Prototyrtaeus neiba Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus neiba Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 2 View Figs , 15b View Fig , 16h View Fig , 17b View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: San; Juan. Sierra de Neiba,; Saban del Silencio,; 10.0km SSW El Cercado ; 18-39-07N, 71- 33-21W,; 2009m, 20 June 2003 / J. Rawlins, C. Nunez, R.; Davidson, C. Young, P.; Acevedo, M. de la Cruz; cloud forest along Dan-; thonia savannah, hand; collected, Sample 33242/ Carnegie Museum; Specimen Number; CMNH-388,750 ( CMNH) . Paratypes (39). 12: same locality data as holotype (with different voucher numbers): CMNH-386,648 \ 386,055 \ 386,770 \ 382,683 \ 388,231 \ 381,387 \ 377,378 \ 385,590 \ 386,857 (9 CMNH),\ 382,649 \ 380,698 \ 385,872 \ (3 WIBF). 6 (with different voucher numbers): DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: San; Juan. Sierra de Neiba,; 9.4km SSW El Cercado ,; 8-39-18N, 71-32-51W,; 1973m, 22 June 2003 / R. Davidson, C. Nunez,; C. Young, J. Rawlins, P.; Acevedo, M. de la Cruz,; meadow near mature pine; forest, hand collected,; Sample 32242/ Carnegie Museum; Specimen Number; CMNH-388,494 \ 380,401 \ 388,109 \ 379,477 (4 CMNH),\ 384,530 (1 WIBF), \ 386,777 (1 BMNH). 3 (with different voucher numbers): DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: San; Juan. Sierra de Neiba,; 9.4km SSW El Cercado ,; 8-39-18N, 71-32-51W,; 1973m, 18-19 Nov 2004 / C.W. Young, J.E. Rawlins,; C. Nunez, V. Verdecia, W.; Zanol. meadow near mature; pine forest. hand; collected. Sample 32245/ Carnegie Museum; Specimen Number; CMNH-381,849 \ CMNH-379,230 \ CMNH-380,345 ( CMNH). 1: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:; Independencia. Sierra; de Neiba just south; of crest, 5km NNW; Angel Feliz , 1780m / 18-41N, 71-47W; 13-15 October 1991; J. Rawlins, R. Davidson; C. Young, S. Thompson; Cloud forest/ Carnegie Museum; Specimen Number; CMNH-382,297 ( CMNH). 16: DOM: REP.: Independencia; 32 kmNW La Descubierta; SabanaReal , 1800m, cloud; forest moss & litter, 26.; XI.91, S&JPeck, 91-334 (11 CMNC, 4 WIBF, 1 NMNH). 1: DOM: REP.: Independencia; 30 kmNW La Descubierta; SabanaReal , 1646m, cloud; forest carrion, 25.XI-; 5.XII.91, S&JPeck, 91-331 ( CMNC ).

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by having a 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 or narrowly rounded ( Fig. 16h View Fig ).

Prototyrtaeus neiba is distinguished from P. unomas by having the lateral area of the metaventrite weakly punctate to impunctate, the metanepisternum not distinctly separated from the metaventrite, and the body less convex laterally.

Etymology. The epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition, based on the name of the Sierra de Neiba mountain range where the species is found. The name comes from the Ta´ıno word “neyba” meaning “white earth” according to the 18 th century French writer Médéric Louis Elise Moreau de Saint-Méry (1750–1819).

Description. 2.0– 3.8 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 light or 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 and denser setae; antenna with 9 antennomeres ( Fig. 15b 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 incomplete medially, slightly bisinuate, lateral margin nearly straight or slightly rounded, strongly beaded, gradually increasing in width 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, punctate, sometimes faintly and 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 not distinctly separated from metaventrite. 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 ( Fig. 17b View Fig ) with basale and apicale subequal in length, median lobe projecting from apicale and apically exceeding apex of apicale; in lateral view, slightly curved in basal 2/3 of basale, median lobe clearly projected ventrally at an acute angle.

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

Biology. This species has been taken in cloud forest and pine forests with one mention of forest moss and litter, which is consistent with more detailed observations for other species.

Remarks. This species has only been taken in the Sierra Neiba and seems to be an allopatric relative to P. duartei from the Cordillera Central.