The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Haleakala-, Maui: Keystone of a hyperdiverse Hawaiian radiation
Author
Liebherr, James K.
text
ZooKeys
2015
544
1
407
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.544.6074
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.544.6074
1313-2970-544-1
C5978BD0145B40F8ACDEB27371B7B9A4
C5978BD0145B40F8ACDEB27371B7B9A4
Taxon classification Animalia Coleoptera Carabidae
(096)
Mecyclothorax kuiki
sp. n.
Figs 117F, 118F, 121, 122
D-E
, 125
Diagnosis.
This fourth species of the
Mecyclothorax vitreus
group complex can be diagnosed by the pronotal median base with large punctures traversing the midline of the base, and small longitudinal wrinkles dissecting or at least disturbing the basal margin (Fig. 122
D-E
). The median base also has well-developed isodiametric microsculpture between the punctures. The elytra are ellipsoid, the base narrow with the margins laterad the humeri barely extended, resulting in high ratios of MEW/HuW = 2.30-2.39 that are mirrored in
Mecyclothorax kipahulu
(Fig. 122A) and
Mecyclothorax kipwilli
(Fig. 115
D-E
), but greater
than
those derived from
Mecyclothorax kaumakani
(Fig. 122
B-C
). The male aedeagal median lobe is of the most plesiomorphic configuration within this species complex, as the median lobe is gracile and moderately curved, and apex is narrowly extended beyond the ostial opening, the tip narrowly rounded and slightly downturned (Fig. 125
A-C
,
F-G
). The male aedeagal internal sac corroborates the median
lobe's
relative plesiomorphy, as it is unilobate, long, and generally of the configuration observed across the genus (Fig. 125B, F, G). Setal formula 2 1 2 0. Standardized body length 4.4-5.5 mm.
Figure 125. Male aedeagus,
Mecyclothorax kuiki
(for abbreviations see Table 2, p. 23).
A-B
Right, and right with sac everted views (New Greensword Bog, 1850 m)
C-E
Right and ventral views (ESE Kuiki, 2090 m)
F-G
Right view, sac everted F (ESE Kuiki, 2145 m) G (ESE Kuiki, 2105 m).
Description
(n = 5). [The above description of
Mecyclothorax kipwilli
can serve to describe this species with the following substitutions.] Eyes of similar convexity to
Mecyclothorax kipwilli
; ocular ratio = 1.46-1.58, ocular lobe ratio = 0.76-0.81. Pronotum appearing elongate
but
slightly transverse, MPW/PL = 1.10-1.15, variably constricted basally, MPW/BPW = 1.46-1.65; median base bearing 10-13 isolated punctures across midlength of base, plus fine longitudinal wrinkles along the basal margin. Metathoracic flight wing an ellipsoid strap 1.4
x
long as broad, remnant R + M veins present; strap not reaching hind margin of metanotum. Microsculpture of elytral disc shallow, evident, comprising a transversely stretched isodiametric mesh arranged in transverse rows, elytral apex with evident isodiametric mesh. Coloration of vertex rufous with piceous cast; pronotal disc rufobrunneous with piceous cast, margins narrowly paler, rufous; elytral disc rufobrunneous, sutural interval rufous basally and apically, concolorous on disc.
Male genitalia (n = 11). Aedeagal median lobe robust, dorsal surface broadly convex, distance from parameral articulation to tip 2.3
x
depth at midlength (Fig. 125
A-C
,
E-G
); apex very narrowly extended, the tip obliquely rounded with dorsoapical face slightly flattened; median lobe sinuously curved in ventral view, right margin slightly concave, left margin briefly convex before narrow, bluntly rounded tip (Fig. 125D); internal sac very broad, cylindrical (Fig. 125B,
F-G
), length variable, from 1.0
-1.2x
parameral articulation-tip distance; a small basal lobe may (Fig. 125B) or may not (Fig. 125 F, G) be present on dorsal surface of sac; ventral sac surface covered with shaggy pelage of longer microtrichia; flagellar plate robust, very large, length 0.61
-0.67x
parameral articulation-tip distance (plate size is positively associated with sac length, Fig. 125B,
F-G
).
Female reproductive tract (n = 1). Bursa copulatrix columnar, broad and elongate, length 1.48 mm, breadth 0.57 mm (Fig. 117F); bursal walls translucent, surface more thickly wrinkled near base, apex with only thin wrinkles; gonocoxite 1 with 3-4 apical fringe setae and 6-9 smaller setae along medial surface (Fig. 118F); gonocoxite 2 falcate, apex subacuminate, basal extension elongate with curved terminus, 2 thin lateral ensiform setae, apical nematiform setae on medioventral surface at 0.71
x
gonocoxite length.
Holotype.
Male (CUIC) dissected and labeled: HI: Maui Haleakala N.P. / Kipahulu west rim below / Kuiki sift humus ex ohia / 14-V-1993 lot 02 / el. 2090 m // J.K. Liebherr & / A.C. Medeiros / Collectors //
Mecyclothorax kuiki
♂ #80 // HOLOTYPE /
Mecyclothorax
/
kuiki
/ Liebherr / det. J.K. Liebherr 2015 (black-margined red label).
Paratypes.
84 specimens (see Appendix).
Etymology.
As most specimens of this species have been found in proximity to Kuiki, the summit of
Kīpahulu
Valley's
west rim, that locality name is used as the epithet for this final species in the
Mecyclothorax kipwilli
+
Mecyclothorax kipahulu
+
Mecyclothorax kaumakani
+
Mecyclothorax kuiki
species quartet.
Distribution and habitat.
Analogous to the distribution of
Mecyclothorax kaumakani
,
Mecyclothorax kuiki
is disjunctly distributed north and south of
Kīpahulu
Valley (Fig. 121). In the
Hana
Bogs region it is known only from New Greensword Bog, 1850 m elevation, whereas various Manawainui Planeze localities range 1525-2145 m elevation. Records are primarily associated with
'ōhi'a
, with one collecting event associated with
Leptecophylla
(pūkiawe).