Miscophus smaraensis, SCHMID-EGGER, 2024

Miscophus smaraensis SCHMID- EGGER nov.sp. ( figs 14-18 View Figs 14-20 , 22 View Fig )

Holotype: ♁ 21.iii.2024 Morocco, Laâyoune-Sakia , Smara 26.746N 11.681W (leg. et coll. CSE). GoogleMaps

R e m a r k: The genus Miscophus from the Palaearctic region is under revision by the senior author. During this project, types of most species are examined, and also species from West Africa are included into this revision. The present species is described here in advance to make it available for science. For definition of species groups, see SCHMIDEGGER & AL JAHDHAMI (2022). The description of M. smaraensis is based on a single male. Therefore, some group characters which refer to female characters are not available. However, it is unmistakable within the genus due to a unique combination of characteristics and can therefore be easily recognized. It is to be expected that the female will have the same characteristics.

D i a g n o s i s Miscophus smaraensis is characterized by a completely black and extremely shiny body ( fig. 14 View Figs 14-20 ). Only on the propodeum are transverse wrinkles pronounced in the front area ( fig. 15 View Figs 14-20 ). No other species of the genus is so shiny and completely black. The propodeum slopes backwards at a right angle to the posterior wall and thus differs from the species of the M. bytinski group, which has a blunt-angled transition there.

D e s c r i p t i o n o f m a l e: 4.0 mm. Color: All black, very glossy, apex of mandible red, wing venation with exception of the black costa brown. Lower part of face with dense silver pubescence, hidding integument ( fig. 14, 16 View Figs 14-20 ). Morphology: AS 1 (scape) finely lonigitudinal striate, AS 3 somewhat shorter than AS 1, AS 2 half as long as AS 1, AS 4-10 similar in length, somewhat shorter than AS 3 (seen from below) ( fig. 17 View Figs 14-20 ), with distinct short white bristles. Frons and tergites with sparse indistinct punctation, mesoscutum and scutellum with more dense but indistinct and fine puncture, punctures here approximatley a diameter apart. Mesopleuron shiny without punctation. Propodeal dorsum with distinct medial longitudinal keel, laterally in basal half with indistinct diagonal striae, in apical half without sculpture. Propodeum laterally with a few distinct striae. S8 with lateral tooth-like corners, medially with two blunt teeth ( fig. 18 View Figs 14-20 ). Last tergites laterally with short black bristles.

F e m a l e: Unknown.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Only known from the type location in southwest Marocco, West Sahara, close to the border with Mauritania ( fig. 21 View Fig ).

H a b i t a t: The type specimen was caught on a flowering Tamarix shrub, at the western border of the town, in a semiarid and very dry area.

E t y m o l o g y Miscophus smaraensis is named after the type area, Smara, a small town in the desert of West Sahara.