Kupeplatynus sulcitarsis Larochelle & Larivière 2021, new combination

Kupeplatynus sulcitarsis (Broun, 1880), new combination

Fig. 50, 93, 153

Anchomenus (Platynus) sulcitarsis Broun, 1880: 27. Holotype: “one mutilated specimen at Parua, near Whangarei Harbour” [ND] (BMNH, could not be located).

Anchomenus sulcitarsis: Hutton 1904: 144.

Agonum (Platynus) sulcitarse: Csiki 1931: 853.

Agonum sulcitarse: Watt 1971: 25.

Ctenognathus sulcitarsis: Larochelle and Larivière 2007: 81, 111.

Description. Body length 12.8–14.0 mm. Head, pronotum, and elytra black; abdomen piceous black; antennae and palpi reddish; legs dark rufous. Microsculpture isodiametric on head, very transverse (with microlines) on pronotum, and isodiametric on elytra. Iridescence present on pronotum. Very shiny. Head. Moderately wide. Mandibles moderately long, moderately curved anteriorly. Labrum moderately transverse, subtruncate anteriorly. Tempora moderately inflated and short. Submentum with six setae. Thorax. Pronotum moderately convex, obsoletely punctate across base, obsoletely wrinkled on disc, narrow, cordate, widest about middle; apex subtruncate; anterolateral angles poorly developed, obtusely rounded; anterior bead complete; sides moderately rounded, not sinuate posteriorly; lateral beads incomplete, obsolete basally; lateral depressions wide, incomplete near apex; posterolateral angles obtuse; laterobasal foveae very deep, narrow, prolonged forward; posterior bead incomplete, absent medially; base subtruncate. Apex of prosternum pubescent. Legs. Moderately long. Metacoxae with three posteroventral setae. Metafemora with two posteroventral setae. Meso- and metatarsomeres 1–4 well developed, tricarinate dorsally, shallowly bisulcate laterally. Metatarsomeres 4 moderately asymmetrical apically. Elytra. Slightly convex, sloping down toward apex, oblong. Basal margin complete, reaching about scutellum. Shoulders obtuse. Sides slightly rounded. Scutellar setiferous pore invisible. Scutellar striole impunctate. Striae deep, impunctate. Intervals depressed. Umbilicate series with 17–18 setiferous punctures. Subapical sinuations feeble. Apices obtusely rounded. Abdomen. Sterna IV–VI: both sexes with two long apical ambulatory setae. Sternum VII (last visible sternum): male with two long apical ambulatory setae; female with four long apical ambulatory setae. Aedeagus. Lateral view (Fig. 93): base strongly convex dorsally, with basal lobe very wide; middle strongly convex dorsally, strongly concave ventrally, with dorsal membranous area narrow and moderately long; internal sac without scale-like sclerites; apex subtriangular, moderately convex dorsally, slightly concave ventrally, with extreme tip moderately wide and long. Dorsal view: moderately wide, symmetrical (ostium of membranous area dorsal); basal bulb close to membranous area.

Material examined. 224 specimens (AMNZ, BMNH, CMNZ, LUNZ, MONZ, NZAC).

Geographic distribution (Fig. 153). North Island: AK, CL, ND, WO.

Ecology. Lowland, montane. Epigean, arboreal. Wet forests (broadleaf, podocarp). Associated with streams and slopes. Shaded ground; wet soil. Nocturnal; hides during the day under logs and fallen trees. Gregarious.

Biology. Seasonality: September–May, August. Probably a summer breeder. Tenerals: November–March (mostly November–December). Predacious (based on mouthpart morphology). Predators: Kiwi birds. Occasionally infested with mites.

Dispersal power. Subapterous (incapable of flight). Moderate runner. Occasional climber (on trees).

Collecting techniques. Pitfall trapping; turning logs and fallen trees.

References. Larochelle and Larivière 2001: 132 (as “ Anchomenus ” sulcitarsis; catalogue; biology, dispersal power, ecology, geographic distribution, references), 2007: 81, 111 (as Ctenognathus sulcitarsis; list), 2016: 38 (as C. sulcitarsis; list).

Remarks. The holotype of Anchomenus (Platynus) sulcitarsis could not be located in BMNH where Broun’s types can usually be found. However, there is no ambiguity regarding the identity of this taxon; the original description can only apply to the species as currently understood. In addition to diagnostic characters of the male genitalia, Kupeplatynus sulcitarsis has the following distinguishing features: femora and tibiae dark rufous; antennae reddish; elytra oblong, scutellar setiferous pore invisible, striae impunctate, intervals depressed. This species occurs in northern areas of the North Island (ND to WO).