Trichotichnus ( Bottchrus ) minutus, Schmidt, 2017

Trichotichnus ( Bottchrus) minutus View in CoL sp. n.

( Figs 70 View FIGURES 67 – 70 , 87–90 View FIGURES 87 – 90 , 151 View FIGURE 151 , 11 View FIGURES 5 – 13 )

Type material. Holotype: ♂, “ NEPAL, Kathmandu-Tal Godawari , Mt. Phulchoki N-Hang, 1750 m, Ufergesiebe, 6.V.2001, leg. O. Jäger ” (cJS).

Paratype: 1 ♂, “ NEPAL N Kathmandu Shivapuri Lekh 2–2300 m slope W of Bagmati riv. 22– 23.5.05 leg. Schmidt ” (cJS).

Description. Habitus as in Fig. 70 View FIGURES 67 – 70 . Body length 5.5–6.0 mm, width 2.5–2.7 mm. Characters as described for T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n. except as follows: Eyes in lateral view slightly more elongate. Pronotum relatively wider, with basal angles subdenticulate; basal margin vaguely bordered laterally (in holotype) or almost throughout (in paratype); pronotal lateral gutter very narrow almost equal throughout (in holotype) or slightly widened in apical third (in paratype). Elytral striae smooth, not crenulate, slightly impressed along entire length; intervals with slightly more distinct microsculpture. Legs yellowish brown, with femora infuscate. Median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 87–90 View FIGURES 87 – 90 ) with ventral margin slightly convex in middle portion, terminal lamella angularly bent ventrad and sinuate at sides; apical capitulum oblique in lateral view, comparatively large, markedly larger than in T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n. and T. ( B.) pusillus sp. n., approximately equally prominent ventrally and dorsally, in caudal view apical capitulum, as in T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n., somewhat semi-oval, but lightly more elongate, narrowly rounded at tip ( Fig. 89 View FIGURES 87 – 90 ). Internal sac with characteristic pattern of spiny folders in the middle portion of median lobe.

Proportions (males): PWmax/PL = 1.42–1.43; EL/EW = 1.32–1.36; EL/PL = 2.36–2.42; EW/PWmax = 1.24– 1.25; HWmax/PWmax = 0.67; HWmin/PWmax = 0.54–0.55; PWmax/PWmin = 1.23–1.25; HWmax/HWmin = 1.22–1.23.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the small size of the beetles.

Comparison. This new species is very similar in size and external morphology to T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n., but distinctly differs from it in the male genitalia as follows: aedeagal median lobe ( Figs 87–90 View FIGURES 87 – 90 ) relatively smaller, with ventral margin in lateral view slightly convex in middle portion, apical capitulum much larger, approximately equally prominent ventrally and dorsally [dorsal flange of the apical capitulum in T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n. more prominent than ventral flange, figs. 81–82], in caudal view apical capitulum, as in T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n., somewhat semi-oval, but slightly more elongate, narrowly rounded at tip ( Fig. 89 View FIGURES 87 – 90 ); internal sac with different pattern of spiny folders in the middle portion of the median lobe. Additionally, pronotum in T. ( B.) minutus sp. n. relatively wider than in T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n. (PWmax/PL = 1.42–1.43 versus 1.32–1.39).

Distribution ( Fig. 151 View FIGURE 151 , 11 View FIGURES 5 – 13 ). Up to today only known from the mountains surrounding the Kathmandu Valley (Shivapuri Lekh, Mt. Phulchoki), at altitudes of 1750–2300 m. This species seems to be a geographical vicariant of T. ( B.) ganeshensis sp. n. which is occurs on the south-western slope of the Ganesh Himal ( Fig. 151 View FIGURE 151 , 10 View FIGURES 5 – 13 ).