Prototyrtaeus turquinensis Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus turquinensis Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 13 View Figs , 15m View Fig , 16o View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. Pico Turquino; S. side , 1500 ft.; June 25, 1936 / Cuba 1936; Darlington; Collector ( MCZC) . Paratype (2). 1: same locality data as holotype ( MCZC). CUBA: Granma; P.N. Pico Turquino, La Platica ; 20.01065 -76.88950, 928m; 26.ix.2014, R. Anderson, F. Cala; Riquelme, A. Deler Hernandez; 2014-017 montane forest litter ( WIBF) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by its metallic integument; bicolored antenna with antennomere 3 slightly longer than 2 ( Fig. 15m View Fig ); and the transverse pronotum widest at middle and lacking a bead on the anterior margin. The intercoxal process of ventrite 1 is moderately rounded ( Fig. 16o View Fig ). Only three species have a bicolored antenna, and the distinguishing characteristics are discussed above under P. maestrensis. Prototyrtaeus turquinensis can be distinguished from P. maestrensis by having the first eight antennomeres brown and the apex of antennomere 9 yellowish, antennomere 4 subquadrate, frons with punctures becoming sparser posteriorly, and pronotum slightly or moderately punctate.

Etymology. The species name is a Latin adjective based on the name of the Cuban mountain Pico Turquino, the highest mountain in Cuba and the only known locality for this species.

Description. 2.4–2.6 mm long, 1.4 mm wide. Dorsal surface metallic bronze with greenish reflections, glabrous except for head, few long setae along lateral elytral margin, shiny; antenna brown with yellowish apex. Head width subequal to anterior edge of pronotum, coarsely punctate, frons bearing long setae, punctures becoming sparser posteriorly, 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. 15m View Fig ), antennomere 3 slightly longer than antennomere 2, antennomere 4 subquadrate, antennomeres 7–9 forming club gradually increasing in width, antennomere 9 widest or 8 and 9 equally wide, last antennomere rounded at apex. Pronotum strongly transverse, widest at middle, moderately, finely punctate, punctures smaller than 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 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 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. Specimens were collected in forest litter at 460 m.

Remarks. This species is only known from the environs of Pico Turquino, and is one of the seemingly sympatric group of species from the area.