Protinodes puncticollis Sharp, 1888

Protinodes puncticollis Sharp, 1888 View in CoL

( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 )

Protinodes puncticollis Sharp, 1888: 378 View in CoL (original description; type locality: “ Tokio ”); Maruyama et al., 2014: 395 (redescription).

Type material. Lectotype, here designated, male, “ Protinodes / puncticollis / Type D.S. / Tokio. Japan // Type [round label with red border] // Tokio. / 25.IX.-27.IX.81. // Japan. / G. Lewis. // Sharp Coll. / 1905-313. // Lectotype / Protinodes / puncticollis Sharp, 1888 / des. Hashizume et al. 2025” ( BMNH) (maxilla, labium, abdominal segments VIII–X and aedeagus were dissected and mounted by MM in 2011).

Additional material examined. Putative syntypes (see Remarks below): 2 females, “Suô / IV // Protinodes / puncticollis Sharp / Det. T. Shiraki” ( TARI) . Other specimens: 1 male, 1 female, JAPAN: Honshu : Shizuoka-ken , Susono , Suyama, Ônohara, 17 IX 2009, T. Kato leg. ( SPMN) .

Diagnosis. Protinodes puncticollis is distinguished from Pr. annapurnensis by the reddish body color and the relatively stout median lobe of aedeagus.

Additional description. Measurements and ratios (n = 2). BL: 2.66–2.80; FBL: 1.28–1.30; HW: 0.44–0.48; PL: 0.50; PW: 0.69–0.71; EL: 0.64–0.65; EW: 0.88–0.89. PW/PL: 1.38–1.43; PW/HW: 1.43–1.63; EW/EL: 1.38; EL/PL: 1.28–1.30; EW/PW: 1.25–1.27.

Tarsal formula 4-4-5.

Male. Tergite VIII ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ) not modified.

Female. Spermatheca ( Fig. 1F View FIGURE 1 ) simple; bulbus distalis subspherical.

Distribution. Japan (Honshu).

Remarks. Maruyama et al. (2014) illustrated the “ holotype ” of this species; however, Sharp (1888) originally described it based on three specimens, indicating that this specimen is, in fact, one of the syntypes. Here, this specimen is designated as the lectotype. The other two presumed syntypes of this species are housed at TARI. A literal interpretation of the labels suggests that these specimens are not part of the type series. However, both presumed syntypes are mounted on the characteristically thick paper cards frequently used by Sharp, and the method of preparation and use of glue closely resembles those of other specimens prepared by Sharp. In these two specimens, however, this portion of the card appears to have been cut off. The so-called “Shiraki specimens” housed at TARI and other institutions are known to have significant unresolved issues (e.g., Suzuki & Minami 2008, 2015). One such issue—still under investigation—is the possibility that Dr. Tokuichi Shiraki removed a large number of the type specimens of beetles described from Asia (including some syntypes) from the British Museum (Natural History) prior to World War II, subsequently altering their labels, and encrypting them. Therefore, there remains a strong possibility that these specimens are indeed syntypes.

For a detailed redescription, see Maruyama et al. (2014). The habitus is shown in Fig. 1A View FIGURE 1 . The paramere and median lobe of the aedeagus are as in Figs. 1C–E View FIGURE 1 .