Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Barana Village area, Mount Austine, 09°28.0'S, 159°58.4'E.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal / Mt. Austine – Barana vill. env. / (secondary forest, gardens, stream) / 09°28.0'S, 159°58.4'E; 280 m / Jiří Hájek leg., 23.xi.–8.xii.2013 [p] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / COPELATUS / baranensis sp. nov. / Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke det. 2020 [red label, p]” (NMPC).

Paratypes: 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, same data as holotype (NMPC); 14 ♂♂, 17 ♀♀, labelled: “Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal / ca. 3.5 km SE of Barana vill. / (drying up stream in shaded gorge) / 09°29.8'S, 159°59.5'E; 190 m / Jiří Hájek leg., 24.xi.-14.xii.2013 [p]” (NHMUK, NHMW, NMPC, ZSMG); 6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, labelled: “Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal / ca 4.5 km S of Barana vill., forest / nr. “Japanese camp” & Moka river / 09°30.3'S, 159°58.9'E; 275 m / Jiří Hájek leg., 5.–6.xii.2013 [p]” (NMPC); 1 ♀, labelled: “Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal I. / Honiara reg. Barana vill. Env. / 100–300 m XI–XII.2018 / St. Jakl leg.” (LHCM). All paratypes with the respective printed red label.

Habitus: Elongate, oblong-oval, almost parallel-sided, broadest in mid-length of elytra; body moderately convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, with only indistinct discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 1).

Figures 1, 2. 

Habitus of Copelatus 1 C. baranensis sp. nov. (holotype; TL: 5.9 mm) 2 C. bougainvillensis sp. nov. (holotype; TL: 5.2 mm).

Colouration: Body colour brown blackish; head, sides of pronotum and appendages paler, ferruginous; base of elytra with irregular transverse testaceous band reaching neither suture nor lateral margin of elytra, band comb-like shaped due to dark colouration of elytral striae; appendages testaceous; ventral part brown blackish.

Head: Moderately broad, ca. 0.64× width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed polygonal isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, several punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse (width/length ratio = 2.54), broadest between posterior angles, lateral margins moderately curved. Sides with lateral beading very thin and indistinct. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Disc of pronotum laterally with long, irregularly distributed longitudinal strioles; several strioles present also in depressions close to posterior angles. Centre of disc with medial longitudinal smooth line.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra subparallel in basal two thirds, curved in apical third. Eleven longitudinal discal striae present on each elytron: stria 1 short, beginning at a fourth of elytral length and ending approximately before apical fifth of elytral length; striae 2 and 3 absent at base; striae 4–6 beginning at base; stria 7 fragmented basally; stria 8 complete; stria 9 absent at base and ending at apical fifth of elytra; stria 10 fragmented into several small strioles, hardly perceptible; stria 11 fragmented apically; all odd striae generally shortened apically. Submarginal stria absent. Surface reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, meshes slightly smaller and less impressed. Punctation double, consisting of row of coarse setigerous punctures along elytral striae 4, 6, 8 and along lateral margin of elytra, and very fine sparsely distributed punctures.

Legs: Protibia simple, slightly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered laterally; reticulation consisting of shallow, hardly perceptible polygonal meshes. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines well impressed, nearly complete, absent only close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded and indistinctly incised at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I and II with longitudinal strioles; ventrites III and IV with oblique strioles laterally. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures; punctures coarser and denser laterally on apical ventrite.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 15) sickle-shaped, with obtuse apex and distinct rugose surface sculpture visible in lateral view (Fig. 15A, B); consisting of dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite divided into two parts of different shape in apical half, left part slightly shorter than right one, with lateral margin distinctly curved and apex more or less rounded (Fig. 15C); ventral sclerite with left part strongly sclerotised, its apex in shape of a small, weak hook visible in lateral left view (Fig. 15B), right part membranous; apexes of dorsal and ventral sclerites more or less pressed together.

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with almost straight setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker, and sparser basally (Fig. 15D).

Female. Identical to male in habitus. Pro- and mesotarsomeres not broadened, without adhesive setae.

The specimens of the type series vary in extent of the basal testaceous band on elytra. There is also a variation in number and position of longitudinal strioles on pronotum. The highest variability is however, in elytral striation: from complete eleven striae to largely fragmented striae 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10; in rare case, stria 1 completely absent; in several specimens, submarginal stria (or several short striae) present at the level of apical fifth of elytral length, sometimes only on one side.

TL: 5.4–6.2 mm (mean value: 5.7 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 5.9 mm. TL-h: 4.9–5.7 mm (mean value: 5.2 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 5.4 mm. MW: 2.4–2.9 mm (mean value: 2.6 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 2.6 mm.

Based on the presence of 11 dorsal elytral striae and absence of submarginal stria, the new species can be classified within C. nigrolineatus species group. This group contain worldwide only five species: two in Neotropics, one in southern China, one in India, and one species in Australia (Nilsson and Hájek 2020). On the other hand, presence of a submarginal stria in some specimens indicates affiliation of the new species to the C. trilobatus species group. The C. trilobatus species group includes up to now 24 species occurring in tropics of all continents; two species of the group are occurring in the Papua New Guinea, one species in Fiji, and three species are known from Australia (Nilsson and Hájek 2020).

Based on shape of the male genitalia, C. baranensis sp. nov. is not similar to any of the species currently included in the C. nigrolineatus group. On the other hand, it is most likely very close to C. bougainvillensis sp. nov., C. kietensis sp. nov., and to the numerous undescribed species of the C. trilobatus species group from New Guinea (H. Shaverdo et al., in preparation). For separation of C. baranensis sp. nov., C. bougainvillensis sp. nov. and C. kietensis sp. nov., see under the two latter species.

The new species is named after Barana Village, in the vicinity of which the new species was collected. In this way, the first author would like to thank the people of Barana for their company and help with collecting during the 2013 trip. The specific epithet is an adjective in the nominative singular.

The species is known so far only from the small area around Barana Village, south from Honiara City, northern Guadalcanal.

At the type locality, the species was collected in small shaded pools of a forest stream (Figs 26, 27). At the other places, the specimens were collected in puddles/pools with muddy bottom made by a temporary forest stream (Fig. 28).

Papua New Guinea: Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kieta.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Papua New Guinea: Bougainville, / Kieta, 620 m, 16.vi.2008, 06.13.035S / 155.30.401E, Posman, (PNG179a) [p] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / COPELATUS / bougainvillensis sp. nov. / Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke det. 2020 [red label, p]” (ZSMG).

Paratypes: 20 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀, same data as holotype (NHMUK, NHMW, NMPC, ZSMG).

Habitus: Elongate, oblong-oval, broadest before mid-length of elytra; body moderately convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, with only indistinct discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 2).

Colouration: Body colour ferruginous; head on vertex, disc of pronotum, elytra along striae, and metaventrite darkened, brown blackish.

Head: Moderately broad, ca. 0.64 × width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed polygonal isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, several punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse (width/length ratio = 2.50), broadest between posterior angles; lateral margins almost straight in basal two thirds, slightly curved in anterior third. Sides with lateral beading very thin but distinct, except for anterior angles. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Disc of pronotum laterally with few short, irregularly distributed longitudinal strioles; several strioles present also in depressions close to posterior angles. Centre of disc with medial longitudinal smooth line.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra slightly diverging in basal third, distinctly narrowing in apical half. Eleven discal and a submarginal longitudinal striae present on each elytron: stria 1 beginning posterior from scutellum; striae 2, 4, 6, 8 complete; striae 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 absent at base; stria 9 and 10 somewhat fragmented basally; all odd striae generally shortened apically. Submarginal stria present only as few short striolae in two thirds of elytral length. Surface reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, meshes slightly smaller and less impressed. Punctation double, consisting of row of coarse setigerous punctures along elytral striae 4, 6, 8 and along lateral margin of elytra, and very fine sparsely distributed punctures.

Legs: Protibia simple, slightly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side. Anterior protarsal claw broad basally, slightly constricted in apical third, strongly curved.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered laterally; reticulation consisting of shallow, hardly perceptible polygonal meshes. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines well impressed, nearly complete, absent only close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded and indistinctly incised at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I–II with longitudinal strioles; ventrites III and IV with oblique strioles laterally. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures; punctures coarser and denser laterally on apical ventrite.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 16) sickle-shaped, with pointed apex and distinct rugose surface sculpture visible in lateral view (Fig. 16A, B); consisting of dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite divided into two parts of different shape in apical half, left part with lateral margin slightly curved and apex pointed (Fig. 16C); ventral sclerite with left part strongly sclerotised, its apex in shape of a small hook visible in lateral left view (Fig. 16B), right part membranous; apexes of dorsal and ventral sclerites elongate, more or less pressed together.

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with almost straight setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker, and sparser basally (Fig. 16D).

Female. Identical to male in habitus. Pro- and mesotarsomeres not broadened, without adhesive setae; protarsal claws simple.

The specimens of the type series vary in extent of infuscation of the pronotal disc and elytra; in some specimens, the pronotum is largely brown blackish with ferruginous sides, and the centre of elytral disc is almost uniformly brown blackish. There is also a variation in number and position of longitudinal strioles on pronotum. Finally, there is a little variability in elytral striation: striae 2–9 may all beginning at the base of elytra, but also the odd striae 3, 5, 7, 9 may be fragmented at the base of elytra.

TL: 5.2–5.7 mm (mean value: 5.5 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 5.2 mm. TL-h: 4.7–5.2 mm (mean value: 5.0 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 4.7 mm. MW: 2.4–2.7 mm (mean value: 2.6 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 2.5 mm.

Based on the presence of eleven dorsal striae and a submarginal stria, the new species can be classified within C. trilobatus species group, see under C. baranensis sp. nov. Copelatus bougainvillensis sp. nov. differs from all species of the C. trilobatus group by combination of small body length, dorsal surface colouration and the shape of the male genitalia.

On the other hand, in general appearance and structure of the male genitalia, Copelatus bougainvillensis sp. nov. is very similar (and probably closely related) to C. baranensis sp. nov. It can be distinguished from the latter species by habitus with pronotal sides almost straight in basal two thirds, and elytra diverging in basal third (not subparallel), and by median lobe apically more elongate and more slender, with apex differently shaped (cf. Figs 15, 16). For differentiation from sympatric C. kietensis sp. nov., see below.

The species is named after the Bougainville Island where it was collected. The specific epithet is an adjective in the nominative singular.

The species is to date only known from the type locality on the eastern coast of the Bougainville Island.

Unknown.

Papua New Guinea: Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kieta.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Papua New Guinea: Bougainville, / Kieta, 520 m, 12.vi.2008, 06.12.955S / 155.29.775E, Posman, (PNG180) [p] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / COPELATUS / kietensis sp. nov. / Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke det. 2020 [red label, p]” (ZSMG).

Habitus: Elongate, oblong-oval, broadest before mid-length of elytra; body moderately convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, with only indistinct discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 3).

Figures 3, 4. 

Habitus of Copelatus 3 C. kietensis sp. nov. (holotype; TL: 6.3 mm) 4 C. laevipennis sp. nov. (holotype; TL: 6.9 mm).

Colouration: Head including appendages ferruginous, darkened along eyes; pronotum black with ferruginous anterior angles; scutellar shield ferruginous translucent; elytra black with large irregular subapical testaceous spots; legs ferruginous, hind legs somewhat darker than preceding ones; ventral part of head and prosternum ferruginous, metaventrite, metacoxa and abdominal ventrites darker, blackish brown.

Head: Moderately broad, ca. 0.60 × width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed polygonal isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, several punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse (width/length ratio = 2.79), broadest between posterior angles, lateral margins moderately curved. Sides with lateral beading very thin but distinct, except for anterior angles. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Disc of pronotum laterally with short, irregularly, and sparsely distributed longitudinal strioles; several strioles present also in depressions close to posterior angles. Centre of disc with superficial medial longitudinal groove.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra slightly diverging in basal third, distinctly narrowing in apical half. Eleven discal and a submarginal longitudinal striae present on each elytron: stria 1 shallow, largely fragmented in basal fourth of elytral length and ending approximately before apical fourth of elytral length; striae 2 and 3 shallow, absent at base; striae 4–9 complete; stria 10 absent at base; stria 11 ending at apical fifth of elytra; all odd striae generally shortened apically. Submarginal stria shallow, starting at approximately elytral mid-length. Surface reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, meshes slightly smaller and less impressed. Punctation double, consisting of row of coarse setigerous punctures along elytral striae 4, 6, 8, and along lateral margin of elytra, and very fine sparsely distributed punctures.

Legs: Protibia simple, slightly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side. Anterior protarsal claw broad basally, strongly curved in apical third.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered laterally; reticulation consisting of shallow, hardly perceptible polygonal meshes. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines well impressed, nearly complete, absent only close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded and indistinctly incised at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I and II with longitudinal strioles; ventrites III and IV with oblique strioles laterally. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures; punctures coarser and denser laterally on apical ventrite.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 17) sickle-shaped, with pointed apex and distinct rugose surface sculpture visible in lateral view (Fig. 17A, B); consisting of dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite divided into two parts of different shape in apical half, left part with lateral margin slightly curved and apex broadly pointed (Fig. 17C); ventral sclerite with left part strongly sclerotised, its apex in shape of a small hook visible in lateral left view (Fig. 17B), right part less sclerotised; apexes of dorsal and ventral sclerites elongate, more or less pressed together.

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with almost straight setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker, and sparser basally (Fig. 17D).

Female. Unknown.

TL: 6.3 mm. TL-h: 5.7 mm. MW: 3.1 mm.

Based on the presence of 11 dorsal striae + a submarginal stria, the new species can be classified within C. trilobatus species group, see under C. baranensis sp. nov. Copelatus kietensis sp. nov. differs from all species of the C. trilobatus group by combination of body length, dorsal surface colouration and the shape of the male genitalia. In particular, C. kietensis sp. nov. differs from the sympatric C. bougainvillensis sp. nov. in larger body size, broader and more oval habitus, dark colouration of the elytra with testaceous subapical spots, as well as in structure and setation of the male genitalia (cf. Figs 16, 17).

The species is named after Kieta, a port town located on the eastern coast of Bougainville Island, where it was collected. The specific epithet is an adjective in the nominative singular.

The species is known so far only from the type locality on the eastern coast of the Bougainville Island.

Unknown.

Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, 0.5 km N of Mbaole Village, 09°37.69'S, 160°06.69'E.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Salomonen: C-Guadalcanal, / 0.5 km N Mbaole, 2799 feet / S 09°37.69 E 160°06.69E / 2007 K. Mailautoka leg. [p] // DNA / M. Balke / 2907 [green label, p] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / COPELATUS / laevipennis sp. nov. / Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke det. 2020 [red label, p]” (ZSMG).

Paratypes: 1 ♂, same locality data as holotype, with additional label: “DNA / M. Balke / 3334 [green label, p]” (NMPC); 2 ♀♀, labelled: “Solomon Islands: C-Guadalcanal, / 0.5 km N Mbaole, 853 m, 2007, / 09°37.69S, 160°06.88E, K. Mailautoka [p]” (NMPC, ZSMG); 10 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, labelled: “SOLOMON IS.: / Guadalcanal Is. / Suta / 27.vi.1956 [p] // E.S.Brown / B.M.1957-201 [p]” (NHMUK, NMPC, ZSMG); 1 ♂, labelled: “5327 [on side, hw] / SOLOMON IS. [red underlined] / Guadalcanal [p] / Suta / 27.vi. [hw] 195 [p] 6 [hw] / E.S.Brown [p] / Sangava / R [on reverse, hw] // E.S.BROWN coll / C.I.E. 1957-24 [hw] // E.S.Brown / B.M.1957-201 [p]” (NHMUK); 1 ♂, labelled: “♂ [p] // Type [round label with red frame, p] // SOLOMON IS: / GUADALCANAL / Tenaru R. headwaters. / 1820' 5.viii.53. / In hole in tree trunk. [hw] // Brit.Mus. / 1987-14 [p] // aC 2 [hw] // Copelatus / torosus Type! [hw] / J. Balfour-Browne det., 195 [p] 3 [hw]” (NHMUK). All paratypes with the respective printed red label.

Habitus: Elongate, oblong-oval, broadest shortly before mid-length of elytra; body distinctly convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, without discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 4).

Colouration: Body colour pitchy brown; sides of pronotum (except for lateral margin) and appendages paler, ferruginous.

Head: Moderately broad, ca. 0.65 × width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, few punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and several punctures anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse (width/length ratio = 2.78), broadest between posterior angles, lateral margins moderately curved. Sides with lateral beading very thin and indistinct. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Disc of pronotum with shallow medial longitudinal scratch.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra subparallel-sided in basal half, distinctly narrowing in apical half. Elytral striae absent. Reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, meshes somewhat elongated longitudinally. Punctation consisting of coarse setigerous punctures and very fine sparse punctures. Coarse punctures arranged in three distinct longitudinal puncture lines: two discal and one lateral; another row of punctures present along lateral margin of elytra, and few coarse punctures present also in interspace between discal and lateral puncture lines.

Legs: Protibia modified, angled near base, distinctly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered laterally; reticulation almost effaced. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines nearly complete, absent only very close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered laterally with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of extremely elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded and incised at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I and II with longitudinal strioles; ventrites III and IV with oblique strioles laterally. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 18) sickle-shaped, with evident dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite without surface sculpture and divided into two parts in apical half: left part shorter than right one, both slightly curved, with small crests, notches and truncate apexes (Fig. 18A, B); ventral sclerite divided into two parts apically: left part more strongly sclerotised, broader, shorter, with broadly pointed apex, right part longer, partly sclerotised (medially membranous), with elongate, thin apex in shape of very weak hook (Fig. 18C).

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with broader subdistal part due to curved setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker, and sparser basally (Fig. 18D).

Female. Identical to male in habitus. Protibia simple, not angled basally and only slightly broadened distally; pro- and mesotarsomeres not broadened, without adhesive setae.

All specimens of the type series agree well with the holotype. There is only slight variability in body colouration: some specimens have head with pale frontal part and dark vertex, and the sides of elytra are indistinctly paler than elytral disc. Few longitudinal strioles present in depression close to posterior angles of pronotum in one female. Small differences were detected also in the shape of the male median lobe: a notch on right part of dorsal sclerite can be almost absent in some specimens (cf. Figs 18B, 23).

TL: 6.3–7.2 mm (mean value: 6.9 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 6.9 mm. TL-h: 5.7–6.4 mm (mean value: 6.2 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 6.3 mm. MW: 3.2–3.6 mm (mean value: 3.4 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 3.4 mm.

Based on the absence of elytral striae, the new species can be included into the C. hydroporoides species group (or haemorrhoidalis, in earlier studies). This species group contains currently 55 species distributed predominantly in Afrotropical and Neotropical regions (Nilsson and Hájek 2020). Only two species of this group were recently described from the Oriental (Maluku, Indonesia) and Australian regions (Papua New Guinea) by Hájek et al. (2010) and Megna et al. (2017), respectively.

Based on shape of the median lobe and paramere, C. laevipennis sp. nov. is without any doubt closely related to C. variistriatus sp. nov., which it resembles also in size, body shape, and colouration, and C. urceolus sp. nov. The type localities of C. laevipennis sp. nov. and C. variistriatus sp. nov. are only ca. 20 km apart, although they differ significantly in altitude. Due to great variability of elytral striation in C. variistriatus sp. nov. described below, we hesitated first to describe another species, which may represent only a non-striated population of one species. Finally, we have decided to describe both species, because of: 1) C. laevipennis sp. nov. has more parallel habitus than C. variistriatus sp. nov.; 2) there are no intermediate specimens, i.e., there are no specimens of C. variistriatus sp. nov. without elytral striae, and no specimens of C. laevipennis sp. nov. with traces of striae; 3) minor differences in the shape of the median lobe can be detected between both species, mainly in shape of the apexes of parts of the dorsal and ventral sclerites (cf. Figs 18, 22–25); 4) there is significant genetic divergence between both species: uncorrected genetic distances between the sequenced CO1 haplotypes of C. laevipennis sp. nov. and C. variistriatus sp. nov. are ca. 7% (pers. obs.).

The species name is composed from Latin adjective laevis (-is, -e, = smooth) and noun penna (-ae, feminine, = wing), referring to smooth elytra without striae.

The species is known only from medium altitude area (ca. 600–900 m) in north-central Guadalcanal.

Largely unknown; according to label data, one specimen was collected in a water-filled hole in tree trunk.

Guadalcanal: 1 ♂, Honiara, M.V. light, 8.–12.ix.1953, J.D. Bradley leg.; 1 ♂, Honiara, Kukum, 1962, P.J.M. Greenslade leg.; 1 ♀, same data, but 19.v.1962; 1 ♂, same data, but 20.v.1963; 1♂, same data, but, 2.iii.1965; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same data, but 12.v.1966 (all NHMUK); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Mt. Austine, Barana vill. env., 09°28.0'S, 159°58.4'E, 280 m, 23.xi.-8.xii.2013, J. Hájek leg. (NMPC, ZSMG).

Ontong Java: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Keila, 31.i.1955, E.S. Brown leg. (NHMUK); 1 ♀, Leuaniua, 27.i.1955, E.S. Brown leg. (NHMUK).

For complete description, see Hendrich et al. (2019). Medium sized (TL: 5.0–5.7 mm), oblong-oval species. Species variable in elytral colouration: elytra from almost uniformly dark brown to black with only base and lateral sides yellowish, to almost yellowish-orange coloured with dark stripes along elytral striae (Fig. 5). Elytron with well-impressed six discal striae and a submarginal stria. Female dimorphic; striolate form with dorsal surface almost black, matt and with coarse microreticulation and numerous strioles on elytra and pronotum (Fig. 6). Median lobe in lateral view sickle-shaped; broad and subparallel in basal two thirds, thin and regularly curved in apical third; a distinct hammer-like process present in two thirds on ventral side (Fig. 19). Parameres broad, “D”-shaped; apical lobes moderately long, club-shaped.

Figures 5, 6. 

Habitus of Copelatus 5 C. portior Guignot, 1956 (male, Guadalcanal; TL: 5.2 mm) 6 C. portior (striolate female, Papua; TL: 4.7 mm).

The species is originally described from northern Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. It is widely distributed in the Australasian Region: from Lesser Sunda Islands, through New Guinea, northern Australia, and Solomon Islands to Vanuatu. First record from the Solomon Islands.

Two specimens from Barana were recently collected in a streamlet flowing through secondary forest and gardens near the village; both of them were found in calm water with decaying leaves on the bottom (Fig. 26).

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Type [round label with red frame, p] // 1826 [hw] // SOLOMON IS. [p] / Tulagi / 3.viii.1934 / on leaf. [hw] / R.A.Lever [p] // Pres.by / Imp.Inst.Ent. / B.M.1936-90. [p] // Copelatus / apicalis, / ♂ Type sp. nov. / J.Balfour-Browne [hw]” (NHMUK).

Paratype: ♀, labelled: “Type [round label with red frame, p] // PAPUA: Kokoda [yellow underlined] / I,200ft.v.1933. / L.E.Cheesman. / B.M.1933-577. [p] // Copelatus / apicalis, / ♀ Type sp. nov. / J.Balfour-Browne [hw]” (NHMUK).

Guadalcanal: 1 ♀, Kukum, 28.iii.1958, E.S. Brown leg.; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kukum, 20.v.1963, P. Greenslade leg.; 1 ♀, same data, but 29.v.1963; 3 ♀♀, same data, but 8.i.1965; 1 ♀, same data, but 26.v.1962; 1 ♂, Mt. Austen, xii.1965–i.1966, P. Greenslade leg. (all NHMUK); 1 ♂, ca 4.5 km S of Barana vill., forest near “Japanese camp” at Moka river, 09°30.3'S, 159°58.9'E; 275 m, 5.–6.xii.2013, J. Hájek leg.; 1 ♀, Mt. Austine, Barana vill. env., 09°28.0'S, 159°58.4'E, 280 m, 23.xi.-8.xii.2013, J. Hájek leg. (all NMPC). Santa Isabel: 1 ♀, Ysabel, Gatere, 19.ii.1956, E.S. Brown leg. (NHMUK).

Medium sized (TL: 5.8–6.8 mm), elongate, oblong-oval species. Elytra with transverse testaceous basal band, which does not reach either suture or lateral margin, and with relatively small apical testaceous spot (Figs 7, 8). Pronotum with short longitudinal strioles near posterior angles. Elytra with six well impressed discal striae and a submarginal stria: striae 1 and 5 beginning more posteriorly than other striae; submarginal stria long, beginning at elytral mid length. Female dimorphic; striolate form with dorsal surface matt and with coarse microreticulation and numerous strioles on pronotum and elytra, except for apex (Fig. 8). Median lobe hook-like shaped in lateral view, simple; broadened and with distinct pit in two thirds of its length, apically tapering and strongly curved dorsally (Fig. 20A–C). Parameres “D”-shaped; apical lobes moderately long (Fig. 20D).

Figures 7, 8. 

Habitus of Copelatus 7 C. tulagicus Guignot, 1942 (holotype; TL: 6.5 mm) 8 C. tulagicus (striolate female, Guadalcanal; TL: 6.1 mm).

Based on the characteristic hook-like shape of the median lobe, C. tulagicus apparently belongs to a complex of species distributed in Sunda Islands and New Guinea, including C. geniculatus Sharp, 1882, C. gentilis Sharp, 1882, C. lineatus (Guérin-Méneville, 1838), C. biroi Guignot, 1956, and C. subterraneus Guéorguiev, 1978 (of the C. irinus species group) and several additional undescribed species; the most closely related species is probably C. martinbaehri Hendrich et al., 2019 described recently from southeastern PNG and northern Queensland.

Copelatus tulagicus was described based on a male from Solomons and female specimen from southeastern New Guinea (Kokoda). The conspecificity of the female with the male holotype is doubtful with the respect to recently described C. martinbaehri from Central Province (Papua New Guinea), which differs from C. tulagicus only in the shorter and straighter apical part of the male median lobe of the aedeagus.

The species seems to be widely distributed across the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

The specimen from Barana was recently collected together with C. portior in a streamlet flowing through secondary forest and gardens near the village (Fig. 26). The specimen from Moka River was collected in a small puddle near the river. Some specimens from Kukum were covered with moth scales and they were apparently collected at light.

Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Vulavula River.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “♂ [p] // Type [round label with red frame, p] // SOLOMON IS: / GUADALCANAL / 1720' 6.viii.53. [hw] // Small pool on top / of large boulder in Vulavula River. [hw] // Brit.Mus. / 1987-14 [p] // aD 2 [hw] // Copelatus / urceolus Type! [hw] / J. Balfour-Browne det., 195 [p] 3 [hw]” (NHMUK).

Habitus: Elongate, oblong-oval, broadest before mid-length of elytra; body distinctly convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, without discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 9).

Figures 9–12. 

Habitus of Copelatus 9 C. urceolus sp. nov. (holotype, TL: 5.1 mm) 10 C. variistriatus sp. nov. (holotype; TL: 6.6 mm) 11 C. variistriatus sp. nov. (male paratype with reduced striae; TL: 6.2 mm) 12 C. variistriatus sp. nov. (striolate female paratype; TL: 5.9 mm).

Colouration: Head, lateral parts of pronotum, appendages and prosternum orange-ferruginous; elytra, meso- and metaventrite, and abdomen pitchy brown; anterior margin and midpart of pronotum darkest, brown.

Head: Moderately broad, ca. 0.60 × width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, few punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and several punctures anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse (width/length ratio = 2.48), broadest between posterior angles, lateral margins moderately curved. Sides with lateral beading thin, but distinct except for anterior angles. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Centre of disc with medial longitudinal smooth line.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra curved, distinctly narrowing in apical half. Elytral striae absent. Reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum. Punctation consisting of coarse setigerous punctures and very fine sparse punctures. Coarse punctures arranged in three distinct longitudinal puncture lines: two discal and lateral; another row of punctures present along lateral margin of elytra, and few coarse punctures present also in interspace between discal and lateral puncture lines.

Legs: Protibia modified, angled near base, distinctly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered; reticulation almost effaced. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines nearly complete, absent only very close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered laterally with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of extremely elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded and incised at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I–II with longitudinal strioles. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III, and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 21) sickle-shaped, with evident dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite without surface sculpture and divided into two parts in apical half: left part distinctly shorter than right one, parts slightly curved, with crests and broadly pointed apexes (Fig. 21A, B); ventral sclerite divided into two parts apically: left part sclerotised, broader, shorter, with broadly pointed apex, right part longer, partly sclerotised (apically membranous), asymmetrically concave, with long, thin, rounded apex (Fig. 21C).

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with broader subdistal part due to curved setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker, and sparser basally (Fig. 21D).

Female. Unknown.

TL: 5.1 mm. TL-h: 4.5 mm. MW: 2.5 mm.

Member of the Copelatus hydroporoides species group, see under C. laevipennis sp. nov. Copelatus urceolus sp. nov. is most likely related to C. laevipennis sp. nov. and C. variistriatus sp. nov. It differs from both mentioned species in smaller body length, different shape of median lobe of male genitalia (cf. Figs 19, 21, 22), and from the latter species also in absence of elytral striae.

We adopted the manuscript name used by J. Balfour-Browne. Latin noun urceolus (-i, masculinum) means small pitcher or jug, referring probably to the habitat in which the type specimen was caught; the name is used in the nominative case, standing in apposition.

The species is known only from the type locality in central Guadalcanal.

Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, 4.5 km S of Barana Village, Moka River near “Japanese camp”, 09°30.3'S, 159°58.9'E.

Holotype: ♂, labelled: “Solomon Islands, GUADALCANAL / ca 4.5 km S of Barana vill., forest / nr. “Japanese camp” & Moka river / 09°30.3'S, 159°58.9'E; 275 m / Jiří Hájek leg., 5.–6.xii.2013 [printed] // HOLOTYPE ♂ / COPELATUS / variistriatus sp. nov. / Hájek, Hendrich & Balke det. 2018 [red label, printed]” (NMPC). Paratypes: 9 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, same data as holotype (NHMUK, NMPC); 9 ♂♂, 11 ♀♀, labelled: “Solomon Islands, GUADALCANAL / ca. 3.5 km SE of Barana vill. / (drying up stream in shaded gorge) / 09°29.8'S, 159°59.5'E; 190 m / Jiří Hájek leg., 24.xi.-14.xii.2013 [printed]” (NHMW, NMPC, ZSMG). All paratypes with the respective printed red label.

Habitus: elongate oblong oval, broadest at mid-length of elytra; body distinctly convex in lateral view. Body outline continuous, without discontinuity between pronotum and elytra. Dorsal surface shiny (Fig. 10).

Colouration: Body colour pitchy brown; head, sides of pronotum and appendages paler, ferruginous.

Head: Rather narrow, ca. 0.57 × width of pronotum, trapezoidal. Anterior margin of clypeus indistinctly concave. Antenna with antennomeres long and slender. Reticulation consisting of moderately deeply impressed isodiametric meshes. Punctation double, consisting of coarse setigerous punctures, and very small punctures spread sparsely on surface; row of coarse punctures present around inner margin of eyes, few punctures present at frontal level of eyes, and several punctures anterolaterally to eyes in fronto-clypeal depressions.

Pronotum: Transverse, broadest between posterior angles (width/length ratio = 2.91), lateral margins moderately curved. Sides with lateral beading very thin and indistinct. Reticulation similar to that of head. Punctation similar to that of head; rows of coarse setigerous punctures present along anterior margin, laterally in longitudinal depression close to sides, several punctures present also in basolateral depressions along basal margin. Few longitudinal strioles present in depressions close to posterior angles; disc of pronotum with shallow medial longitudinal scratch.

Elytra: Base of elytra as broad as pronotal base; lateral margins of elytra slightly diverging in basal half, distinctly narrowing in apical half. Eleven discal (but see variability) and a submarginal longitudinal striae present on each elytron: distance between stria 1 and suture twice bigger than distance between other discal striae; striae 1 and 2 absent at base; stria 10 present only as numerous strioles in basal third of elytra; even striae shortened apically. Submarginal stria rather short, present approximately in third fourth of elytral length. Few longitudinal strioles present in interspaces between suture, stria 1, and stria 2. Reticulation similar to that of head and pronotum, meshes somewhat elongated longitudinally. Punctation consisting of coarse setigerous punctures and very fine sparse punctures; coarse punctures present in row along lateral margin of elytra.

Legs: Protibia modified, angled near base, distinctly broadened anteriorly, club shaped. Pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 distinctly broadened, with adhesive setae on their ventral side.

Ventral side: Prosternum sinuate anteriorly, obtusely keeled medially. Prosternal process shortly lanceolate, in cross-section convex, apex obtuse; process distinctly bordered laterally; reticulation consisting of shallow, hardly perceptible polygonal meshes. Metaventrite with microsculpture consisting of polygonal meshes; lateral parts of metaventrite (“metasternal wings”) tongue-shaped, slender. Metacoxal lines nearly complete, absent only very close to metaventrite. Metacoxal plates covered with long, deep longitudinal strioles; reticulation consisting of extremely elongated, longitudinal polygonal meshes. Metacoxal processes rounded at posterior margin. Abdominal ventrites I–II with longitudinal strioles; ventrites III and IV with oblique strioles laterally. Tuft of setae present antero-medially on ventrites III–V; ventrite VI with setigerous punctures laterally on either side. Abdominal reticulation consisting of elongate polygonal meshes, longitudinal on ventrites I and II, oblique on ventrite III and transverse on ventrites IV–VI. Punctation consisting of fine, sparsely distributed punctures.

Genitalia: Median lobe of aedeagus (Fig. 22) sickle-shaped, with evident dorsal and ventral sclerites; dorsal sclerite without surface sculpture and divided into two parts in apical half: left part shorter than right one, both slightly curved, with small crests, notches and truncate apexes (Fig. 22A, B); ventral sclerite divided into two parts apically: left part more strongly sclerotised, broader, shorter, with broadly pointed apex, right part longer, partly sclerotised (medially membranous), with elongate, thin apex in shape of weak hook (Fig. 22C).

Lateral lobes (parameres) of narrow triangular form, with broader subdistal part due to curved setigerous dorsal margin; setae numerous, dense, and strong distally, and distinctly less numerous, weaker and sparser basally (Fig. 22D).

Female. Similar to male in habitus. Protibia simple, not angled basally and only slightly broadened distally; pro- and mesotarsomeres not broadened, without adhesive setae. Dimorphic; striolate form due to dense striolation matt; strioles present on whole surface of pronotum and elytra, thus elytral striation not recognisable: strioles longitudinal, usually very long, only rarely confluent (Fig. 12).

The specimens of the type series vary in dorsal body colouration: specimens from drying up stream are generally paler (ochreous) than specimens from Moka River. The highest variability is however in elytral striation: in some specimens short strioles present between suture and stria 1, suggesting the present of “true” stria 1, which is vanished in all studied specimens (thus, the first visible stria is actually stria 2); in addition, strioles presenting in basal third between striae 9 and 10 may confluent into distinct stria in some specimens. On the other hand, all even striae have tendency for reduction, they are often fragmented, persisting only as a few longitudinal strioles or missing completely; in the extreme, only four elytral striae (stria 1, 3, 5, 7) are well preserved on disc with striae 9 and 10 preserved as short strioles (Fig. 11). The submarginal stria is missing in ca. one third of all specimens. Generally, the striation is more complete in the specimens from Moka River than in specimens from drying up stream. Additional short strioles may occur irregularly between all discal striae in some specimens. Small differences were detected also in the shape of the male median lobe (cf. Figs 22B, 24, 25).

TL: 5.7–6.7 mm (mean value: 6.4 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 6.6 mm. TL-h: 5.2–6.1 mm (mean value: 5.7 ± 0.2 mm); holotype: 6.0 mm. MW: 2.9–3.4 mm (mean value: 3.2 ± 0.1 mm); holotype: 3.3 mm.

Due to variable number of elytral striae, it is quite difficult to classify the new species within the traditional Copelatus species group (Sharp 1882; Guignot 1961; Guéorguiev 1968). We have tentatively included the species into the C. trilobatus species group, as the state of eleven dorsal striae and a submarginal stria is the most frequent condition in C. variistriatus sp. nov., and the other forms resulting from subsequent reduction of striae. However, the double distance between suture and stria 1 suggested possible presence of twelfth stria in the ground plan of the species, currently absent in all specimens studied.

The C. trilobatus species group includes up to now 24 species occurring in tropics of all continents (see under C. bougainvillensis sp. nov.). However, no species is similar to the new species. Copelatus variistriatus sp. nov. is without any doubts closely related to C. laevipennis sp. nov., from which it differs in slightly smaller body length, more oval habitus, presence of elytral striae, and minor differences in the shape of the median lobe (see also under C. laevipennis sp. nov.).

The species name is composed from Latin adjectives varius (-a, -um, = diverse, variegated) and striatus (-a, -um, = with striae), referring to the variable number of elytral striae in the new species.

The species is known so far only from two localities, ca. 1.5 km apart, along north coast of Guadalcanal.

At the type locality, the species was collected in small side rock pools of a small forest river. At the other locality, the specimens were collected in puddles/pools with muddy bottom made by a temporary forest stream (Fig. 28). At both places it was collected together with C. baranensis sp. nov.

Guadalcanal: 1 ♀, 0.5 km N Mbaole, 09°37.69'S, 160°06.69'E, 2799 feet, 2007, K. Mailautoka leg. (ZSMG).

Medium sized (TL: 6.3 mm), elongate, oblong-oval species. Head testaceous, with dark band posterior to eyes; pronotum brown blackish, with testaceous sides; elytra brown blackish, with broad transverse testaceous basal band and testaceous apical part. Pronotum with short longitudinal strioles laterally. Elytra with ten discal striae and a submarginal stria: striae 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 almost complete and well impressed; striae 2, 4, 6, and 8 present only as a series of short strioles between odd striae; submarginal stria short, split to several strioles on one side (Fig. 13).

Figures 13, 14. 

Habitus of Copelatus 13 Copelatus sp. 1 14 Copelatus sp. 2.

Based on presence of ten discal and a submarginal stria on elytra, the species can be included in the C. erichsonii species group. It could not be associated with any species currently known from the Solomon Islands. Without a male available for the study, we leave this taxon unidentified to species level.

The species is known only from a single medium altitude locality in north-central Guadalcanal.

Guadalcanal: 3 ♀♀, 0.5 km N Mbaole, 09°37.69'S, 160°06.69'E, 2799 feet, 2007, K. Mailautoka leg. (ZSMG).

Medium sized (TL: 7.2–7.9 mm), elongate, oblong-oval species. Head testaceous, with dark band posterior to eyes; pronotum brownish, with broad testaceous sides; elytra brown blackish, with thin transverse testaceous basal band and somewhat paler brown apical part. Pronotum and elytra (except for apical fifth) densely covered with long longitudinal strioles. Elytral striation due to presence of striolae could not be observed; presence of at least five discal striae is perceptible in the non-striolate apical part of elytra (Fig. 14).

The striolate female could not be associated with any current species group of Copelatus. They do not fit to any currently known species from the Solomon Islands. Without a male available for study, we leave this taxon unidentified to species level.

The species is known only from a single medium altitude locality in north-central Guadalcanal.

Figure 15. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus baranensis sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 16. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus bougainvillensis sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 17. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus kietensis sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 18. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus laevipennis sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 19. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus portior Guignot, 1956 (Australia) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 20. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus tulagicus Guignot, 1942 (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 21. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus urceolus sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 22. 

Male genitalia of Copelatus variistriatus sp. nov. (holotype) A median lobe in lateral view, right side B median lobe in lateral view, left side C median lobe in ventral view D left paramere in external view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figures 23–25. 

Variability of Copelatus male genitalia: median lobe in lateral view, left side 23 Copelatus laevipennis sp. nov. (paratype) 24, 25 C. variistriatus sp. nov. (paratypes). Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figures 26–28. 

Habitats of Copelatus in Guadalcanal 26 temporary forest stream near Barana village 27 shaded pool on the same stream 28 small temporary puddles in a gorge along the road from Barana to Lungga river.