Corresponding author: Alexander S. Konstantinov (
Academic editor: D. D. McKenna
The West Indian genus
Konstantinov AS, Linzmeier AM, Clark SM, Ivie MA (2015) Review of the West Indian genus
The Guadeloupe record for
To the west and north, extensive targeted moss sifting in the Greater Antilles by A.S. Konstantinov (Dominican Republic: 2004–2006, 2014 and Puerto Rico: 2008, 2014) did not reveal any
Dissecting techniques, measurements, and terminology follow
Specimens are deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA (USNM), Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (BYUC), Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland (NHMB), and West Indian Beetle Fauna Project Collection, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana (WIBF).
Distribution of
Body length 1.24–1.45 mm, width 0.80–0.91 mm, oval, relatively convex in lateral view (1.70 times as long as thick). Color black, dark brown, greenish, bluish or lightly purple with metallic luster. Legs and antennae brown with femur and basal antennomeres darker than tibia and apical antennomeres. Venter light brown or amber in color.
Head moderately flat in lateral view. Frons and vertex forming slightly convex line in lateral view. Supraorbital pore absent. Antennal calli poorly developed, with all sulci around them absent. Supraorbital sulcus absent. Distance between eyes greater than transverse diameter of eye, much wider than transverse diameter of antennal socket. Frontal ridge wide, interiorly projecting beyond anterofrontal ridge. Anterofrontal ridge not separated from and as tall as frontal ridge. Eyes large, slightly protruding laterally, 0.57 times as wide as long. Vertex covered with evenly and widely spaced large and deep punctures. Labrum with four setiferous pores, apically slightly incised. Antenna with ten antennomeres. First antennomere wide, slightly wider and longer than second antennomere. Third antennomere nearly as long as, but much thinner than second. Antennomeres four and five much smaller than third. Remaining antennomeres much wider and longer than antennomere five.
Pronotum 2.19 times wider than long (measured in middle), without impressions, covered with large, deeply impressed punctures. Sides weakly rounded and narrowly explanate, with maximum width at base. Marginal anterolateral callosity situated obliquely to midline of beetle body. Posterolateral callosity not protruding laterally. Basal margin extending posteriorly, without distinct border in middle. Procoxal cavity widely open behind. Intercoxal prosternal process relatively narrow in middle, expanding posteriorly, extending beyond procoxae. Mesoscutellum flat, wider than long, apex sharply triangular, sides straight. Mesonotum short and wide with nearly horizontal prealar and postmedial projections. Mesocoxae mostly separated by both meso- and metasternum. Mesosternum not covered by metasternum, horizontal. Metasternum short, shorter than mesosternum.
Elytron widest near mid-length. Humeral callus absent. Elytral punctures arranged in rows. Punctures vary in size, smaller to much smaller than space between rows. Elytral apex narrowly rounded. Epipleura broad, slightly oblique, abruptly narrowing before apex. Mesothoracic wing present with poorly developed veins, except for radial cell and medial bar and spur.
Pro- and mesofemora more or less flat, widest near middle, canaliculated on ventral side facing tibiae. Metafemur robust, fairly flat dorsoventrally. Pro- and mesotibiae subcylindrical, slightly wider in distal 1/3, slanting towards tarsi, without spurs apically. Metatibia slightly curved in dorsal and lateral views, dorsal surface flat and deeply canaliculated near apex. Lateral (outer) margin dentate. Apical spur varying in length, but generally long. First metatarsomere attached before tibial apex, nearly as long as remaining metatarsomeres combined. Claw slightly appendiculate near base. Third tarsomere deeply incised.
Abdomen with five distinctly visible sternites. Apical sternite shorter than three preceding sternites combined, without appendages basally. Basal sternite without ridges in middle. Apical abdominal tergite without groove in middle, with a few long setae. Gut with long sclerotized folds.
Median lobe of aedeagus simple, slender, slightly curved in lateral view, more so at base and apex, without or with limited sculpture ventrally. Base with projection in middle.
Vaginal palpi with anterior sclerotizations merged together. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi oblique or straight at apex. Tignum gradually widening posteriorly before posterior membrane. Spermatheca without distinct border between receptacle and pump. Pump with long appendage at apex. Receptacle bent in basal half. Spermathecal duct long, straight basally, making one loop.
Body length: 1.28–1.38 mm, width: 0.84–1.10 mm. Color blackish with light bluish luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Diameter of punctures on vertex smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures relatively large, forming well developed rows. Distance between punctures in rows about as great as their diameter. Distance between rows much greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral (outer) side of metatibia deeply and coarsely dentate. Metatibial spur curved, nearly as long as denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi nearly parallel-sided, straight at apex. Posterior sclerotization of tignum gradually widening posteriorly, abdominal sternite 8 with two sclerotized spots near apex. Spermatheca with relatively long middle part of receptacle, with internal side forming nearly 90 degree angle.
This species is named after the island where it occurs.
Holotype, female: Dominica, ca 2600’, Morne Trois Pitons N.P., Freshwater Lake, 17-8-1986, C.W. & L. O’Brien (WIBF, to be deposited in the USNM). Paratype, female, the same label as the holotype (WIBF). Paratype female: Dominica: St. Paul Parish; Morne Trois Piton N.P.; Trail to Middleham Falls; 27May-05JUNE 2011; Santee Malaise (WIBF). Data not on the labels indicate this locality is at 724m (M.Ivie, unpublished) (WIBF). The specimens are provided with one additional label (Holotype or Paratype respectively)
Body length: 1.32–1.35 mm, width: 1.05–1.10 mm. Color blackish with light bluish metallic luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex about as large as distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparce, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures relatively large, forming well developed rows. Distance between punctures in rows about as great as their diameter. Distance between rows at base of elytra about as great as diameter of punctures. Distance between rows in middle of elytra greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral (outer) side of metatibia deeply and coarsely dentate. Metatibial spur curved, projects beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Aedeagus slender, with shallow and wide impression ventrally. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi slightly widening apically, straight at apex. Posterior sclerotization of tignum gradually narrowing posteriorly, abdominal sternite 8 without sclerotized spots near apex. Spermatheca with relatively long middle part of receptacle, with internal side forming few folds.
Holotype, male: 1) Guadeloupe; 2) 1953 Coll Heikertinger; 3) Holotype
Guadeloupe: Basse Terre, Mam[elles] de Pigeon, 600-700m,
Body length: 1.42–1.43 mm, width: 1.98–1.10 mm. Color blackish with light bluish metallic luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex much smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures relatively large, forming well developed rows. Distance between punctures in rows about as great as their diameter. Distance between rows greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral side of metatibia deeply and coarsely dentate. Apicomedial metatibial denticle shorter than metatibial spur. Aedeagus robust, without impression ventrally.
In the key to
This species name comes from Latin words “
Type material: Holotype, male: 1) St. Lucia: Piton Troumasse trap site. 793m,
Body length: 1.32–1.35 mm, width: 1.08–0.90 mm. Elytra with purplish luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex poorly defined, mostly smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures relatively small, forming rows. Distance between punctures in rows lesser than or equal to their diameter. Distance between rows greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral side of metatibia with short evenly spaced denticles. Metatibial spur straight, strongly projecting beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Aedeagus slender, with shallow and wide impression ventrally. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi slightly widening apically, straight at apex. Posterior sclerotization of tignum gradually narrowing posteriorly, abdominal sternite 8 without sclerotized spots near apex. Spermatheca with relatively long middle part of receptacle, with internal side slightly bend.
We name this species after C. A. Maier who collected three of five new species described in this paper.
Holotype, male: 1) St. Lucia: Piton Troumasse trap site. 793m,
Body length: 1.18–1.25 mm, width: 0.91–0.77 mm. Elytra with blackish and bluish luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes about 1.4–1.5 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex well defined, sparse, smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures larger than those on pronotum, forming rows. Distance between punctures in rows smaller than or as great as their diameter. Distance between rows greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral side of metatibia with short evenly spaced denticles. Metatibial spur curved, projecting beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Posterior sclerotizations of vaginal palpi with slightly sinusoidal lateral side, straight at apex. Tignum more or less parallel sided, abdominal sternite 8 without sclerotized spots near apex. Spermatheca with relatively long middle part of receptacle, with internal side slightly bend.
We name this species after Charles W. & Lois B. O’Brien who collected two of five new species described in this paper.
Holotype, female: 1) Grenada, Grand Etang, N.P. Mt. Qua Qua Tr., 10-IX-1991 C.W. & L. B. O’Brien (BYUC). Paratypes, 3 females, the same label as the holotype (1- BYUC, 1- USNM, 1 - WIBF). Paratype, female: 1) Grenada, St. John P, 1 mi E. Gouyave, 5.IX.1991. C.W. & L. B. O’Brien (BYUC). The specimens are provided with one additional label (Holotype or Paratype respectively)
Body length: 1.25 mm, width: 0.88 mm. Elytron with light greenish luster. Ventral side and appendages light brown or amber. Distance between eyes slightly less than 2 times wider than transverse diameter of eye. Punctures on vertex well defined, sparse, smaller than distance between them. Pronotal punctures sparse, slightly elongate in shape, their transverse diameter much smaller than distance between them. Elytral punctures slightly larger than those on pronotum, forming rows. Distance between punctures in rows smaller than or as great as their diameter. Distance between rows greater than diameter of punctures. Lateral side of metatibia with relatively large denticles. Metatibial spur curved, projecting beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Aedeagus more or less robust, without impression ventrally, nearly straight in lateral view.
This species is named after its light greenish color.
Holotype, male: 1) St. Lucia: Piton St. Esprit trap site. 571m,
1 | Elytron with light greenish luster. St. Lucia |
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– | Elytron with bluish, blackish or purplish luster |
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2(1) | Metatibial spur barely projecting beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia. Dominica |
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– | Metatibial spur strongly projects beyond denticle situated on apex of inner side of metatibia |
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3(2) | Elytron with purplish luster. St. Lucia |
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– | Elytron with bluish or blackish luster |
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4(3) | Distance between eyes 1.40–1.50 times greater than transverse diameter of eye. Grenada |
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– | Distance between eyes 2.01–2.15 times greater than transverse diameter of eye |
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5(4) | Punctures on vertex about as large as distance between them. Aedeagus slender, with shallow and wide impression ventrally. Basse-Terre |
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– | Punctures on vertex much smaller than distance between them. Aedeagus robust, without impression ventrally. St. Lucia |
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We thank Matthew Gimmel, Crystal Maier, Charles.W. and Lois B. O’Brien, and the students of Texas A&M University’s 2011 field class in Dominica who collected