Tachyura Motschulsky, 1862: 27. — Andrewes 1925: 328; CSIKI 1928: 166; Baehr 1988: 229, 2014a: 2; Sciaky & Vigna Taglianti 2003: 93; Kopecký 2003: 278; Lorenz 2005: 208.

Type species: Elaphrus quadrisignatus Duftschmid, 1812, by subsequent designation by Motschulsky (1862).

Diagnosis

The subgenus is characterized by absence of deep mental pits, well developed posterior transverse sulcus of the pronotum, almost complete 8^th elytral stria, rounded humerus, well developed recurrent stria on the elytra that is situated more or less in the middle, and presence of two discal elytral punctures and setae.

Holotype (♂): “Philippines, Leyte, visca N Baybay, cultiv. land, 1991, leg. Schawaller & al. / 4.III.1991” (SMNS).

Paratypes (3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀): same locality, but 28.II.1991, 1.III.1991, 4.III.1991, 8.III.1991 (CBM, SMNS).

Etymology

The species name refers to the strongly serrate lateral margins of the elytra.

Diagnosis

Characterized by pale reddish-brown colour, depressed eye, cordiform pronotum with rectangular basal angle, markedly serrate margin of the elytra, presence of the complete set of elytral striae, uninterrupted 8^th elytral stria, straight, and oblique recurrent stria that is rather closely situated to the lateral margin.

In some character states this species reminds E. singularis (Andrewes, 1925) of the exaratus-group of Andrewes (1925) or the singularis-group in the sense of Darlington (1962), but is distinguished by the completely striate elytra which are serrulate and setulose almost along their whole length, and by the uninterrupted 8^th stria.. Because it does not match the most important determining character states of both groups, I prefer to include it into the subgenus Tachyura without attributing to a definitive subgroup.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.10–2.25 mm; width: 0.85–0.90 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.42–1.47; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.23–1.28; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.31–1.35; length/width of elytra: 1.51–1.57.

Colour (Fig. 12). Upper and lower surfaces unicolourous pale reddish-brown. Antenna, palpi, and legs yellow.

Head (Fig. 12). Of normal size but eye depressed and little produced laterad, orbit small and indistinct. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture shallow. Frons slightly convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows wide and shallow, slightly curved, anteriorly not crossing onto clypeus, posteriorly attaining middle of eye. Mandible rather elongate, palpi thick, pubescent, apical palpomere short and very thin. Mentum without pores. Antenna fairly elongate, 7^th-10^th antennomeres twice as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate, with distinct though superficial, about isodiametric microreticulation that consists of rather large meshes, surface glossy,

Pronotum (Fig. 12). Moderately wide, cordiform, at base about as wide as at apex; dorsal surface gently convex. Apex with deep excision, apical angles markedly projected and rather acute. Lateral border evenly convex but in basal quarter straight or very slightly concave. Base laterally slightly excised, in middle produced, basal angles rectangular, acute. Lateral sulcus very narrow, not widened at base. Both, apex and base not margined. Median line fine, slightly impressed, not attaining the apex, near base deepened to a wide sulcus. Anterior transverse impression barely perceptible, posterior impression deep, finely crenulate, in the median sulcus with a pore. Basal grooves absent, base near lateral margin without a carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted at anterior third, in front of widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted near basal angle. Surface impunctate, with extremely superficial, about isodiametric microreticulation, very glossy.

Elytra (Fig. 12). Moderately elongate, lateral margin slightly convex, elytra wide at humerus; dorsal surface moderately convex but depressed on disk. Humerus rounded, not produced, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 4^th stria. The complete lateral margin serrulate, more coarsely so in basal third, but not setulose. All striae distinct, deeply impressed, at bottom very finely crenulate. Striae almost attaining base, except the sutural one ending in front of apex, the outer ones more shortened than the inner ones, apex widely glabrous. All intervals on disk markedly raised, even slightly tectiform. 8^th stria complete, uninterrupted, deeply impressed, impunctate. Recurrent stria deep, moderately elongate, oblique, straight, at end not incurved, situated rather close to margin. 3^rd interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located at basal third, the posterior puncture located about at apical third, both adjacent to 3^rd stria. Intervals impunctate, with distinct, though superficial, about isodiametric microreticulation, surface glossy.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum slightly > 1.5 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in male bisetose, in female quadrisetose.

Legs. Two basal tarsomeres of the male protarsus slightly widened, squamose underneath, and mediad triangularly dentate.

Male genitalia (Fig. 1). Aedeagus short and compact, stout in apical part, lower surface evenly concave. Apex short and stout, rounded; internal sac with several slightly twisted folds, one of which is rather heavily sclerotized. Parameres very dissimilar, the left one very large, triangular and slightly curved down, the right one smaller but comparatively wide, both with two elongate and one shorter apical setae.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 6). Gonocoxite 1 comparatively large, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 short and wide, slightly triangular, straight, only near apex slightly incurved, with wide, obtuse apex. Two short but stout ventro- lateral ensiform setae situated in apical half, one short and stout dorso-median ensiform seta situated close to apex; one short subapical nematiform seta near apex originating from a circular pit.

Variation. Very little variation noted.

Distribution

Island of Leyte, Philippines. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

According to information of the collector, sampled at light.

Relationships

Uncertain. The species combines character states of different species groups, respectively subgenera, therefore its status remains uncertain as long as a comprehensive phylogenetic survey of the whole tachyine lineage is lacking.

Holotype (♂): “Philippines, Leyte, SW Abuyog, 28.II.1991, river bank, leg. Schawaller & al.” (SMNS).

Paratypes (4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀): same data (CBM, SMNS).

Etymology

The species name is a patronym in honour of the collector Wolfgang Schawaller of Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart.

Diagnosis

Characterized by presence of three elytral striae, unimaculate elytra, cordiform pronotum, and dark antenna. Very similar to E. borneensis (Andrewes, 1925), but distinguished by lesser number of elytral striae, narrower base of the pronotum, shorter elytra, and darker antenna, palpi, and legs.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.50–2.75 mm; width: 1.1–1.2 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.35–1.42; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.26–1.28; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.30–1.33; length/width of elytra: 1.41–1.46.

Colour (Fig. 13). Black, elytra near apex with an ill delimited, rather inconspicuous, yellow or pale red spot that extends between 3^rd or 4^th and 7^th intervals. Antenna dark with 1st and basal part of 2^nd antennomere pale, basal and apical palpomeres of maxillary palpus dirty yellow, penultimate palpomere dark; legs dirty yellow to pale brown.

Head (Fig. 13). Of average size. Eye large, laterad rather produced, orbit short, oblique-convex. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture inconspicuous or even not perceptible. Frons slightly convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows slightly duplicated, deep, short, straight, anteriorly slightly crossing to the clypeus, posteriorly not turned laterad. Sulcus medially of the eye deep. Mandible, palpi and the lower surface of the head as in similar species of the subgenus. Antenna moderately short, 7^th-10^th antennomeres slightly less than twice as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate, with distinct though slightly superficial, about isodiametric microreticulation, fairly glossy.

Pronotum (Fig. 13). Moderately wide, at base barely wider than at apex; dorsal surface gently convex. Apex almost straight, apical angles not projected and widely rounded. Lateral border convex over most of its length, near base shortly concave. Base laterally straight to faintly oblique, in middle slightly produced, basal angles rectangular, acute. Lateral sulcus moderately narrow, not widened basad. Apex laterally finely margined, base not margined except near basal angles. Median line fine, slightly deepened basad, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression barely perceptible, posterior impression deep, distinctly crenulate, in middle with a small, barely perceptible puncture. Basal grooves moderately deep, base near lateral margin with a short, slightly oblique, sharp carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted slightly in front of middle, about at widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface impunctate, with indistinct, very superficial, isodiametric to slightly transverse microreticulation that in some areas is almost invisible; surface glossy, except for the rather rugose base.

Elytra (Fig. 13). Moderately elongate, not oviform, lateral margin in middle almost straight, wide at humerus; dorsal surface moderately convex but depressed on disk. Humerus rounded, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 4^th stria. Three deeply impressed, not crenulate striae present. 1st stria attaining scutellary puncture and apex, 2^nd and 3^rd striae at base shortened, and gradually ending far in front of apex, apex widely glabrous. In some specimens in middle faint traces of a 4^th and even a 5^th stria perceptible. Intervals on disk slightly raised. 8^th stria complete, deeply impressed, impunctate. Recurrent stria deep, elongate, straight, at end not incurved. 3^rd interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located about at basal third, the posterior puncture located slightly in front of the apical third, both adjacent to 3^rd stria. Surface impunctate, at least laterally with traces of very superficial, about isodiametric microreticulation, surface glossy.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum c. 1.75 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in male bisetose, in female quadrisetose.

Legs. Two basal tarsomeres of the male protarsus slightly widened, squamose underneath, and mediad triangularly dentate.

Male genitalia (Fig. 2). Aedeagus rather elongate, stout in middle, triangularly narrowed towards apex, lower surface evenly concave. Apex rather elongate, obtusely rounded; internal sac with several slightly twisted folds, one of which, situated at bottom, is heavily sclerotized. Parameres very dissimilar, the left one very large, triangular, with two elongate apical setae, the right one smaller but comparatively wide, with a single elongate apical seta.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 7). Gonocoxite 1 comparatively large and elongate, triangular, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 elongate, triangular, curved, with rather acute apex. Two very small ventro-lateral ensiform setae situated about in middle, moderately separated, the dorsomedian ensiform seta absent; one short subapical nematiform seta present near apex and originating from a circular pit.

Variation. Very little variation noted.

Distribution

Island of Leyte, Philippines. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Sampled at “river bank”, but unknown whether by hand collecting or whether at light.

Relationships

In body shape, structure of elytra, and aedeagus very similar, and probably closely related to E. borneensis (Andrewes, 1925).

Holotype (♂): “Borneo, Brunei, Temburong Kuala Belalong, Borcherding leg. / 10.II.1995 HW KBFSC” (CWB).

Paratype (♂): same data (CBM).

Etymology

The name refers to the dark rufous colour of this species.

Diagnosis

Characterized by rufous colour, cordiform pronotum with trifoveate basis, presence of four short, coarsely crenulate elytral striae, inconspicuously quadrimaculate elytra, and absolutely glabrous surface. Distinguished from similarly short and compact species [e. g. E. latus (Peyron, 1858) or E. aeneus (Putzeys, 1875)] by colour and number, size, and structure of the elytral striae.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.55–2.70 mm; width: 1.25–1.30 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.27–1.30; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.27–1.28; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.26–1.27; length/width of elytra: 1.35–1.37.

Colour (Fig. 14). Upper and lower surfaces dark red, elytra with four moderately distinct pale red spots. The humeral spot more ill delimited and extended from 4^th or 5^th interval to margin, the apical spot more distinct, extended from 3^rd to 7^th intervals, and well removed from apex that is slightly paler than the disk. 1^st-3^rd antennomeres and basal half of 4^th yellow, rest infuscate. Palpi and legs yellow.

Head (Fig. 14). Of average size. Eye very large, laterad well produced, orbit very small. Labrum anteriorly slightly excised. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture rather deep. Frons slightly convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows duplicated, deep, almost straight, anteriorly slightly crossing to the clypeus, posteriorly slightly turned laterad. Sulcus medially of the eye deep. Mandible, palpi and the lower surface of the head as in similar species of the subgenus. Antenna moderately elongate, 7^th-10^th antennomeres c. 1.75 times as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy, only labrum with superficial, isodiametric microreticulation.

Pronotum (Fig. 14). Rather wide, at base slightly wider than at apex; dorsal surface rather convex. Apex straight, apical angles not projected, very widely rounded. Lateral border convex, in basal third rather deeply concave. Base laterally straight, in middle produced, basal angles slightly less than rectangular, acute. Lateral sulcus narrow, not widened basad. Apex laterally finely margined, base not margined except near basal angles. Median line very fine, inconspicuous, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression not perceptible, posterior impression deep, very finely crenulate, in middle with three large and deep pores. Basal grooves very deep, base near lateral margin with a short, slightly oblique, sharp carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted slightly in front of middle, at widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface very glossy, impunctate and without microreticulation.

Elytra (Fig. 14). Wide and short, not oviform, lateral margin in middle straight, wide at humerus; dorsal surface convex but depressed on disk. Humerus faintly angulate, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 4^th stria. Four striae present, deeply impressed, and coarsely crenulate. 1^st stria attaining scutellary puncture and apex, 2^nd-4^th striae gradually shortened at base and apex, apex widely glabrous. All intervals on disk raised. 8^th stria complete, deeply impressed, impunctate. Recurrent stria fairly deep, short, oblique, at end incurved. 3^rd interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located at basal third, the posterior puncture located slightly in front of the apical third, both adjacent to 3^rd stria. Intervals impunctate and without microreticulation, surface very glossy.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum slightly < 1.5 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in male bisetose.

Legs. Two basal tarsomeres of the male protarsus slightly widened, squamose underneath, and mediad triangularly dentate.

Male genitalia (Fig. 3). Aedeagus moderately elongate, stout in middle, triangularly narrowed towards apex, lower surface straight. Apex rather short, fairly stout, obtusely rounded; internal sac with several slightly twisted folds, one of which is heavily sclerotized. Parameres very dissimilar, the left one very large, triangular, the right one smaller but comparatively wide, both with three elongate apical setae.

Female gonocoxites. Unknown.

Variation. Very little variation noted.

Distribution

Brunei, Borneo. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Not recorded.

Relationships

A rather unique species, apparently without close relatives.

Holotype (♂): “320 Ilam Distr. betw. Mai Pokhari and Gitang Khola Valley, 2100-1750 m, tree rich cultural land, 11 Apr 1988, J. Martens & W. Schawaller leg. / Nepal-Expeditionen Jochen Martens” (SMNS).

Paratype (♀): “321 Ilam Distr., Gitang Khola Valley, Alnus forest along river, 1750 m, 11–13 Apr 1988, J. Martens & W. Schawaller leg. / Nepal-Expeditionen Jochen Martens” (CBM).

Etymology

The name is a patronym in honour of the collector Jochen Martens, well known explorer of the fauna of Nepal.

Diagnosis

Characterized by black colour, cordiform pronotum with unifoveate basis, presence of only one distinctly impressed elytral stria, quadrimaculate elytra, and absolutely glabrous surface. Distinguished from the most similar species E. stevensi (Andrewes, 1925) by absence of the 2^nd stria and distinctly crenulate base of the pronotum.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.85–2.90 mm; width: 1.25 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.33–1.34; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.36–1.40; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.36–1.39; length/ width of elytra: 1.44–1.45.

Colour (Fig. 15). Upper and lower surfaces black, elytra with four moderately distinct pale red spots. The humeral spot slightly triangular and extended from site of 4^th interval to margin, the apical spot transverse, extended from 3^rd interval to margin and well removed from apex that is slightly paler than the disk. Antenna, palpi, and legs yellow.

Head (Fig. 15). Of average size. Eye fairly large, laterad moderately produced, orbit comparatively elongate, c. ⅓ of eye length, oblique-convex. Labrum almost straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture distinct. Frons slightly convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows duplicated, short, deep, anteriorly slightly crossing to the clypeus, posteriorly turned laterad. Sulcus medially of the eye deep. Mandible, palpi and the lower surface of the head as in similar species of the subgenus. Antenna moderately elongate, 7^th-10^th antennomeres slightly < 1.75 times as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy, only labrum with superficial, isodiametric microreticulation.

Pronotum (Fig. 15). Wide, at base slightly wider than at apex; dorsal surface rather convex. Apex straight, apical angles not projected, very widely rounded. Lateral border convex, in basal fourth more or less deeply concave. Base laterally straight, in middle produced, basal angles slightly less than rectangular, acute, laterad even slightly projected. Lateral sulcus narrow, slightly widened in middle, narrowed basad. Apex laterally finely margined, base not margined except near basal angles. Median line fine, slightly deepened, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression not perceptible, posterior impression deep, distinctly crenulate, in middle with a large and deep pore. Basal grooves very deep, base near lateral margin with a short, slightly oblique, sharp carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted slightly in front of middle, slightly in front of widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface very glossy, impunctate and without microreticulation.

Elytra (Fig. 15). Moderately elongate, not oviform, lateral margin in middle almost straight, wide at humerus; dorsal surface convex but depressed on disk. Humerus not angulate, obliquely rounded, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 4^th stria. Sutural stria distinct and complete, deeply impressed, not or very weakly crenulate; traces of 2^nd stria in middle more or less distinct, but barely impressed. 8^th stria complete, deeply impressed, impunctate. Recurrent stria fairly deep, short, oblique, at end slightly incurved. 3^rd interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located at basal third, the posterior puncture located slightly behind middle, both adjacent to position of 3^rd stria. Surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum c. 1.5 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in male bisetose, in female quadrisetose.

Legs. Two basal tarsomeres of the male protarsus slightly widened, squamose underneath, and mediad triangularly dentate.

Male genitalia (Fig. 4). Aedeagus rather elongate, moderately stout in middle, triangularly narrowed towards apex, lower surface in middle slightly convex, but apical fourth markedly curved down. Apex very stout but rather elongate, obtusely rounded; internal sac with several slightly twisted folds, one of which is heavily sclerotized. Parameres very dissimilar, the left one very large, triangular, the right one smaller and narrow, both with a single elongate apical seta.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 8). Gonocoxite 1 large, triangular, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 fairly elongate, triangular, slightly curved, with rather acute apex. Two very small ventro-lateral ensiform setae situated about in middle, moderately separated, the dorso-median ensiform seta absent; one short subapical nematiform seta present near apex and originating from a circular pit.

Variation. Little variation noted in depth of sinuosity of the lateral margin of the pronotum and in distinctness of 2^nd stria.

Distribution

Nepal. Known only from the Singalila mountain range of the easternmost Nepal Himalaya close to the border to the Darjeeling District of India.

Collecting circumstances

Both specimens collected in forested area in river valley, but unknown whether by hand collecting or whether at light.

Relationships

In body shape and structure of elytra most similar and probably closely related to E. stevensi (Andrewes, 1925).

Holotype (♂): “Borneo, Malaysia, Sabah NE, Keningau, Bingkor, 380 m, 22.III.2013, R. GRIMM” (CBM).

Etymology

The species name is a patronym in honour of the collector Roland Grimm, well known authority of Oriental Tenebrionidae.

Diagnosis

Characterized by unicolourous glossy black colour and hirsute elytra. Distinguished from the likewise hirsute E. barringtoni (Andrewes, 1925), E. interpunctatus (Putzeys, 1875), and E. hirsutus Baehr, 2014, by different number of elytral striae, in addition from E. interpunctatus by absence of the elytral spot, from E. barringtoni by the elytral striae almost attaining the base of the elytra, and from E. hirsutus by not deeply excised base of the pronotum.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.6 mm; width: 1.1 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.32; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.34; width of pronotum/ width of head: 1.38; length/width of elytra: 1.47.

Colour (Fig. 16). Upper and lower surfaces unicolourous glossy black, elytra unspotted. Antenna dark except 1st and basal half of 2^nd antennomere. Palpi yellow, but the penultimate palpomeres piceous. Legs bright yellow.

Head (Fig. 16). Of average size. Eye large, laterad well produced, orbit very small. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture shallow. Frons slightly convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows not perceptibly duplicated, deep, slightly oblique, anteriorly slightly crossing to the clypeus, posteriorly slightly turned laterad. Sulcus medially of the eye deep. Mandible, palpi and the lower surface of the head as in similar species of the subgenus. Antenna moderately short, 7^th–10^th antennomeres slightly < 1.5 times as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy, only labrum with superficial, isodiametric microreticulation.

Pronotum (Fig. 16). Moderately wide, at base barely wider than at apex, dorsal surface very convex. Apex straight, apical angles not projected and widely rounded. Lateral border very convex, in basal fourth slightly concave. Base slightly convex, laterally slightly oblique, basal angles slightly more than rectangular, acute. Lateral sulcus very narrow, basad not widened. Apex laterally finely margined, base not margined except near basal angles. Median line very fine, inconspicuous, barely impressed, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression barely perceptible, posterior impression deep, little curved, distinctly crenulate, in middle with a very small, barely discernible puncture. Basal grooves deep, base near lateral margin with a very short, slightly oblique, sharp carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted about in middle, at widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface very glossy, impunctate and without microreticulation.

Elytra (Fig. 16). Fairly elongate, not oviform but somewhat oblong-triangular, widest at humerus, lateral margin in middle straight and very slightly oblique; dorsal surface convex but depressed on disk. Humerus oblique and rounded, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 3^rd stria. Five striae present, deeply impressed, smooth. All striae, including 1^st, at base slightly shortened, the inner ones slightly more than 5^th stria. All striae except the sutural one ending far in front of apex, the outer ones more shortened than the inner ones, apex widely glabrous. All intervals on disk markedly convex. 8^th stria complete, deeply impressed, impunctate. Recurrent stria short, deep, oblique, at end not incurved. Intervals with a row of elongate, erect setae which is much denser on the even intervals, surface therefore remarkably hirsute. Punctures on 3^rd interval not discernible. Surface without microreticulation, very glossy.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum slightly < 1.5 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in male quadrisetose.

Legs. Two basal tarsomeres of the male protarsus barely widened, faintly squamose underneath, and mediad extremely indistinctly triangularly dentate.

Male genitalia (Fig. 5). Aedeagus short and compact, very stout in apical half, lower surface slightly concave. Apex very short and widely rounded; internal sac with several slightly twisted but little sclerotized folds. Parameres very dissimilar, the left one very large, triangular, the right one smaller, both with three elongate apical setae.

Female gonocoxites. Unknown.

Variation. Unknown.

Distribution

Sabah, Borneo. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Not recorded.

Relationships

In body shape and structure of elytra very similar, and probably closely related, to E. barringtoni (Andrewes, 1925) from the Philippines and E. interpunctatus (Putzeys, 1875) from Sulawesi.

Tachyta Kirby, 1837: 56. — Csiki 1928: 166; Erwin 1975: 5; Sciaky & Vigna Taglianti 2003: 92; Kopecký 2003: 277; Lorenz 2005: 207; BAEHR 2014b: 8.

Type species: Tachyta picipes Kirby, 1837, by monotypy [= Tachyta nana inornata (Say, 1823)].

Diagnosis

The genus is characterized by absence of deep mental pits, elongate terminal palpomeres, finely serrulate tarsal claws, and a straight, elongate recurrent stria that runs close to the lateral margin of the elytra.

Three subgenera have been described, two of which occur in the Oriental region, namely the nominate subgenus that covers depressed, mostly strongly microreticulated species, and Paratachyta Erwin, 1973 that includes a few small, less depressed, glabrous species. The third subgenus Australotachyta Baehr, 2013, is only known from northern Australia.

An additional subgenus is herein described for a single species of quite aberrant body shape that, however, possesses all determining character states of the genus.

Paratachyta Erwin, 1975: 7. — Sciaky & Vigna Taglianti 2003: 92; Kopecký 2003: 277; Lorenz 2005: 207.

Type species: Tachys coracinus Putzeys, 1875, by original designation.

Diagnosis

The subgenus originally was characterized by moderately convex body shape, glabrous surface, and presence of only the 1^st and 8^th elytral striae. In the meantime, however, a few species have been described that match body shape and glabrous surface, but possess more than one discal stria. The new species below likewise belongs to this group.

Holotype (♀): “320 Ilam Distr., betw. Hodia Khola Valley to Sktia, 250–500 m, Shorea forest, dry, 7 Apr 1988, Martens & Schawaller leg. / Nepal-Expeditionen Jochen Martens” (SMNS).

Etymology

The species name refers to the quadrimaculate elytra.

Diagnosis

Characterized by presence of three elytral striae and traces of additional ones, and glabrous, not microreticulate, quadrimaculate elytra. Distinguished from the similarly quadrimaculate species T. quadriplagiata Baehr, 2014 from Vietnam by lesser body size, shorter elytra, presence of only three, instead of five well developed elytral striae, and dark femora.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.25 mm; width: 1.05 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.45; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.11; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.43; length/width of elytra: 1.33.

Colour (Fig. 17). Black, elytra with two pale red spots. The humeral spot extended from 4^th interval to margin but not touching the base, the apical spot extended between 3^rd and 6^th interval and far removed from apex. Palpi, antenna, and legs bright yellow, but femora infuscate.

Head (Fig. 17). Of average size. Eye large, laterad well produced, orbit very small. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture barely indicated. Frons convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows elongate, deep, curved, attaining the posterior margin of the eye. Apical palpomeres elongate. Antenna short, 7^th-10^th antennomeres slightly longer than wide. Dorsal surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy, only labrum with superficial, isodiametric microreticulation.

Pronotum (Fig. 17). Wide, at base about as wide as in middle, narrowed to apex; dorsal surface gently convex. Apex with very shallow excision, apical angles barely projected and very widely rounded. Lateral border in basal half very slightly concave. Base laterally straight, in middle faintly produced, basal angles rectangular. Lateral sulcus deep, anteriorly narrow, basad slightly widened. Apex laterally finely margined, base laterally margined. Median line deeply sulcate, deepened basad, attaining apex and base. Anterior transverse impression only in parts perceptible, posterior impression deep, smooth, in middle with an elongate sulcus. Basal grooves barely perceptible, base near lateral margin with a short, slightly oblique carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted at apical third, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface impunctate, without microreticulation, very glossy.

Elytra (Fig. 17). Wide and short, oviform, lateral margin even in middle slightly convex; dorsal surface moderately convex. Three median striae distinct, though 3^rd stria very short; only finest traces of additional striae visible. Median striae coarsely punctate, on disk impressed, 2^nd and 3^rd behind middle very weak, apical half widely glabrous. Two median intervals on disk slightly raised. 8^th stria only in apical half present. Recurrent stria deep, elongate, oblique, situated close to the lateral margin, at end slightly incurved. Third interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located at basal quarter and adjacent to 4^th stria, the posterior puncture located in apical third and adjacent to 3^rd stria. Intervals with a few extremely inconspicuous punctures. Microreticulation absent, surface very glossy.

Lower surface. Prosternum and mesosternum in middle with sparse, very short, erect pilosity. Abdomen not pilose. Metepisternum c. 1.3 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in female quadrisetose.

Male genitalia. Unknown.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 9). Gonocoxite 1 comparatively large, markedly triangular, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 fairly elongate, triangular, slightly curved, with fairly acute apex, with two large ventro-lateral ensiform setae and one very elongate subapical nematiform seta that origins from a circular pit.

Variation. Unknown.

Distribution

Nepal. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Sampled in forested area in river valley but unknown whether by hand collecting or whether at light.

Relationships

In body shape and structure, and in coloration very similar, and probably closely related to T. quadriplagiata Baehr, 2014.

Type species: Eurytachyta laticollis, n. sp., here designated.

Etymology

The name of the new subgenus refers to the wide pronotum of the single species.

Diagnosis

Subgenus of Tachyta Kirby, 1837 by virtue of absence of pits on the labrum, finely serrulate tarsal claws, and the elongate, straight recurrent stria that runs close to the lateral margin of the elytra.

Special characteristics are the remarkably wide pronotum with convex lateral margins and excised lateral parts of the base, short and wide, absolutely glabrous elytra, presence of a deeply impressed sutural stria and a very weak 2^nd stria, total absence of the 8^th stria, and insertion of both discal setae at the position of the 3^rd stria.

The single species Eurytachyta laticollis has been recorded from Sabah, Borneo. For full description of the new subgenus see the description of that species.

In various respects this subgenus differs markedly from the three other subgenera of Tachyta, and likely it could be taken for a separate genus. However, the structure of the recurrent stria, the minutely serrulate tarsal claws, and the narrow and elongate apical palpomere convinced me to include it as a subgenus into the genus Tachyta.

Holotype (♀): “Borneo, Sabah, Kinabalu NP, HQ vic., 1550 m, 22.-25.V.2005, R. GRIMM” (CBM).

Etymology

The name refers to the unusual width of the pronotum.

Diagnosis

A large, wide species, characterized by the very wide, laterally markedly convex pronotum, in the middle strongly produced base and deeply excised lateral parts of the base, and wide, glabrous elytra with a well developed sutural stria and a very weak 2^nd stria.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 3.1 mm; width: 1.45 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.62; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.16; width of pronotum/ width of head: 1.72; length/width of elytra: 1.43.

Colour (Fig. 18). Upper and lower surfaces black, iridescent, elytra unspotted, but margins of pronotum and elytra inconspicuously paler. Two basal antennomeres yellow (rest broken). Palpi and legs yellow. Head (Fig. 18). Rather wide and short. Eye large, laterad well produced, orbit very small, almost perpendicular. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture barely indicated. Frons convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows elongate, deep, oblique, slightly surpassing middle of eye. Apical palpomeres elongate. Both antennae broken from 3^rd antennomere. Dorsal surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy, only labrum with superficial, isodiametric microreticulation.

Pronotum (Fig. 18). Very wide, at base much wider than at apex, strongly narrowed to apex; dorsal surface rather convex. Apex straight, apical angles very widely rounded. Lateral border markedly convex, even near base not concave. Base in middle remarkably produced, lateral parts deeply excised, therefore the rectangular basal angles slightly produced posteriad. Lateral sulcus wide and deep, basad slightly widened. Apex completely margined, base laterally margined. Median line very inconspicuous, not impressed, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression not perceptible, posterior impression deep, smooth, in middle widely interrupted. Basal grooves circular, deep, base near lateral margin with a short, oblique, not carinate swelling. Anterior lateral seta inserted very close to apex, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface impunctate, without microreticulation, very glossy and iridescent.

Elytra (Fig. 18). Moderately elongate, not oviform, lateral margin in middle straight; dorsal surface convex. Humerus evenly rounded. Sutural stria distinct and well impressed, smooth, 2^nd stria very inconspicous and only visible in basal half, other striae virtually absent. Only the sutural intervals raised. 8^th stria completely absent. Recurrent stria deep, very elongate, oblique, situated close to the lateral margin, at end slightly incurved and ending in a pit. Surface bipunctate, both punctures located at position of 3^rd stria; the anterior puncture located at basal sixth, the posterior in apical third. Surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy and iridescent.

Lower surface. Prosternum and mesosternum apparently glabrous. Abdomen not pilose. Metepisternum slightly < 1.5 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in female quadrisetose.

Male genitalia. Unknown.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 10). Gonocoxite 1 very large, triangular and globose, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 fairly elongate, triangular, slightly curved, with acute apex, with two elongate, narrow ventro-lateral ensiform setae, the upper one being longer, one elongate dorsomedian ensiform seta, and one elongate subapical nematiform seta that origins from a circular pit.

Variation. Unknown.

Distribution

Sabah, Borneo. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Not recorded, but, according to the collector, probably sampled at light.

Paratachys Casey, 1918: 174. — Sciaky & Vigna Taglianti 2003: 91; Kopecký 2003: 275; Lorenz 2005: 215.

Type species: Paratachys austicinus Casey, 1918, by original designation.

Diagnosis

The genus is characterized by presence of deep mental pits, not duplicated, curved frontal furrows, smooth tarsal claws, absence of a carina at the basal angle of the pronotum, presence of two elytral punctures on disk, interrupted 8^th elytral stria, presence of an elongate, at end incurved recurrent stria that is situated rather in the middle of the elytra, and presence of a setiferous puncture right in the curvature of the recurrent stria.

The genus is congruent with the triangularis-group of Andrewes (1925).

Holotype (♀): “Philippines, Leyte, visca N Baybay, 1991, sec. forest, 100–200 m, leg. Schawaller & al. / 11.III.1991” (SMNS).

Paratype (♀): same locality, but 27.II.1991 (CBM).

Etymology

The name refers to the occurrence of this species on the island of Leyte.

Diagnosis

Characterized by unicolourous, reddish-piceous, markedly iridescent colour, wide, cordiform pronotum, remarkably short and wide elytra, location of the anterior discal puncture at 4^th stria, and elongate, straight recurrent stria with the puncture just inside the short apical curvature. Distinguished from all Oriental and Papuan species with similar structure of the elytra [e. g. P. fasciatus (Motschulsky, 1851)] by the remarkably short elytra.

Description

Measurements and ratios. Body length: 2.85–2.95 mm; width: 1.30–1.35 mm. Ratios: Width/length of pronotum: 1.60–1.62; widest diameter/width of base of pronotum: 1.26–1.27; width of pronotum/width of head: 1.50; length/ width of elytra: 1.39–1.41.

Colour (Fig. 19). Upper and lower surfaces unicolourous reddish-piceous, markedly iridescent. Antenna, palpi, and legs yellow.

Head (Fig. 19). Rather wide. Eye large, but laterad moderately produced, orbit short, oblique-convex, c. 1/5 of length of eye. Labrum anteriorly straight. Clypeus straight, clypeal suture distinct. Frons convex, without any impression. Frontal furrows elongate, wide, and deep, evenly curved, not duplicated, anteriorly slightly crossing to the clypeus, attaining the posterior margin of the eye. Sulcus medially of the eye deep. Mandible elongate, little curved. Palpi elongate, pilose, apical palpomeres narrow, fairly elongate. Antenna elongate, 7^th-10^th antennomeres c. 2.25–2.50 times as long as wide. Dorsal surface impunctate, with slightly superficial, isodiametric microreticulation, moderately glossy but rather iridescent.

Pronotum (Fig. 19). Wide, at base wider than at apex; dorsal surface gently convex. Apex with fairly deep excision, apical angles projected but widely rounded. Lateral border in anterior three fourths very convex, in basal fourth oblique and very slightly concave. Base laterally straight, in middle slightly produced, basal angles acute, about 100°. Lateral sulcus rather wide, basad slightly widened. Apex laterally finely margined, base not margined except near basal angles. Median line distinct, slightly impressed, deepened basad, neither attaining apex nor base. Anterior transverse impression barely perceptible, posterior impression deep, distinctly crenulate, in middle with a deep sulcus. Basal grooves deep, base without a carina. Anterior lateral seta inserted slightly in front of middle and of widest diameter, posterior lateral seta inserted at basal angle. Surface impunctate, only near apex and base with faint microreticulation, glossy and iridescent. The area behind the basal sulcus with some longitudinal sulci.

Elytra (Fig. 19). Wide and remarkably short, not oviform, lateral margin in middle straight, very wide at humerus; dorsal surface moderately convex but depressed on disk. Humerus widely rounded, basal margin incomplete, attaining c. level of 4^th stria. Four or five striae more or less distinctly impressed, but less so laterad, other striae very inconspicuous, not impressed and only consisting of an inconspicuous row of fine punctures. The median striae more or less distinctly crenulate. At least 1^st-5^th striae attaining the base. All striae except the sutural one ending far in front of apex, the outer ones gradually more shortened than the inner ones, apex widely glabrous. Median intervals on disk slightly raised. 8^th stria in apical half distinct and impressed, basad faded away, impunctate. Recurrent stria deep, elongate, oblique, at end incurved. 3^rd interval bipunctate, the anterior puncture located at basal third adjacent to 4^th stria, the posterior puncture located just inside the short apical curvature of the recurrent stria. Surface impunctate and without microreticulation, very glossy and iridescent.

Lower surface. Not pilose, glabrous. Metepisternum c. 1.75 times as long as wide at apex. Terminal abdominal sternum in female quadrisetose.

Legs. Shape and squamosity of male protarsus unknown.

Male genitalia. Unknown.

Female gonocoxites (Fig. 11). Gonocoxite 1 elongate, triangular, without any setae. Gonocoxite 2 elongate, triangular, slightly curved, with acute apex; both, the ventrolateral ensiform setae and the dorso-median ensiform seta absent; one short subapical nematiform seta present and originating from a circular pit.

Variation. Very little variation noted.

Distribution

Island of Leyte, Philippines. Known only from type locality.

Collecting circumstances

Sampled in forested area at low altitude, but unknown whether by hand collecting, whether at light.

Relationships

Within the Oriental species of Paratachys that have the anterior discal puncture adjacent to the 4^th stria, distinguished by the very short elytra, therefore relationships uncertain.