Abscondita pallescens Ho 2019, comb. nov.
Creators: name: Ho, - Z.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2019
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Lampyridae
Abscondita
Abscondita pallescens

description: Abscondita pallescens (Gorham 1880) comb. nov.
Figs 120−138
Luciola pallescens Gorham 1880: 102. Olivier 1885: 356; 1900: 235; 1902: 84. McDermott 1966: 111.
NEC Luciola lata Olivier 1883: 79; 1890: xxxi (synonymy). McDermott 1966: 111. Stat. rev.
Type. Not located in MNHN by Ballantyne in 2013.
Material examined. Specimens are pinned unless otherwise indicated; # = specimens killed, fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol. Nada’s collection in various forest reserves has compartment numbers and transect number following in []. INDONESIA. Java: 2 females (no other data) (NHML); male (no other data) (Prague Fig. 123); Java ‘centr.’ Dr J Baum, female (Prague Fig. 124); Java ‘c’ coll Baum, female (Prague); Bodjang Kalong, female (Prague). Su- matra: Fort de Kock 920 m Dec 1920, E. Jacobsen, male (NHML). Lampung prov. Bukit Barisan, Selantan NP 5° 4’S 104° 4’E 7−17.ii.2000, 5 kms SW Lima, J Bezděk, 2 females (Prague Fig. 122). Riau prov. Bukit Tigapuluh NP 0.50’S 102° 26’E 18−25.i.2000, J. Bezděk, female (Prague Fig. 121). MALAYSIA. Sarawak: No other data, female (Prague). Gunung Mulu Nat. Park R. G. S. Exped. 1977−8, J. D. Hollaway et al.: Site 8 February camp 1 Mulu, 150m, 385470 mixed dipt. For. MV—mainly canopy, female; Sites 14, 15 February camp 2.5 Mulu, 1000m 413461 lower l. montane for., MV canopy/understorey, 2 females; Site 16 March Long Pala (base) 70 m 324450 alluv./second.for. MV-on-batu-canopy, 2 females; Site 23 April W. Melinau Gorge 250m, 430558 FEG 4 Limestone Forest, MV canopy understorey, 2 females (NHML). Matang N J. E. A. Lewis, 1910-116, male (NHML). Mt Dempo 4000feet, 1920−23 C J Brooks, male (NHML). Mt Dulit 4000ft moss forest light traps 21.x.1932 Oxford Univer- sity expedition BM Hobby, AW Moore, male (NHML). Mt Matang at light 1000 ft. 4.vi.1939 NCE Miller, male (NHML). Mt Merinjak 23.v.1914 G E Bryant 600 feet, female (NHML). Quop iii−iv.1914, G E Bryant, 22 females (NHML). MALAYSIA Peninsula. Kelantan: Banjaran Titi Wangsa Kampong Lawa env. 24− 26.2.1997, Ivo Jeniš, Female (Prague). Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur June 27 1921, H. M. Pendlebury, male (MZUM). Negeri Sembilan: all collected by B. Nada, Gunung Berembun, 800 m a.s.l., 10.vii.2015, female (GB800); 900 m a.s.l., 10. vii.2015, ♀ (GB900) (FRIM). Gunung Besar Hantu, 850 m a.s.l., 5.vi.2015, ♀, (GBH 850); 7.vi.2015, ♀ (GBH 550) (FRIM). Pahang: Cameron Highlands Tanah Rata 13− 17.2.1997, Ivo Jeniš, male (Prague). Fraser’s Hill at light 4200 ft. 14.7.1936, female (MZUM). Fraser’s Hill, all collected by B. Nada; Bishop Trail, 1250 m a.s.l, 13.iv.2016, 2 ♀ (B 4 I, B 1 I); 14.iv.2016; 4 ♀ (B 1 II, B3 40- 80 II, B 4 II); 19.ix.2016, ♀ (B 1 III). Mager Trail, 1300 m a.s.l., 14.iv.2016, ♀ (M 1 40 II) (FRIM). Cameron’s Highlands at light No. 1 camp 4800ft March 11 1924, H. M. Pendlebury, male (MZUM). Taman Negara NP Kuala Tahan primeval (sic) forests, 5.3− 9.3.2007, V. Hula, female (Prague Fig.). Penang: 96−126, 2 females; Penang Hills 1800−2500 feet, S.S. Flower, female (NHML). Perak: Gunung Kledang Nov 1916, male (MZUM). Gunung Liang, 300 m a.s.l., 350 m a.s.l, 500 m a.s.l., 21.vi.2015, B. Nada, 3 ♀ (GL 300, GL 350, GL 500); 750 m a.s.l, 16.vi.2015, B. Nada, ♀ (GL 750) (FRIM). Larut Hills at light 3700ft, 12 Feb 1932, H. M. Pendlebury, male, female (MZUM). Selangor: Gunung Nuang, 700 m a.s.l., 850 m a.s.l., 11.v.2015, B. Nada, 3 ♀ (GN 750, GN 850); 700 m a.s.l., 9.v.2015, B. Nada, ♀ (GN 700) (FRIM). Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 27.vi.2011, Canopy Walkway Trail, 152 m a.s.l., C.N. Nafaruding, female (ADULTCNPY1); 12.vii.2011, Mersawa Trail, 102 m a.s.l., B. Nada, female (ADULTMSW13) (FRIM). Gombak Valley Oct 19 (date unclear either 1921 or 1926), H. M Pendlebury, male (identified as Luciola pallescens by K. G. Blair) (MZUM). Selangor Museum near L gardens, light 19.12.1934, H. M. Pendlebury, male (MZUM). Terengganu: Besul Forest Reserve, Compt. 10, 10.v.2016, B. Nada, 3 ♀ (B 10 [2], B 10 [3]); 1.viii.2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, 7 ♀, 2 ♂ (B 10 [8], B 10 [7]); Compt. 12, 16.viii.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, 2 ♀ (B 12 [4]); Compt. 17, 10.viii.2016, B. Nada 2 ♀ (B 17 [1]); 23.viii.2016, B. Nada, ♂ (B 17 [5]) (FRIM). Hulu Terengganu Tambahan Forest Reserve, Compt. 27, 30.viii. 2016, R.S. Raja- Ahmad-Bazli, 4 ♀, ♂ (UTT 27 [2], UTT 27 [5]); Compt. 35, 31.viii. 2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, 3 ♂, ♀ (UTT 35 [2], UTT 35 [6]) (FRIM). Jengai Forest Reserve, Compt. 4, 19.v.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, 2 ♀ (JI 4 [1] II, JI 4 [3] II); 24.v.2016, B. Nada, ♂ (JI 4 [1] IV); 12.vii.2016, S. Mohd-Fadhlullah, 2 ♀, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, ♂ (JI 4 [7], JI 4 [10]); Compt. 39, 24.viii.2016, R.S. Raja-Ahmad-Bazli, 4 ♀, M.S. Asraf, ♂ (JI 39 [3], JI 39 [5], JI 39 [5-6] II); Compt. 40, 11.v.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, female (JI 40 [1]); Compt. 42, 28.vii.2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, ♂ (JI 42 [4-3]); Compt. 64, 18.viii.2016, S. Mohd-Fadhlullah, 2 ♀ (JI 64 [3], JI 64 [4]) (FRIM). Jerangau Forest Reserve, Compt. 31, 22.vi.2016, M.S. Asraf, 2 ♀ (JU 31 N [7], JU 31 N [10]); 27.vi.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, 2 ♀ (JU 31 Y [6], JU 31 Y [7]); Compt. 68, 6.vi.2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, 2 ♀ (JU 68 [1]); 21.viii.2016, B. Nada, ♀ (JU 68 [8-9]); Compt. 93, 19.viii.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, 2 ♀ (JU 93 [12], JU 93 [15]); Compt. 100, 20.vii.2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, 3 ♀ (JU 100 [0], JU 100 [1]) (FRIM); Pasir Raja Barat Forest Reserve, Compt. 87, 22.viii. 2016, B. Nada, ♀ (PB 87 [8] I) (FRIM). Pasir Raja Selatan Forest Reserve, Compt. 26, 25.v.2016, S. Muhammad-Jafni, ♀ (PS 26 [2] I); 26.v.2016, Z.A. Saiful-Azhari, 2 ♀ (PS 26 [5] II); 31.v.2016, B. Nada, female (PS 26 [5] III); Compt. 52, 21.vii.2016, R.S. Raja- Ahmad-Bazli, 5 ♀, S. Muhammad-Jafni, 2 ♂ (PS 52 [6], PS 52 [7] I, PS 52 [7] II) (FRIM). THAILAND (as peninsular Siam). Nakon Sri Tamirat Khao Ram, 300–750 ft. March 2 1922, H. M. Pendlebury, male (MZUM).
Diagnosis. A relatively large thick bodied species, with pale brown dorsum and pronotum; all males examined have median dark brown markings (males are 9.0 −11.5 mm long); ventral thorax brown, basal abdominal ventrites either yellow, or mid to dark brown. Similar in colouration and size to Abs. anceyi, distinguished by the pale elytral apices and darker ventral colouration (Abs. anceyi has black elytral apices, yellowish orange thorax and yellow ventrites anterior to the LO); from the parallel sided Abs. promelaena which is also pale coloured dorsally by its larger size, convex sided elytra and much wider body. Similar to Abscondita jerangau sp. nov. in size and overall colouration, distinguished by the very dark abdominal tergites and the outline of the apex of the aedeagal sheath (Abs. jerangau sp. nov. has terminal abdominal tergites either orange or mid brown, never almost black; the aedeagal sheath tip similar to that of Abs. anceyi, while Abs. pallescens has the tip divided into two leaf like apically pointed and medially separated lobes).
Male redescription. 9.0 −11.5 mm long. Colour (Figs 123, 126, 127, 129−131): Colour patterns of freshly collected ethanol preserved specimens (#) differs from that of the older pinned specimens (%) and is distinguished below; all males have darker pronotal markings usually occupying median area, always along posterior margin, sometimes continuous, occasionally subdivided into four discrete spots (Fig. 124); MS, MN brown; elytra of % pale brownish with elytra slightly darker narrowly across base; elytra of # pale semitransparent, fat body occurs in minute specks and may be aggregated towards elytron tip; abdomen of % mid brown anterior to the creamy white light organs; 8 # males have ventrites anterior to the LO paler medially with lateral margins darker brown; J139 5 has all of V4, 5 brown except for paler median posterior margin; UTT 27 5 has all ventrites anterior to the LO mid brown; all tergites of % moderately dark brown, appearance of dorsal abdomen seen through the semitransparent elytra is of a striped pattern; T8 # paler than rest and often semitransparent. Head: male antennae slightly longer than 2 x GHW; apical labial palpomere with inner margin dentate. Elytra: convex sided. Aedeagus (Figs 133−135) with elongate slender ‘sausage shaped’ lobes arising from the LL splaying to the sides. Aedeagal sheath (Figs 136−138): sternite terminated with paired separate lobes which are apically acute; sheath with small dark chitinous pieces at sides associated with a transverse cuticular band which arises anterior to the anterior dorsal margin of the sheath tergite.
Female. Females are associated by their occurrence in large numbers in some sites where males were collected, their large size, convex sided shape and distinctive colouration. This diagnosis has been made using the ethanol preserved specimens from peninsular Malaysia only, as this area had the highest representation of males where we could confirm the species identity using male characters. All these females were gravid. All were examined closely for any differences which might indicate that some were females of Abs. jerangau sp. nov. but we were unable to make any distinctions.
10.0–14.4 mm long. Macropterous and capable of flight. Colour (Figs 120−122, 124, 125, 128, 132): coloured as for male except for pronotum and terminal abdomen; pronotum either pale yellowish-brown with no dark markings (in 8 females including 6 from Quop; underlying fat body is often partially retracted, and these areas may appear brown and may confuse interpretation of colour), or more usually with median brown markings (Table 2); all abdominal tergites brown, the dorsal abdomen appears striped when viewed from above through the semitransparent elytra as the white intersegmental membranes are expanded in these gravid females); T7, 8 protrude beyond elytral apices and are orange brown and more heavily sclerotized than remainder; abdominal ventrites brown except for white LO in V6 and paler orange semitransparent V7, 8; lateral areas of V7 often with an accumulation of white fat body. Abdomen: posterior margin of V7 broadly and deeply emarginated with acute corners; median posterior margin of V9 very shallowly and narrowly emarginated. Reproductive system: an elongate vagina leads to a muscular bursa which is terminated by a thin walled spermatophore digesting gland. Bursa plates are in the form of paired 3 pointed hooks of which only one hook, the most anterior, is free and inclines inwards. The other apparent hooks form the elongated base of attachment of the plate to the inner wall of the bursa. The base of the spermathecal duct is conspicuous, expanded and partly coloured. An apparent gland was seen in only one dissection attaching to the opposite surface of the bursa below the spermathecal duct attachment.
Remarks. McDermott (1966) synonymised Luciola lata Olivier with Luciola pallescens. We reject this synonymy. Olivier described as L. lata a large wide male (12.0 mm long; 5.5 mm wide) with the last abdominal segment emarginated and bearing a median carina (‘profunde emarginate et in medio longitudinaliter carinato’), suggesting Colophotia male, or perhaps a female. Luciola lata is not reliably identified here and is discussed subsequently under species incertae sedis.
This species is represented by a large number of females in collections, possibly a reflection of the ease of collection of a large female which is readily attracted to light. It is also possible a gravid female would fly little and be easier to catch. Males in peninsular Malaysia have been taken at considerable altitude with several attracted to light.
The unusual strip of cuticle associated with the dorsal margin of the sheath tergite is also seen in Abs. anceyi and Abs. cerata but its significance is unknown (Ballantyne et al. 2013: 7). The alternative method of aedeagal sheath extraction described in the Methods section may allow better visualisation of this structure in future preparations.
Gorham (1880) described the species from both male and female specimens from Java, but we are unable to locate the types and have seen relatively few males in collections. Gorham’s collection in MNHN has specimens arranged in a line under an identifying label but usually no types identified. The specimens we assign here conform in size, colour and abdominal outline with these specimens.
Those males we have assigned to Abs. pallescens approach Abs. anceyi (Olivier) in size but differ in elytral and pronotal colour (Abs. anceyi has bright yellow dorsum with black elytral apices). The most prevalent colour pattern (in 13 males and 80 females) is that of median dark markings on the pronotum. Only females from three localities (two in Sarawak and one in peninsular Malaysia) have pale yellowish pronota. The few specimens from the type locality (Java) have dark pronotal markings. One female from Indonesia (Riau) has four separate dark pronotal markings.
Species of Luciolinae having all pale colouration dorsally are listed in Table 3. Abscondita promelaena ranges from 8.7–10.3 mm long and is a slender bodied species with parallel sided elytra, elytral apices whitish because of accumulation of fat body, and a brown MS. V 7 in the female is broadly emarginated along its posterior margin.
Both Colophotia bakeri and C. concolor are addressed in this paper. Aquilonia messoria comb. nov. is known from two male specimens on Misima Island off the coast of New Guinea. Luciola antennalis, described from a single female with certain antennal segments ‘depressis’, may be a female of Luciola intricata and is discussed there. Luciola atripes although described with yellow elytra, has light brownish elytra with apices paler (the type in MNHN is without head, pronotum and abdomen and the elytra are subparallel sided), and is newly synonymised here with L. chapaensis. The L. aurantiaca type is 8 mm long, subparallel sided and glued ventral side down on a card and is yet to be investigated (see Luciola s. lato). It is considerably smaller than females of Abs. pallescens which have convex sided elytra. The type of L. bourgeoisi has not been located and it is difficult to determine if Olivier was describing a male or a female abdomen (see Ballantyne et al. 2016 who considered the possibility of this being a species of Triangulara Pimpasalee). It may have been based on specimens of Luciola brahmina Bourgeois. Luciola nigripes is 7−8 mm long with distinctive orange yellow dorsal colouration and black legs and is probably a Curtos sp.
Including Abs. pallescens comb. nov., there are five species of Luciolinae from S. E. Asia with large females all of which have pale dorsum without black elytral apices. Only Abs. pallescens comb. nov. may also have dark pronotal markings.
Of these Luciola candezei Olivier 1920 is golden yellow dorsally, is the largest at about 14−16 mm long and is probably identical with L. ochracea Gorham 1895. Both are from Sri Lanka and distinguished by the black ventrites 2−5, the yellowish head, the shallow emargination of V7, and a dark elytral apex which is only visible from beneath (Ballantyne et al. 2016 figs 152−157) (these species are further addressed under Luciola s. lato). A possible male specimen in the Olivier collection (MNHN) has no abdomen. Abscondita pallescens females have brown abdominal ventrites, usually brown markings on the pronotum, and a deeply emarginated V7.
Luciola concreta Olivier 1907 from Java at 10 mm long could be pallescens (a possible type female in MNHN from Java has narrowly black elytral apices only visible from beneath and mostly black ventrites anterior to the V6 LO and is further addressed under Luciola s. lato). Colophotia miranda Olivier 1886 is assigned here to species incertae sedis and discussed further under that heading.
description: Published as part of Ho, - Z., 2019, The Luciolinae of S. E. Asia and the Australopacific region: a revisionary checklist (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) including description of three new genera and 13 new species, pp. 1-174 in Zootaxa 4687 (1) on pages 34-41, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4687.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3508098