Aleochara (Emplenota) puetzi Assing 1995

Aleochara (Emplenota) puetzi (Assing, 1995)

(Figs. 2, 23–29, 95–96, 103)

Emplenota puetzi Assing, 1995: 220 (diagnostic key to species of Palaearctic Emplenota), 225 (original description; type locality: “ RUSSIA, Sakhalin, Korsakov distr., Ismenshyroye lake”); Naomi et al., 2000: 107 (record from Paramushir Is., Kuril Islands); Paśnik, 2001: 232 (record from North Korea).

Aleochara (Emplenota) puetzi (Assing, 1995); Maus & Ashe, 1998a (online) (checklist of subgenus of world; phylogenetic relationship); Maruyama, 2002: 18 (record from Japan (Hokkaidô)); Smetana, 2004: 356 (catalogue of Palaearctic Aleocharinae); Frank & Ahn, 2011: 10 (figure of living individual; misidentification of A. segregata ?), 20 (checklist of coastal Staphylinidae of world).

Type specimens. Not examined.

Non-type specimens. JAPAN: [Hokkaidô]: 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Goyômai, Nemuro-shi (43.363N, 145.795E), 14 VI 1999, Ôhara-M. (43°21ʹ47ʺN, 145°47ʹ43ʺE; under seaweed; HUM); 1 3, 3 Ƥ, Makkayô-misaki, Habomai, Nemuro-shi (43.339N, 145.747E), 14 VI 1999, Ôhara-M. (43°20ʹ19ʺN, 145°44ʹ48ʺE; under seaweed (Laminaria sp., Zostera sp.); HUM); 2 3, 4 Ƥ, Hamamatsu, Nemuro-shi (43.206N, 145.529E), 26 IX 2000, Maruyama-M. (cMar); 1 3, Ochiishi, Nemuro-shi, (43.198N, 145.530E *), 24 VIII 1999, Maruyama-M. (under seaweed on sandy beach; cMar); 1 3, 2 Ƥ, Ochiishihigashi, Nemuro-shi (43.189N, 145.511E), 10 VI 2010 (21:00), Yamamoto-S. (from seaweed (Zostera sp.) on sandy beach; cYam); 1 3, Ochiishinishi, Nemuro-shi, (43.171N, 145.503E *), 4 V 1995, Nakatani-M. (KUM); 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Mochirippu-numa, Hamanaka-chô, Akkeshi-gun (43.022N, 145.019E), 11 VI 2010, Yamamoto-S. (collected from seaweed (Laminaria sp., Sargassum sp.) on sandy marsh near coast; cYam); 1 Ƥ, Shunkunitai, Numuro-shi (43.281N, 145.425E), 24 VIII 2001, Maruyama-M. (cMar); 6 3, 1 Ƥ, Todowara (Notsuke-zaki peninsulae), Notsuke, Betsukai-chô, Notsuke-gun (43.597N, 145.301E *), 6 VII 1986, Nomura-S. (KUM); 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Mokoto, Abashiri-shi (43.970N, 144.322E), 2 VII 1994, Haga-K. (under seaweed; KUM); 2 3, 1 Ƥ, Futatsu-iwa, Abashiri-shi (44.049N, 144.258E *), 6 VI 1989, Katô-T. (KUM); 1 3, Kimuaneppu cape, Hamasaroma, Saroma-chô, Tokoro-gun (44.108N, 143.912E), 10 VII 1986, Nomura-S. (KUM); 1 Ƥ, Komuke-gensei-kaen park, Komukai, Mombetsu-shi (44.296N, 143.441E), 23 VII 2009, Ôhara-M. (44°17ʹ47ʺN, 143°26ʹ26ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: HK-09-MO-054/SA); 1 Ƥ, Chikubetsu, Haboro-chô, Tomamae-gun (44.419N, 141.739E), 22 VII 2009, Ôhara-M. (44°25ʹ0 9ʺN, 141°44ʹ22ʺE; under seaweed (Laminaria sp.); HUM: HK-09-MO-046/SA); 3 3, Maehama (Teuri-tô), Haboro-chô, Tomamae-gun (44.432N, 141.336E), 14 VI 2008, Ôhara-M. (44°25ʹ55ʺN, 141°20ʹ0 8ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: TE-08-MO-006); 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Aikage (Teuri-tô), Haboro-chô, Tomamae-gun (44.419N, 141.321E), 15 VI 2008, Ôhara-M. (44°25ʹ0 7ʺN, 141°19ʹ16ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: TE-08-MO-007); 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Ayoro cape, Kojôhama, Shiraoi-chô, Shiraoi-gun (42.453N, 141.206E), 27 VIII 2009, Ôhara-M. (N42°27ʹ11ʺ, E141°12ʹ21ʺ; under seaweed (Sargassum sp., Laminaria sp.), eel grass (Zostera sp.); HUM: HK-09-MO-092/RO, SA); 1 Ƥ, Yamasedomari (Okushiri-tô), Okushiri-chô, Okushirigun (42.201N, 139.540E), 12 VII 2008, Ôhara-M. (42°12ʹ0 3ʺN, 139°32ʹ24ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: OK-08-MO- 018); 1 Ƥ, Okushiri (Okushiri-tô), Okushiri-gun (42.170N, 139.517E), 12 VII 2008, Ôhara-M. (42°10ʹ12ʺN, 139°31ʹ0 0ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: OK-08-MO-014); 1 3, Tomisato (Okushiri-tô), Okushiri-chô, Okushiri-gun (42.072N, 139.471E), 12 VII 2008, Ôhara-M. (42°04ʹ18ʺN, 139°28ʹ17ʺE; under seaweed; HUM: OK-08-MO- 015); 3 Ƥ, Hakodate-shi (41.760N, 140.693E *), 13 V 1971, Hirano-Y. (KUM); 1 Ƥ, Esan-misaki, Esanmisaki-chô, Hakodate-shi (41.812N, 141.183E), 15 VII 2009, Ôhara-M. (41°48ʹ42ʺN, 141°10ʹ59ʺE; under seaweed (Laminaria sp.); HUM: HK-09-MO-042/CO); 1 Ƥ, Tachimachi-misaki, Sumiyoshi-chô, Hakodate-shi (41.745N, 140.721E *), 15 IX 2008, Nishikawa-M (KUM); 3 Ƥ, Shirakami-misaki, Shirakami, Matsumae-chô, Matsumae-gun (41.398N, 140.199E *), 12 VII 2009, Ôhara-M. (42°23ʹ52ʺN, 140°11ʹ56ʺE: mistyping?; under seaweed (Sargassum sp.); HUM: HK-09-MO-033/SI).

Other specimens. RUSSIA: Kuril Islands: [Paramushir Is.]: 5 3, 5 Ƥ, Medvezhiy Waterfall, Shelekhovo (50.367N – 50.378N, 155.611E – 155.656E), 18 VII 1997, Saitô-A. (50°22.012ʹN–50°22.694ʹN, 155°36.677ʹE–155°39.380ʹE; alt. 0–10m; CBM: CBM-ZI 81521(-81530)); 1 Ƥ, Brynkhanovo bay, south end of the island (50.021N, 155.405E), 1 VIII 1996, Ôhara-M. (50°01ʹ17ʺN, 155°23ʹ79ʺE; by hand pick up; under seaweed; IKIP; HUM). [Urup Is.]: 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Vesetaya river near mouth of Natally bay (46.094N, 150.142E), 6 VIII 1995, Ôhara-M. (46°05ʹ38ʺN, 150°08ʹ33ʺE; by hand pick up; IKIP; HUM: UR-95-MO-006); 1 Ƥ, same data, but 7 VIII 1995, (IKIP: without collection number); 1 Ƥ, environs of Vstrechnyi river, inland coastal margin of Negodnaya Bay (45.951N, 150.181E), 29 VIII 1995 (14:30–16:30), Ôhara-M. (45°56ʹ63ʺN, 150°10ʹ52ʺE; by hand with aspirator; alt. 1m; under seaweed along sandy coast line; IKIP; HUM: UR-95-MO-070); 1 Ƥ, Otkrytyybay (45.864N, 149.793E), 4 VIII 1995, Ôhara-M. (45°51ʹ49ʺN, 149°46ʹ95ʺE; by hand pick up; under logs and rocks on shore; IKIP; HUM: UR-95-MO-002); 1 Ƥ, same data, but (45.851N, 149.770E), 5 VIII 1995, (N45°51ʹ0 4ʺ, E149°46ʹ12ʺ; under seaweed along seashore; IKIP; HUM: UR-95-MO-005).

Redescription. Body (Fig. 2): small to relatively large sized, normally medium sized; somewhat robust, narrowly elongated; surface of pronotum and elytra covered with numerous short hairs rather densely; distinct but inconspicuous punctures on dorsal surface of head and pronotum, and shallow distinct punctures on elytra. Colour (Fig. 2): gland colour blackish brown to dark gray; legs, especially tarsal segments, brown to reddish brown: maxillary and labial palpi blackish brown to yellowish brown; antennae blackish brown and partly reddish brown. Head: top of dorsal surface flattened, without unique elevation; surface sparsely covered with short setae. Antennae: thick and robust; slightly shorter than combined length of head and pronotum; segment I, nearly 2.6 times as long as broad; segment II clearly shorter than I; segment III as same length as II; segments IV and V somewhat spherical, as long as width; segments VI to X clearly transverse; segment XI thick and subconical with rounded apical margin, 1.2 times as long as broad; relative length (width) of segments from basal to apical: 9(3.5): 5(3): 5(3): 3(3): 3(3.5): 2.5(4): 3(5): 3 (5): 3(5): 3(5): 6(5). Thorax: pronotum relatively wider than long (PW/PL =1.26), a little broader than head (PW/HW =1.36); surface with minute hexagonal reticulations and inconspicuous distinct punctures. Metaventrite, about 1.6 times as long as mesoventrite. Inter coxal process of mesoventrite sharply pointed, but with rounded apex, and having short carina along midline, about 0.4 times as long as mesoventrite. Inter coxal process of metaventrite broad and short, one third as long as mesocoxal cavity. Legs: hindtibia short, 0.9 times as long as elytra; relative lengths of tarsomeres from basal to apical: 5: 4.5: 4.5: 4.5: 10.5 in foretarsus, 7.5: 6: 5: 5: 13.5 in midtarsus, 9: 7: 7: 7.5: 16 in hindtarsus.

[Male]: posterior margin of tergite VIII (Fig. 23) nearly truncate, with around 8 macrosetae. Sternite VIII (Fig. 25) with about 7 macrosetae and around 12 thin macrosetae; posterior margin pointed somewhat strongly. Median lobe of aedeagus (Figs. 27–28) elongated and narrowed toward apex, elongated pyriform in ventral view (Fig. 28); a pair of subapico-ventral projections almost straight and somewhat robust in lateral view (Fig. 27); basal swelling of aedeagus (bs), pointed sharply toward foramen mediale in lateral view (Fig. 27); apical lobe clearly isosceles shape in ventral view (Fig. 28); flagellum much shorter than the whole length of median lobe (Figs. 27–28); apical part of copulatory piece sclerotized traiangularly in lateral view (Fig. 27).

[Female]: tergite VIII (Fig. 24) moderately rounded toward posterior, with around 7 macrosetae. Sternite VIII (Fig. 26) with 8 macrosetae, but thickness of macrosetae varying within species; posterior margin slightly pointed but much weaker than male. Spermatheca (Fig. 29): spermathecal head longer than spermathecal neck (sn); basal portion of spermathecal stem narrowing towards base, with bent around middle, sometimes at base; sclerotized portion of spermathecal stem erect; each part of spermatheca except for membraneous portion of spermathecal duct (sm) entirely and moderately sclerotized; (sm) moderate in length.

Measurements (male: n=10): BL, 3.29–4.65 (3.77±0.44); FBL, 1.76–2.28 (2.02±0.17); HL, 0.52–0.74 (0.64±0.07); HW, 0.61–0.79 (0.69±0.06); AL, 0.97–1.33 (1.17±0.10); PL, 0.66–0.85 (0.74±0.07); PW, 0.82–1.05 (0.92±0.08); EL, 0.66–0.89 (0.75±0.09); EW, 0.92–1.35 (1.15±0.12); HTL, 0.48–0.78 (0.67±0.09).

Measurements (female: n=10): BL, 3.20–4.73 (4.01±0.51); FBL, 1.81–2.43 (2.10±0.18); HL, 0.50–0.77 (0.62±0.08); HW, 0.59–0.81 (0.69±0.07); AL, 0.99–1.18 (1.08±0.07); PL, 0.63–0.84 (0.74±0.08); PW, 0.84–1.07 (0.95±0.08); EL, 0.58–0.82 (0.72±0.07); EW, 0.86–1.37 (1.18±0.16); HTL, 0.52–0.79 (0.64±0.07).

Diagnosis. This species is similar to the other Japanese Emplenota species, but can be distinguished from them by the following points: varying from small to large size (not extremely large); distribution (see, Fig. 103) restricted to northern region (Hokkaidô, Japan; Russian Far East; North Korea); punctures on dorsal surface of head, pronotum and elytra inconspicuous (Fig. 2); impunctured area of head flattened; antennae thick; metaventrite, about 1.62 times as long as mesoventrite of which with short carina, about 0.37 times as long as mesoventrite. [Male]: sternite VIII (Fig. 25) somewhat strongly pointed toward posterior margin; apex of sclerite inside the median lobe, triangularly sclerotized in lateral view (Fig. 27); subapico-ventral projections on median lobe clearly straight in lateral view (Fig. 27); basal swelling of median lobe, sharply pointed toward ventral margin in lateral view (Fig. 27). [Female]: basal portion of spermathecal stem with bent around middle part (Fig. 29), and with erect sclerotized portion of spermathecal stem.

Confirmed distribution by authors. [JAPAN]: Hokkaidô, Teuri-tô, Okushiri-tô (See, Fig. 103); [RUSSIA]: Kuril Islands: Paramushir Is., Urup Is.

Other localities in literature. [RUSSIA]: Far East: Sakhalin, Kamchatka Peninsula, Primorsky Krai (Assing, 1995); [NORTH KOREA]: Chagang Province (PaŠnik, 2001).

Remarks. Aleochara puetzi was originally described from Russian territory by Assing (1995). The results of the Biological Expedition of the Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, Japan, to the North Kuril Islands provided us with the distributional information of this species, and other records of the species come from Paramushir Island (of the Kuril Islands) (Naomi et al., 2000). Here, we present the first record from Urup Island from this same island group. These specimens were collected in Russia under the survey of the International Kuril Island Project (IKIP), which is an international collaboration of American, Russian, and Japanese scientists to survey the fauna and flora of the Kuril Archipelago (Takahashi & Ôhara, 2004).

PaŠnik (2001) reported this species from North Korea, and later Maruyama (2002) recorded it for the first time from Japan (northeastern part of Hokkaidô). Park and Ahn (2004) recorded A. puetzi from South Korea and also corrected the misidentification of this species reported as “ A. fucicola ” in the previous paper (Ahn et al., 2000). However, the identification of the species in both papers is incorrect, and we consider it a new species (A. segregata) according to their illustrations.