Thortus ovalis Broun, 1893

Thortus ovalis Broun, 1893

( Figs 14 View Fig , 15 View Fig , 19E View Fig )

Thortus ovalis Broun 1893: 1345 .

Material examined (303; AMNZ, LUNZ, NZAC). SOUTH ISLAND: NN: 1, 6km up Little Wanganui River, 24 Jun 1967, litter, F. Alack, [41°22.661′S, 172°5.392′E], NZAC 04234647; 1, Karamea Area, 20 Jun 1967, litter, F. Alack, [41°14.611′S, 172°8.515′E], NZAC 04234604; 1, Karamea Bluff, 26 Jan 2005, litter, R. Leschen, T. Buckley, R. Hoare, 41°31′S, 172°1′E, RL958, NZAC 04234640; 1, Karamea Bluff, 29 Sep 1966, CLW-RRF, [41°30.926′S, 172°1.286′E], NZAC 04234582; 6 Karamea Bluff, 9 Feb 1999, litter, R. Leschen, R. Hoare, 41°31′S, 172°1′E, RL275, NZAC 04234547, NZAC 04234560, NZAC 04234636, NZAC 04234658, NZAC 04234672, NZAC 04234719; 1, Karamea Bluff, 20 Feb 1999, ex Ramaria sp , R. Leschen, R. Hoare, 41°31′S, 172°1′E, RL346, NZAC 04235174; 14, NN, Karamea Bluff, View Hill Saddle, 2 Mar 2007,sifted wood and leaf litter,K.Marske, 41°30.981′S, 172°1.229′E, KM040, NZAC 03018796, NZAC 04234476, NZAC 04234480, NZAC 04234486, NZAC 04234531, NZAC 04234544, NZAC 04234598, NZAC 04234599, NZAC 04234614, NZAC 04234624, NZAC 04234625, NZAC 04234630, NZAC 04234655, NZAC 04234656;19, Karamea Gorge Route, along Virgin Creek, 28 Feb 2007, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 41°14.793′S, 172°12.826′E, KM034, NZAC 03019647, NZAC 04234466, NZAC 04234496, NZAC 04234503, NZAC 04234535, NZAC 04234536, NZAC 04234548, NZAC 04234549, NZAC 04234550, NZAC 04234565, NZAC 04234567, NZAC 04234571, NZAC 04234588, NZAC 04234602, NZAC 04234605, NZAC 04234606, NZAC 04234607, NZAC 04234616, NZAC 04234648; 1, Karamea Saddle, 13 Oct 1970, J.I. Townsend, [41°30.981′S, 172°1.229′E], NZAC 04234622; 1, Mt Owen, 13 Mar 1938, C.E. Clarke, 41°33.183′S, 172°32.483′E, AMNZ 34193; 1, Mt Owen at river, 12 Mar 1938, C.E. Clarke, 41°35.4′S, 172°32.467′E, AMNZ 34194; 7, Oparara Basin, Box Canyon/Crazy Paving Caves track and carpark, 27 Feb 2007, mixed Nothofagus and podocarp forest, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 41°8.076′S, 172°11.525′E, KM028, NZAC 03018653, NZAC 04234443, NZAC 04234461, NZAC 04234481, NZAC 04234540, NZAC 04234595, NZAC 04234597; 6, Oparara Basin, Moria Gate Track, 1 Mar 2007, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 41°9.084′S, 172°11.862′E, KM039, NZAC 04234521, NZAC 04234526, NZAC 04234570, NZAC 04234600, NZAC 04234703, NZAC 04234704; 1, Oparara Gorge, 9 Feb 1999, litter, R. Leschen, R. Hoare, 41°13′S, 172°09′E, RL281, NZAC 04234715; 2, Oparara River, 27 Apr 1963, litter, J.I. Townsend, [41°11.711′S, 172°11.476′E], NZAC 04234641, NZAC 04234700; 2, NN, Oparara River mouth, 1 Jan 2011, under driftwood after flood, J. Nunn, [41°12.746′S, 172°6.750′E], NZAC 04234620, NZAC 04235155; 1, Oparara Road, 27 Apr 1963, forest litter, J.I. Townsend, [41°11.711′S, 172°11.476′E], NZAC 04234618. BR: 1, 1.6km NW Capleston, Italians Creek, 21 April 1972, litter, J.S. Dugdale, [42°3.984′S, 171°55.345′E], NZAC 04234575;5, BR, 12km NE Ikamatua, 9 Feb 1965, litter, N.A. Walker, [42°11.245′S, 171°43.397′E], NZAC 04234579, NZAC 04234591, NZAC 04234608, NZAC 04234667, NZAC 04234673; 1, 3.5km N Rapahoe, 12 Jan 1998, Nothofagus truncata leaf litter, R. Leschen, C. Carlton, 42°42′S, 171°15′E, RL051, NZAC 04234463; 1, Bell Hill Scientific Reserve, 14 Jul 1996, K.W.Drew, E.B. Spurr, [42°33.694′S, 171°34.641′E], NZAC 04234460; 1, Blackball Road, 20 Jan 2005, R. Leschen, T. Buckley, P. Lambert, 42°20.851′S, 171°23.552′E, RL926, NZAC 04234680; 3, Boatmans Creek, 4 Oct 1972, litter, G. Kuschel, [42°3.994′S, 171°55.244′E], NZAC 04134954, NZAC 04136280, NZAC 04139061; 3, Capleston, 6 Apr 1973, litter, J.C.Watt, [42°4.021′S, 171°55.243′E], NZAC 04234511, NZAC 04234516, NZAC 04234580; 1, Capleston, 4.5km SE of Cronadun, Redmans Creek, 8 Nov 1972, litter, J.C.Watt, [42°3.317′S, 171°54.217′E], NZAC 04272531; 25, Capleston, Flowers Creek, 12 Nov 1971, fungus, J.C.Watt,[42°3.209′S, 171°53.444′E], NZAC 04134341, NZAC 04234530, NZAC 04234543, NZAC 04234551, NZAC 04234552, NZAC 04234557, NZAC 04234559, NZAC 04234561, NZAC 04234562, NZAC 04234566, NZAC 04234572, NZAC 04234573, NZAC 04234574, NZAC 04234583, NZAC 04234585, NZAC 04234587, NZAC 04234589, NZAC 04234592, NZAC 04234593, NZAC 04234594, NZAC 04234596, NZAC 04234626, NZAC 04234631, NZAC 04234690; 1, Charleston, 8.5km S, 5 Nov 1965, J.I. Townsend, 41°54.346′S, 171°26.207′E, NZAC 04234663; 2, Denniston, 1 Nov 1965, forest litter, J.I. Townsend, A.C. Eyles, [41°44.167′S, 171°47.676′E], NZAC 04234472, NZAC 04234638; 6, Fletc he rs Cre ek, 7 Ma r 1972, litter, J. McBurne y, [41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04134966, NZAC 04135413, NZAC 04135699, NZAC 04136190, NZAC 04139339, NZAC 04139623; 1, Fletchers Creek, 26 Jan 1972, litter, J. S. Dugdale, [41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04136771; 1, Fletchers Creek, 1.5km W Coll Creek, 26Jan1972,litter,J.S.Dugdale,[41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04134523; 1, Fletchers Creek, SW Rotokohu, Nov 1971, J. McBurney, [41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04234698; 3, Fletchers Creek, 6km SW Rotokohu, 25 Jan 1972, litter, J. McBurney, [41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04134391, NZAC 04139128, NZAC 04139560; 2, Fletchers Creek, 6km SW Rotokohu, 26 Jan 1972, litter, J.C. Watt, [41°59.113′S, 171°53.454′E], NZAC 04134807, NZAC 04135497; 2, Grey Valley, Waipuna, 21 Apr 1971, litter, J.S. Dugdale, 42°2′S, 171°43′E, NZAC 04234578, NZAC 04234612; 2, Greymouth, Grandjeans Track, 10 Nov 2005, R. Leschen, S. Nomura, 42°28′S, 171°12′E, RL1019, NZAC 04234644, NZAC 04234722; 1, Greymouth,Rapahoe, 29 May 1963,litter,G.Kuschel,[42°42′S, 171°15′E], NZAC 04234661; 1, Hochstetter State Forest, 9 Nov 1972, litter, J.S. Dugdale, [42°22.387′S, 171°32.674′E], NZAC 04234677; 7, Hochstetter State Forest, 6km S of Ahaura, 11 Nov 1971, litter, J.C. Watt, [42°22.387′S, 171°32.674′E], NZAC 04234629, NZAC 04234633, NZAC 04234637, NZAC 04234651, NZAC 04234652, NZAC 04234657, NZAC 04234659; 3, Inangahua, 23 Jan 1957, E.S. Gourlay, [41°51.508′S, 171°57.269′E], NZAC 04234479, NZAC 04234619, NZAC 04234639; 3, Inland Pack Track, 1km N Punakaiki River, 29 Dec 2010, sifted ground litter, J. Nunn, [42°7.521′S, 171°21.423′E], NZAC 04234458, NZAC 04234617, NZAC 04234660; 1, Inland Pack Track, 1km N Punakaiki River, 29 Dec 2010, in flood debris, J. Nunn, [42°7.521′S, 171°21.423′E], NZAC 04234474; 1, Kopara Forest, 17 Jul 1996, K.W. Drew, E.B. Spurr, [42°34.042′S, 171°44.034′E], NZAC 04234459; 1, Kopara Forest, 18 Jul 1996, K.W. Drew, E.B. Spurr, [42°34.042′S, 171°44.034′E], NZAC 04234513; 1, Kopara Forest, 19 Jul 1996, K.W. Drew, E.B. Spurr, [42°34.042′S, 171°44.034′E], NZAC 04234670; 1, Lake Rotoroa, 7 Feb 1974, litter, S.B. Peck, J. Peck, [41°47.724′S, 172°35.569′E], NZAC 04234653; 2 ( ANIC), Lake Rotoroa, Braeburn Track, 25-27 Mar 1980, Nothofagus podocarp, litter, A. Newton, M. Thayer, [41°47.724′S, 172°35.569′E], NZAC 04234649, NZAC 04234701; 1, Lake Rotoroa, near road end, 5 Nov 2014,deep damp Nothofagus litter, J.Nunn, [41°47.724′S, 172°35.569′E], NZAC 04234467; 1,Lewis Pass, 10Feb 1965,litter,N.A.Walker,[42°22.712′S, 172°23.967′E], NZAC 04234650; 3 ( ANIC), Mount Robert, N slope, 21-26 Mar 1980, Nothofagus spp. ,litter,A.Newton,M.Thayer,[41°49.330′S, 172°48.614′E], NZAC 04234499, NZAC 04234590, NZAC 04234717; 1, Norris Creek, Buller Road, 14 Oct 1970,litter,J.I.Townsend,[42°6.245′S, 172°12.171′E], NZAC 04234468; 2, Paparoa National Park, 2km NE Punakaiki, Bullock Creek Road, 12 Jan 1998, Metrosideros robusta leaf litter, R. Leschen, C. Carlton, 42°06′S, 171°22′E, RL048, NZAC 04234507, NZAC 04234512; 1 ( LUNZ), Punakaiki, 13 Jan 1983, coastal podocarp-broadleaf, litter, J.W. Early, [42°6.431′S, 171°20.413′E]; 1 ( LUNZ), Punakaiki S Road, Porari Road, 6 Jun 1985, litter and moss, J. W. Early, [42°6.431′S, 171°20.413′E]; 5 ( ANIC), Punakaiki, 0.8km N Bullock Creek, 23 Mar 1980, broadleaf nikau palm podocarp, litter, A. Newton, M. Thayer, [42°6.053′S, 171°21.141′E], NZAC 04234477, NZAC 04234506, NZAC 04234510, NZAC 04234705, NZAC 04234710; 1, Punakaiki, Bullock Creek, 12 Oct 1970, litter, J.I. Townsend, [42°6.053′S, 171°21.141′E], NZAC 04234711; 3 ( LUNZ), Punakaiki, Bullock Creek, 1 Apr 2002, rimu, ground litter, K. Affeld, [42°6.053′S, 171°21.141′E]; 1, Punakaiki, Bullock Creek Road (within 1st km), 4 Mar 2007, dead wood with fungi, K. Marske, 42°6.026′S, 171°20.621′E, KM047, NZAC 04234708; 3, Punakaiki, Bullock Creek Road (within 1st km), 4 Mar 2007, sifted leaf litter, K. Marske, 42°6.026′S, 171°20.621′E, KM049, NZAC 04234500, NZAC 04234726, NZAC 04234727; 2, Punakaiki, Pororari River Track, near intersect with Inland Pack Track., 3 Mar 2007, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 42°7.169′S, 171°22.156′E, KM044, NZAC 04234694, NZAC 04234706; 1, Punakaiki, Truman Track, 4 Mar 2007, dead wood with fungi, K. Marske, 42°5.629′S, 171°20.442′E, KM050, NZAC 04234720; 3, Rahu Scenic Reserve, 23 Feb 2007, beech forest, dead wood with fungi, K. Marske, 42°15.111′S, 171°57.888′E, KM004, NZAC 04234433, NZAC 04234508, NZAC 04234724; 7, Rahu Scenic Reserve, 25 Feb 2007, beech forest, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 42°15. 111′S, 171°57.888′E, KM023, NZAC 03018756, NZAC 04234462, NZAC 04234501, NZAC 04234514, NZAC 04234674, NZAC 04234713, NZAC 04234723; 1, Rahu Scenic Reserve, Klondyke Spur Track, 23 Feb 2007, beech forest, dead wood with fungi, K. Marske, 42°18.833′S, 172°7.061′E, KM007, NZAC 04234699; 3, Reefton, 12 Apr 1977, pine forest, J.A. Wightman, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234484, NZAC 04234487, NZAC 04234664; 10, Reefton, 12 Apr 1977, cutover pine, J.A. Wightman, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234495, NZAC 04234628, NZAC 04234643, NZAC 04234668, NZAC 04234669, NZAC 04234671, NZAC 04234675, NZAC 04234678, NZAC 04234682, NZAC 04234684; 2, Reefton, 12 Apr 1977, burnt pine, J.A. Wightman, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234646, NZAC 04234693;16, Reefton, 12 Apr 1977, beech forest, J.A.Wightman, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234478, NZAC 04234485, NZAC 04234488, NZAC 04234489, NZAC 04234490, NZAC 04234491, NZAC 04234493, NZAC 04234494, NZAC 04234504, NZAC 04234505, NZAC 04234676, NZAC 04234707, NZAC 04234714, NZAC 04234716, NZAC 04234721, NZAC 04234725; 1, Reefton, 5 Nov 1958, J.M. Hoy Collection, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234692; 4, Reefton, 3.5km up Rahu Road, 25 Nov 1961, litter, J.I. Townsend, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234464, NZAC 04234558, NZAC 04234569, NZAC 04234635; 1, Reefton, Dublin Terrace, 25 Nov 1961, leaf litter, J.I. Townsend, [42°6.656′S, 171°52.201′E], NZAC 04234563; 1, Rotoiti, 3 Jun 1916, T. Broun Collection, [41°48.360′S, 172°50.375′E], NZAC 04234482; 1 ( LUNZ), Shenandoah Saddle, 12 Nov 1981, litter, J.W. Early, [42°1.598′S, 172°14.61′E]; 1 ( LUNZ), Shenandoah Saddle, 12 Nov 1981, moss, J.W. Early, [42°1.598′S, 172°14.61′E]; 1 ( LUNZ), Shenandoah Saddle, 10 Jan 1982, on Nothofagus fusca , moss, R.M. Emberson, [42°1.598′S, 172°14.61′E]; 6, St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti, 19 Feb - 15 Mar 2004, beech forest, M. Sim, 41°49.817′S, 172°51.217′E, AMNZ 67820, AMNZ 67821, AMNZ 67822, AMNZ 67823, AMNZ 67824, AMNZ 67825; 7, Tawhai State Forest, 3km S Reefton, 9 Nov 1971, litter, J.S. Dugdale, [42°9.448′S, 171°48.324′E], NZAC 04234564, NZAC 04234654, NZAC 04234683, NZAC 04234686, NZAC 04234688, NZAC 04234689, NZAC 04234691; 1, Victoria State Forest Park, Shenandoah Saddle, 22 Feb 2007, beech forest, sifted wood and leaf litter, K. Marske, 42°1.117′S, 172°14.413′E, KM002, NZAC 03019164; 26, West Inangahua State Forest, Stoney Creek, 25 Jan 1972, litter, J.S. Dugdale, [41°59.865′S, 171°52.945′E], NZAC 04233862, NZAC 04233965, NZAC 04234051, NZAC 04224179, NZAC 04224210, NZAC 04224211, NZAC 04234546, NZAC 04134725, NZAC 04134832, NZAC 04134924, NZAC 04135096, NZAC 04135102, NZAC 04135117, NZAC 04135581, NZAC 04136335, NZAC 04136803, NZAC 04136807, NZAC 04136859, NZAC 04136868, NZAC 04137378, NZAC 04137712, NZAC 04137734, NZAC 04137809, NZAC 04138330, NZAC 04138684, NZAC 04139536; 19, Woods Creek Track, 24 Feb 2007, regenerating Wienmannia racemosa and rahu forest, sifted leaf litter, K. Marske, 42°33.194′S, 171°20.926′E, KM013, NZAC 03019555, NZAC 04234470, NZAC 04234471, NZAC 04234497, NZAC 04234502, NZAC 04234515, NZAC 04234532, NZAC 04234538, NZAC 04234603, NZAC 04234621, NZAC 04234634, NZAC 04234645, NZAC 04234665, NZAC 04234687, NZAC 04234695, NZAC 04234696, NZAC 04234697, NZAC 04234702, NZAC 04234709. SC: 4, Geraldine, Peel Forest Scientific Reserve, 27 Dec 1956, under bark of Kanikoreas matais, R. Crowson, [43°53.338′S, 171°14.96′E], NZAC 04234662, NZAC 04234712, NZAC 04272543, NZAC 04272544. WD: 2, Okuku Scenic Reserve, 46.7km W Otira, 12 Jan 1998, Laurelia novae-zelandiae leaf litter, R. Leschen, C. Carlton, 42°43′S, 171°14′E, RL050, NZAC 04234469, NZAC 04234492; 1, Open Bay Islands, Taumaka Island, 30 Apr 1976, litter mainly Schefflera digitalis , Melicytus ramiflorus, R.H. Matlin , [43°51.644′S, 168°52.95′E], NZAC 04234518; 1, Ross, Mikonui Track, 9 Nov 2005, ants in wood, R. Leschen, S. Nomura, 43°0′S, 170°1′E, RL1015, NZAC 04234685. FD: 1, Bauza Island, 18 Mar 1984, penguin moulting, C.F. Butcher, [45°17.129′S, 166°54.326′E], NZAC 04235072; 2, Bauza Island, 27 Nov 1981, litter and moss, C.F. Butcher, [45°17.129′S, 166°54.326′E], NZAC 04234554, NZAC 04234586; 2, Bauza Island, Mar 1984, C.F. Butcher, [45°17.129′S, 166°54.326′E], NZAC 04234509, NZAC 04272545; 1, Secretary Island, Grono Bay, 28 Nov 1981, sifted litter, C.F. Butcher, [45°17.044′S, 166°56.321′E], NZAC 04234666; 3, Wilmot Pass, Jan 1970, litter, I. Townsend, [45°30.482′S, 167°11.553′E], NZAC 04234529, NZAC 04234584, NZAC 04234718; 1, Wilmot Pass, Deep Cove, Jan 1970, litter, A.C. Eyles, [45°27.887′S, 167°9.709′E], NZAC 04234681.

Diagnosis. Thortus ovalis is recognized by its multicoloured body, a narrow clypeal constriction, short gena, and an absent or weakly indicated, incomplete parasutural stria. It has a well-developed eye and can be distinguished from T. parallelus sp. nov. and T. bullerensis sp. nov. by the larger and more impressed median basal puncture on the pronotum and the shorter subcoxal lines on the first abdominal ventrite.

Redescription. Length 1.31–1.60 mm. Colour of body variable, dark to light reddish or dark brown, sometimes the pronotum is light with darker edges, elytra usually pale to light at the base and humeral area, sometimes tricoloured, mouthparts, legs, antennal club lighter, and central parts of the ventral sclerites lighter. Body surfaces glabrous, microsculpture absent from most surfaces, very weak and present on ventral surfaces of the head, hypomeron and lateral portions of the abdominal ventrite, glabrous in southern populations (Fiordland). Dorsal setae silver, variable, sparse, usually dual, consisting of long scattered suberect and subdecumbent setae, with those at the base of the elytra longer and often more erect, some specimens with shorter setae. Ventral surfaces typically with shorter suberect setae; punctation ovate on prosternum, mesoventrite foveolate, not strongly impressed, disc of metaventrite with punctures smaller than those of prosternum, punctation of abdominal ventrites 1 to 4 smaller or equal to those on metaventrite, setae longer at sides, punctation on ventrite 5 denser with a well-defined patch of posteriorly-directed setae. Head not lengthened with relatively short gena subequal to length of antennomere 1; frons constricted, narrowed to a width that is about 1/3 less than half the length of antennomere 1; supra-antennal ridge with well-developed rim, bead absent; vertex delimited anteriorly by a transverse line that may be weakly crenulate line, surfaces punctured and glabrous; gular punctation regular and ovate, diameters larger than those on sides of head. Eye consisting of approximately 15 facets. Antennomere 2 cylindrical, slightly wider than long, antennomere 3 subconical, longer and narrower than 2 and longer and slightly wider than 4, proportions of antennomeres 4–8 same, antennomere 9 wider than 8 and narrower than 10 and 11, antennomere 10 transverse and slightly narrower than 11, antennomere 11 longer than 10, shorter than 9 and 10 combined. Pronotum transverse, pronotal length/width ratio ~1.13, widest at basal third or at middle and parallel-sided (mostly southern populations); anterior margin weakly convex; anterior angles obtuse, not projecting; lateral edges weakly convex and gradually converging anteriorly, weakly curved posteriorly; pronotal disc with punctation variable from shallow to well-impressed, irregular, sparse to absent in central disc (without a median glabrous strip), separated by a distance of up to 2–4 times their diameter; median impression absent; transversely, and abruptly depressed at basal 1/5; basomedial macropuncture present, forming a broad groove and well-delineated by a polished surface and lateral ridges; posterolateral angles almost right, rounded, not projecting posteriorly; posterior margin sinuate with a weak scutellar lobe. Prosternal process with weak lateral marginal beads, without longitudinal depression medially, process parallel-sided and not expanded posteriorly behind procoxae, apex weakly curved, width subequal to width of procoxa and 0.5 times as long as length of prosternum; procoxal cavity without anterolateral notch. Scutellary shield ovoid and transverse, 2.8 times as wide as long. Elytra about 1.47 times as long as combined widths, about 1.13 times as wide as pronotum, about 1.67 times as long as length of pronotum; setation variable, consisting of very long and short subdecumbent setae; humeral plica reduced; parasutural stria absent or weakly indicated in some specimens with interspaces setose; punctation similar to pronotum, may be weakly impressed in some specimens and in central surfaces. Metaventrital process with anterior margin straight or weakly curved, marginal bead weakly indicated at middle. Tarsi moderately slender, 5-5- 5 in female, 5-5- 4 in male, male pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 with tenent setae; mesotarsomeres 1–3 of subequal lengths, mesotarsomere 5 subequal to tarsomeres 1–4 combined. First abdominal ventrite with broad and truncate intercoxal process, postcoxal lines short, divergent, extending at most to basal one-fourth of sclerite. Aedeagus with relatively short parameres articulated to phallobase, paramere wider than long; apices subacute, unisetose, without membranous projections; basipenis about 3.33 times as long as distipenis; distipenis about 1.13 times as long as wide, lateral lobes separated, basal plate absent; internal sac with a pair of short slender sclerites apical endophallites.

Distribution. South Island: NN, BR, WD, SC, FD ( Fig. 21 View Fig ).

Remarks. Thortus ovalis is found in the South Island. The variable colour, punctation and subtle differences in setation among the specimens does not appear to be geographically related; though specimens from southern populations have the prothorax parallel-sided and the microsculpture on the venter is reduced or absent. The single record from South Canterbury based on a collection made by Roy Crowson contained 2 specimens of T. ovalis (one was teneral) which must have been a mislabelling of the locality. Information on the holotype of T. ovalis was given by LESCHEN & GIMMEL (2012).

Most specimens have been collected by sifting litter and dead wood, and rarely from fungi. They may also be collected from pitfall traps, under bark and rarely from moss.