Prototyrtaeus unomas Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus unomas Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 3 View Figs , 15c View Fig , 16h View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. Cloudforest; vic. Valle Nuevo ; Aug’38, Dom. Rep.; c. 6,000 ft, Darl. ( MCZC) . Paratypes (4 specimens). 1: same data as holotype ( MCZC). 2: Loma Rucilla &; mts. N., Dom. Rep.; June’38, 5- 8,000 ft.; Darlington (1 MCZC, 1 WIBF). 1: DOMINIC. REP.: Prov. La Vega; 40km S. Constanza , 2165m; 29 AUG 1988, M. A. Ivie,; T. K. Philips & K. A. Johnson; litter under moss & log ( WIBF) .

Additional Material. Two specimens: REP. DOMINICAINE.10.; Cord. Central. III.74; Cazabita. 1250m; J.S. Klapperich/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:; Prov. MonsenorNouel; Casabito, 1250 m; 19.0397°N 70.4786°W (1 MHNG, 1 WIBF).

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by its non-metallic integument; unicolored antenna; transverse pronotum, widest at the base, anterior margin lacking bead or the bead incomplete medially; and intercoxal process of ventrite 1 acute to narrowly rounded ( Fig. 16h View Fig ).

Prototyrtaeus unomas is distinguished from P. neiba by the strongly punctate lateral area of the metaventrite, the metanepisternum distinctly separated, and the body more convex laterally.

Etymology. This species hid among the series of P. neiba until very near the end of this study, when the geographic separation made us look again at this series. We realized that we had a cryptic additional species and declared in despair “Oh no! One more!” So, we chose the Spanish phrase “uno mas” for the name. It is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

Description. 2.1–2.3 mm long, 1.4–1.7 mm wide. Dorsal surface dark brown without distinct setation, only a few microsetae and a few longer setae along lateral elytral margin, shiny; antenna dark brown. Head width subequal to anterior edge of pronotum, frons moderately, coarsely punctate, punctures subequal to eye facet, setose; epistomal suture weakly marked; clypeus setose with higher concentration of setae at apex; labrum with longer, denser setae; antenna with 9 antennomeres ( Fig. 15c View Fig ), antennomere 2 subequal in length, slightly wider than 3, antennomeres 7–9 forming club, gradually decreasing in width, antennomere 7 widest, last antennomere rounded or oval at apex. Pronotum strongly transverse, widest at base, sparsely, finely punctate, punctures smaller than eye facet; anterior margin lacking bead or bead incomplete medially, slightly bisinuate, lateral margin nearly straight or slightly rounded, strongly beaded, width gradually increasing posteriorly, visible setae in dorsal view projecting laterally, posterior margin arcuate with bead nearly effaced medially, anterior angles rounded, slightly projecting, posterior angles obtuse. Elytron without striae, punctured, sometimes faintly, shallowly so, with a few fine, pale, setae sparsely distributed, 1 long seta behind basal margin, pair of long setae above lateral groove on basal fourth, 1 long seta above lateral groove on apical third (if missing, distinct puncture present) ( Fig. 16a View Fig ). Metaventrite short, lateral area smooth or weakly punctate; metanepisternum smooth or weakly punctate. Pro- and mesocoxae rounded (external view), metacoxa transverse, narrowing outwards, femora with short, sparse, golden setae, protibia cylindrical, with sparse, straight, golden setae on dorsal surface, ventrally completely setose, becoming dense, golden brush on apical half, tarsomere 1 slightly enlarged ( Fig. 16e View Fig ). Intercoxal process of ventrite 1 acute or narrowly rounded ( Fig. 16h View Fig ), sparsely punctate, punctures each bearing a very fine, golden seta. Aedeagus not examined.

Distribution. Hispaniola: Dominican Republic ( Fig. 19 View Figs ).

Biology. One paratype was taken from a mossy log. The species is only known from high, moist to wet habitats in the Cordillera Central.

Remarks. This species is one of the rarest in the genus. The two Casabito specimens differ slightly from the type series and are from a significantly lower locality. They lack the weak hints of punctures on the pronotum and elytra, the antenna is totally black, and we lack male genitalia to confirm their placement. The second label was added by us, as “Cazabita” is a misspelling of the name as used in the Dominican Republic, Casabito.