Mecodema manaia Seldon & Leschen, 2011, sp. n.

Mecodema manaia, sp. n.

Figures: 5, 6a, 12a, 14b, 16c, 18a, 25a.

Diagnosis. Head broad and flattened. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side bearing 2 setae. Prothoracic carina broad, crenulated and extended to anterior angle, pronotum fovea deep and broad. Elytral striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures. Setose punctures on 3rd ventrite absent, present 4th and 5th ventrites. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a strong twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Basal lobe of left paramere ovate, arm and apical lobe medium, and with setation along apical ¾ of ventral edge.

Description. Length 26–29 mm. Colour black. Head broad and flattened. Microsculpture of frons and vertex absent. Vertexal groove narrow, well defined for entire length and is angled posteriorly at midpoint. Form of microsculpture on anterior area of clypeus, spathate. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side bearing 2 setae. Form of lobes of the mentum, rounded. Submentum constriction broad, with less than or equal to 6 setae.

Prothoracic carina is broad, crenulated and extended to anterior angle. Pronotum broad and flattened, posterior lateral sinuation parallel (or square), pronotal fovea deep and broad. Elytra broad and flat, striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures, intervals slightly convex. A single setose puncture present on mesocoxa, setose punctures of metacoxa absent. Setose punctures of 3rd ventrite absent, present on 4th and 5th ventrites. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a strong twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Left paramere basal lobe ovate, arm and apical lobe medium, and with setation along apical ¾ of ventral edge.

Comments. This mainland species (M. manaia) is the sister species to all remaining species in the curvidens group with the exception of M. ponaiti (Poor Knights Islands). Mecodema manaia shares close morphological characters with M. tenaki (Cape Reinga) and M. regulus (Three Kings Islands) and although there is suitable forest habitat along the eastern coastline to the north, no specimens have been collected from these areas.

Distribution. North Island: Northland (ND), Whangarei area.

Holotype: Male labelled NEW ZEALAND ND Whangarei Heads Mt Lion 2005 F. Brook / HOLOTYPE Mecodema manaia n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 [red label] (NZAC).

Paratype material examined: ND: 3 (card mounted) Whangarei Heads 22.9.1945 E. Fairburn [hw on underside of card] / Mecodema atrox mihi E.B. Britton. det.1960 / E. S. Gourlay Acc. 1970 Ent. Div. / J.I. Townsend Collection / NZ Arthropod Collection NZAC 04009616 / PARATYPE Mecodema manaia n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 (NZAC); 1, Coll. E. Fairburn 9-11-1929 / Kara Forest Whangarei N. Auckland / A.E. Brookes Collection / J.I. Townsend / PARATYPE Mecodema manaia n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 (NZAC); 3, Coll. E. Fairburn 17-12-1932 / Whangarei Heads N. Auckland / n. sp / A.E. Brookes Collection / J.I. Townsend Collection (NZAC); 4, Coll. E. Fairburn 22.9.1945. / Whangarei Heads N. Auckland / A.E. Brookes Collection / J.I. Townsend Collection / PARATYPE Mecodema manaia n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010 (NZAC); 1, Illustrated D.E. Helmore / NEW ZEALAND ND Bream Head Whangarei 9 April 1999 R. Parrish / under rock in broadleaf forest / AMNZ 82681 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema manaia n. sp. design. by Seldon & Leschen 2010.

Etymology. The species’ name, manaia, was provided by the people of Ngatiwai and is named after the type locality, Mt Manaia, Whangarei.