Lectorype ♂ (MNHN): [p] “Mokan Shan \ 3.V.1930 \ coll. O. Piel”, [p] “LECTOTYPUS”, [h] “Lycocerus \ pieli n. sp.”, [h] “Micropodabrus \ pieli \ (Pic) \ det. W. Wittmer”. Paralectorype: 1♀ (MNHN): same data, 1.V.1930.

CHINA: Zhejiang: 2♂♂, 1♀ (IZAS): “Mokan Shan [Mogan Shan], 30.IV.1936, coll. O. Piel”; 1♀ (IZAS): same data, 3.V.1936; 1♀ (IZAS): Tianmu Shan, 6.V.1981, leg. P.Y. Yu; 2♂♂ (MHBU): Longquan, Fengyang Shan, 1250m, 31.III.2007, leg. J. Cao. Fujian: 1♂ (NHMB): “Fukien, Kuatun [Fujian, Guadun], 2300m, 27.40n.Br., 117.40ö.L., 5.IV.1938, J. Klapperich”; 1♂ (NHMB): same data, 30.III.1938; 1♂ (NHMB): “Fukien, Kuatun, 21.IV.1946, Tschung Sen.”; 1♂ (NHMB): “Fukien, Shaowu, Tachuland, 22.IV.1945”.

Male. Body black, clypeus and genae light brown, pronotum and elytra red, more or less darkened at median longitudinal groove of pronotum.

Head subquadrate, evenly narrowed behind eyes, dorsum slightly convex in center, with a distinct middle longitudinal line, each side with a small transverse impression behind antennal socket, head surface finely imbricate-punctate, matt, covered with sparse, fine, reddish brown decumbent pubescence; eyes moderately protruding, head width across eyes slightly wider than anterior margin of pronotum; terminal maxillary palpomeres nearly long-triangular, arcuate and sharp at apical one-third length of inner margin; antennae extending to apical one-third length of elytra, antennomeres II nearly as long as wide at apices, III‒VIII distinctly and IX‒X slightly widened apically, slightly flattened on dorsal sides, III about twice as long as wide at apices, IV slightly longer than III, the whole length of III‒V and basal parts of VI with narrow longitudinal ridges along outer margins, VI‒VIII each with a deep and nearly oblong fovea on dorsal side, the foveae slightly widened apically and smooth on inner surface, with all margins delimitated and well-developed on VI‒VII, but apical margins reduced on VIII, XI slightly longer than X, nearly parallel-sided and pointed at apex.

Pronotum subquadrate, slightly longer than wide, widest near posterior margin, anterior margin arcuate, anterior angles widely rounded, lateral margins slightly sinuate, moderately diverging posteriorly, posterior angles obtusely rectangular, posterior margin nearly straight and narrowly bordered, disc moderately convex on posterolateral parts, with a distinct median longitudinal groove, surface pubescent and punctate like that of head.

Elytra about 4.5 times longer than pronotum, 3.5 times longer than humeral width, which about one-third wider than posterior margin of pronotum, outer margins nearly parallel, disc surface rugulose-lacunose, densely and coarsely punctate, matt, covered with dense, short and decumbent reddish brown pubescence, combined with much sparser, longer, semierected pubescence, elytral venation well developed.

All claws bifid, the lower claws nearly as long as upper ones on proclaws, distinctly shorter than on meso- and metaclaws.

Abdominal sternite IX nearly triangular. Aedeagus (Figs 11‒13): ventral process of each paramere abruptly narrowed apically and rounded at apex; conjoint dorsal fig of parameres distinctly shorter than ventral processes, slightly emarginated in middle of apical margin and lateroapical angles; middle node of basal pieces moderately diverging apically.

Female. Similar to males, but antennae shorter and wider, extending to elytral midlength, antennomeres III‒X nearly triangular, each about 1.5 times as long as wide at apex, III‒V slightly and VI‒VIII distinctly concaved on dorsal sides, without delimitated margins and not smooth on inner surface. Pronotum nearly as wide as long, slightly convex on posterolateral parts. Elytra with outer margins slightly diverging posteriorly. Legs with all lower claws distinctly shorter than upper ones. Abdominal sternite VIII (Fig. 3) narrowly rounded at apex, hardly emarginated in middle of posterior margin. Internal reproductive organ of genitalia (Fig. 6): vagina stout and abruptly extended apically as a thin and long duct; diverticulum and spermathecal duct arising from the end the long duct of vagina; diverticulum moderately long, thin and spiral; spermathecal duct slightly shorter than diverticulum; spermatheca slightly thicker and longer than diverticulum, provided with moderately long and thin accessory gland, distinctly longer than spermatheca.

Body length: 10.0‒12.0 mm; width: 2.0‒2.5 mm.

China (Zhejiang, Fujian).

The characteristic antennae and aedeagus were illustrated by Wittmer (1997), but other morphological characters are poorly known except the simple description in the original publication (Pic, 1937). Under this consideration, we redescribe this species here and provide illustrations of its main diagnostic characters.

Holotype ♂ (IZAS): “CHINA, Yunnan Provin., Gongshan, Dulongjiang, Miliwang, above Bapo, 27.72383°N, 98.36117°E, 1956m, 31.X.2004, night, Liang Hongbin collector, California Academy & IOZ, Chinese Acad. Sci.”. Paratypes: 1♂ (IZAS): same data to holotype; 1♂ (IZAS): “CHINA, Yunnan Provin., Gongshan, Dulongjiang, Kongdang, roadside, 27.87696°N, 98.33587°E, 1525m, 25.X.2004, day, Liang Hongbin collector, California Academy & IOZ, Chinese Acad. Sci.”; 1♂ (IZAS): “CHINA, Yunnan Provin., Gongshan, Bingzhongluo, Chaohong Bridge, beach, 28.06671°N, 98.58360°E, 1540m, 11.XI.2004, day, Liang Hongbin collector, California Academy & IOZ, Chinese Acad. Sci.”.

Male (Fig. 1). Body black, mandibles dark brown, elytra red.

Head subquadrate, evenly narrowed behind eyes, dorsum slightly convex in center, with a distinct middle longitudinal line, each side with a small transverse impression behind antennal socket, head surface finely imbricate-punctate, matt, covered with sparse, fine, reddish brown decumbent pubescence; eyes moderately protruding, head width across eyes slightly wider than anterior margin of pronotum; terminal maxillary palpomeres nearly long-triangular, arcuate at apical one-third length of inner margin; antennae (Fig. 9) extending to apical one-third length of elytra, antennomeres II nearly as long as wide at apices, III‒VIII distinctly widened apically, slightly flattened on dorsal sides, III‒VII with outer apical angles distinctly protruding, III about twice as long as wide at apices, IV slightly longer than III, IV‒VI (Fig. 9a) each with a small, round, shallow impression at basal one-third of dorsal side, the whole length of IV‒VI and basal parts of VII with narrow longitudinal ridges along inner margins, VII‒VIII (Fig. 9b) each with a deep oblong fovea on dorsal side, the foveae smooth on inner surfaces, with all margins delimitated and well-developed, IX‒XI nearly parallel-sided, XI slightly longer than X and pointed at apex.

Pronotum subquadrate, slightly longer than wide, widest near posterior margin, anterior margin arcuate, anterior angle widely rounded, lateral margins slightly sinuate, moderately diverging posteriorly, posterior angles nearly rectangular, posterior margin nearly straight and narrowly bordered, disc moderately convex on posterolateral parts, with a distinct median longitudinal groove, surface pubescent and punctate like that of head.

Elytra about 4.5 times longer than pronotum, 3.5 times longer than humeral width, which about one-third wider than posterior margin of pronotum, outer margins nearly parallel, disc surface rugulose-lacunose, densely and coarsely punctate, matt, covered with dense, short and decumbent reddish brown pubescence, combined with much sparser, longer, semierected pubescence, elytral venation well developed, moderately costate.

All claws bifid, the lower claws nearly as long as upper ones at pro- and mesoclaws, slightly shorter than at metaclaws.

Abdominal sternite IX nearly triangular at apex. Aedeagus (Figs 14‒16): ventral process of each paramere slightly narrowed apically and rounded at apex, with inner margins curling up outwards; conjoint dorsal fig of parameres distinctly shorter than ventral processes, largely and triangularly emarginated in middle of apical margin, lateroapical angles obtusely triangular; middle node of basal pieces strongly diverging apically.

Female. Unknown.

Body length (males): 8.0‒9.0 mm; width: 1.8‒2.0 mm.

This species is similar to F. pieli (Pic), but differs from the latter by the characteristic antennae of the male with antennomeres IV‒VI each with a small, round, shallow impression at basal one-third of dorsal side, VII‒VIII each with a deep oblong fovea on dorsal side; pronotum black; aedeagus: ventral process of each paramere slightly narrowed apically, with inner margins curling up outwards; conjoint dorsal fig of parameres largely and triangularly emarginated in middle of apical margin.

China (Yunnan).

The specific name is derived from the Latin bi (two) and fovea (pit), referring to its antennomeres VII‒VIII each with a deep fovea on dorsal sides in males.

Figures 1–5. 

1–2 Male habitus, dorsal view 3–5 abdominal sternite VIII of female, ventral view: 1 Fissocantharis bifoveatus sp. n. 2, 5 F. acuticollis sp. n. 3 F. pieli (Pic, 1937) 4 F. kontumensis Wittmer, 1989. Scale bars: 1–2=2.0 mm; 3–5=1.0 mm.

Figures 6–8. 

Female genitalia, lateral view: 6 Fissocantharis pieli (Pic, 1937) 7 F. kontumensis Wittmer, 1989 8 F. acuticollis sp. n. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Fissocantharis kontumensis: Holotype ♂ (NHMB): [p] “VIETNAM: Buon-loi \ 40 km N of Ankhe \ Prov. Gia. Lai Kontum \ 12.–14.6.1985”, [p] “HOLOTYPUS”, [h] “F. \ kontumensis \ Wittm. \ det. W. Wittmer”, [p] “Naturhist. \ Museum Basel \ coll. W. Wittmer”, [p] “CANTHARIDAE \ CANTH00001272”.

Micropodabrus shanensis: Holotype ♂ (NHMB): [p] “S. SHAN States \ Burma 1500m. \ Taunggyi 1.VIII- \ 22.IX.(19)34 Malaise”, [p] “HOLOTYPUS”, [h] “Micropodabrus \ shanensis \ Wittm. \ det. W. Wittmer”, [p] “Naturhist. \ Museum Basel \ coll. W. Wittmer”, [p] “CANTHARIDAE \ CANTH00000259”. (The antennomeres IX-XI, right prometarsomeres IV-V, left metatarsus of the holotype were missing.)

CHINA: Yunnan: 1♂ (IZAS): Xishuangbanna, Mengzhe, 1200m, 29.VIII.1958, leg. F.J. Pu; 1♂ (IZAS): Xishuangbanna, Mengla, 620‒650m, 10.VI.1959, leg. F.J. Pu; 1♂, 2♀♀ (IZAS): Xishuangbanna, Meng’a, 1050‒1080m, 4.VIII.1958, leg. S.Y. Wang; 1♀ (IZAS): Lancang, 1000m, 26.VII.1957, leg. L.C. Zang; 1♂ (IZAS): same locality, 25.VII.1957, leg. S.Y. Wang; 1♂ (IZAS): Jinping, Changpotou, 1300m, 25.V.1956, leg. K.R. Huang; 1♀ (MHBU): Longling, Lameng, 3.VIII.2005, leg. B.Y. Mao & J.S. Xu.

Male. Aedeagus (Figs 17‒19): ventral process of each paramere slightly widened and rounded at apex; conjoint dorsal fig of parameres distinctly shorter than ventral processes, largely roundly emarginated in middle of apical margin, lateroapical angles slightly acute; middle node of basal pieces moderately diverging apically.

Female. Abdominal sternite VIII (Fig. 4) slightly truncate at apex, bisinuately emarginated in middle of posterior margin. Internal reproductive organ of genitalia (Fig. 7): vagina abruptly extended apically as a long and thick duct; diverticulum and spermathecal duct arising from the end the long duct of vagina; diverticulum long, thin and spiral; spermathecal duct distinctly shorter and slightly thicker than diverticulum; spermatheca nearly as long as and slightly thicker than diverticulum, provided with moderately long and thin accessory gland, slightly longer than spermatheca.

Body length: 8.0‒10.0 mm; width: 2.0‒2.2 mm.

China (new record: Yunnan); Vietnam; Myanmar.

F. shanensis (Wittmer, 1997) was described on a single male holotype. Although some differential characters from F. kontumensis Wittmer, 1989 were suggested by Wittmer (1997), these differences of quantitative change in the antenna and conjoint dorsal fig of parameres of aedeagus turned out to be intraspecific variability, based on our examination of both types and a large series of additional material. Therefore, we synonymize F. shanensis (Wittmer, 1997) with F. kontumensis Wittmer, 1989 here.

Figures 9–10. 

Male antennae, dorsal view: 9 Fissocantharis bifoveatus sp. n. (9a antennomeres IV– VI, dorsal view 9b antennomeres VII– VIII, dorsal view) 10 F. acuticollis sp. n. (10a antennomeres IV– VII, outer view 10b antennomeres VIII– XI, outer view). Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Figures 11–16. 

Aedeagus (11, 14 ventral view 12, 15 dorsal view 13, 16 lateral view): 11–13 Fissocantharis pieli (Pic, 1937) 14–16 F. bifoveatus sp. n. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Holotype ♂ (MHBU): CHINA: Zhejiang: 1Taishun, Wuyanling, 28.VII‒3.VIII.2005, leg. Y.B. Ba. Paratypes: 1♀ (MHBU): same data as the holotype; 1♀ (MHBU): same data, 2.VIII.2005; 1♀ (MHBU): same data, 31.VII.2005; 1♀ (IZAS): Qingyuan, Baishanzu, 800m, 14.VIII.1993, leg. H. Wu. Guangdong: 1♀ (SYSU): Xinfeng, 10.VII.1991, leg. R. Zeng; 1♂ (SYSU): same locality, 8.VII.1991, leg. Q.Z. Ye; 1♀ (SYSU): same locality, 9.VII.1991, leg. R. Chen; 1♂ (SYSU): same locality, 9.VII.1991, leg. Z.Y. Weng; 1♂ (SYSU): same data, 8.VII.1991; 1♂ (SYSU): Fengkai, Heishiding, 18.‒22.VII.2007, leg. L. Shi; 1♂ (SYSU): same locality, 4.VII.1987, leg. S.X. Zhong; 1♀ (SYSU): same locality, 12.VII.1999, leg. J.N. Yang; 1♀ (IZAS): Ruyuan, Nanling Nature Reserve, Ruyang Reserve Station, 1030‒1420m, 20.VII.2008, leg. G.Y. Yang. Hunan: 1♂ (IZAS): Shennong Valley, Shennong Waterfall, 600‒900m, 7.VII.2008, leg. X.Y. Zhu & Z. Yang; 1♀ (IZAS): Yanling, Shidu, Taoyuandong, 868m, 26.478°N, 114.04°E, 7.VII.2008, T.Y. Jiao; 1♂ (IZAS): Yizhang, 14.‒15.VII.2008, leg. R.R. Wang & L. Ding (above all transliterated from Chinese labels). Fujian: 1♂ (NHMB): “Guatun, Fukien, China, 8.V.1946 (Tschung Sen.)”; 1♀ (NHMB): “Yen-ping, China, 2.VII.1917, Ac. 5148”.

Male (Fig. 2). Body black, clypeus and mouthparts except maxillary and labial palpi dark brown, pronotum and elytra yellowish brown.

Head subquadrate, evenly narrowed behind eyes, dorsum nearly flat, with a indistinct middle longitudinal line, each side with a small transverse impression behind antennal socket, head surface densely and finely punctate, semilustrous, covered with sparse, fine, yellowish brown decumbent pubescence; eyes moderately protruding, head width across eyes nearly as wide as anterior margin of pronotum; terminal maxillary palpomeres nearly long-triangular, almost obliquely truncate at apical one-third length of inner margin; antennae (Fig. 10) extending to basal one-third length of elytra, antennomeres II nearly as long as wide at apices, III‒XI distinctly thickened, III‒X widened apically, III nearly as long as wide at apices, IV slightly longer than III, VI longest, apical parts of IV, the whole length of V‒X and basal parts of XI with longitudinal deep grooves along outer margins (Figs 10a, b), XI nearly parallel-sided and pointed at apex.

Pronotum nearly trapeziform, distinctly wider than long, widest at posterior margin, anterior margin slightly arcuate, anterior angles obtusely rectangular, lateral margins nearly straight, strongly diverging posteriorly, posterior angles triangular and sharp, posterior margin nearly straight and narrowly bordered, slightly emarginated in middle, disc strongly convex on posterolateral parts, with a distinct median longitudinal groove, surface finely imbricate-punctate, matt, covered with dense, fine, yellowish brown decumbent pubescence.

Elytra about 4.0 times longer than pronotum, 2.5 times longer than humeral width, which about one-third wider than posterior margin of pronotum, outer margins slightly diverging posteriorly, disc surface rugulose-lacunose, densely and coarsely punctate, matt, covered with dense, short and decumbent reddish brown pubescence, combined with much sparser, longer, semierected pubescence, elytral venation moderately developed.

All claws bifid, the lower claws slightly shorter than upper ones on all claws.

Abdominal sternite IX nearly triangular at apex. Aedeagus (Figs 20‒22): ventral process of each paramere bent inwards and rounded at apex, with a triangular protuberance at inner margin; conjoint dorsal fig of parameres nearly as long as ventral processes, distinctly roundly emarginated in middle of apical margin, lateroapical angles rounded; middle node of basal pieces strongly diverging apically.

Female. Similar to males, but antennae slightly thickened, without longitudinal grooves on antnnomeres VI‒ XI. Head width across eyes distinctly narrower than anterior margin of pronotum. All claws with lower claws distinctly shorter than upper ones. Abdominal sternite VIII (Fig. 5) largely truncate at apex, bisinuately emarginated on each side of posterior margin. Internal reproductive organ of genitalia (Figs 20‒ 22): vagina tapered and extended apically as a long duct; diverticulum and spermathecal duct arising from the end the long duct of vagina; diverticulum moderately long, thin and spiral; spermathecal duct distinctly shorter and slightly thicker than diverticulum; spermatheca much longer than diverticulum, provided with moderately long and thin accessory gland, distinctly shorter than spermatheca.

Body length: 9.0‒11.0 mm; width: 2.3‒3.0 mm.

This species is similar to F. kontumensis Wittmer, but differs from the latter by the characteristic antennae of the male with apical parts of antennomeres IV and the whole length of V with longitudinal grooves along outer margins; pronotum distinctly wider than long, with triangular and sharp posterior angles, disc strongly convex on posterolateral parts; aedeagus: ventral process of each paramere with inner margins distinctly protuberant in middle, conjoint dorsal fig of parameres nearly as long as ventral processes, roundly emarginated in middle of apical margin, with rounded lateroapical angles.

China (Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan).

The specific name is derived from the Latin acutus (acute) and collum (neck), referring to its pronotum with triangular and sharp posterior angles.

Some specimens are variable, with head almost yellowish brown, pronotum and elytra more or less darkened, elytral venation hardly visible.

Figures 17–22. 

Aedeagus (17, 20 ventral view 18, 21 dorsal view 19, 22 lateral view): 17–19 Fissocantharis kontumensis Wittmer, 1989 20–22 F. acuticollis sp. n. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Vietnam (Tonkin).

The species is named after the first name of late Dr. Walter Wittmer.

This species was originally described in Rhagonycha Eschescholtz, 1830, and initially transferred to Kandyosilis Pic, 1929 (Wittmer, 1989), then later to Micropodabrus (Wittmer, 1997), where it became a junior secondary homonym of Micropdabrus coomani (Pic, 1926), which was originally in Lycocerus Gorham, 1889, so its specific name was replaced by Micropodabrus wittmeri Y. Yang & X. Yang, 2009. However, the latter had been preoccupied by M. wittmeri Kazantsev, 2007, so M. wittmeri Y. Yang & X. Yang, 2009 is permanently invalid as a junior homonym (ICZN 4^th, Article 57.2) and must be replaced by a new substitute name (ICZN 4^th, Article 60.1). Now this species is placed in Fissocantharis Pic, 1921, so a replacement name is proposed here as F. walteri Y. Yang & X. Yang, nom. n.

China (Taiwan).

Kazantsev (2007) proposed Micropodabrus wittmeri as a replacement name for M. formosanus (Wittmer, 1954), which was originally described in Podabrus Westwood, 1838. However, M. formosanus had been already replaced by a replacement name as M. denominatus Wittmer, 1997, so M. wittmeri Kazantsev, 2007 is a junior objective synonym of M. denominatus, which is the valid name as the oldest available name applied to this species (ICZN 4^th, Article 57.2).