[Entomology • 2017] Shuangheaphaenops elegans • A New Highly Cave-adapted Trechine Genus and Species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae) from northern Guizhou Province, China

Shuangheaphaenops elegans 

Tian, 2017  

 DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.643.11050

Abstract

A remarkable aphaenopsian beetle, a sympatric species of Qianotrechus tenuicollis Uéno, 2000, was newly discovered in Cave Mahuang Dong of Shuanghe Dong cave system, the longest cave system of China in Suiyang County, northern Guizhou Province. To categorize this striking but still unknown species, a new genus and species are proposed: Shuangheaphaenops elegans gen. n., sp. n. Relationships of Shuangheaphaenops and other highly modified aphaenopsian genera from southern China Karsts are discussed.

Keywords: aphaenopsian, ground beetle, hypogean, southern China Karsts

  

Genus Shuangheaphaenops gen. n.

Type species: Shuangheaphaenops elegans sp. n.

Diagnosis: Large sized blind beetles, fore body evidently elongated and as long as elytra, shape intermediate between Uenotrechus and Dongodytes species, presence of three pairs of supraorbital setae on head, two dorsal and preapical pores on elytra, the first and second protarsomeres in male distinctly modified.

Etymology: “Shuanghe + Aphaenops”. To indicate that the highly modified trechine genus occurs in Shuanghe Dong, the longest cave system in China.

Figure 6. Cave Mahuang Dong, the type locality of Shuangheaphaenops elegans gen. n., sp. n., and some sympatric cave animals
a opening, showed by arrowhead b entrance c Shuangheaphaenops elegans d Qianotrechus tenuicollis Uéno, 1998 e amphipod f cave cricket. 

Shuangheaphaenops elegans sp. n.

Diagnosis: A large-sized, eyeless cave trechine beetle, highly modified in morphology, with very elongated and slender body which is about four times longer than wide, fore body about as long as elytra, antennae as long as body including mandibles, extending beyond elytral apex; body glabrous, except for basal half of pronotum which is covered with erected setae.

Etymology: To indicate the slender shape of this beautiful aphaenopsian beetle.

 Mingyi Tian. 2017. A New Highly Cave-adapted Trechine Genus and Species from northern Guizhou Province, China (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae).
ZooKeys. 643: 97-108. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.643.11050