Aphanocephalus kukuyalanji Szawaryn, 2025, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Szawaryn, Karol
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Discolomatidae
Aphanocephalus
Aphanocephalus kukuyalanji

description: Aphanocephalus kukuyalanji sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 27E3D925-7BA9-4B34-A7C2-D8DEC200F8E5
(Figs 7I, K, 11D–F, 15B)
Material examined. Type material.
Holotype. QUEENSLAND: male, " Daintree NE QLD: Thomson Creek, 16.06.31 S 145.26.25 E, 140m, 05.02.99, Trunk Knockdown #9, coll. Simon Grove " (ANIC). Paratypes. QUEENSLAND: same data as for the holotype (2, ANIC); same data but #21 (2, ANIC); same data but #7 (1, ANIC); same data but 08.12.98, Trunk Knockdown #12 (2, ANIC); same data but Log Knockdown #11, 08.12.98 (3, ANIC); same data but Log Emerg Tr12, 26/01/99-18/02/99 (2, ANIC; 1, MIZ); same data but Trunk FIT 26, 19/12/98-26/01/99 (3, ANIC).
Other material. QUEENSLAND: Cairns / I.12027 Aphanocephalus, see note, Queensland/ SAMA 25-50386 (1, SAMA); 12 42'38S 143 17'33E QLD Cooks Hut July 1988 R. Oberprieler (3, ANIC); Bellenden Ker Range, N.Q. 1km S. of Cable Tower 6, Oct. 17-Nov. 5 1981, 500m, EARTHWATCH/QLD. MUSEUM Pyrethrum knockdown (6, ANIC; 2, MIZ), same data (4, QMB); West Claudie R., Iron Range, N Qld. 3-10 Dec 1985 G. Monteith & D. Cook Pyrethrum knockdown/ RF (2, QMB); Claudie R. nr Iron Rg, Qld. 19-25 July 1978, J.F. Lawrence (2, ANIC); Windsor Tableland, N.Qld 27 Dec 88- 8 Jan 1989 E. Schmidt & AZSES Site 8, fit. intercept (1, QMB), same data but 12 Jan 1989 (3, QMB), same data but 25-26 Apr 1982 (1, QMB), same data but 16 Apr 1982 (1, QMB); Mt. Father Clancy, 9km S. Millaa Millaa, N.Qld. 6 Dec 1988, 950m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum/ logs & trees (11, QMB); Mossman Bluff Track, 9km W Mossman, N.Q. 20 Dec 1989, 860m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum, site 6 (4, QMB), same data but 16 Dec 1988 (1, QMB), same data but 16-30 Dec 1988 (1, QMB); Oliver Creek, Cape Tribulation, N.Qld. 2 Dec 1990, 20m, Monteith, Sheridan & Thompson, Pyreth. logs (2, QMB); NEQ: 18°39'S 145°52E Wallman Falls road Junction, 650m, 5 Feb 1996 G. Monteith, Pyrethrum trees (3, QMB); NEQ: 15°47'S 145°19E Mt Hartley, 750m, 8 Nov 1995 G. Monteith, Pyrethrum trees & logs (4, QMB); NE QLD 2.5 km W of Cape Tribulation (Site 5) 2-7 Oct 1982, 180m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (3, QMB), same data but 3-7 Oct 1982, site 4 (1, QMB), same data but 2 Oct. 1982, site 6 (1, QMB); EQ: 15°57'S 145°08E Mt Boolbun South, 5 Nov 1995, 850m, G.B. Monteith, Pyrethrum logs (20, QMB); Mt Finnigan Summit via Helenvile, N.Qld 3-5 Dec 1990, 1050m, Monteith, Sheridan, Roberts & Thompson, Pyrethrum (4, QMB); NEQ: 16°03'S 145°25'E Mt Halcyon 870m, 23 Nov 1993, Monteith & Janetzki Pyrethrum/ trees & logs (3, QMB); NEQ 16°32'S 145°23'E Rex Range summit, 18 May 1998, 400m, G. Monteith, Rainforest, Pyrethrum, trees 1894 (2, QMB); NEQ 17°17'S 145°58'E Graham Range, 550m, 1 Nov 1995, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, trees & logs (2, QMB); NEQ 17°37'S 145°46'E Palmerson NP E Margin, 9 Dec 1995, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, trees & logs (4, QMB); Packers Creek, via Portland Roads, NQld, 6 Dec 1985, G. Monteith & D. Cook, Pyrethrum, Rainfor. (6, QMB); West Claudia R., Iron Range, N. Qld. 3-10 Dec 1985, g. Monteith & D. Cook, Pyrethrum, knockdown/ RF (3, QMB); Bell Peak North, N. Qld. Malbon Thompson ra., 22 Nov 1990, 400m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum trees & logs (3, QMB); Mt Finnigan Summit via Helenvale, N. Qld. 3-5 Dec 1990, 1050m, Monteith, Sheridan, Roberts & Thompson, Pyrethrum (1, QMB); NEQ: 16°55'S 145°40'E Mt Williams 0.5km NW, 28 Nov 1997, 870m, G.B. Monteith 1662, Pyrethrum, trees & logs (1, QMB); NE.Qld: 15°43'S 145°17'E Big Tableland, 618m, 21 Dec 1990 - 9 Jan 1991 ANZSES Expedition Flight intercept trap (1, QMB); Mt Formartine South, 10km N. Kuranda, N.Qld 23 Nov 1990, 700m, Pyrethrum-Trees&Logs (1, QMB); Kirrama Range, N.E. QLD, Mt Hosie summit, 930m, 11 Dec 1986, Monteith, Thompson & Hemlet, Pyrethrum knockdown (3, QMB); Mt Misery Simmit, via Helenvale, N. Qld. 6 Dec 1990, 850m, Monteith, Sheridan, Roberts, Pyrethrum-Trees & Logs (1, QMB); NEQ: 17°26'S 145°42'E Hughes Road, Topaz, 6 Dec 1993 - 25 Feb 1994, Monteith, Cook, Janetzki, BF, Intercept, 650m (1, QMB); Downey Creek, 25km SE Millaa Millaa, N. Qld., 7 Dec 1988, 400m, Monteith & thompson, Pyrethrum/ Logs & Trees (1, QMB); 3 km E. Lockerbie Cape York, N. Qld, 19023 Mar 1987 G.B. Mpnteith, Pyrethrum on logs (!, QMB); Shiptons Flat, 250m, 35km S. Cooktown, N. Qld., 22 Apr 1982, Monteith, Yeates & cook (2, QMB); Karnak-Devil's Thumb 8-12km NW Mpssmann, NQ 26 Dec 1989 - 15 Jan 1990, ANZSES Expedition site 4, 300m, flt. intercept (1, QMB); Boonjie, 13 km ESE of Malanda, N.Qld. 8 Dec 1988, 700m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum/ logs & trees (6, QMB).
Type locality. Queensland, Daintree.
Distribution. Northern Queensland (Fig. 16).
Etymology. The specific name is derived from the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people, whose territory the Daintree Rainforest is located on, and from where the type series was collected.
Diagnosis. Aphanocephalus kukuyalanji is a distinctive, small species with a sub-rounded, spherical body shape. The body outline often appears polygonal due to glandular pores that slightly protrude from the body outline. The dorsal surface of both the pronotum and elytra is entirely rufous-orange, with a single oval or slightly transverse brown to dark brown lateral macula on each elytron. In some specimens, the pronotum has a dark discal area, sometimes divided into two smaller, separate maculae. The body shape and coloration are unique among Australian species of Aphanocephalus. A similar body shape and size is found in A. queenslandicus, which may co-occur with A. kukuyalanji. However, A. queenslandicus is entirely dark brown, usually with paler maculae on each elytron and a row of large pseudopores along the lateral margins of the elytra, which are absent in A. kukuyalanji. Additionally, the punctures on the elytra of A. kukuyalanji are small and shallow, while those of A. queenslandicus are distinctly larger and coarser.
Description. Length: 1.58–1.61 mm, width: 1.25–1.27 mm. Body oval about 1.25 times as long as wide (Fig. 7I), convex in lateral view (Fig. 7K). Body outline appear slightly polygonal glandular pores slightly protrude from the body outline. Pronotum and elytra covered with long, dense setae, much denser on pronotum. Dorsal surface of pronotum and elytra rufous-orange; sometimes pronotum with large brown central macula, sometimes divided into two smaller lateral maculae; elytra with single oval to slightly transverse brown lateral macula; ventral side rufous to light brown; antennae, mouthparts and legs yellow.
Pronotum covered with coarse punctae of single size. Lateral margins of pronotum bordered, anterior margin without bordering line. Elytra covered with punctae in two sizes, uniformly intermixed. Pronotum and elytra broadly explanate laterally, margins well visible throughout. Lateral sides of elytra rounded, with irregular row of larger punctures slightly depressed along lateral margin of elytra, without pseudopores, pores slightly protruding from the elytral outline, especially in the posterior part, giving somehow polygonal shape. Epipleuron with shallow sub-marginal furrow.
Mentum without lateral carinae. Labial palps separated by narrow carina. Prosternum with notosternal carinae short but visible; prosternal process with lateral carinae absent. Metaventrite shorter than ventrite 1. Ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined. Ventrite 1 entirely covered with large punctae; ventrites 2–5 covered with punctae of two sizes, coarser at base forming a single row, and smaller on the rest of surface.
Male genitalia. Tegmen in inner view with sides broadly rounded tapering toward truncate apex (Fig. 11F); in lateral view broad at base, pointed at apex, outer margin rounded, inner margin sinusoidal in middle, narrowing toward apex (Fig. 11E). Penis broadening toward apex, outer margin broadly rounded, inner margin slightly rounded in apical part (Fig. 11D); gonopore shorter than its width, apex of gonopore extending beyond apex of penis, apically truncate, outer margin almost straight (Fig. 11D).
Female genitalia. Coxites narrow, elongate. Sperm duct diverging apically from bursa copulatrix; spermatheca with vermiform basal part and bulbous apical part (Fig. 15B), apical part with diameter slightly larger than diameter of basal part.
description: Published as part of Szawaryn, Karol, 2025, Revision of the Australian species of Aphanocephalus Wollaston (Coleoptera: Discolomatidae), pp. 401-440 in Zootaxa 5632 (3) on pages 419-421, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/15372416