Revision of the Australian genus Logasa Chandler (Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae, Faronitae) with description of three new species

Abstract The Australian genus Logasa Chandler, 2001 (type species: L. novaeanglia Chandler) is comprised of six species, three of which are described as new: Logasa newtonisp. nov., Logasa thayeraesp. nov., and Logasa comfortisp. nov. Examination of the types of L. tricolor (Oke) and L. ventralis (Oke) revealed that they do not share some of the diagnostic characters used here to characterize the type, and other species of the genus, but they are retained in Logasa until the group is revised. A key to species, illustrations of their habitus, and diagnostic characters are provided.


Introduction
The Australian genus Logasa Chandler was described in 2001 based on Logasa novaeanglia Chandler. Two other species, L. tricolor (Oke, 1928) and L. ventralis (Oke, 1928), were originally described in the genus Sagola (Oke, 1928), and were transferred to Logasa by Chandler (2001). During our revisionary study based on 140 specimens, three new species were recognized. After examination of the types of L. tricolor and L. ventralis, we found that at the generic level they have different useful diagnostic characters that are based on their foveal system and the form of the male genitalia. This combination of features has not been seen in any of the existing known faronite genera. The Australian faronite fauna has numerous undescribed species (Park and Chandler 2017), which will become the targets of further studies of this very rich fauna. In this study, L. tricolor and L. ventralis are retained in the genus Logasa, but are not further treated here as they may be placed in a new genus once a subsequent revisionary study is conducted with the discovery of additional specimens of these two species.

Materials and methods
One hundred and forty specimens were examined. They are deposited in the following collections:

ANIC
Australian One specimen of each species was mounted on a permanent microscope slide to observe the internal characters and fine external characters that are not apparent when using a dissecting microscope. Permanent microscopic slides were prepared using the techniques described by Hanley and Ashe (2003). Terminology and nomenclature for the descriptions follow Chandler (2001). Paired structures such as fovea are treated as singular. The morphological right and left of parameres refer to orientation on the illustrations. Decimal degrees were used for the format of geographical coordinates. Holotypes are deposited in ANIC, and paratype depositions are indicated parenthetically. Specimen label data for the holotypes is transcribed verbatim. Data for paratypes are standardized for consistency. The map of Australia is based on an image from SimpleMappr (Shorthouse 2010) that was subsequently modified to add locality marks.  2b: arrow); metaventrite with metasternal fovea and median metasternal fovea (Fig.  2b); male abdominal ventrite VIII with setose depression (Fig. 1m) located at middle; abdominal ventrites without basolateral fovea; length of abdominal ventrites and tergites VI-VII longer than others ( Fig. 1a-d); female abdominal ventrite IX with two pairs of long setae (Fig. 2c); parameres of male genitalia asymmetric and shorter than apical lobe ( Fig. 3a-d); phallobase of median lobe rounded and asymmetric ( Fig. 3a-d).

Systematics
Distribution. Southeast Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania). Comments. All specimens, both male and female, of the genus Logasa have fully-developed hind wings, and many specimens were collected by flight intercept traps. Members of this genus are usually found in temperate or rainforest habitats in southeastern Australia. Male specimens have a setose depression located at the middle of abdominal ventrite VIII as a secondary sexual character, but this is not easily observed on some specimens. Abdominal ventrite IX is important for recognizing the sex of specimens: in males ventrite IX is usually fragile and partially concealed by ventrite VIII; in females it is more robust, triangular and bears a pair of long setae (Park and Carlton 2014).

Key to species of the genus Logasa Chandler
The key is mainly based on male genitalia because most species are indistinguishable based on external morphology.

1
Antennomeres II and IV subquadrate ( Apical lobe of male genitalia forked into two lobes, major lobe longer than three branches (Fig. 3a); right paramere of male genitalia twice as wide as left (Fig. 3a); found in New South Wales ( Fig. 4: square) ...............L. novaeanglia Chandler -Apical lobe of male genitalia with three branches extending from right side (Fig. 3d); right paramere of male genitalia slightly broader than left or as wide as left (Fig. 3d); found in Tasmania and Victoria ( Fig. 4: diamond)  Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the other species of the genus Logasa by the following combination of characters: antennomeres II and IV rectangular and longer than wide (Fig. 1e-f ), apical lobe of male genitalia forked into two lobes, major lobe longer with three branches, parameres with over ten setae, and right lobe shorter and wider (Fig. 3a).
Habitat. Specimens of this species were collected using flight intercept traps, window traps, or by sifting leaf and log litter in wet sclerophyll forests. Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the other Logasa species by the following combination of characters: antennomeres II and IV rectangular and longer than wide (Fig. 1g-h), apical lobe of male genitalia not divided, left paramere of male genitalia curved to left (Fig. 3b).
Habitat. Most specimens of this species were collected using flight intercept traps, window traps, or by sifting leaf and log litter in temperate forest or rainforest habitats. Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the other Logasa species by the following combination of characters: antennomeres II and IV subquadrate (Fig. 1i-j), apical lobe of male genitalia not divided, left paramere of male genitalia curved to right, and right paramere divided into two lobes apically and curved to right (Fig. 3c).
Etymology. This species is named for one of the co-collectors of the holotype and world-renowned beetle specialist, Margaret K. Thayer.
Habitat. Most specimens of this species were collected using flight intercept (window) traps in wet sclerophyll forests.