Wednesday, November 27, 2024

[Entomology • 2024] Eccoptopterus formosanus & E. intermedius • Two New Species of Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863 Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) from Taiwan and Thailand

 
Eccoptopterus formosanus Lin, Sittichaya & Smith,

in Sittichaya, Lin, Smith, Pornsuriya et Cognato, 2024.  

Abstract
Two xyleborine ambrosia beetlesEccoptopterus formosanus sp. nov. and E. intermedius sp. nov. are described from Taiwan and Thailand, respectively, based on DNA sequences (COI and CAD) and morphological characteristics. A key to the Eccoptopterus species of Southeast Asia is provided.

Key words: Ambrosia beetle, molecular, new species, Taiwan, taxonomy, Thailand, xyleborine


 Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863

Eccoptopterus formosanus sp. nov.
A–E holotype female A dorsal view B lateral view C frons D posterolateral view of abdomen E declivital face;
F–I paratype male F dorsal view G lateral view H frons I posterolateral view of abdomen.

 Eccoptopterus formosanus Lin, Sittichaya & Smith, sp. nov.
 
Diagnosis: Female, 2.56−2.64 mm long (mean = 2.61 mm; N = 4), 2.13−2.17× as long as wide (mean = 2.14×; N = 4). Medium body size, declivital armature composed of a pair of major spines on declivital summit and 2–4 minor denticles unevenly spaced on each lateral margin; protibiae slender, broadest at apical 1/3, outer margin armed with six or seven moderated socketed denticles; scutellum broadly linguiform; elytra tapering laterally.

Etymology: Formosa, the former name of Taiwan island, in reference to the collection locality of types. An adjective.

Distribution: Taiwan (Nantou County).

Eccoptopterus intermedius sp. nov.
Holotype, female, A dorsal view B lateral view C posterolateral view D frons E antenna.

 Eccoptopterus intermedius Sittichaya, Lin & Smith, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Female, 1.70−1.90 mm long (mean = 1.80 mm; N = 6), 2.03−2.38× as long as wide (mean = 2.13×; N = 6). Small body size, declivital armature composed of a pair of major spines at interstriae 3 on declivital summit and four minor spines unevenly spaced on each lateral margin, declivity covered with flattened scale-like setae; protibiae slender, broadest at apical 1/3, outer margin armed with four or five moderated socketed denticles, elytra tapering laterally.

Etymology: L. inter + medius = in the middle. The name refers to the morphological characters of the species which lie between those of E. limbus and E. spinosus. An adjective.

Distribution: Thailand (Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani provinces).


Wisut Sittichaya, Ching-Shan Lin, Sarah M. Smith, Chaninan Pornsuriya and Anthony I. Cognato. 2024. Two New Species of Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863 Ambrosia Beetle from Taiwan and Thailand (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Xyleborini). ZooKeys. 1217: 247-262.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1217.129707