Zargus desertae Wollaston

Zargus desertae Wollaston View in CoL

( Fig. 2d View FIGURE 2 )

Material examined: DG: Doca , 29.IV.2011, 8 males, 1 female, DS, A. Serrano leg., 3 males, 2 females, DS, A. Serrano et al. leg., 12.V.2011, 1 female, 14.IV.2012, 3 males, DS, A. Serrano leg., ASC ; Planalto Sul , 12.IV.2012, 1 female, DS, I. Silva leg., 17.IV.2012, 1 male, A. Serrano et al. leg., ASC ; Castanheira Centro, 19.IV.2012, 1 female, DS, A. Serrano et al. leg., ASC . BU: Planalto Sul , 18.IV.2012, 1 female, 18.XI.2015, 1 male, DS, I. Silva leg., ASC ; Bugio Sul , 27.IV.2011, 1 female, DS, A. Serrano et al. leg., ASC .

Remarks: An endemic species of Desertas Islands ( Serrano & Boieiro 2008), namely from Bugio and Deserta Grande. External features such as elytral surface appearance suggest that this species is closer to Zargus schaumii Wollaston and Z. putzeri Wrase (all having more or less strongly interrupted and deepened elytral striae) than to Z. pellucidus Wollaston and Z. monizii Wollaston (which have light and shallow striae with weak tendency to be interrupted). It is a common ground dwelling species beneath stones and syntopic with Nesarpalus cimensis cimensis (Cockerell) on the Doca plateau of Deserta Grande. Its congener, Z. pellucidus , was recorded from Deserta Grande in 1849 ( Wollaston 1854), but has not been observed since.