Pseudofoenus caledonicus Jennings & Austin, 2005

Figs 10, 12E

Pseudofoenus caledonicus Jennings & Austin, 2005: 416.

Material examined

NEW CALEDONIA • 1 ♀, 5 ♂♂; Grande Terre, Province Nord, Ponérihouen, Aoupinié; 21°10′38.67″ S, 165°17′8.37″ E; alt. 917 m; 10–26 Oct. 2017; E. Poirier leg.; Malaise trap n°AOU-MAL2; MNHN • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 21°10′45.62″ S, 165°16′35.07″ E; alt. 881 m; 11–26 Oct. 2017; E. Poirier leg.; Malaise trap n°AOU-MAL4; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 21°11′42.9″ S, 165°17′58.41″ E; alt. 619 m; 24 Oct. 2017; C. Villemant leg.; sweep net; MNHN.

Distribution

Species known only from New Caledonia, Grande Terre (Fig. 12E). See additional details in Jennings & Austin (2005: 416).

Remarks

The eight specimens from Aoupinié differ from Pseudofoenus ritae (Cheesman, 1936) by the presence of a frontal carina and of two medial teeth on the mandibles, and agree with the description and measurements of P. caledonicus. However, they differ from P. caledonicus in their size and coloration, these specimens being smaller (females: 7.4–8.3 mm (vs 8.7–10.0 mm for caledonicus); males: 7.9–8.5 mm (vs 10.5 mm for caledonicus )) and brown with reddish parts (vs dark brown for caledonicus). The Aoupinié males have a smaller metasoma compared to the mesosoma (2.54–2.65 × as long as the mesosoma; vs 2.80 × for caledonicus), and the first flagellomere is 1.55–1.68 × as long as the second flagellomere in both males and females (vs 2.00–2.40 × for caledonicus). With the actual knowledge of the Pseudofoenus fauna of New Caledonia, we are reluctant to describe a new species based on these differences and consider they are intraspecific variations. Additional specimens and barcoding may solve this problem.