ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALES HUNGARICÏ Tomiis73. Budapest, 1981 p. 113-117.

Zyras and related genera from Tanzania (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

by H . R . L A S T , Storrington

Abstract — Examination of 333 specimens of Zyras representing 1 1 subgenera, 6 species of which are considered to be new and are described, also 15 specimens of 4 related genera, 2 of which are new species and are described. A few further specimens were left undetermined, one specimen of Philonthus sanguineus FAUV. was also included.

During November 1970 , D R . T. PÓCS captured many specimens of Coleoptera at light traps, whilst at Morogoro, Tanzania. Through the kindness of D R . Z . K A S Z A B , Director General of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, I have had the opportunity of examining the specimens of the genus Zyras and related genera. A l l specimens have the same data: Morogoro, Tanzania, I I . 1970 (T. Pócs) and are in the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest.

L i s t o f s p e c i e s i d e n t i f i e d f r o m M o r o g o r o :

Zyras (Myrmoecia) bipustulatus BERNH., 3 ex. Zyras ( Acanthocnemidonia ) kafakumbanus

BERNH., 4 ex. Zyras (Acanthocnemidonia) miricauda BERNH.,

1 ex. Zyras (Acanthocnemidonia) manoensis (BERNH.),

2 ex. Zyras (Acanthocnemidonia) mirus LAST i . l . , 5 ex. Zyras (Acrothoraconia) hostilis CAM., 9 ex. Zyras (Acrothoraconia) ventosus sp. n., 2 ex. Zyras (Antronia) pocsi sp. n., 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) subdensipennis BERNH., 38 ex. Zyras (Camonia) ulugurensis BERNH., 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) schuberti BERNH. (fauveli

(SCHUB.), 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) fundatus LAST, 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) dubiosus BERNH., 2 ex. Zyras (Camonia) opticus CAM. , 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) vosseleri LAST, 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) clientis sp. n., 1 ex. Zyras (Camonia) positus sp. n., 2 ex. Zyras (Grammodonia) longicornis BERNH., 5 ex. Zyras (Eurydonia) separatus CAM., 1 ex. Zyras (Glossacantha) satelles ER., 27 ex.

Zyras (Androdonia) diluticornis BERNH., 2 ex. Zyras (Parophthalmonia) arrowi BERNH., 1 ex. Zyras (Parophthalmonia) gestroianus B . & S.,

2 ex. Zyras (Parophthalmonia) postulatus sp. n., 2 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) lucens BERNH., 118 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) albomarginatus BERNH.,

3 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) propinquus BERNH., 1 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) methneri BERNH., 2 ex. Zyras ( Trachydonia) lusor LAST, 1 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) hybridus LAST, 8 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) titulus LAST, 1 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) morogoroensis sp. n., 1 ex. Zyras (Trachydonia) thomasseti BERNH., 85 ex.* Aenictonia raffrayi FAUV., 7 ex. Aenictonia costata EPP., 2 ex. Myrmechusa mirabilis WASM., 1 ex. Cantonnetia antennata LEV., 1 ex. Cantonnetia antennata ssp. kamerounensis LEV.,

1 ex. Gryptaulacus laticeps WASM., 2 ex. Gryptaulacus bonus sp. n., 1 ex. Anepileuronia kaszabi sp. n., 1 ex.

* In his description of this species BERNHAUER mentions the narrow striae on the seventh tergite and doubted whether this may be a character of the male. From examination of many specimens I find this character to be common to both sexes. It can be assumed that BERNHAUER was describing a female as the male has a deep depression on the vertex of the head and the elytra are densely granular, characters which BFRNHAUER would not have overlooked.

Annls hist.-nat. Mus. natn. hung., 73, 1981

8 Természettudományi Múzeum Évkönyve 1981

N e w s p e c i e s d e s c r i b e d

Zyras (Acrothoraconia) ventosus sp. n.

This species is quite unmistakable because of its huge size in comparison with other members of the subgenus. In some respects it is similar to species of the subgenus Antronia, as the tergites o f the male have the some processes which are exhibited particularly by Z . (Antronia) orbicollis BERNH. , but the pronotum is not at all trapezoidal, but longer than broad with a keel before the posterior corners and along the posterior margin.

Fuscous, legs and abdomen paler. — H e a d transverse (5:3.25), sparingly punctured except the vertex which has a fine confused microsculpture, and which in the male type specimen is slightly depressed; eyes very large and convex, their diameter a little more than the length of the temples; labrum produced and weakly sinuate. Antennae long, reaching to the posterior margin of the elytra ; all segments much longer than broad, slightly narrower at the base of each, last segment longer than the penultimate which is the shortest of all; with a very short yellow pubescence. — P r o n o t u m longer than head, a little longer than broad, very strongly granulate, broadest at anterior third and converging slightly to the posterior margin, laterally depressed for posterior half with a basal ridge across the corners which joins a small central depression, anterior margin rounded, moderately convex. — E l y t r a broader than pronotum, longer than broad (7:6) at shoulders, broader at posterior margin (7:8.5), strongly densely asperately punctured, anterior margin distinctly sinuate; suture strongly bordered. Scutellum more shining, with fine microsculpture. — A b d o m e n very shining, impunctate. In the male with the third tergite with two lateral arcuate prongs, the apex of each narrower formed by a right-angle, with two deep punctures in line towards the base, the inner surface of the tergite with two triangular depressions leaving centrally, an inverted triangle; fourth, fifth and sixth tergites broadly centrally depressed and with a very fine alutaceous microsculpture, the seventh tergite has a central elongate callus, the eighth is much narrowed with a central depres­sion; the third paratergites extend well beyond the apex of tergites and are strongly dentate, those of the fourth tergite are more vertical and not dentate. All these processes are absent in the female with the exception of two lateral furrows on the seventh tergite similar to those in species of the subgenus Parophthalmonia, also in this sex the granulation of the pronotum is represented by asper­ate puncturation.

H o l o t y p u s - f : Tanzania. Morogoro, I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap. — Pa r a t y pe 9 : same data.

Zyras (Antronia) pocsi sp. n.

This species is the largest of the subgenus so far described. I t is larger than A. wittei ( C A M . ) but rather smaller than Fealina insularis B E R N H . to which it bears a superficial simi­larity but cannot be mistaken for i t . The pronotum is similar to wittei, but is more transverse and laterally more broadly reflexed, the temples are short and dilated beyond the outer circumference of the eyes; the abdomen is more densely punctured and not so shining, the single male type does not have the strongly developed processes as in wittei, although these vary considerably throughout the subgenus.

Reddish-brown, head almost black. — H e a d transverse (5.25:2.75) flat, shining, finely but not densely punctured, with fine indistinct microsculpture; eyes large convex, their length from above three times the length of the temples which have short scanty bristles; antennae with all segments much longer than broad, shortening gradually from the fourth segment, segments narrow at the base of each, finely setose. — P r o n o t u m transverse (5.5:4) shining, moderately densely and finely punctured, with short yellow setae; laterally strongly and broadly reflexed, broadest just behind the anterior corners, converging to the posterior corners which each has a minute "tooth", with a deep transverse depression opposite the scutellum. — E l y t r a about as broad as long, finely and densely punctured as in wittei, with short pubescence; suture narrowly bordered, weakly sinuate at postero-external corners. — A b d o m e n finely and moderately punctured, more strongly on

the third tergite; fourth and fifth tergites broader, with fine short setae, paratergites broad. In the male type specimen, the third tergite is slightly centrally elevated, seventh tergite with a central "tooth" and with two lateral furrows. — L e g s long, tibiae compressed especially the intermediate pair, with very short pubescence. — Length 7.5 mm.

H o l o t y p e r? : Tanzania, Morogoro, I I . 1970, (T. Pócs), light trap.

Zyras (Camonia) positus sp. n.

This species is similar to Z, (Camonia) comutus BERNH. , but dillers in the following details. I t is larger, the antennae is more robust with the segments as long as broad (in comu­tus they are transverse), the depression on the head of the male is extremely finely reticulate, deeper, and it does not have a sharp process between the base of the antennae but this is replaced by a blunt elevation with a circular shagreened area at the apex. The development of the tergites is more extensive.

Reddish-yellow, head black or blackish. — H e a d almost twice as broad as long, depressed in the male, strongly very finely reticulate in which are very fine sparse punctures, between the base of the antennae a blunt callosity with a circular disc with fine microsculpture; eyes large convex, their length from above twice that of the temples; antennae slightly compressed with segments five to ten a little transverse last segment longer than the two penultimate. — P r o n o t u m a little transverse, extremely finely reticulate, slightly narrowed to the posterior corners, a shallow depression on the disc, with very fine shallow punctures and a few larger much more distinct and irregular. — E l y t r a as broad as long, very finely, reticulate finely but not densely punctured and with a few irregular larger punctures, weakly sinuate at postero-external corners; suture clearly bordered. — A b d o m e n shining, with fine microsculpture, parallel-sided; third segment of the male with robust "prongs" which extend to the end of the abdomen, fourth and fifth tergites tri­angular and with a central "tooth" from the fifth and sixth tergite in the emargination ; these second­ary sexual characters are subject to much variation throughout several of the Zyras subgenera. — L e g s long, compressed, with dense short setae especially on the anterior and intermediate tibiae. — Length 6 mm.

H o l o t y p e / : Tanzania, Morogoro, 1-2. I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap. — P a r a t y p e ^ : same data.

Zyras (Camonia) clientis sp. n.

This species is similar to both Z. (Camonia) clericus L A S T and Z. (Camonia) taeniatus LAST. , but differs from the former in having longer antennae with the segments as broad as long in clericus, they are more robust and broader than long similar to those of the subgenus Glossacantha. Compared wi th taeniatus, the antennae are more robust and darker in colour the depression on the head of the male is strongly shagreened and dul l , the pronotum and elytra are without punctures.

Dark reddish-brown, head black. — H e a d broader than long (5.25:2.25) in the male type specimen, broadly and deeply depressed and strongly shagreened, with a blunt protuberance between the base of the antennae which has a flat circular apex with fine microsculpture; eyes large, convex, their length from above three times the length of the temples; antennae with segments four to ten as broad as long, last segment equal to the two penultimate together, distinctly setose. — P r o n o ­t u m broader than long (4.5:3), finely shagreened, impunctate, broadest at anterior corners, later­ally weakly sinuate at posterior third, all corners rounded, all margins distinctly bordered. — E l y t r a a little broader than long, dull, very finely shagreened, each with six rather large isolated punctures, otherwise impunctate. •— A b d o m e n shining, finely reticulate, in the male type specimen with two sharp lateral prongs from the third tergite. — L e g s slender, posterior tibiae compressed. — Length 6 mm.

H o l o t y p e : Tanzania, Morogoro, 1-2. I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap.

Zyras (Parophthalmonia) postulatus sp. n .

This species can be compared with Z . (Parophthalmonia) alius LAST, it is smaller, and the granulation of the elytra is finer, sparser and less distinct.

Yellowish-red, head almost black. — H e a d twice as broad as long, extremely finely reticul­ate, in the male with two circular "craters" which are not rimmed, eyes large, convex, covering almost the whole of the head leaving only very small temples; antennae compressed, segments one to six longer than broad, others as broad as long, all segments much narrower at base. — P r o n o t u m transverse (5.5:3.25) extremely finely reticulate, almost impunctate, with short setae, broadest at anterior third, rather flat, laterally broadly depressed, anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin more rounded, all margins narrowly bordered. — E l y t r a broader than long (6:5) extreme­ly finely reticulate and punctured, with short setae; suture narrowly bordered, weakly sinuate at postero-external corners. — A b d o m e n almost parallel-sided, impunctate, with alutaceous microsculpture; the third tergite in the male with a large shallow emargination with a blunt "tooth" on either side, seventh tergite with lateral furrows which is typical of the subgenus, eighth tergite very finely crenulate. •— L e g s setose, posterior tibiae compressed. — Length 5.5 mm.

H o l o t y p e çf; Tanzania, Morogoro, I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap. — P a r a t y p e 9 :

same data.

Zyras (Trachydonia) morogoroensis sp. n.

This is nearest for comparison with Z . lathrimaeiodes B E R N H . but is smaller, the prono­tum is less broad and both this and the elytra and head are more finely and more densely punctured.

Reddish-brown, tergites a little darker, head black. — H e a d twice as broad as long, not densely but moderately strongly punctured except on vertex, shining, with microsculpture; eyes moderately convex, from above, three times the length of the temples; antennae with segments four to ten strongly transverse, last segment a little longer than the two penultimate together. — P r o ­n o t u m twice as broad as long, a little broader than the elytra, shining, moderately densely punc­tured, anterior margin straight, laterally rounded, posterior margin rounded, corners hardly dis­cernable. — E l y t r a transverse (3.75:2.75), shining, densely punctured, with short pubescence; posterior corners weakly sinuate. •— A b d o m e n shining, glabrous, impunctate ; paratergites with short setae. — L e g s finely pubescent. —• Length 4 mm.

H o l o t y p e : Tanzania, Morogoro, I I . 1970, (T. Pócs), light trap.

Gryptaulacus bonus sp. n.

This species is larger than G. formicarius F A U V . , the pronotum does not have the strongly narrowed lateral margin, the head is broader, lacking the deep sulcus of formicarius; the whole insect is more shining.

Reddish-brown, elytra darker, head black. — H e a d twice as broad as long, moderately shining, with sparse minute puncturation and a confused microsculpture, eyes very convex covering almost the whole of the side of the head; antennae with all segments longer than broad, becoming shorter towards the last which is acuminate and equal to the penultimate two together, with short white pubescence. — P r o n o t u m longer than broad (4.5:3.75), moderately shining, with fine reticulation, impunctate; broadest at anterior third, then narrowing to the posterior margin, with a narrow median sulcus, and a deep transverse depression opposite the scutellum. -— E l y t r a broader than base of pronotum, a little broader than long especially at posterior margins, distinctly reticulate and very sparsely punctured, more so in a slight depression towards the lateral margins; suture bordered, postero-external corners a little sinuate and the posterior margins are much thick­ened. Scutellum small, shining. —• A b d o m e n strongly reticulate, third and fourth tergites deeply depressed at base, extremely finely and sparingly punctured, except tergites five and six which

also have a number of bristle-bearing punctures towards the posterior margins, seventh tergite with two lateral furrows, paratergites robust and bearing long bristles towards the apex. — L e g s long, setose. — Length 7.5 mm.

H o l o t y p e (sex unknown): Tanzania, Morogoro, I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap.

Anepileuronia kaszabi sp. n.

Smaller than A. gedyi BERNH. , and differs in having the deep central channel of the pro­notum not reaching the anterior margin and becoming very broad and shallow in the centre and without the two deep sulci on either side of the channel; it is shining and without the fine microsculpture of gedyi.

Reddish-brown, antennae and legs paler. — H e a d a third broader than long, shining, broadly depressed, impunctate, with a minute granulation towards the inner margins of the eyes. Eyes strongly convex, covering almost the whole lateral side of the head; antennae with all segments longer than broad, the two penultimate being shorter than the others, last segment slightly longer than the penultimate, finely setose. — P r o n o t u m a little longer than broad, shining, impunc­tate; broadest about anterior third from where it narrows strongly and broadens again slightly to the posterior margin; with a deep median elongate depression, and a broader shallow depression opposite the scutellum. — E l y t r a longer than broad (5:3.5 at shoulders) as long as broad at posterior margins, moderately shining, with very fine reticulation and with very sparse shallow puncturation, suture clearly bordered, dehiscent at posterior margins. Scutellum small. — A b d o ­m e n narrower than elytra, parallel-sided, with very fine indistinct microsculpture, segments seven and eight with short setae; paratergites robust. — L e g s very long, with fine short setae. — Length 6 mm.

H o l o t y p e (? sex): Tanzania, Morogoro, I I . 1970 (T. Pócs), light trap.

Author's address: H O R A C E R . L A S T

Woodville, Hillside Walk Storrington 3788, Sussex England