Synopsis of Falsocis Pic (Coleoptera, Ciidae), new species, new records and an identification key

Abstract Three new species of Falsocis Pic are described: Falsocis aquilonius sp. n. from Panamá, Costa Rica and Colombia, Falsocis egregius sp. n. from a single locality in northern Brazil and Falsocis occultus sp. n. from two localities in southeastern and southern Brazil. New records, comparative notes and an identification key for male and female specimens of Falsocis species are also provided.


Introduction
Falsocis Pic, 1916 is a distinctive but relatively uniform genus of Neotropical Ciidae, recently redescribed by  and currently including two species: F. opacus Pic, 1916, from French Guyana and northern Brazil;and F. brasiliensis Lopes-Andrade, 2007, an endangered species occurring in small remnants of the Brazilian tion. Values for TL and TL/EW of the type series of F. brasiliensis and the unique available male F. opacus are also provided here, since in Lopes-Andrade (2007) TL included the length of the head seen from above. Each description is based on the holotype, which is a fully pigmented male. Differences among paratypes are given in the section on "Variation", together with standard measurements and ratios of the type series.
The distribution map (Fig. 41) was created using latitude and longitude coordinates estimated by tracking localities in the freeware Google Earth 6.0.3 (Google Earth 2011) and plotting them in a map using the freeware DIVA-GIS 7.3.0 (Hijmans et al. 2001).
The following acronyms are used in this paper:

ANIC
Australian Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin "aquilonius" (adjective), which means "from the North", in reference to its occurrence at the northernmost locality for Falsocis species.
Diagnosis. Epipleura enlarged posteriorly, but just slightly explanate (Figs 2-3), not or barely visible from above, with external margin simple (not crenulate). Pronotum with lateral margins visible for their entire lengths from above. Male abdominal sex patch small with a diameter of one-fifth the length of the first abdominal ventrite.
Description. Male holotype (Figs 1-3 0.06; 0.06; 0.05; 0.03; 0.02; 0.02; 0.05; 0.05; 0.08. Pronotum with single and coarse punctation; punctures very close to each other on disc and near the lateral and posterior margins, but somewhat shallower and separated by a distance of about one puncture-width at the anterior projection; in between punctures finely granulate; vestiture grayish, dual (seen in lateral view under a magnification of 100×), consisting of conspicuous stout erect bristles (~0.05mm) and very small decumbent setae (a bit less than 0.02mm); anterior angles rounded, produced forward; anterior edge explanate and produced forward forming a plate that slightly curves upward and tapers toward a rounded apex; lateral margins slightly explanate and visible for their entire lengths from above, irregularly crenulate. Hindwings fully developed. Scutellum subtriangular, densely covered by stout decumbent bristles (better seen in lateral view); basal width 0.15mm. Sides of elytra parallel at basal three-fourths, broadly rounded posteriorly (seen from above) and converging to a blunt apex; punctation single and confused; punctures coarse and separated by a distance of one puncture-width or less; in between punctures dull; vestiture dual, similar to that of pronotum; lateral and apical margins not visible from above; epipleura tapering from base to middle, then enlarging to apex, with external margin simple (not crenulate). Ventral surface of thorax and abdomen finely granulate, with vestiture of decumbent slender setae. Prosternum flat; prosternal process laminate, three-fourths the length of procoxae. First abdominal ventrite twice as long as the second at midline; setose sex patch circular and margined, located near the posterior margin and with a diameter of one-fifth the length of the ventrite at midline.
Male terminalia in paratypes (Figs 5-6). Eighth sternite ( Fig. 5) with posterior margin straight; posterior angles slightly produced forming two small lateral prominences. Basal piece (Fig. 6) nearly one-third the length of tegmen. Tegmen ( Fig. 6) with anterior portion subtriangular; lateral margins straight, slightly diverging to apex; posterior portion with a median V-shaped emargination of about one-third the length of tegmen, forming two lateral lobes. Penis (Fig. 6) as long as tegmen, subcylindrical; lateral margins straight for half of their lengths then slightly curved inwards to a narrowly rounded apex. Females (Fig. 4). Similar to males, but frontoclypeal ridge straight, barely sinuous, with rounded angles. Anterior pronotal margin broadly rounded. Abdomen devoid of sex patch.

Falsocis egregius
Diagnosis. Head of male with sides of vertex produced laterally to form a pair of triangular plates, each with acute apex (Fig. 13, arrows); frontoclypeal horns wide at base and tapering to apex, slightly arcuate. Pronotum with anterior angles broadly rounded, barely produced forward; males with a row of long setae along the apex of the anterior projection but not forming distinct tufts (Figs 10, 12, arrows).
Description. Male holotype (Figs 10-13), measurements in mm: TL 2.85; PL 1.25; PW 1.50; EL 1.55; EW 1.55; GD 1.35. Ratios: PL/PW 0.83; EL/EW 1.00; EL/ PL 1.24; GD/EW 0.87; TL/EW 1.84. Body oblong, strongly convex, mostly light yellowish brown; mouthparts and apices of femora reddish brown; ventral vestiture consisting of very fine decumbent setae. Head strongly developed, the anterior and lateral margins easily visible from above; dorsum concave, slightly tumid on disc; punctation relatively fine, shallow, sparse; in between punctures finely granulate; frontoclypeal ridge explanate, each side produced upward forming a conspicuous horn that is slightly arcuate, bearing two small tubercles between them; each side of vertex explanate and produced laterally forming a conspicuous triangular plate with an acute apex (Fig. 13, arrows). Eyes coarsely facetted; greatest width 0.18mm. Each antenna (left antenna measured; FL 0.22mm; CL 0.23mm; CL/FL 1.05) with length of antennomeres (in mm) as follows: 0.12; 0.07; 0.08; 0.04; 0.04; 0.03; 0.03; 0.06; 0.06; 0.11. Pronotum with shallow, coarse, single punctation; punctures separated by a distance about a puncture-width; in between punctures smooth at disc and finely granulate at the anterior projection; vestiture indistinctly dual, consisting of conspicuous yellowish stout erect bristles (~0.05mm) and very fine decumbent setae (<0.02mm); anterior angles broadly rounded, just slightly produced forward; anterior margin (beyond anterior angles) explanate, produced forward forming a plate that slightly curves downward and narrows toward a slightly arcuate apex with a row of very long slender setae (>0.35mm; Figs 10, 12, arrows). Scutellum subtriangular; punctation finer than those of pronotum and elytra; vestiture consisting of stout decumbent bristles (better seen in lateral view); basal width 0.21mm. Hindwings fully developed. Elytra subparallel at basal two-thirds, with posterolateral angles broadly rounded (as seen from above) and then converging to a blunt apex; punctation single and confused, a bit sparser than that of pronotum; in between punctures smooth; vestiture indistinctly dual, consisting of conspicuous stout erect bristles (~0.07mm) and very minute decumbent setae (<0.02mm); lateral and apical margins not visible from above; epipleura tapering from base to apex. Surface of the ventral thoracic and abdominal sclerites granulate, somewhat rugose. Prosternum flat; prosternal process laminate, almost half the length of procoxae. First abdominal ventrite more than twice as long as the second at midline; setose sex patch circular and margined, located at the middle of the ventrite and with a diameter of one-third the length of the ventrite at midline.
Male terminalia in paratypes (Figs 15-16). Eighth sternite (Fig. 15) with posterior margin curved inward; angles not produced. Basal piece (Fig. 16) almost half the length of tegmen. Tegmen (Fig. 16) with anterior portion broadly rounded; lateral margins almost straight; posterior portion bearing a deep V-shaped emargination reaching the middle of the structure and forming two lateral lobes. Penis (Fig. 16) subcylindrical, lateral margins straight for most of their lengths and a bit expanded to a rounded apex; the penis is turned and lays laterally in the slide preparation.
Variation Comments and comparative notes. The species is currently known from a single collection in Santarém, northern Brazil (Fig. 41). Only one female was available for examination. The series is very small, but species sufficiently distinct to allow description. Differs from F. aquilonius sp. n. and F. opacus in having the epipleura narrow posteriorly. Falsocis occultus sp. n. has deeper and closer pronotal punctation. Very similar to F. brasiliensis, but differing mainly in features mentioned in the diagnosis and in the conspicuous basal piece of male terminalia. In F. brasiliensis, the eighth sternite has the anterior margin only slightly curved inward; the basal piece was not observed in the available slide preparations and is possibly membranous (Lopes-Andrade 2007); the tegmen has a subtriangular posterior portion, subparallel lateral margins and anterior V-shape emargination is only one-fourth to one-third deep. Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin "occultus" (adjective), which means "hidden", in reference to the fact that the population from the type locality stayed hidden among fungi forgotten in a field-base for near four years.
Diagnosis. Pronotum with anterolateral angles not produced forward; lateral margins not visible from above; male with anterior projection ending in an acute apex (Figs 19, 23-25, arrows) bordered by medium-size bristles.
Description. Male holotype (Figs 17-19), measurements in mm: TL 3.55; PL 1.70; PW 1.75; EL 1.80; EW 1.75; GD 1.40. Ratios: PL/PW 0.97; EL/EW 1.03; EL/PL 1.06; GD/EW 0.80; TL/EW 2.03. Body oblong, strongly convex, mostly dark brown; mouthparts, antennae and tarsi dark yellowish brown; femora and tibiae dark reddish brown. Head concealed by the anterior pronotal projection (seen from above) except for its anterolateral angles; dorsum concave with disc slightly tumid; punctation coarse, shallow; in between punctures finely granulate; frontoclypeal ridge explanate and produced forming a broad acute triangular plate at each anterior angle, with two small tubercles between them. Eyes coarsely facetted; greatest eye width 0.21mm. Each antenna (left antenna measured; FL 0.30mm; CL 0.28mm; CL/FL 0.93) with length of antennomeres (in mm) as follows: 0.15; 0.09; 0.08; 0.08; 0.06; 0.05; 0.03; 0.08; 0.08; 0.12. Pronotum with single, coarse, relatively deep punctation; punctures very close to each other, separated by a distance of one puncture-width or less; in between punctures smooth but not shining; vestiture yellowish, indistinctly dual (seen under a magnification of 100×), consisting of stout erect bristles (~0.05mm) and small decumbent setae (~0.03mm), both better seen in lateral view; anterior angles not produced forward; anterior margin (beyond anterior angles) explanate, strongly produced forward forming a plate that slightly curves downward and narrows toward an acute apex (Fig. 19, arrow) ornamented by a row of increasingly stout bristles in either side (Figs 17-19); lateral margins slightly crenulate, not visible from above, bearing a row of stout bristles. Scutellum subtriangular, its margins indistinct so that it seems to be contiguous with elytra; punctation conspicuous but slightly finer than those of pronotum and elytra; vestiture consisting of stout decumbent bristles (better seen in lateral view); basal width 0.20mm. Hindwings fully developed. Elytra parallel at basal threefourths, posteriorly broadly rounded (as seen from above) and converging to a blunt apex; punctation single and confused, slightly finer than that of pronotum, consisting of relatively deep punctures separated by a distance near a puncture-width; in between punctures smooth, dull; vestiture distinctly dual, the erect bristles about 0.1mm long and the decumbent setae about 0.03mm long; lateral and apical margins not visible from above; epipleura tapering from base to the basal one-sixth, then continuing as a narrow line to the apex. Ventral surfaces of thorax and abdomen finely granulate; vestiture consisting of slender decumbent setae. Prosternum flat; prosternal process laminate, two-thirds the length of the procoxae. First abdominal ventrite more than twice as long as the second at midline; setose sex patch suboval and margined, located at the middle of the ventrite and with a diameter of one-third the length of the ventrite at midline.
Male terminalia in paratypes (Figs 21-22). Eighth sternite (Fig. 21) with posterior margin almost straight; angles not produced. Basal piece (Fig. 22) nearly one-third the length of tegmen. Tegmen (Fig. 22) with anterior portion mostly rounded but apex acute; lateral margins slightly sinuous and diverging; posterior portion bearing a deep V-shaped emargination reaching the middle of the structure, forming two lateral lobes. Penis (Fig. 22) subcylindrical; lateral margins subparallel for most of their lengths; apical third subtriangular, membranous.
Comments and comparative notes. Known from two localities, in southeastern and southern Brazil (Fig. 41). The specimens from Linhares (in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil) were collected in Hexagonia papyracea Berk. (Polyporaceae) and bred in the laboratory until December 2009 in the original basidiomes, without addition of either water or nutrients. In male F. brasiliensis and F. egregius sp. n., the apex of the pronotal projection bears a row of setae that are comparatively longer (26)(27)(28)(29)(33)(34). Differs from F. aquilonius sp. n. and F. opacus in having the epipleura narrow posteriorly. (Hymenochaetacea). This fungus was previously misidentified as Phellinus sp. . After its description, the species was recollected in Viçosa and a single female was found in Santa Maria de Jetibá (in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil; Fig. 32). The species is restricted to forests, known only from small remnants, and was never found in open areas. Specimens from Venda Nova do Imigrante (Espírito Santo; Fig. 33) are reddish, and the ones from Jussari (in the state of Bahia; Fig. 34) are dark brown. In low males (Fig. 30), the frontoclypeal and pronotal projections are very weak and the pronotum narrower anteriorly. TL (in mm, not including the head) and TL/EW of the type series are as follows: Males (n = 10, including the holotype), TL 2.00-2.80 (2.25 ± 0.22), TL/EW 1.54-1.81 (1.64 ± 0.07); Females (n = 5), TL 2.00-2.35 (2.14 ± 0.14), TL/EW 1.48-1.68 (1.60 ± 0.08). Comments. The subspecies F. opacus flavus Pic, 1922 was based on a single female collected in Bas-Maroni (French Guyana, near Cayenne), and it is merely a teneral specimen of F. opacus (J. F. Lawrence pers. obs.). The type of F. opacus (MNHN) is 2.10mm long, rather than 3mm as mentioned in the description (Pic 1916), but other measurements were not taken by the time it was examined. In the unique male F. opacus measured by Lopes-Andrade (2007) and F. occultus sp. n. in having the epipleura narrow posteriorly. However, the shallow punctation of pronotum resembles mostly that of the former two species. Female F. brasiliensis from Jussari (Brazil) are similar in color, but body is more elongate. It is very large, with a length of near 3mm. Only females of F. occultus sp. n. reach such a length. A subquadrate body is also observed in a few F. brasiliensis, but the largest females of this species are only 2.4mm long. The very transverse pronotum, twice as long as wide, does not occur in any other known Falsocis species. This female from Peru possibly belongs to another new species, but description is not possible without examining a male. Measurements (in mm) and ratios are as follows: TL 3.05; PL 1.00; PW 2.00; EL 2.00; EW 2.11; GD 1.68; PL/PW 0.50; EL/EW 0.95; EL/PL 2.00; GD/EW 0.80; TL/EW 1.45.  Pronotal punctation deep and coarse, with punctures usually separated by half a puncture-width or less at disc. Anterior plate of pronotum in males survey in Pará, northern Brazil (Lopes-Andrade pers. obs.), no Falsocis was collected. Most of the recent records (from 2000 up to know) are from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, from small remnants in southeastern and the most southern portion of northeastern Brazil. The single old record of F. occultus sp. n. from Nova Teutônia, in the state of Santa Catarina, suggests the species would have had a very broad distribution throughout the Atlantic Forest. This biome has been seriously affected and fragmented by land use and urbanization, and less than 8% of the original forests still remain (Colombo and Joly 2010).