Sekaliporus davidi Hendrich & Balke, 2015, sp. n.
Creators: name: Hendrich, Lars
name: Balke, Michael
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Sekaliporus
Sekaliporus davidi

description: Sekaliporus davidi sp. n.
(Figs 1–3, 5, 7–10)
Type locality. Australia, Northeast Queensland, Musselbrook Mining Camp [18.38S 138.11E].
Type material. Holotype, male: “ 18.38S 138.11E GPS 8km SE by E Musselbrook Mining Camp QLD 11 May 1995 T. Weir at light” (ANIC), “ Holotype Sekaliporus davidi sp.n. Hendrich & Balke des. 2015” [red printed label] (ANIC). Paratypes, 7 specimens with same data as holotype (ANIC, CLH, SAMA); 1 ex., “McArthur River, N.T. 16.39S 135.51E 80km SW of Borrolola, 13.v.73, M.S. Upton”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex.: “ 16.31 S 125.16 E CALM Site 25/1 Synnot Ck W.A. 17 – 20 June 1988 T.A. Weir”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex.: “ 13.03 S 132.19 E South Alligator River, N.T. 46km WSW of Mt. Cahill 20.v.73, Matthews & Upton”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex., “ 15.45S 129.10E GPS spring at 8 km E by Jarrnarm Keep River Nat. Pk 26-28 May 2001 T. Weir & P. Bouchard” (ANIC); 1 ex., “McArthur River 16.27S 136.05E 48 km SSW of Borroloola, N.T. 22.-24.iv.1976 J.E. Feehan” (ANIC); 1 ex.: “ AUSTRALIA WA / Shire of Halls Creek, Purnululu N. P., Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek, 200 m, 28.6.1999 Hendrich leg. Loc. 29/129” (CLH); 1 ex.: “ Australia: NT, Finnis River 10 km W Batchelor, 43m, 20.VIII.2006, 13.01.278S 130.57.217E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 2)” (ZSM); 7 exs.: “ Australia: NT, Kakadu Hwy, Bowerbird Cr., 5 km W Mary River Roadh., large pool, 20m, 24.VIII.2006, 13.38.142S 132.10.345E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 15b)” (CLH, ZSM); 1 ex.: “ Australia: NT, Kakadu NP, Plum Tree Creek, road to Gunlom, 71m, 25.VIII.2006, 13.30.516S 132.27.550E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 18)” (ZSM); 2 exs.: “ Australia NT / Kakadu N.P., Jim Jim District, Gungurul Lookout, 50 m, 1.11.1996. GPS coordinates: S 13°59.359' E 132°19.904' L. Hendrich leg. (Loc. 11)” (CLH). All paratypes were provided with red printed paratype labels.
Diagnosis. A small, blackish, oblong, oval and convex species, widest in middle, with six yellowish markings on elytra and one reddish band on pronotum (Fig. 1). Elytron with broad triangular spine close to apex.
Description. Measurements. TL: 3.4–3.5 mm (holotype 3.4 mm); TL–H: 3.0– 3.1 mm (holotype 3.0 mm); MW: 1.9–1.95 mm (holotype 1.9 mm); TL/MW: 1.78–1.79.
Colour. Head dark reddish brown. Pronotum reddish, with black band anteriorly and posteriorly. Elytron with six larger yellowish markings, one basally, one laterally reaching margin, and one subapically (Fig. 1). Ventral surface reddish-brown. Abdominal ventrites darkened anteriorly. Epipleuron, prosternum and legs mainly rufopiceous; metatibia and metatarsus light rufo-piceous. Appendages rufo-piceous, apical tarsomeres of male protarsus light rufo-piceous.
Sculpture. Head microreticulated and finely and sharply punctured. Pronotum margined, with fine microreticulation and completely and densely covered by larger punctures, tendency to form longitudinal lines along posterior edge. Elytron punctured as on pronotum, completely covered with very fine microreticulation and with long and fine setae laterally and apically. Elytron weakly margined, margin produced into well marked broad triangular spine close to apex (Fig. 5). Ventral surface strongly and densely rugose-punctate. Prosternal process narrow, distinctly bent in lateral view, strongly keeled, constricted slightly between procoxae. In ventral view metathorax narrowly raised in middle behind mesocoxae. Metacoxal lines raised, close together, subparallel, converging slightly anteriorly, diverging slightly posteriorly.
Male. Protarsus tetramerous, basal three tarsomeres strongly asymmetrical, with posterior lobes reduced in size and anterior lobes greatly expanded. Single claw of protarsus slender and elongate, virtually straight except for strong curve near base. Tip of median lobe of aedeagus rounded in ventral view (Fig. 3 a) instead of tapered and notched in S. kriegi (Fig. 4 a). Lateral lobes (parameres) sinuous and sclerotized (Fig. 3 c), larger and broader than in S. kriegi, and not broadened distally (Fig. 4 c).
Female. Protarsus pentamerous, three basal tarsomeres weakly expanded and asymmetrical, two simple claws.
Variability. The specimens of the type series vary in the shape and extent of yellowish elytral markings.
Etymology. Dedicated to the senior author´s son David Hendrich. The specific epithet is a substantive in the genitive case.
Distribution. Northern Australia, from the inner Kimberley region in the north west, the Kakadu area to northeastern Queensland (Fig. 7). In the Kakadu area both species are sympatric but never syntopic.
Habitat. A lotic species. Near Mary River Roadhouse and on the road to Gunlom it was collected in large (20– 30 m ², 1 m deep), isolated and partly shaded pools, without any submerged and emerged vegetation, of the intermittent Bowerbird Creek and Plum Tree Creek. The bottom of the pools consisted of sand and gravel with a thin layer of rotten plants. Both creeks are fringed by a mixed Melaleuca viridiflora and M. leucadendra forest (Figs 8–10). At Gungurul Lookout Sekaliporus davidi sp. n. was obtained from an isolated, large pool (10 m ², up to 80 cm depth), without any vegetation, situated in the completely dry creek bed of an inflow of the South Alligator River. The pool was partly shaded by a large tree trunk and the steeply sloping river bank. The bottom consisted of sand and gravel. The deepest part was covered by a thick layer of rotten leaves and boughs. In Purnulu the species was collected in a small (4 m ²), clear, exposed and shallow pool in a riverbed of a temporary stream. The bottom consisted of stones and pebbles, without any vegetation. The associated dytiscid fauna of the four localities is listed in Table 1. It seems that S. davidi sp. n. prefers more temporary rivers and creeks and its residual pools, predominantly in open areas with sandy bottom, whereas S. kriegi inhabits more permanent streams and its side pools, often shaded by monsoonal rain forest and dense stands of vegetation. According to the label data specimens of both species were also collected at light.
Comparison of both species. Since a key to only two species seems to be inappropriate, the distinguishing features of both Sekaliporus are simply listed below:
Sekaliporus davidi sp. n.
- Pronotum black, slightly reddish brightened laterally, with median broad reddish band, and elytra with six large yellowish spots (Fig. 1);
- larger species (TL: 3.4–3.5 mm, MW: 1.90–1.95 mm, TL/MW: 1.78–1.79);
- male with tip of median lobe of aedeagus slightly pointed in ventral view (Fig. 3 a) and paramere not broadened distally (Fig. 3 c);
- apical triangular spine of elytra as in Fig. 5;
- distributed in the tropical northern parts of WA, NT, QLD (Fig. 7).
Sekaliporus kriegi
- Pronotum black, slightly reddish brightened laterally, with diffusely limited dark reddish brown parts medially, and elytra with four yellowish lateral spots and two small basal spots (Fig. 2);
- smaller species (TL: 3.2–3.3 mm, MW: 1.70–1.75 mm, TL/MW: 1.88–1.89);
- male with tip of central lobe of aedeagus tapered and notched in ventral view (Fig. 4 a) and paramere distinctly broadened distally (Fig. 4 c);
- apical triangular spine of elytra as in Fig. 6;
- found only in the northern part of NT (Fig. 7).
Type material examined for comparison.
Sekaliporus kriegi Watts, 1997
Holotype, male: “ 12.23 S 132.56 E 7km NW. by N. of Mt. Cahills Crossing, East Alligator River, N.T. 9.vi.73 Upton & Feehan”, “ Holotype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [red printed label] (ANIC). Paratypes, 3 specimens with same data a holotype (ANIC); 2 exs., “ 12.22 S 133.01 E 6 km SW. by S. of Oenpelli, N.T., 30.v.73, at light E.G. Matthews”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 2 exs., “ 12.50 S 132.51 E 16 km E by N of Mt. Cahill, NT, 13.vi.73 Upton & Feehan”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow pinted label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex., “ 12.31 S 132.54 E 9 km N by E Mudginbarry H.S., N.T. 20.v.73, Upton & McInnes”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex., “ 12.46 S 132.39 E 12km NNW of Mt. Cahill, N.T. 20.v.73, Matthews & Upton”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC); 1 ex., “ 12.52 S 132.50 E Koongarra N.T. 15km E of Mt. Cahill 12.vi.73, Upton & Feehan”, “ Paratype Sekaliporus kriegi C. Watts 1997 ” [yellow printed label], “ PARATYPE ” [blue printed label]” (ANIC).
Additional material of S. kriegi examined. 4 exs.: “ Australia NT/Kakadu N.P., Nourlangie District, Gubara, 50 m, 25.10.1996 GPS co-ordinates: S 12°50. 101' E 132°52. 501' L. Hendrich leg. (Loc. 1)” (CLH, ZSM); 2 exs.: “ Australia, NT/Kakadu N.P., Jim Jim District, Jim Jim Falls Camping Area, Jim Jim Creek, 60 m, 26. & 27.10. 1996 GPS co-ordinates: S 13°16. 218' E 132° 49. 276' L. Hendrich leg. (Loc. 2)” (CLH); 2 exs.: “ Australia, NT/ Kakadu N.P., Mary River District, 3 km ESE Gunlom Camping Area. South Alligator River, 50 m, 2.11.1996. GPS co-ordinates: S 13°27. 276' E 132° 26. 268' L. Hendrich leg. (Loc. 14)” (CLH); 4 exs.: “ Australia: NT, Magela Creek upstream, Jabiru East, 38m, 29.VIII.2006, 12.40.458S 132.55.853E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 21)” (CLH, ZSM); 3 exs.: “ Australia: NT, Magela Creek downstream, Jabiru East, 31m, 30.VIII.2006, 12.38.312S 132.53.441E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 23)” (CLH, ZSM); 6 exs.: “ Australia NT Kakadu NP North Magela Tributary, Site 2, 16.IV.2003 ISP invertebrates (ERISS) Coll. Hendrich” (CLH); 3 exs.: “ Australia: NT, Gulungul Creek at Hwy Cross., Jabiru-Jabiru East, 29m, 30.VIII.2006, 12.39.327S 132.52.716E, L. & E. Hendrich (NT 24)” (CLH).
description: Published as part of Hendrich, Lars & Balke, Michael, 2015, Review of the genus Sekaliporus Watts, 1997 with description of a new species from northern Australia (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae), pp. 107-116 in Zootaxa 3981 (1) on pages 108-115, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3981.1.5, http://zenodo.org/record/237744