Acanthosoma hampsoni ( Distant, 1900 ), 2015

Acanthosoma hampsoni ( Distant, 1900) View in CoL , new combination

Figs 60–62 View FIGURES 57–62

Sastragala hampsoni Distant, 1900: 229 View in CoL . Syntype (s): [ India: Tamil Nadu:] Nilgiri Hills; BMNH!

Sastragala hampsoni View in CoL : Distant 1902: 320 (redescription, distribution), Bergroth 1908: 193 (catalogue, distribution), Kirkaldy 1909: 173 (catalogue, distribution).

Type material examined. Lectotype (present designation): ♂, “Type \ H. T.” [pr circle with red border], “NILGIRI \ (HAMPSON)” [pr], “ Distant coll. \ 1911-383” [pr], “Hampsoni \ Dist.” [Distant’s hw]; pinned, segments IV of both antennae and some tarsal segments missing; deposited in BMNH ( Figs 60–62 View FIGURES 57–62 ).

Additional specimens examined. INDIA. Tamil Nadu: “Inde Mér e ” [Inde Méridionale = southern India], Trichinopoly [= Tiruchirappalli], leg. J. Dubreuil, coll. W.L. Distant 1911-383 (1 ♂ BMNH).— Unknown locality, coll. W.L. Distant 1911-383 (1 ♀ BMNH) .

Diagnosis. Pronotum, scutellum and corium with very coarse black punctation, head not punctated; antennal segments IIb–IV black; humeral process yellowish, straight, directed laterally, apically pointed; genital capsule of male with a pair of long, broadly diverging, slightly curved projections posteriorly ( Figs 60–61 View FIGURES 57–62 ).

Notes. This species was described from Southern India and has never been recorded again since its original description. For fixing the identity and facilitating recognition of this widely ignored species a lectotype is hereby designated and its photographs are presented ( Figs 60–61 View FIGURES 57–62 ). The species is hereby transferred to Acanthosoma based on arguments presented in the Discussion.

The area of this species is rather isolated from those of all other species of Acanthosoma : it occurs in Tamil Nadu whilst no other species of the genus extends to the Indian Subcontinent except of marginal areas of the Himalayas. The species is morphologically also quite peculiar and would deserve a detailed study. Unfortunately it is rare in collections and the few specimens available to us did not allow a careful examination.

Distribution. This species is apparently restricted to southern India. Records from Pakistan ( Ahmad et al. 1979, Ahmad & Moizuddin 1990) are misidentifications and pertain to Acanthosoma murreeanum (see above under the respective species).— INDIA. Tamil Nadu!