Paroster ursulae Hendrich & Fery, 2008, sp. n.
Creators: name: Hendrich, Lars
name: Fery, Hans
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2008
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Paroster
Paroster ursulae

description: Paroster ursulae sp. n.
Type locality: 80 km WSW Coolgardie, Western Australia, ca. 31.17S 120.52E {10}.
Type material: Holotype: Male: “ AUSTRALIA / WA Great Eastern Hwy, 80 km WSW Coolgardie “Scenic Lookout”, sandstone hill, Mallee, 12.I.2000, in gnammas, Lars Hendrich leg. (loc.16/162)” [white, printed]; “ HOLOTYPE Paroster ursulae sp. n. Hendrich & Fery des. 2007” [red, printed] {10} (WAM). Paratypes: 196 exs. with the same locality data as the holotype and a red printed paratype label (BNMH, CDB, CHF, CLH, NMW, SAMA, WAM, ZSM).
Differential diagnosis: Habitus as in Figs 1, 4, 5; more stout and compact; distinctly larger than P. baylyi sp. n. Measurements: holotype: TL: 3.9 mm, TL-H: 3.6 mm, MW: 2.0 mm, TL/MW: 1.95, TL-H/MW: 1.80; paratypes: males (n = 20): TL: 3.7–4.2 mm (3.95 ± 0.36 mm), TL-H: 3.35–3.85 mm (3.64 ± 0.13 mm), MW: 1.95–2.2 mm (2.08 ± 0.08 mm), TL/MW: 1.81–2.03 (1.90 ± 0.05), TL-H/MW: 1.70–1.97 (1.75 ± 0.04); females (n = 20): TL: 3.4–3.9 mm (3.72 ± 0.13 mm), TL-H: 3.15–3.6 mm (3.43 ± 0.14 mm), MW: 1.75–2.1 mm (1.98 ± 0.09 mm), TL/MW: 1.80–2.17 (1.88 ± 0.08), TL-H/MW: 1.67–1.97 (1.74 ± 0.07).
Species appearing much darker than P. baylyi sp. n., because yellowish areas on surface much less extended and brownish areas distinctly darker. Also underside somewhat darker; antennomeres almost entirely dark brownish beginning with fifth or sixth.
Pronotum in dorsal view, behind anterior angles not diverging posteriorly, but sides more or less straight and parallel or slightly rounded and converging; thus, point of maximum width not at base, but often distinctly before base, and discontinuity in outline between pronotum and elytra rather prominent.
Reticulation and punctation on upper surface similar to that of P. baylyi sp. n., but generally more distinct. Setae longer and at least on sides and anterior margin of pronotum more distinct.
Variability: As in P. baylyi sp. n. mainly concerning extent of dark areas; on elytra in several specimens reaching until base, yellowish markings on pronotum often reduced on rather narrow stripes on sides and a band parallel to anterior margin before centre of disc; even this band often darkened medially. As in P. baylyi sp. n. often elytra with dark areas weakly lightened centrally.
Male: Most characters as in P. baylyi sp. n., but median lobe larger, in ventral view rather narrow and more or less evenly tapering to truncate apex (Fig. 10); left paramere as in Fig. 13.
Female: On average smaller than males (see Measurements). Reticulation of upper surface strongly impressed, in particular on elytra; thus, latter appearing very matt. Gonocoxae as in Fig. 16; gonocoxosternum large, less elongate (Fig. 19).
Etymology: Dedicated to the senior author's mother Ursula Hendrich.
Distribution: Only known from the type locality near Boorabbin, south-western Australia (Fig. 22). Probably more widespread in an area around Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie.
Habitat: All beetles were collected in exposed, very small (1–1.5 m ²), shallow (up to 15 cm depth) and ephemeral puddles and pools on granite outcrops, by using various small nets and a kitchen strainer. Bottom consisting of sand of bare rock and stones (Figs 23–24). Most beetles were stationary in the middles of pools under flat stones, with a few hiding among rotten debris.
description: Published as part of Hendrich, Lars & Fery, Hans, 2008, Paroster baylyi sp. n., P. ursulae sp. n. (Col. Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae) and the water beetle diversity of pan-gnammas on isolated granite outcrops in the Mallee of south-western Australia, pp. 27-41 in Zootaxa 1704 on pages 35-36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180850