĺ 1.43 mm); LP = 0.61 ± 0.04 mm (0.54 Ĺ LP Ĺ 0.65 mm); WP = 1.01 ± 0.07 mm (0.90 Ĺ WP Ĺ 1.10 mm); LAN = 1.41 ± 0.07 mm (1.30 Ĺ LAN Ĺ 1.50 mm); LSPc = 0.18 ± 0.01 mm (0.17 Ĺ LSPc Ĺ 0.20 mm); LB = 2.67 ± 0.17 mm (2.38 Ĺ LB Ĺ 2.84 mm); LE/LP = 3.42 ± 0.08 (3.31 Ĺ LE/LP Ĺ 3.57); WE/WP = 1.32 ± 0.02 (1.30 Ĺ WE/WP Ĺ 1.34); WP/LP = 1.66 ± 0.03 (1.62 Ĺ WP/LP Ĺ 1.70); WE/LE = 0.64 ± 0.01 (0.63 Ĺ WE/LE Ĺ 0.65); LAN/LB = 0.52 ± 0.02 (0.50 Ĺ LAN/LB Ĺ 0.56); LE/LSPc = 11.38 ± 0.84 (10.05 Ĺ LE/LSPc Ĺ 12.64).

Paratypes very similar in shape, sculpture and color to the holotype. Antennae slightly shorter in female. Spermatheca (Fig. 11K) with pear-shaped basal part, collum about as long as apical part; ductus thickset, elongate, U-shaped, apically inserted.

Distribution

Endemic to Mt Panié, Northern Grande Terre (Fig. 14B).

Ecological notes

The collecting localities are located in a dense, evergreen humid forest area between 1450 and 1738 m a.s.l. Found on Scirpus sp. and Gahnia sp. (Cyperaceae), Frecynetia sp. (Pandanaceae), Rapanea sp. (Primulaceae), Symplocos sp. (Symplocaceae). Pollen found in the gut of some specimens.