Prototyrtaeus darlingtoni Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus darlingtoni Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 10 View Figs , 15j View Fig , 16n View Fig , 17i View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. CUBA: Granma, P.N. Pico; Turquino, Aguada de Joachim ,; 20.01447 -76.84065, 1359m,; 27.ix.2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez,; 2014-018X, beating mont. Forest ( CMNC) GoogleMaps . Paratypes (23). 6: Pico Turquino; S. side ; June 1936; 3000-5000 ft. / Cuba 1936; Darlington; Collector (5 MCZC, 1 WIBF). 1: Pico Turquino   GoogleMaps ; June 16-21, 1936; 6000 ft. (summit)/ Cuba 1936; Darlington; Collector ( MCZC). 1: CUBA: Granma, P. N. Pico; Turquino, Pico de Joachim ; 20.013°N, 76.834°W; 1660m, 27SEP2014, RAnderson; montane forest litter ( WIBF). GoogleMaps 5: CUBA: Granma; Parque Nacional Pico Turquino ; 1660m, 20.01309 -76.83400,; IV.2012, CarBio Team, montane; forest litter, CU-06 (2 CMNC, 3 WIBF). GoogleMaps 1: CUBA: GRANMA, Parque; Nacional Pico Turquino; Aguada de Joaquin , 1368m,; 20.01463 -76.63971, 24.V.2012; F. Cala Riquelme & Deler; Hernandez, montane forest litter ( CMNC). GoogleMaps 1: CUBA: Granma, P.N. Pico; Turquino, slope Pico Turquino ,; 19.99258 -76.83377, 1800m,; 28.ix2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez; 2014-019, montane forest litter ( CMNC). GoogleMaps 3: same data as previous specimen, except for: 19.99323 -76.83408, 1804m; 2014-021 (1 CMNC, 2 WIBF). GoogleMaps 3: CUBA: Granma, P.N. Pico; Turquino, Pico de Joachim ,; 20.013 -76.834, 1660m,; 27.ix.2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez; 2014-018, montane forest litter (1 CMNC, 2 WIBF). GoogleMaps 1: CUBA: Granma, P.N. Pico; Turquino, Pico Turquino ,; 19.99008 -76.83562, 1955m; 28.ix.2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez; 2014-020, elfin forest litter ( CMNC). GoogleMaps 1: CUBA: Granma, P.N. Pico; Turquino, Aguada de Joachim ,; 20.01447 -76.84065, 1359m,; 27.ix.2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez,; 2014-018 a, mont. For. Litter ( CMNC) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by the metallic integument; a unicolored antenna with antennomere 3 distinctly longer than 2 ( Fig. 15j View Fig ); and the transverse pronotum widest at the middle and lacking an anterior marginal bead. The intercoxal process of ventrite 1 is broadly rounded ( Fig. 16n View Fig ), and the mesotarsus has the first tarsomere distinctly enlarged ( Fig. 16d View Fig ). This the only species to have a somewhat flattened protibia with a glabrous ventral area on the apical half.

Etymology. This species is named after the prominent collector and carabid specialist Philip Jackson Darlington, Jr. (1904–1983), the collector of some specimens of the type series of this species. Darlington collected a member of the type series of a remarkable 11 of the 14 species of Prototyrtaeus, more than double the number of any other collector (H. Howden, M. Ivie, S. Peck are next with a mere five each). Considering the transportation available during Darlington’ s time in the West Indies (1934–1938) and the remote locations he reached, this is a remarkable record indeed.

Description. 3.5–4.0 mm long, 2.0– 2.5 mm wide. Dorsal surface metallic green, glabrous except for a few long setae along lateral elytral margin, shiny; antenna light brown. Head width subequal to anterior edge of pronotum, coarsely punctate, frons glabrous, punctures evenly distributed, punctures subequal to eye facet; epistomal suture weakly marked; clypeus short, setose with a higher concentration of setae at apex; labrum with longer, denser setae; antenna with 9 antennomeres ( Fig. 15j View Fig ), antennomere 3 distinctly longer (about two times) than antennomere 2, antennomeres 7–9 forming club, gradually increasing in width, antennomere 9 widest or 8 and 9 equally wide, last antennomere rounded at apex. Pronotum moderately transverse, widest at middle, densely, coarsely punctate, punctures subequal to eye facet; anterior margin without bead, lateral margin rounded, strongly beaded, width not varying, visible setae in dorsal view projecting laterally, posterior margin arcuate with bead nearly effaced medially, anterior angles rounded, not projecting, posterior angles obtuse. Elytron punctato-striate, shallowly punctate, with few punctures on interstriae, 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 somewhat flattened, with sparse, straight, golden setae on dorsal surface, sometimes with glabrous area ventrally on apical half, tarsomere 1 distinctly ( Fig. 16d View Fig ) or weakly enlarged, longer, sometimes wider than 2+3. Intercoxal process of ventrite 1 broadly rounded ( Fig. 16n View Fig ), sparsely, finely punctate, punctures each bearing a very fine, golden seta. Aedeagus ( Fig. 17i View Fig ) with basale and apicale subequal in length, basale straight on basal fourth, curved on apical threefourths, apicale slightly narrowed on apical fourth, slightly truncate apically, slightly narrowed on basal fourth, median lobe slightly exceeding apicale.

Distribution. Southeastern Cuba ( Fig. 19 View Figs ).

Biology. Specimens were collected at high altitude ( 915–1,830 m) in montane forest litter.

Remarks. This species is only known from the environs of Pico Turquino, the highest peak on Cuba. As so often happens, it is not known if this is a real case of local endemism or the result of collecting bias, but Pico Turquino is the destination of virtually every collector in eastern Cuba.