Prototyrtaeus auranticornis Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus auranticornis Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 14, 15n View Fig View Figs , 16o View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. Pico Turquino; S. Side , 1500 ft.; June 25, 1936 / Cuba 1936; Darlington; Collector (MCZC) . Paratype ( 1): CUBA: Granma, Buey Arriba; Munic., Rio Peladeros ; nr. 20.0264°N, 76.649°W; 24JUL1995,ca. 750m,- daytime; on vegetation, P.Sosa colr ( WIBF) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by having a metallic integument; unicolored orange to yellow antenna with antennomere 3 longer than 2 and 4 wider than long ( Fig. 15n View Fig ); and a transverse pronotum that is widest at the middle and lacking a bead on the anterior margin. The intercoxal process of ventrite 1 is moderately rounded ( Fig. 16o View Fig ). This species is similar to P. felis and P. turquinensis, but it can be distinguished from P. felis by the coarse, evenly distributed punctation on the frons and the metanepisternum with a line of strong punctures. From P. turquinensis, it can be distinguished by the glabrous frons and unicolored antenna.

Etymology. This species’ name, a Latin adjective, refers to the orange antenna that is unique in this genus, found on the holotype.

Description. 2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide. Dorsal surface metallic green, glabrous except for a few long setae along lateral elytral margin, shiny; antenna orange. Head width subequal to anterior margin 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. 15n View Fig ), antennomere 3 longer than antennomere 2, antennomere 4 wider than long, antennomeres 7–9 forming club gradually increasing in width, antennomere 9 the widest or 8 and 9 equally wide, last antennomere rounded at apex; pronotum strongly transverse, widest at middle, moderately, 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, with a 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 strongly punctate; metanepisternum with line of strong punctures. 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 moderately rounded ( Fig. 16o View Fig ), sparsely, finely punctate, punctures each bearing a very fine, golden seta. Aedeagus not studied.

Distribution. Southeastern Cuba ( Fig. 18 View Figs ).

Biology. The two known specimens of this species were collected at 460 and 750 m, respectively, the latter during the day on vegetation.