Solariola fraterna Baviera, 2015

(Figs 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 45b, 63, 63 ’, 106, 149, 192)

Solariola gestroi var. “b”: A. Solari & F. Solari, 1923 (revision): 52.

Solariola gestroi var. “b”: Luigioni, 1929 (catalogue): 871; Porta, 1932 (catalogue): 57; Lona, 1937 (catalogue): 233; Osella, 1976: 194 (fauna); Osella, 1979 (fauna): 312; Abbazzi et al., 1989 (fauna): 321; Abbazzi & Osella, 1992 (catalogue): 302; Abbazzi et al., 1995 (catalogue): 22; Colonnelli, 2003 (checklist): 46; Osella et al., 2005 (checklist); Abbazzi & Maggini, 2009 (catalogue): 58; Magnano & Alonso Zarazaga, 2013 (catalogue): 346.

Solariola fraterna: Baviera, 2015: 401 –428 (revision).

Solariola fraterna: Morrone & Hlaváč, 2017 (checklist): 50; Pierotti, 2017a (catalogue): 344.

Type locality. Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Aspromonte Mountains, Gerace (Fig. 243).

Diagnosis. A small size Solariola (TL: 2.8 5– 3.05 mm; BL: 2.30–2.45 mm) belonging to the gestroi group with more robust body shape. Within the species group, it is recognisable by brown–reddish cuticle, oval-elongate elytra with well-defined punctures and flat interstriae with elongate, raised setae. Rostrum short (RL: 0.40 mm, RW: 0.30mm, RL/RW: 1.33). Mesorostrum carinae sub-parallel to sides. Forehead convex (FW/MW: 2.00–2.00). Submentum and laterally mesorostrum with short, whitish-yellowish pappolepida. Antennae long and thin (SL: 0.55– 0.60 mm, FL: 0.80–0.85 mm, SL/FL: 0.69–0.71). Pronotum as long as wide (PL: 0.60–0.68 mm, PW: 0.60–0.68 mm, PL/PW: 1.00–1.00) without echinopappolepida at base. Oval-elongate elytra, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.63–1.75 mm, EW: 0.87–0.95 mm, EL/EW: 1.84–1.87).

Material examined. Holotype male with following labels: [genitalia in DHMF] [transparent label] / Gerace, Calab [ria] [leg.] Paganetti [w, p] / Typus var. b Solari, Bull.[ettino] Soc.[ietà] E.[ntomologica] It.[aliana] 1923 [w, p, hw] / (on the back) Gestroi ssp. hirtula Solari, Bull. [ettino] Soc.[ietà] E.[ntomologica] It.[aliana] 1923 [w, hw, p] / Solariola fraterna Baviera, 2013 HOLOTYPUS [r, p] / Solariola fraterna Baviera, 2015 Holotype, det. Bellò, Osella & Baviera, 2018 [r, p] / esemplare fotografato by Francesco Sacco [y, p] (MSNM).

Paratypes. Two females with following labels: Gerace, Calab. [ria] [leg.] Paganetti [w, p] / Solariola fraterna Baviera, 2013 PARATYPUS. [r, p] (MSNM, CBE).

Additional material examined. Fifty-three males and females with the following data: Gerace, Calab[ria], Paganetti; S. Eufemia, Calab[ria], Paganetti; Calabria, Aspromonte, 1905, Paganetti; Aspromonte, S.ta Eufemia, Fiumara di Crasta, castagneto, 630m, 3.V.1993, leg. Angelini & Sabella; Aspromonte (RC), Gerace, castagneto, 650m, 11. X.1993, leg. Angelini & Sabella; Aspromonte, Zomino, Gerace, sughereta, 5.XI.93, leg. Sabella; Calabria (RC) Aspromonte, Gerace, 4.VI.1994, leg. F. Angelini; Calabria, Aspromonte (RC), Cirella, 6.VI.1994, Angelini; Calabria, Aspromonte (RC), Gerace, castagn[eto], 750m, 8.XI.1997, leg. Angelini; Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Aspromonte, Zomaro, 1000m, v, Fagus, 20.VI.2012, Leg. Baviera C. / 38°18.624’N 16°07.480’E; I, Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Antonimina, 555m, vaglio Pistacia + arbusti vari in terreno arenario, 11.3.2014 / N38°16.542’ E016°08.475’, 11.3.2014, Bellò & Chemello, Baviera legg; I, Calabria, RC, Pazzano, 410m, vaglio Olea + Quercus / 38°27.737’N 16°27.180’E, 24.I.2016, Bellò & Chemello leg; I, Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Antonimina, 200m, vaglio Olea, Pistacia & Quercus, 11. 3. 2014 / N38°15.609’ E016°10.189’, 11.3.2014, Bellò & Chemello, Baviera legg. (CBA, CBE, ECO, GOS, LDI, MCZR, MSNM, MSNG, MTE, MZUF, RMO, SDEI, TMLF).

Holotype redescription. Male. See Figs 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e. Oval-elongate body (T L: 3.05 mm, BL: 2.45 mm). Red-brownish cuticle.

Rostrum short (RL: 0.40 mm, RW: 0.30 mm, RL/RW: 1.33), conical to sides with pterygium expanded. Epistome absent. Mesorostrum carinae just divergent to sides. Submentum with short, whitish-yellowish pappolepida, also partially visible around mesorostrum. Interocular pit not visible. Forehead convex (FW/MW: 2.00). Vestigial eyes flat and just visible.

Antennae thin and elongate (SL: 0.60 mm, FL: 0.85 mm, SL/FL: 0.71); AS ratio: 6.5.3.3.3.4.4.12. Scape clubbed, slightly more robust than funicle, curved at proximal third and progressively thickening towards apex. Funicle long and thin; all segments with elongate and thin setae. Club three-segmented, fusiform, in length twice the width, densely covered by thin setae.

Pronotum as long as wide (PL: 0.68 mm, PW: 0.68 mm, PL/PW: 1.00), wider in the middle and without echinopappolepida at base. Scutellum visible.

Elytra oval-elongate to sides, dorsally vaulted (EL: 1.75 mm, EW: 0.95 mm, EL/EW: 1.84), wider at middle with convex suture. Humeri obliquely rounded. Striae with 12–13well defined punctures, catenulate, almost deep. Interstriae little convex with thin and elongate setae raised. Elytral declivity <60 degrees.

Legs elongate and robust with femora clubbed. Protibia with eight acute spines on inner edge and an evident mucro on inner apical angle. Protibia sinuous on inner edge and slightly curved in side view. Metatibia and mesotibia straight in side view. All tibia with noticeable apical comb. Tarsal segment 1 short, conical; segment 2 short and transverse; segment 3 very bilobed; all segments with thin golden setae. Onychium curved, robust and short with one short claw.

Male genitalia. See Figs: dorsal shape aedeagus Fig. 63; apex of penis Fig. 63 ’; IX sternite Fig. 106.

Female genitalia. See Figs: spermatheca Fig. 149; VIII sternite Fig. 192.

Sexual dimorphism. Males can usually be recognized by their smaller size, slender appearance, more rounded humeri, legs stronger with a more noticeable apical mucro, and ventrites 1 and 2 slightly hollowed.

Paratypes variability. Paratypes, sexual dimorphism excluded, are similar to the holotype but differs in size.

Distribution. See Figs. 222, 222a. Italian endemic. Known from Reggio Calabria, surroundings of Gerace type locality at 200–1000 meters of elevation.

Ecology and Phenology. Adults were collected from November to June by sifting leaf litter (Castanea, Olea or Quercus) also in sandy soil with Mediterranean scrub.

Main soil type. Vertic Cambisol (European Soil Data Centre; Panagos et al. 2012).

Reproduction. Amphigonic.

Associated species. Sympatric with Pseudomeira erinacea Bellò & Baviera, 2011.