Nesamblyops larochellei, Sokolov, 2025

Nesamblyops larochellei , sp. nov.

Figures. 1B View FIGURE 1 , 2B View FIGURE 2 , 3D–F View FIGURE 3 , 4 View FIGURE 4

HOLOTYPE, male, in NZAC, labeled: \ New Zealand —South Island, Lewis Pass, Road SH7 summit , Nothofagus forest, 920m, washed soil sample: M31:602701 Nunn J. 19 October 2007 \ Molecular voucher № 81 Sokolov I.M. 2008 \.

PARATYPES, (3 specimens), 3 females labeled: \ New Zealand BR Lewis Pass Road summit 19 Oct 07 / Washed soil sample, beech forest M31:602701 \.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latinized eponym in the genitive case and is based on the surname of André Larochelle, Canadian-New Zealand entomologist ( New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Maanaki Whenua— Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand), who made material of New Zealand Anillini available for this study.

Type locality. New Zealand, South Island, BR, Lewis Pass.

Recognition. Adults of this species ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ) can be distinguished from other blind Nesamblyops species by the pattern of microsculpture on the forebody, well-developed on the frons of the head, but absent on the disc of the pronotum, and by the structure of the male genitalia.

Description. Of medium size for genus (SBL range 1.56–1.59 mm, mean 1.58± 0.02 mm, n=4).

Habitus. Body form ( Fig. 1B View FIGURE 1 ) slightly convex, elongate ovoid, general proportions moderately narrow (WE/SBL 0.37±0.01), head moderately wide relative to pronotum (WH/WPm 0.76±0.01), pronotum of normal proportions in comparison to elytra (WPm/WE 0.75±0.01).

Color. Body color rufotestaceous, appendages testaceous.

Microsculpture. Mesh pattern of irregularly isodiametric sculpticells distinctly present over all dorsal surface of head. Disc of pronotum smooth (without evident microsculpture).

Prothorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ) moderately long in comparison to elytra (LP/LE 0.39±0.02) and moderately transverse (WPm/LP 1.25±0.07), with lateral margins rectilinear and strongly constricted posteriorly (WPm/WPp 1.57±0.07). Anterior angles indistinct, posterior angles strongly obtuse (139–147°), completely rounded. Width between anterior angles greater than between posterior angles (WPa/WPp 1.23±0.03). Basal margin almost rectilinear.

Elytra. Ovoid, widely depressed along suture, comparatively long (LE/SBL 0.58±0.01) and moderately narrow (WE/LE 0.64±0.02). Humeri completely rounded. Lateral margins slightly divergent at basal half, subparallel at middle and evenly rounded to apex in apical third.

Male genitalia. Median lobe of aedeagus ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ) moderately arcuate and slightly twisted. Shaft subparallel in basal third, tapering in apical half. Apex small, straight, with narrowly rounded tip. Apical orifice long, occupies apical half of the shaft length. Ventral margin of median lobe almost straight. Walls of shaft without poriferous canals. Copulatory sclerites moderately reduced and weakly sclerotized, represented by dorsal branches of reduced V-contour and small medial rC-sclerite. Sclerotized membraneous fields absent. Left paramere ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ) of moderate length, with non-attenuated apex, bearing two long setae. Right paramere ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ) long, narrow, bearing two long setae, which are shorter the length of paramere. Ring sclerite not examined.

Female internal genitalia. Spermatheca not examined.

Geographical distribution. The range of the species is the northern part of the South Island and restricted to the northern area of the Southern Alps near Lewis Pass at the boundary between the West Coast and the North Canterbury regions ( Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 , red circle).

Habitat. Specimens were collected using a washing technique (as per label) from soil samples (labels mention beech / Nothofagus forest).

Relationships. The structure of the male genitalia of N. larochellei suggests its relatedness to the main pool of the Nesamblyops species with developed V-contour and rC-sclerite in the internal sac of the median lobe. Reduced V-contour and bisetose parameres possibly point out to N. kusheli Sokolov and N. moorei Sokolov as the closest relatives of the new species. Among blind representatives of the genus, the configuration of copulative sclerites of N. larochellei suggests its relatedness to N. pygmaeus , but not to N. nunni .