European Journal of Taxonomy 35: 1-24

http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2013.35

www. europeani ournaloftaxonomv. eu

2013 • Tatamic N.J. & Cassis G.

ISSN 2118-9773

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Research article

um:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:79AC900A-D0Al-49E5-8111-0DA243815778

Description of eight new species of the traumatically

inseminating plant bug genus Coridromius

(Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Coridromini)

Nikolai J. TATARNIC 134 and Gerasimos CASSIS 23

3 Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.

4 Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia.

Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:D4E32316-C080-473C-BE6A-4FC8DCB752FC

2 um:lsid:zoobank.org:author:498B4DAD-B2BF-445E-8654-lA9969AE62E2

Abstract. Eight new species of the plant bug genus Coridromius are described: C. basilanus sp. nov.

from the Philippines, C. eremnos sp. nov. from Sabah, Malaysia, C. fomangsu sp. nov. and C. tafo

sp. nov. from Ghana, C. norfolkensis sp. nov. from Norfolk Island, Australia, C. mulu sp. nov. from

Sarawak, Malaysia, C. macchabeeus sp. nov. from Mauritius, and C. taravao sp. nov. from Tahiti,

French Polynesia.

Key words. Miridae, plant bug, Coridromini, new species.

Tatamic N.J. & Cassis G. 2013. Description of eight new species of the traumatically inseminating plant bug genus

Coridromius (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Coridromini). European Journal of Taxonomy 35: 1-24. http://

dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2013.35

Introduction

The plant bug genus Coridromius Signoret, 1862 (Heteroptera: Miridae) has a paleotropical distribution,

and is found from West Africa to the tropical islands of the Pacific, with one species recently introduced

to the Americas (Tatarnic & Cassis 2008; Carpintero & Guarda 2011). Coridromius is unique among

the Miridae in that all species mate via traumatic insemination, whereby males use their hypodermic

intromittent organ (formed by coupling of the left paramere with the aedeagus as in bed bugs - see

Carayon 1966) to stab females in the abdomen during mating, completely bypassing the female genitalia

(Tatamic et al. 2006). Presumably in response to the costs associated with traumatic insemination (for

discussion of related costs in bed bugs, see Morrow & Arnqvist 2003; Reinhardt et al. 2003; Siva-

Jothy 2006), females of several species have evolved paragenital structures at the site of insemination

(Tatamic et al. 2006; Tatamic & Cassis 2008; Tatarnic & Cassis 2010), analogous to the ectospermalege

and mesospermalege of bedbugs (Carayon 1966).

First described by Montrouzier (1861) under the name Ocypus , Coridromius has always been problematic

taxonomically. Initially placed in the tribe Orthotylini Van Duzee, 1916 (Schuh 1974; Linnavuori 1994),

Coridromius was more recently moved to the Halticini (Cassis & Gross 1995; Schuh 1975), presumably

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

based on the lack of interramal lobes on the posterior wall of the female genitalia (the authors did

not explicitly justify their decision, though a lack of interramal lobes was said by Schuh (1974) to

always distinguish the Halticini). Following a phylogenetic analysis and revision of the Halticini Costa,

1853 (Tatarnic & Cassis, 2012), Coridromius has since been removed from this tribe to form its own

monogeneric tribe, the Coridromini Tatarnic & Cassis, 2012.

Some of the newly presented species are described from single specimens. While such descriptions are

generally to be avoided, we are confident in our assessment, based on the characters we have documented

and our deep knowledge of the genus (we have collectively looked at virtually every museum specimen

of Coridromius , and have described or redescribed every known species: see Tatarnic & Cassis 2008).

Material and Methods

This paper reports five new species discovered in existing museum collections as well as three new

species ( Coridromius mulu sp. nov., C. norfolkensis sp. nov., C. taravao sp. nov.) discovered through

recent collecting efforts. Species descriptions and terminological usage follow Tatarnic & Cassis

(2008). Acronyms AI through AIV refer to antennal segments. All examined specimens are labelled

with matrix code labels, providing each specimen with a “unique specimen identifier” (USI). These USI

codes include a project code followed by a unique eight-digit number (e.g., UNSWENT 00000028

is the USI for the holotype of C. taravao sp. nov.). USI codes are listed in the specimens examined,

which also include all available collection data as provided on labels, such as collector, date, host plant

data, and georeferencing information. All specimen information has been entered into the Planetary

Biodiversity Inventory plant bug database ( https ://research. amnh.org/pbi/ ). and is available to the public

via Discover Life ( www.discoverlife.org ) and Heteroptera Species Pages ( http ://research. amnh.org/pbi/

heteropteraspeciespage ).

All measurements are in millimetres. Because the hemelytra in Coridromius are strongly declivent at

the base of the cuneus, the total body length is recorded as the distance from the clypeus to the cuneal

fracture. Habitus images were taken using a Visionary Digital system equipped with an Infinity Photo-

Optical K-2, 3-lens system and a Canon EOS 40D digital camera ( www.visionarvdigital.com ). Images

presented are derived from multiple photographs, concatenated using Helicon focus ( www.heliconsoft.

com ). Scanning electron micrographs were taken with a Hitachi TM3000 tabletop microscope.

Institutional depositories and their acronyms are as follows:

AM

AMNH

ANIC

BMNH

BPBM

MNHN

ROM

UNSW

USNM

Australian Museum, Sydney

Am erican Museum of Natural History, New York

Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra

Natural History Museum (British Museum), London

Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu

Musee National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

University of New South Wales Insect Collection, Sydney

United States National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Results

Phylum Arthropoda Latreille, 1829

Class Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Order Hemiptera Linnaeus, 1758

Suborder Heteroptera Latreille, 1810

Family Miridae Hahn, 1831

Subfamily Orthotylinae Van Duzee, 1916

Tribe Coridromini Tatamic & Cassis, 2012

Coridromius basilanus sp. nov.

Fig. 1A-E

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:301CD34B-E7FF-4C7B-B9C8-5DF36CCF5B63

Diagnosis

Most similar to C. declivipennis Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008 but distinguished by the shape of the ventral

apical process of the pygophore, which is reduced to a truncate, rounded tumescence (versus a broad

rounded lobe in C. dedivipennis: see Tatamic & Cassis 2008: Fig. 11).

Etymology

Named for the type locality.

Type material

Holotype

S, PHILIPPINES: Basilan Island (Island of Basilan Baker), 6.58° N - 122.04° E, date and collector

unknown (AMNHPBI 00191429) (USNM).

Description

Body length. $ (holotype): 1.97 mm.

Colouration (Fig. 1A-B). Mostly pale orange-brown with yellow and dark brown markings. Head:

Mostly brown. Frons with faint yellow vittae. Paired swellings adjacent to eyes yellow, ocular margins

and posterior margin of head yellow, clypeus, mandibular and maxillary plates yellow. Buccula brown

basally, becoming yellow, labrum brown, labium yellow, brown apically. Antennae: AI dark brown with

yellow at apices, All mostly pale orange-brown with apical 1/4 slightly darker, subapically with faint

narrow white annulation, AIII and AIV orange-brown, white basally. Thorax: Pronotal collar yellow.

Pronotum mostly orange-brown with faint yellow midline, lateral and posterior margins. Mesoscutum

orange-brown. Scutellum orange-brown, with darkened puntures and faint yellow facia along midline,

apex and lateral margins. Processes of proepimeron yellow. Thoracic pleura brown, posterior margins

yellowed. Hemelytra: Mostly orange-brown, slightly paler along claval commissure. Membrane pale

brown with slightly darker veins. Abdomen: Orange-brown. Legs: Fore- and midlegs orange-brown.

Hindlegs missing from specimen.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 1A-D). Head, pronotum, scutellum, and hemelytra shallowly punctate.

Head and body clothed in white, decumbent, hairlike setae.

Head. Approximately 6.6 x as wide as eye in anterior view. Frons medially tumescent. Vertex with two

minor swellings adjacent to eyes, bordered posteriorly by two shallow depressions. Posterior margin of

head wealdy carinate, rounded in anterior view (Fig. 1A).

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Thorax. Pronotum rounded and steep, posterior margin weakly concave, lateral and posterior margins

weakly carinate, anterolateral margins somewhat depressed, not upturned, submarginal region of

humeral angles weakly excavate, calli weakly defined (Fig. 1A-C). Proepimeron bilobed (Fig. 1C-D).

Posterior margin of metepimeron truncate (Fig. 1C). Scutellum weakly tumescent and flat, with midline,

apical and lateral fascia (Fig. IB).

Fig. 1 . Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius basilanus sp. nov. A. Head

and pronotum, anterior view. B. Dorsal habitus. C. Lateral view. D. Head and prothorax, lateral view.

E. S genitalia. LP = left paramere, MET = metepimeron, MS = mesal sulcus, PEM = proepimeron,

RP = right paramere, YAP = ventral apical process of pygophore.

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Hemelytra. Costal margin weakly concave, flared outwards at apex (Fig. B).

Legs. Metafemora missing from specimen.

Abdomen. Posterolateral margin of abdominal stemite II sharply angled, with transverse medial sulcus

(Fig. 1C).

Male genitalia. Right paramere broad and rounded with thumblike lobe on inner margin. Left paramere

heavily sclerotized, elongate (~4 x length of right paramere), basally thickened and sharply angled,

with midsection relatively straight, apex slightly curved and overhanging margin of pygophore, gutter

housing aedeagus nearly enclosed to apex (Fig. IE). Pygophore with elongate mesal longitudinal suture,

ventral apical process reduced to a rounded tumescence (Fig. IE).

Female paragenitalia. Unknown.

Host

Unknown.

Distribution

Basilan Island, Philippines.

Remarks

This is the third species to be described from the Philippines, the others being C. ephippius Tatarnic &

Cassis, 2008 and C. marmoreus Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008. The characteristic flaring of the hemelytron

distinguishes C. basilanus sp. nov. from its Philippine congeners, as does its predominantly pale orange-

brown colouration (C. marmoreus is distinctly speckled in colour, while C. ephippius is considerably

darker, with All apically brown). Coridromius basilanus sp. nov. appears most similar to C. declivipennis,

which is known only from Okinawa, Japan (Tatarnic & Cassis 2008).

Coridromius eremnos sp. nov.

Fig. 2A-B

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:648C3E10-2191-4855-86C6-7C378496F567

Diagnosis

Recognized by the following combination of characters: body uniformly black with pale silvery hairlike

setae; head black with yellow margins; antennae banded dark brown and pale yellow; proepimeron

bilobed.

Etymology

Named for the Greek eremnos , meaning black.

Type material

Holotype

5, MALAYSIA: Sabah, beaches 2 kmNW of Kuala Penyu, 10 Aug. 1983, G. F. Hevel and W. E. Steiner

(AMNH PBI 00191199) (USNM).

Description

Body length. $ (holotype): 1.68 mm.

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Fig. 2. Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius eremnos sp. nov. and C.fomangsu

sp. nov. — A-B. Coridromius eremnos sp. nov. A. Dorsal habitus. B. Head and pronotum, anterior

view. — C-F. Coridromius fomangsu sp. nov. C. Head and pronotum, anterior view. D. Dorsal habitus.

E. Male genitalia, posterior view. F. Male genitalia, posteroventral view. LP = left paramere, MLS =

mesal longitudinal suture of pygophore, RP = right paramere, YAP = ventral apical process of pygophore.

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Colouration (Fig. 2A-B). Almost entirely dark brown/black, with some white and pale yellow

markings. Head: Black with pale yellow tr im along inn er ocular margin and posterior margin (Fig.

2A-B). Labium with first segment dark brown, the remainder orange-yellow. Ante nn ae: AI dark brown

with white apices, All dark brown with narrow white medial annulation, AIII and AIV dark brown

with white basal annulation (Fig. 2A). Thorax: Pronotal collar, pronotum, mesoscutum and scutellum

uniform dark brown/black (Fig. 2A). Thoracic pleura dark brown/black. Anterior proepimeral lobe

white, posterior lobe black. Evaporative area of metathoracic scent gland orange-yellow. Hemelytra:

Uniform dark brown/black, membrane brown with dark brown veins. Abdomen: Dark brown/black.

Legs: Pro- and mesofemora dark brown with apical % orange-yellow, pro- and mesotibia orange-yellow

with faint brown subbasal annulations, metatibia and metafemur uniform dark brown, metafemur

without transverse banding. All tarsi yellow with claws brown.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 2A-B). Head, pronotum, thoracic pleura, scutellum, and hemelytra

impunctate. Body clothed in long, white, decumbent setae [most setae knocked off the specimen].

Head. Approximately 5.6 x as wide as eye in anterior view (Fig. 2B). Frons strongly medially tumescent,

merging with two minor swellings adjacent to eyes. Posterior margin of head rounded, weakly carinate.

Antennae shorter and stouter than in other species, with All slightly less than width of head (All > than

head width in others) (Fig. 2A).

Thorax. Pronotum broad and steep, posterior margin weakly convex, lateral and posterior margins

weakly carinate, submarginal region of humeral angles excavate, calli obsolete (Fig. 2A). Proepimeron

bilobed. Posterior margin of metepimeron truncate. Scutellum tumid (Fig. 2A).

Hemelytra. Margins of embolium weakly flared towards cuneus (Fig. 2A).

Legs. Metatibial spines prominent.

Abdomen. Posterolateral margin of abdominal sternite II angular, wealdy carinate and slightly flared.

Male genitalia. Unknown.

Female paragenitalia. No obvious paragenital structures visible.

Host

No host plant data.

Distribution

Known only from Sabah.

Remarks

Only one other species, C. nigrus Carvalho, 1987 shares a nearly uniform black colouration. However,

these species are readily separated by the proepimeron (unilobed in C. nigrus , bilobed in C. eremnos

sp. nov.), and the female paragenitalia, which in C. nigrus is recognised by a well-defined swelling of

the right abdominal laterotergites II and III, and the posterior margin of abdominal sternite II strongly

carinate and flared to expose a putative copulatory opening.

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Coridromius fomangsu sp. nov.

Fig. 2C-F

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AB15427B-747C-4941-9BAl-FC9C6C00E393

Diagnosis

Distinguished from all other species by a combination of the following features: the uniform yellow-

orange colouration, the unique form of the right paramere, and the callosite region with two broad

swellings bordered laterally by deep sulci.

Etymology

Named after the type locality of South Fomangsu Forest Reserve.

Type material

Holotype

S, GHANA: Ashanti, South Fomangsu Forest Reserve, 34.581° N - 114.443° W, 23 Jan. 1966, D.

Leston (AMNHPBI 00192741) (BMNH).

Paratype

1 <S, locality data same as for holotype, 23 Jan 1966, D. Leston (AMNH PBI 00192742) (BMNH).

Description

Body length. $ (n = 2): 3.30-3.57 mm

Colouration (Fig. 2C-D). Uniform pale yellow- to pale orange-brown. Head: Frons without vittae

(Fig. 2C). Clypeus slightly embrowned, mandibular plate, maxillary plate and gena tinted red, labrum

and labium pale orange brown, labium apically embrowned. Antennae: mostly pale orange-brown. AI

weakly embrowned apically, clavate apex of All weakly embrowned, AIII and AIV brown. Thorax:

Uniformly pale orange-brown (Fig. 2C-D). Thoracic pleura slightly paler along trailing margins.

Hemelytra: Uniformly pale orange-brown, with faint brown chevron on corium, membrane slightly

paler and translucent (Fig. 2D). Legs: Uniformly pale orange-brown, metafemur without transverse

brown banding. Abdomen: Uniform pale orange-brown.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 2C-D). Mostly impunctate. Head shallowly punctuate (Fig. 2C). Scutellum

medially weakly rugulose (Fig. 2D). Body with hairlike setae, setae on anterior and dorsal surface of

head short and adpressed, with longer and semi-erect setae on lateral and ventral surfaces (Fig. 2C-D).

Ante nn ae clothed in semi-decumbent hairlike setae interspersed with a few more erect, t hin , spinelike

setae (Fig. 2C). Pronotum with sparse distribution of short, reddish-brown reclining setae, hemelytra

with sparse distribution of short, pale, semi-reclining setae and shorter, reddish-brown setae. Abdomen

with slightly more dense coating of longer, semi-erect setae. Femora with thick, reddish-brown, semi-

erect setae, longer on ventral surface. Tibiae with thick, pale semi-erect, setae, metatibia with two rows

of thick, caudally directed spines.

Head. Approximately 5.6 x as wide as eye (Fig. 2C) in anterior view. Frons weakly tumescent, vertex

with shallow transverse depressions adjacent to eyes, posterior margin broadly medially rounded, not

carinate (Fig. 2C). Buccula swollen. Antennae: All basally thin, apically clavate (Fig. 2C-D).

Thorax. Pronotum broad, collar thick and broadly triangular, callosite region with two broad swellings

bordered laterally by deep sulci, lateral and posterior margins rounded, posterior margin slightly declivent

(Fig. 2C-D). Proepimeron bilobed. Posterior margin of metepimeron truncate. Scutellum swollen and

rounded (Fig. 2D).

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Hemelytron. Costal margin t hinl y carinate, weakly flared posteriorly (Fig. 2D).

Abdomen. Posterior margin of abdominal sternite II not distinctly angular in lateral view.

Male genitalia. Pygophore with mesal longitudinal suture elongate, right side of suture with apical

apophysis lying transversely across pygophore margin (Fig. 2F). Left paramere a short, thick, angular

scythe slightly twisted along its axis, right paramere cleft, with inner lobe elongate and outer lobe short

and rounded (Fig. 2E).

Female paragenitalia. Unknown.

Host

No host records.

Distribution

South Fomangsu National Park, Ghana.

Remarks

Coridromius fomangsu is one of three species now known from Ghana (the others being C. tafo sp. nov.

described herein, and C. lestoni Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008), and one of five now known from Africa. All

three Ghanan species are readily distinguished by size, colouration and male genitalia. In particular, C.

fomangsu sp. nov. is the only species in the genus with a right paramere of this form.

Coridromius macchabeeus sp. nov.

Fig. 3A-D

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:52DD412D-6DAB-4AAl-A938-lAF93B3DD4C3

Diagnosis

Recognised by the following combination of characters: frons nearly flat, smooth and shining, pronotum

densely punctate with well-demarcated callosite region, and proepimeron unilobed.

Etymology

Named for the Macchabee Forest where the holotype was collected.

Type material

Holotype

$, MAURITIUS: Macchabee Forest, 20.4° S - 57.45° E, 8 Jun. 1971, A. M. Hutson (AMNH PBI

00377687) (BMNH).

Description

Body length. $ (holotype): 2.32 mm.

Colouration (Fig. 3A-B). Mostly concolorous orange-yellow. Head: Orange-yellow (Fig. 3A). Antennae

mostly orange-yellow, AI with broad brown medial annulation, All with apical club brown (Fig. 3A-

B), AIII and AIV brown, paler at base. Pronotum: orange-yellow with a faint green tint (Fig. 3A-B).

Thoracic pleura orange-yellow. Hemelytra: Orange-yellow (Fig. 3B). Legs: Uniform orange-yellow;

metafemur without transverse banding; tarsi slightly embrowned. Abdomen: Uniform orange-yellow.

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 3A-B). Head smooth, without punctures (Fig. 3A). Head, pronotum and

scutellum glossy (Fig. 3A-B). Pronotum, hemelytra, and scutellum with fine punctations (Fig. 3A-B).

Thoracic pleura impunctate. Pronotum and hemelytra clothed in very short, brown, semidecumbent,

spinelike setae (Fig. 3B). Buccula with brown hairlike setae. Pronotal collar with slightly longer white,

decumbent hairlike setae. Legs with brown, hairlike setae. Metatibial spines short and thin.

Head. Approximately 6 x as wide as eye (Fig. 3A) in anterior view. Frons weakly convex, nearly flat,

posterior margin rounded and thin, wealdy carinate (Fig. 3A-B). Bucculae tumid. Antennae thin. All

long and slender with weak apical club (Fig. 3A-B).

Thorax. Pronotum with calli deeply demarcated (Fig. 3A). Posterior margin of pronotum wealdy

medially cleft and thinly carinate, posteromedial margins depressed (Fig. 3B). Proepimeron appears

unilobed, with reduced anterior lobe barely visible (fig 3C). Posterior margin of metepimeron truncate

with sulcate groove (Fig. 3D). Scutellum rounded and swollen (Fig. 3B).

Hemelytra. With lateral margin weakly sinuate (Fig. 3B).

Abdomen. Posterolateral margin of second abdominal sternite relatively straight.

Fig. 3. Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius macchabeeus sp. nov. A. Head

and pronotum, anterior view. B. Dorsal habitus. C. Head and prothorax, lateral view. D. Metathorax and

anterior of abdomen, lateral view, arrow indicates copulatory guide. MET = metepimeral lobe, PEM =

proepimeron.

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Male genitalia, unknown.

Female paragenitalia. Right second abdominal sternite swollen, posterolateral margin slightly flared

and carinate, exposing a copulatory groove leading to site of penetration (Fig. 3D).

Host

Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality.

Remarks

This is one of several species that have been discovered from examination of undetermined material at

the Natural History Museum, London. Based on this sole specimen, we cannot comment on whether or

not this species is endemic to Mauritius or has a wider distribution.

Coridromius mulu sp. nov.

Fig. 4A-G

um:lsid:zoobankorg:act:FF4A14C9-0D8A-4EFA-ACA2-8DC0D9F677FE

Diagnosis

Recognized by the following combination of characters: pronotum, scutellum, and thoracic pleura

punctate; proepimeron bilobed; mostly tan colouration with dark brown markings on hemelytron

adjacent to scutellum; right paramere with thumblike process; posterior margin of pygophore with

long mesal longitudinal suture and broad triangular projection; caudal margin of metepimeron inflexed

and abutting anterolateral margin of abdomen; and female with right anterolateral margin of abdomen

slightly swollen and desclerotized, sometimes with small melanised scars.

Etymology

Named for the national park from which it was collected.

Type material

Holotype

S, MALAYSIA: Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park, clearing near Deer cave entrance, 4.0395° N

- 114.838° E, 250 m, 12-22 Aug. 2010, N. Tatarnic and D. C. Darling, ex. Homolanthus sp. flowers

(Euphorbiaceae) (UNSWENT 00000001) (ROM).

Paratypes

All collected 12-22 Aug. 2010 by N. Tatarnic and D. C. Darling on Homalanthus sp. flowers

(Euphorbiaceae) (det. N. Tatarnic), locality data same as for holotype: 4 $$ (UNSW ENT 00000012-

00000015), 6 3S (UNSW ENT 00000002-00000007), 4 $$ (UNSW_ENT 00000008-00000011)

(UNSW).

Description

Body length. $ (n = 5): 1.53-1.79 mm, § (n = 5): 1.77-1.91 mm

Colouration (Fig. 4A-C). Mostly pale brown with yellow and dark brown markings, often with a

faint green tint which fades in pinned specimens. Head: Mostly yellow-brown, frons without vittae,

with faint yellowed midline, paired tumescences adjacent to eyes sometimes yellow, ocular margins

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European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Fig. 4. Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius mulu sp. nov. A. Dorsal habitus,

S. B. Head and pronotum, anterior view, S. C. Lateral view, J. D. Head and thorax, lateral view.

E. Metathorax and anterior of abdomen of §, lateral view; arrow indicates site of insemination. F. $

genitalia. G. Photograph of $ on unidentified species of Homalanthus. LP = left paramere, MET =

metathoracic lobe, MLS = mesal longitudinal suture of pygophore, RP = right paramere, VAP = ventral

apical process of pygophore.

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TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

and posterior margin of head cream to yellow (Fig. 4B). Clypeus pale yellow, gena, mandibular and

maxillary plates yellow, buccula pale brown basally with small darker brown marking, white along

ventral margin. Labrum brown basally, white at apex. Labium white, brown apically. Antennae: AI

pale yellow with broad, dark brown annulation medially, All mostly pale orange-brown, apically dark

brown, subapically with prominent narrow white annulation, sometimes slightly darker below this, AIII

and AIV dark brown, white basally (Fig. 4A-C). Thorax: Pronotal collar yellowed with dark brown

markings at lateral margins. Pronotum mostly orange-brown with darkened punctures and faint yellow

midline, anterior margin with two small dark brown markings behind eyes, calli and humeral angles

faintly darkened, yellow along lateral and caudal margins (Fig. 4A-B). Mesoscutum orange-brown

with darker brown punctures. Scutellum pale to orange-brown with darkened punctures and faint white

to pale yellow midline, apex and basal corners (Fig. 4A). Processes of proepimeron white, thoracic

pleura orange-brown with darker brown punctures, posterior margins pale yellow to white (Fig. 4C).

Hemelytra: Mostly orange-brown with dark brown punctures and yellow and dark brown markings.

Clavus basally orange-brown, dark brown adjacent to scutellum, yellow to cream coloured along claval

commissure, corium orange brown with broad, dark brown marking in line with claval commissure,

becoming yellow toward apex, embolium yellow with orange-brown to dark brown medial marking,

cuneus yellow-brown to brown, with darker brown punctures, membrane brown with dark brown veins

(Fig. 4A). Abdomen: Mostly orange-brown, becoming yellowed along dorsolateral margin, segment II

orange-brown (Fig. 4C). Abdomen of some specimens with faint green tint. Legs: predominantly pale

cream-colored. Metafemur darker orange-brown dorsally, with faint diagonal brown stripes on outer

surface, metatibia with narrow dark brown apical annulation, caudally facing spines dark orange-brown

(Fig. 4C). Tibiae faintly darkened apically.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 4A-F). Head, pronotum, thoracic pleura, scutellum and hemelytra punctate

(Fig. 4A-E). Body clothed in long, white, decumbent setae (Fig. 4A-F). Left posterior margin of

abdominal sternite VIII of male with a patch of dense, conelike setae (Fig. 4F).

Head. Approximately 5.8 x as wide as eye (Fig. 4B), in anterior view. Frons medially tumescent. Vertex

weakly depressed with two minor swellings adjacent to eyes (Fig. 4B). Posterior margin of head rounded,

weakly carinate (Fig. 4B).

Thorax. Pronotum broad and steep, posterior margin weakly concave, lateral and posterior margins

weakly carinate, submarginal region of humeral angles weakly excavate, calli weakly defined (Fig. 4A).

Proepimeron bilobed (Fig. 4C-D). Posterior margin of metepimeron weakly lobed, somet im es wealdy

mesially deflected, trailing edge pressed against abdomen (Fig. 4E). Scutellum somewhat flattened, with

midline, apical and lateral fascia (Fig. 4A).

Hemelytra. Costal margin convex, subapically flared (Fig. 4A).

Legs. Metatibial spines prominent (Fig. 4C).

Abdomen. Posterolateral margin of abdominal sternite II sharply angular and weakly carinate, anterior

abdominal margin deflected inwards (Fig. 4E).

Male genitalia. Right paramere broad and rounded with thumblike lobe on medial margin (Fig. 4F).

Left paramere heavily sclerotized, main body weakly curved, sharply angled basally, apex laterally

compressed, gutter nearly enclosed to apex (Fig. 4F). Pygophore with elongate mesal longitudinal suture

terminating in a triangular ventral apical process (Fig. 4F).

Female paragenitalia. Right dorsal laterotergite II (first visible segment) slightly swollen, with faint

depression immediately adjacent to metepimeral lobe, thought to guide male paramere (Fig. 4E).

13

European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Host

Collected from the male flowers of an unidentified species of Homalanthus (Euphorbiaceae) (Fig. 4G).

Distribution

Collected outside Deer Cave in Gulung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Remarks

This species was found exclusively on the male flowers of its host plant, an unidentified species of

Homalanthus. Coridromius mulu sp. nov. is one of seven species now known from Borneo, most of

which are known from a single locality. In this species the site of insemination in females (at the anterior

margin of the abdomen) is sometimes marked with small melanised scars. Internal paragenital structures

have yet to be examined in this species.

Coridromius norfolkensis sp. nov.

Fig. 5A-F

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3FlACB4B-898C-4FBE-A127-C784B598FECD

Diagnosis

Recognized by the following combination of characters: anterolateral margins of hemelytra strongly

projecting laterally; proepimeron unilobed; posterior margin of metepimeron angled inward and abutting

the anterior margin of the abdomen.

Etymology

This name was chosen to reflect the species’ endemic distribution on Norfolk Island.

Type material

Holotype

3, AUSTRALIA: Norfolk Island, Ball Bay, end of Marsh Road, 29.04816° S - 167.98024° E, 69 m,

22 Apr. 2011, N. Tatarnic & A. Namyatova, ex. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, 1820 (Anacardiaceae)

(AMNH PBI 00019666) (AM).

Paratypes

AUSTRALIA: Norfolk Island, Ball Bay, end of Marsh Road, 29.04816°S 167.98024°E, 69 m, 22 Apr.

2011, N. Tatarnic & A. Namyatova, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), 10 S3 (UNSWENT

00019667-00019676), 2 $$ (UNSW_ENT 00019677-00019678) (AM), Schinus terebinthifolius

(Anacardiaceae), 5 33 (UNSW_ENT 00000021-00000025), 1 $ (UNSW_ENT 00000026) (UNSW);

Norfolk Island National Park, Mt Bates, 29.01° S - 167.56° E, 300 m, 07 Apr. 1984, E. D. Edwards, 1

3 (UNSW ENT 00034129), 1 $ (UNSW ENT 00034130) (ANIC) and 08 Apr. 1984, E. D. Edwards, 2

33 (UNSW ENT 00034131, UNSW ENT 00034132) (ANIC); Palm Glen entrance to Norfolk Island

National Park, 29.02503° S - 167.95194° E, 129 m, 20-21 Apr. 2011, N. Tatarnic & A. Namyatova,

Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), 3 33 (UNSW_ENT 00000017-00000019), 1 $ (UNSW_

ENT 00000020) (UNSW); Corner of Prince Phillip Dr and Red Rd, 29.01804° S - 167.95795° E,

186 m, 22 Apr. 2011, N. Tatarnic & A. Namyatova, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), 2 33

(UNSW ENT 00046008-00046009), 1 ? (UNSW_ENT 00046010) (BPBM), Schinus terebinthifolius

(Anacardiaceae), 1 3 (UNSW_ENT 00000027) (UNSW).

Description

Body length. 3 (n = 5): 1.84-2.04 mm, § (n = 5): 1.89-2.01 mm.

14

TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Fig. 5. Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius norfolkensis sp. nov. A. Lateral

view, S- B. Head and pronotum, anterior view, f. C. Photograph of C. norfolkensis sp. nov. (sex

unknown) on Schinus terebinthifolius , showing alternate scutellum colouration. D. Dorsal habitus, f.

E. Metathorax and anterior of abdomen, lateral view, $, arrow indicates site of insemination. F. $

genitalia, posterior view. FG = folded groove of pygophore, LP = left paramere, MET = metepimeral

lobe, RP = right paramere.

15

European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Colouration (Fig. 5A-D). Mostly pale brown with cream and darker brown markings. Head: Mostly

brownish-yellow with dark brown vittae on Irons, posterior of head with transverse orange-brown

marking, inner ocular margins and posterior margin of vertex cream, paired minor swellings on vertex

white, bordered posteriorly with dark brown transverse markings (Fig. 5B). Clypeus cream coloured,

basally with median irregular dark brown spot, laterally and apically with irregular brown markings,

mandibular and maxillary plates pale (Fig. 5B). Buccula cream, basally brown, labrum cream (Fig. 5A).

Labium cream, brown apically. Antennae: AI pale yellow-brown with or without faint, thin brown apical

annulation, All orange-brown, dark brown at apex, AIII and AIV orange-brown, slightly darker at base

(Fig. 5A-B, D). Thorax: Pronotal collar yellow-brown with darker brown anterior and posterior margins

(Fig. 5B, D). Pronotum orange-brown, medially with faint, pale midline, anteriorly with transverse field

of dark brown spots either side of midline, medially with paired transverse brown markings, tapering

towards lateral margins, faintly browned at humeral angles and along posteromedial margin (Fig. 5B-

D) . Mesoscutum orange-brown with broad, paired black triangular markings on either side of midline

(Fig. 5D). Scutellum orange-brown with black midline narrowing to apex, basally and laterally with

dark brown to black spots, basal corners orange-brown, bordered posteriorly by faint cream markings,

apically cream (Fig. 5D); in some specimens with prominent paired cream apical markings to either side

of midline, occupying much of scutellum (Fig. 5C). Propleuron orange-brown with yellowed posterior

margin (Fig. 5A). Mesopleuron orange-brown dorsally, becoming black ventrally, yellowed along

posterodorsal margin and adjacent to mesocoxa (Fig. 5A). Metepimeron mostly orange-brown, yellowed

along peritreme (Fig. 5A). Hemelytra: Mostly orange-brown. Claval commissure dark brown, corium

with transverse brown markings medially and vertical brown markings caudally, apex of embolium

brown, cuneus dark brown basally, orange-brown towards apex, membrane pale brown with darker

veins (Fig. 5C-D). Legs: Coxae cream (Fig. 5A). Pro- and mesofemora cream with faint to pronounced,

subapical brown band, metafemur cream basally, with nine contrasting dark brown stripes on outer

surface bordered apically with faintly reddened patch, becoming brown towards ventral surface, apically

mostly dark brown, with faintly reddened subapical lateral sulcus (Fig. 5A). Pro- and mesotibiae cream

basally, quickly becoming darker brown, slightly orange or red towards apex. Metatibia pale orange-

brown to darker chocolate brown, pale basally (Fig. 5A). Tarsi cream, brown apically. Abdomen: Mostly

cream, males with dorsolateral margin with broad brown band, becoming reddened towards apex,

anterolateral margin adjacent to metathorax often darkest brown (Fig. 5A).

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 5A-F). Head glossy and shallowly punctate (Fig. 5B), pronotum and

scutellum shallowly punctate (Fig. 5D), propleuron, metepimeron, and hemelytra impunctate (Fig. 5D-

E) . Head with sparse distribution of short, white setae (Fig. 5B). Pronotal collar with semierect short

white setae. Pronotum, thoracic pleura, abdomen and legs with short, white, decumbent setae. Caudally

directed spines of metatibia short and thin (Fig. 5 A).

Head. Approximately 6.8 x as wide as eye (Fig. 5B) in anterior view. Frons wealdy convex with paired

minute tumescences adjacent to eyes, bordered posteriorly by shallow, transverse sulcus (Fig. 5B).

When viewed from front posterior margin of head slightly rounded medially but otherwise flat (Fig. 5B).

Thorax. Pronotum broad and weakly rounded, lateral margins thinly carinate, posterior margin almost

straight, weakly medially cleft, submarginal region of humeral angles wealdy excavate (Fig. 5D).

Proepimeron unilobed (Fig. 5A). Posterior margin of metepimeron curved inwards, closely adpressed to

and partially obscured by abdomen (Fig. 5E). Scutellum weakly swollen (Fig. 5D).

Hemelytra. Embolium thin, anterolateral margin distinctly flared (Fig. 5D).

Legs. Metafemora incrassate, metatibia rectilinear, paired row of caudally directed spines thin and short

(Fig. 5A).

16

TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Abdomen. In female anterolateral margins slightly swollen, particularly on right. Posterior margin of

abdominal sternite II mostly vertical, not sharply angular (Fig. 5E) in lateral view.

Male genitalia. Right paramere triangular and wealdy convex on inn er surface, left paramere sickle¬

shaped, groove to accommodate aedeagus open the entire length (Fig. 5F). Posterior margin ofpygophore

biconvex, with shallow folded groove left of centre (Fig. 5F).

F emale paragen italia . Paragenital guide formed by faint groove on surface of recurved right metepimeron

and shallow (Fig. 5E), weakly sclerotized depression on anterolateral margin of abdomen; mating scars

sometimes visible in dissected specimens.

Hosts

Presently known only from the invasive weed Schinus terebinthifolius (Fig. 5C), but thought to be

originally associated with one of the several species of Euphorbiaceae native to the island.

Distribution

Restricted to Norfolk Island.

Remarks

On a recent trip to Norfolk Island, C. norfolkensis sp. nov. was found in large numbers on the introduced

weed Schinus terebinthifolius , known as Brazilian pepper (Anacardiaceae: also called Hawaiian holly).

This weedy invasive was first introduced to Norfolk Island in the 1920s, and has now spread throughout

the island (Margaret Christian, pers. comm.). A native of South America, it is also a pest in Hawaii,

Florida, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tahiti, and Mauritius (Meyer 2000). It is worth noting that the recently

discovered species C. taravao sp. nov. from Tahiti (described below) has also been found in large

numbers on Brazilian pepper, which is also an invasive weed in French Polynesia. Ironically, w hil e

native habitat has been severely degraded by human settlement in both of these oceanic islands, this

human introduced weed may end up providing a viable habitat for these and other endemic species.

C. norfolkensis sp. nov. is the only Australian species known to exhibit visible external female

paragenitalia. In other Australian endemic species (C. chenopoderis Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008;

C. monotocopsis Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008; C. pilbarensis Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008), females exhibit no

discemable paragenital modifications, and mating scars are seldom visible.

Coridromius tafo sp. nov.

Fig. 6A-C

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D6FA1755-BA24-4167-8F89-DCD8A979107C

Diagnosis

Distinguished by the following combination of characters: pronotum with anterior margin steeply

declivent and posterior margin cleft, left paramere evenly curved, gutter of left paramere nearly enclosed

its entire length, and ventral apical process of pygophore broad.

Etymology

Named after Tafo, the type locality.

Type material

Holotype

c?, GHANA: Ashanti, Tafo, 6.7333° N - 1.6167° W, 278 m, 1 Oct. 1965, D. Leston (AMNH PBI

00192803) (BMNH).

17

European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Description

Body length. $ (holotype): 1.71.

Colouration (Fig. 6A-B). Mostly orange-brown with yellow-brown markings. Head: Concolourous

brown, frons without vittae, medial margin of eyes and posterior margin of head with faint yellow

piping, clypeus darker brown (Fig. 6B). Antennae: AI brown, apically yellow. All basal half pale

orange-brown, apical club dark brown with narrow while annulation at base, AIII and AIV dark

brown, basally pale (Fig. 6A). Thorax: mostly orange-brown. Pronotum orange-brown, slightly paler

apically, with faint pale midline stripe (Fig. 6A-B). Scutellum orange-brown with pale apical fascia

(Fig. 6A). Thoracic pleura orange brown, apices of proepimeron pale, mesepistemum darker ventrally,

metathoracic scent gland peritreme pale. Hemelytra: brown, slightly paler towards costal margin, cream

coloured at cuneal fracture (Fig. 6A). Cuneus with large, irregular dark brown marking, laterally with

faint reddish flecking, apically pale, membrane brown. Abdomen: orange-brown, with small, very faint

darker brown markings along dorsolateral margin. Tegs: coxae dark brown, apically pale. Pro- and

mesofemora brown, somewhat paler apically, metafemur with dark brown banding on lateral surface,

fusing dorsally, subapically with pale mark dorsally, subapical bothria pale; tibiae yellow to pale orange

brown, with irregular dark brown subbasal annulation.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 6A-B). Head with a few irregular punctures medially on vertex. Pronotum,

scutellum, and propleuron punctate, hemelytron with punctures basally, becoming smooth on corium

Fig. 6. Photographs and scanning electron micrograph of Coridromius tafo sp. nov. A. Dorsal habitus.

B. Head and pronotum, anterior view. C. $ genitalia. LP = left paramere, MLS = mesal longitudinal

suture of pygophore, RP = right paramere, YAP = ventral apical process.

18

TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

(Fig. 6A). Body with sparse coating of short, thin, hairlike setae. Head with sparse coating of very short

adpressed setae, gena with a few longer semierect setae. Antennae clothed in semi-erect setae interspersed

with more erect, thin spinelike setae (Fig. 6A). Pronotum with sparse distribution of very short, reclining

setae; hemelytra with sparse distribution of short, semi-reclining setae (Fig. 6A). Thoracic pleura with a

few hairlike setae, abdomen with slightly more dense coating of longer, semi-erect setae. Femora with

semi-erect setae, metafemoral apical bothrial setae long. Tibiae with semi-erect setae, metatibia with

two rows of thick, caudally directed spines.

Head. Approximately 5.8 x as wide as eye (Fig. 6B) in anterior view. Frons wealdy tumescent; vertex

with transverse depressions adjacent to eyes, posterior margin broadly medially rounded, not carinate

(Fig. 6B). Buccula swollen.

Antennae. All basally thin, apically clavate.

Thorax. Pronotal collar broad and rounded (Fig. 6B). Pronotum broad, broadly tumescent medially,

anterior margin steeply declivent, callosite region undifferentiated, posterior of humeral angles distinctly

depressed, posterior margin carinate and medially concave (Fig. 6A-B). Proepimeron bilobed. Posterior

margin of metepimeron truncate. Surface of scutellum flat, apex broadly rounded (Fig. 6A).

Hemelytra. Costal margin thinly carinate, weakly flared posteriorly (Fig. 6A).

Abdomen. When viewed laterally, posterior margin of abdominal sternite II not distinctly angular.

Male genitalia. Posterior margin of pygophore with broad, fingerlike ventral apical apophysis, mesal

longitudinal suture long (Fig. 6C). Teft paramere shorter than in many other species (~2 x right paramere

length), extremely thin and evenly curved, gutter enclosing aedeagus nearly enclosed its entire length,

right paramere broad and subtriangular (Fig. 6C).

Female paragenitalia. Unknown.

Host

No host records.

Distribution

Known only from Tafo, Ghana.

Remarks

In 1974, Tinnavuori described C. schuhi from a single specimen collected on Mount Tonkoui, Ivory

Coast (Linnavuori 1994). Unfortunately, the sole specimen of this species appears to have been lost

(Tatarnic & Cassis 2008), and its description lacks sufficient detail to determine whether or not it is

conspecific with C. tafo sp. nov. Though the described colouration of C. schuhi differs from that of

the sole specimen of C. tafo sp. nov. (the former being much darker), other species of Coridromius

are highly variable in their colouring (e.g., C. chenopoderis Tatarnic & Cassis, 2008; C. zetteli Cherot,

Konstantinov & Yasunaga, 2004: see Tatarnic & Cassis 2010), and without a larger sample size we

cannot ascertain the degree of colour variation across these species. We therefore take the conservative

approach in designating C. tafo sp. nov. a distinct species.

19

European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

Fig. 7. Photographs and scanning electron micrographs of Coridromius taravao sp. nov. and Metrosideros

collina. A. Head and pronotum, anterior view. B. Right lateral view, §. C. Dorsal habitus, §.

D. Photograph of Metrosideros collina at Taravao Plateau. E. Detail of metepimeral lobe and anterior of

abdomen; arrow indicates possible site of insemination. F. S genitalia, apex of left paramere broken off;

arrow indicates apophysis of pygophore margin. MET = metapimeral lobe.

20

TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Coridromius taravao sp. nov.

Fig. 7A-F

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CA3A80CD-C062-4F64-A5B4-FECA0B2100C5

Diagnosis

Distinguished by the following combination of characters: relatively small size, overall pale green/brown

colour with matte yellow scutellum, frons without vittae, and brown diagonal stripes on metafemur

faint or absent, and females with right anterior abdominal laterostemite slightly swollen, blackened and

heavily sclerotized.

Etymology

Type material

Holotype

<$, FRENCH POLYNESIA, Society Islands, Tahiti Island: Tahiti Iti, Taravao Plateau, 17.77665° S -

149.25456° W, 877 m, 19 May 2011, G. Cassis & N. Tatarnic, Metrosideros collina (Myrtaceae), det.

Jean-Yves Meyer (UNSWENT 00000028) (MNHN).

Paratypes

FRENCH POLYNESIA, Society Islands, Tahiti Island: Tahiti Iti, Taravao Plateau, 17.77665° S -

149.25456° W, 877 m, 19 May 2011, G. Cassis & N. Tatarnic, Metrosideros collina (Myrtaceae), det.

Jean-Yves Meyer, 1 $ (UNSW ENT 00046011), 1 ? (UNSW ENT 00046012) (BPBM); Metrosideros

collina (Myrtaceae), det. Jean-Yves Meyer, 1 $ (UNSW_ENT 00000029) (MNHN); Metrosideros

collina , det. Jean-Yves Meyer, 1 $ (UNSW_ENT 00000030), 3 $ $ (UNSW_ENT 00000031-00000033)

(UNSW). Tahiti Island, Tahiti Nui, Base of Belvedere Trail, Rau Ape Aorai, 17.551° S - 149.529° W,

331 m, 1-8 Apr. 2012, G. Cassis & N. Tatarnic, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), 2 $$

(UNSW ENT 00400051-00400052), 3 ? ? (UNSW_ENT 00400053-00400055) (UNSW).

Description

Body length. $ (n = 4): 1.97-2.75 mm; § (n = 8): 2.05-2.76 mm

Colouration (Fig. 7A-C). Both sexes usually pale tan-brown with a greenish tint and conspicuous yellow

scutellum; females rarely predominantly darker brown. Head: pale brown, frons without vittae, inner

ocular margin and posterior margin of head pale yellow (Fig. IK). Clypeus, mandibular and maxillary

plates cream to brown (Fig. IK). Buccula orange-brown in some specimens, in others basally yellow-

brown to pale green, white along ventral margin. Labrum orange-brown. Labium cream basally, becoming

brown towards apex. Antennae: mostly orange-brown. AI pale cream, All orange-brown. Apex of All,

and AIII-AIV darker brown (Fig. 7B-C). Eyes red. Thorax: Pronotal collar cream (Fig. 7A). Pronotum

pale tan-brown with irregular black markings before caudal margin in some specimens, caudal margin

yellow (Fig. 1C). Scutellum matte yellow (Fig. 1C). Thoracic pleura predominantly orange-brown (Fig.

7B). Hemelytra: mostly pale orange-brown, with a faint green tint on corium, inner margin of clavus and

claval commisure blackened, forming a distinctive Y-shaped pattern, membrane hyaline, veins nearly

indistinguishable (Fig. 1C). Abdomen: Faintly tinted green in both sexes, in female with first visible

segment on right side (paragenital region) embrowned with leading edge dark black (Fig. 7B). Legs:

All coxae cream, pro- and mesofemora cream, faintly orange-brown at apex, metafemur mostly cream,

sometimes with faint brown diagonal striping on outer surface, apical % orange-brown (Fig. 7B). All

tibiae yellow to yellow-brown, apically tinted brown or green in some specimens; tarsi pale, apically

embrowned (Fig. 7B). Females almost always coloured identically to males, rare individuals are much

21

European Journal of Taxonomy 35:1 -24 (2013)

darker, with dorsum predominantly darker brown, scutellum embrowned, hemelytra with faint dark

brown chevron immediately above cuneus, abdomen brown and apices of femora embrowned.

Surface and vestiture (Fig. 7A-C, E). Head shallowly punctate, pronotum finely punctate, thoracic

pleura, scutellum and hemelytra impunctate. Body with sparse covering of short, hairlike, decumbent

setae. Both sexes with patch of elongate setae on right side of abdomen.

Head. Approximately 5.7 x as wide as eye (Fig. 7A) in anterior view. Frons weakly tumescent medially,

vertex with faintly raised tumescences adjacent to eyes, bordered above by shallow depressions, posterior

margin of head weakly carinate, when viewed from front weakly convex medially but otherwise flat

(Fig. 7A).

Thorax. Pronotum broad, weakly convex, calli ill-defined, anterolateral margins weakly upturned and

carinate, submarginal regions of humeral angles weakly depressed, posterior margin carinate and weakly

concave (Fig. 7A, C). Proepimeron unilobed (Fig. 7B). Posterior margin of metepimeron rounded and

subtriangular, partly overlapping anterior of abdomen (Fig. 7E). Scutellum weakly rounded (Fig. 7C).

Hemelytra. Costal margin flared its entire length, straight to weakly sinuate (Fig. 7C).

Legs. Metatibial spines short and thin (Fig. 7B). Abdomen: Posterior margin of abdominal sternite II

(first visible sternite) wealdy convex in lateral view, females with anterior margin on right side heavily

sclerotized and swollen (Fig. 7B).

Male genitalia. Posterior margin of pygophore with folded groove to right of centre, right margin of

groove with small, triangular apophysis (Fig. 7F). Left paramere approximately 2.5 x length of right

paramere, evenly curved with gutter accommodating aedeagus open its entire length, right paramere

broad and subtriangular (Fig. 7F).

Female paragenitalia. Anterior of right abdominal sternite II (first visible abdominal sternite) weakly

swollen and heavily sclerotized; posterior margin of metepimeral lobe deflected inward and interlocking

on right side with anterior swelling of sternite II (Fig. 7B, E). Female site of insemination unknown,

thought to be stabbed either along anterior or abdomen adjacent to metacoxa, concealed by metepimeral

lobe, or possibly on the other side of the abdomen, in a shallow depression behind the metepimeral lobe.

Hosts

Collected from Metrosideros collina (J.R. Forst & G. Forst) A. Gray, 1854 (Myrtaceae) (Fig. 7D) and

Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae).

Distribution

Presently known only from Taravao Plateau and the base of the Belvedere Trail, Rau Ape Aorai, Tahiti

Island.

Remarks

The new species was collected, along with the superficially similar C. tahitiensis Tatarnic & Cassis,

2008, at the same two localities and from the same host plants. All but a few female C. taravao sp.

nov. share the same colouration as male C. tahitiensis , and are often difficult to identify without careful

examination of the metepimeral lobe (deflected inwards in C. taravao sp. nov., extended caudally in

C. tahitiensis ) and the female paragenitalia (in C. taravao sp. nov. as described above, in C. tahitiensis

manifested as a large invaginated copulatory sinus between abdominal sternites II and III).

22

TATARNIC N.J. & CASSIS G., Eight new species of Coridromius (Heteroptera)

Discussion

Coridromius species exhibit a Wallacean distribution, with distinct, phylogeneticlly supported eastern

and western species groups (Tatarnic & Cassis 2010). Species in the eastern group are most easily

recognized by their unilobate proepimeron, as well as the generally triangular shape of the right

paramere, while those of the western group exhibit a bilobed proepimeron and the right paramere is

usually (though not always) club-shaped with a thumb- or spinelike apophysis. The species described

herein mostly conform to this trend: the “western species” C. basilanus sp. nov., C. eremnos sp. now,

C. fomangsu sp. now, C. mulu sp. now, and C. tafo sp. now all display a bilobed proepimeron and (in

those species where the male is known) a western type right paramere, whereas the eastern species

C. norfolkensis sp. now and C. taravao sp. now have a unilobed proepimeron and triangular right

paramere. This distinction is not perfect however, with the Mauritian species C. macchabeeus

sp. nov. displaying a proepimeron that is apparently intermediate between the two types. At first glance

the proepimeron appears unilobed, but closer inspection reveals a reduced anterior lobe that is partly

obscured by the posterior lobe and the eye (Fig. 3C). Similarly, the right paramere of C. fomangsu

sp. nov. from Ghana bears a unique apophysis unseen in other Coridromius. We suspect that further

collecting in Africa will yield additional new species, possibly bearing similar morphological departures

from the norm. Until we achieve greater representation of African species, we cannot yet say whether

these will form one or several subclades distinct from the more thoroughly represented Southeast Asian

and Austral Pacific species.

Coridromius was originally considered rare in collections (Schuh 1974), and until quite recently was

only known from 10 species. With a recent revision of the genus (Tatarnic & Cassis 2008) the number of

described species was extended to 33, and in the present paper we add an additional eight. We anticipate

that with further, targeted collecting in undersampled regions - particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia

- many new species remain to be discovered.

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the following people: Chris Darling (ROM) for facilitating fieldwork in Sarawak;

Anna Namyatova (UNSW) for assistance collecting C. norfolkensis sp. nov. in Norfolk Island; Margaret

Christian for facilitating our Norfolk Island field research as well as for sharing her in-depth knowledge of

the island’s flora; and Jean-Yves Meyer (Delegation a la Recherche, Tahiti) for assistance with fieldwork

and plant identification in Tahiti. For the loan of specimens we thank: Dave Britton, Australian Museum,

Sydney; Randall Schuh, American Museum of Natural History, New York; David Yeates, Australian

National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canaberra; Mick Webb, British Museum, Tondon; Shepherd Myers,

Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu; and Tom Henry, United States National Museum of Natural

History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington. This research was funded through a grant from the

Australia & Pacific Science Foundation to N. J. Tatarnic and G. Cassis (APSF 08/5), as well as an NSF

Planetary Biodiversity Inventories Grant to R. T. Schuh and G. Cassis (DEB-0316495).

References

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Manuscript received: 4 October 2012

Manuscript accepted: 7 January 2013

Published on: 28 January 2013

Topic editor: Koen Martens

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of

the EJT consortium: Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; National Botanic Garden

of Belgium, Meise, Belgium; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History

Museum, London, United Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium;

Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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