Prototyrtaeus howdeni Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus howdeni Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 7 View Figs , 15g View Fig , 16l View Fig , 17f View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. JAMAICA, 7400’; Blue Mt. Peak ; VII.27-28.1966; Howden & Becker ( CNCI) . Paratypes (36). 21: same locality data as holotype (17 CNCI, 5 WIBF). 1: same data as holotype / J.F. Cornell; Collection; N.C. State; Univ.Raleigh ( NCSU). 8 : Main Range; Blue Mts. ; 5-7388 ft.; Aug. 17-19/ Jamaica; 1934; Darlington (7 MCZC, 1 WIBF). 2: Cinchona , Jamaic[a]; 5000 ft. Jan.1912; C. T. Brues / Gift of; C.T.Brues ( MCZC). 3: JAM., St Thomas P.; Portland Gap , 5500’; 17.XII.72- 1.I.1973; S&J Peck, cloud; for., dung&carrion tr. (2 CNCI, 1 WIBF). 1: JAM., St Thomas P.; Blue Mts. Peak , 7400’; 1.I.1973, S&J; Peck. Ber.252. ( CNCI) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by its non-metallic integument; unicolored antenna with seven antennomeres ( Fig. 15g View Fig ); the pronotum widest at the base, weakly transverse, and beaded anterior margin; and intercoxal process of ventrite 1 broadly rounded ( Fig. 16l View Fig ). Prototyrtaeus howdeni may be confused with P. sandersoni and P. beckeri. It can be differentiated from P. sandersoni by the less convex body, the moderately punctate frons, and larger size ( 2.4–3.3 mm). It can be differentiated from P. beckeri by the lack of a longitudinal elevation along the elytral suture and presence of four long elytral setae ( Fig. 16a View Fig ), one long seta behind the basal margin, a pair of long setae above the lateral groove on the basal fourth of the elytron, and one long seta above the lateral groove on the apical third of the elytron.

Etymology. This species is named for Henry Fuller Howden (1925–2014), longtime mentor, inspiration, and friend of MAI and dozens of other coleopterists lucky enough to have known him. He and his friend Ed Becker collected the majority of the type series. Howden collected specimens of five of the 14 species of Prototyrtaeus, tied for second to only Darlington’ s amazing record of 11 species.

Description. 2.4–3.3 mm long, 1.4–1.6 mm wide. Dorsal surface piceous, convex, more attenuate behind, less declivous in lateral view, without distinct setation, only a few microsetae and a few longer setae along lateral elytral margin, shiny; antenna yellow or light brown. Head not as wide as anterior edge of pronotum, frons moderately, finely punctate, punctures smaller than eye facet, glabrous; epistomal suture weakly marked; clypeus bearing 1 row of long, golden setae at the apex; labrum densely setose; antenna with 7 antennomeres ( Fig. 15g View Fig ), antennomere 2 slightly wider than 3, antennomeres after 3 gradually widening, 7 forming club of 3 fused antennomeres, oval, club length subequal to antennomeres 2–6. Pronotum weakly transverse, widest at base, moderately, finely punctate, punctures smaller than eye facet; all margins beaded, anterior margin slightly bisinuate, lateral margin above lateral bead nearly straight, strongly beaded, bead width gradually increasing posteriorly, visible setae from dorsal view projecting laterally, posterior margin arcuate with bead sometimes nearly effaced medially, anterior angles rounded, projecting, posterior angles obtuse. Elytron without striae, finely punctate, 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 weakly punctate; metanepisternum 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, completely setose ventrally, becoming dense, golden brush on apical half, tarsomere 1 slightly enlarged ( Fig. 16e View Fig ). Intercoxal process of ventrite 1 broadly rounded ( Fig. 16l View Fig ), sparsely punctate, punctures each bearing a very fine, golden seta. Aedeagus ( Fig. 17f View Fig ) apicale curved medially, half length of basale, basale curved medially and on posterior third, median lobe slightly exceeding apicale.

Distribution. Jamaica ( Fig. 18 View Figs ).

Biology. Unknown.

Remarks. Little about this species is recorded on the label data. The fact that a few were taken in a baited pitfall trap and by Berlese funnel indicates a terrestrial habitat. Howden and Becker are known to have collected by beating on this trip, and further examination of their field notes may give some insight.