Socotrella monstrosa Popov, 1957

Socotrella monstrosa Popov, 1957

Figs 114 View Figure 114 , 115 View Figure 115 , 116 View Figure 116

References for Socotra.

Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)): 370–371, fig. 20–22; Descamps 1970: 132–134, figs 33–41; Descamps 1977: 50, 82–84, figs 26, 163–171; Popov 1997: 123–124, figs 17–21; Guichard 1992: 184; Wranik 2003: 318, plate 154.

Diagnostic notes.

Socotrella monstrosa is an unmistakable species with an atypical appearance, characterised by its strongly rugose body (Figs 114 View Figure 114 , 115 View Figure 115 ). Contrary to Phaulotypus , it has ten antennal segments and the vertex of the fastigium is laterally compressed and strongly projects forward in front of the eyes (Fig. 114 View Figure 114 ). The median frontal carinulae are separated between the antennae, but do not form a broad shield as in Phaulotypus . The pronotum is short in both sexes, with an elevated posterior part. The abdomen is long and straight, not curved upwards as in Phaulotypus and has a clear median carina. The hind femora are rather slender.

Taxonomic notes.

Descamps (1970) thoroughly re-described the genus Socotrella Popov, 1957 . He first described the male (neoallotype) collected by Guichard at Wadi Dineghen. Furthermore, he mentioned the female from Wadi Darho as aberrant in the pronotum shape and colour ( Descamps 1970).

Distribution and occurrence.

Socotrella monstrosa is endemic to Socotra and only found in the Hagher Mountains (Fig. 116 View Figure 116 ). The species seems to occur in very low densities. Popov (in Uvarov and Popov (1957)) stated that, after finding his specimen, he looked for several hours on two occasions without seeing another one.

Guichard erroneously named the wadi flowing south from Adho Dimello Wadi Dajoj ( Guichard 1967). According to the map of the Royal Geographical Society (1978), this wadi is called Wadi Darho, as also stated by Bezdĕk et al. (2012). Wadi Dajoj [Dajog] does exist, but is situated much further east (Royal Geographical Society 1978; Bezdĕk et al. 2012).

Habitat and biology.

The species occurs in wooded areas in the foothills and high up in the Hagher in Frankincense woodland, montane forest and mosaic. Popov collected his specimen on bare, gravelly ground at 914 m a. s. l. (Popov in Uvarov and Popov (1957)). Based on the specimen’s structure and colouration, Povov suggested that it probably is a phytophilous species living on the bark of trees.

Indeed, Guichard collected five males and one female in 1967 on the bark of Acacia pennivenia at Zufuk, in the “ hills behind the Sultan’s palace ”, in a “ fine glade ” near a clear stream ( Guichard 1967, 1992). According to the labels, these specimens were collected at Hadiboh Plain at an elevation of 50 m a. s. l. However, Guichard’s field notes (1967) mentioned that the species was found in the hills, suggesting the elevation must have been higher, at least several hundred metres.

The 2010 specimen was found on a rock in dense montane shrubland at 768 m a. s. l., probably on more or less the same site as the specimen collected by Guichard in Wadi Darho. Records are from March, April and October.