19. Cryptolarynx marshalli Haran sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: B4281E9A-F0FF-42D4-8099-9ADA5005C6E5

Figs 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, 7G–I

Differential diagnosis

Cryptolarynx marshalli sp. nov. is closely related to C. oberprieleri sp. nov. but distinctly more elongate, and the apex of its parameroid lobes is also distinct (Fig. 2O–S). See Differential diagnosis section under species C. oberprieleri for the genetic distances between these species.

Etymology

This species is dedicated to the late weevil expert Sir Guy A.K. Marshall, who described the genus and its original two species and discussed its unique characters among known weevils. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case.

Material examined

Holotype REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA • ♂; “ REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape Province, Worcester. 3.vii.2019. J. Haran leg.” “ 33.613° S 19.447° E. at base of Oxalis imbricata. JHAR02355_0101. Cirad-CBGP coll.” “Holotype. Cryptolarynx marshalli. Haran 2023”; SAMC.

Paratypes REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape • 1 ♂, 2 specs; same collection data as for holotype; CBGP.

Description (♂)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 2.5–2.9 mm.

COLOUR AND VESTITURE. Body integument black, antennae, tibiae and tarsi reddish. Dorsal vestiture (pronotum + elytra) consisting of overlapping, recumbent, parallel-sided clothing scales, 3× as long as wide, truncate at apex; colour of scales mostly brown, white scales interspersed with pale brown scales concentrated in two longitudinal bands on pronotum, at base of elytral interstriae 4, and in a pair of pale spots surrounded by black scales at apical ⅔ of interstriae 3; scales of striae recumbent, in lateral view not or only very slightly distinct from rest of vestiture.

HEAD. Forehead wide, slightly wider than epifrons near antennal insertions, scales suberect. Eyes convex, in dorsal view slightly exceeding outline of head, surrounded by a ring of short scales, on forehead directed towards occiput; distance between eye and scrobe smaller than width of antennal club. Epifrons with distance between antennal insertions slightly smaller than length of scape, scales at least 2 × as long as wide, recumbent, mostly non-contiguous. Frons with 3 pairs of erect lateral setae. Epistome without median seta. Antennal funicles with segment 1 moderately elongate, 1.5 longer than wide; 2 subequal in length to 1; 2 and 4 compressed, slightly angular on inside; 5–7 globular, isodiametric or wider than long.

PRONOTUM. Moderately transverse (W:L ratio 1.2), widest near midlength, sides arcuate; apex and base subequal in width.

ELYTRA. Bullet-shaped, longer than wide (W:L ratio 0.85), sides convex, widest anteriorly of midlength.

LEGS. Slender. Tibiae with apical mucro; protibiae with outer margin straight, inner margin slightly bisinuate; metatibiae with inner setal fringe, setae shorter than segment 5 of metatarsus. Tarsi with segment 2 wider than long.

ABDOMEN. Ventrite with creamy-white plumose scales not fully concealing integument, scales on ventrites 2–5 medially intermixed with long suberect setae, apically bifid or not; ventrite 1 slightly concave medially, impression covered with long setae deeply divided from their bases; ventrite 5 with scales concentrated laterally and on basal third.

TERMINALIA. Body of penis moderately elongate (W:L ratio 0.45), slightly shorter than temones, sides convex; curvature in profile weak, stronger in basal half, not dorsoventrally narrowed at apex. Copulatory sclerite weakly sclerotised or not discerned in examined specimens. Parameroid lobes separate, divided by modest median notch, each lobe broad, bearing a series of setae directed apicad, median setae longer. Spiculum gastrale with basal arms long, right arm slightly angulate at its midlength.

Sexual dimorphism

The sexes can be distinguished by the elytra (shorter in male) and by ventrite 1 in the female lacking the long, deeply divided setae.

Life history

All specimens of this species were collected in July at the base of Oxalis imbricata Eckl. & Zeyh. plants.

Distribution

The species is only known from the type locality (Fig. 13).