Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 93. (Budapest 2001)

Kirejtshuk, A. G.: Notes on the systematics of the African Nitidulidae (Coleoptera)

as width of scape) and flattened on discs. Pygidium far projecting posteriorly, about twice as long as previous tergite and truncate at apex, from which widely rounded apex of anal sclerite is exposed. Last segment of labial palpi rather widened to oblique apex, much shorter than wide. Mentum subquadrangular, 2.5 times as wide as long and with rounded corners. Antennái grooves moderately raised at sides at mentum and slightly behind, strongly convergent. Prosternum with medially convex, with short and narrow process which is strongly curved along coxae and strongly widened before arcuate posterior edge (with most width slightly less than width of antennái club). The distance between mesocoxae and that between metacoxae subequal and about 2.5 times as great as that between procoxae. Mesosternum moderately and gently convex along the middle. Metasternum flattened, with distinct median suture along whole length, somewhat shorter than pro- and mesosternum combined, its anterior edge straight and posterior edge between coxae arcuately emarginate. Submeso- and submetacoxal lines not isolated. Ventrite 1 about as long as ventrite 2, but somewhat shorter than ventrites 3 and 4 taken separately. Hypopygidium rather projecting and most long among ventrites (about as long as ventrites 1 and 2 combined), subtruncate at apex. Epiplcura gradually narrowed distally, moderately elevated laterally and slightly wider than antenna! club. Legs moderately short. Tibiae markedly narrower than antennái club, with a slightly prominent outer corner, protibia very finely crenulate at outer edge, meso- and metatibiae with very fine, moderately short and dense haires arranged in rows along their outer edges. Femora with more or less usual outline, anterior and mid nearly 1.5, but posterior 2.5 times as wide as corresponding tibiae. Protarsus about half as wide as protibia, but meso- and metatarsi very narrowly lobed, claws simple and moderately long. Aedeagus well sclcrotizcd. Female-Differs from male only very narrow protarsus, rounded apices of pygidium and hypopygidium. Ovipositor moderately sclcrotizcd. Variability - Length 4.3-6.6 mm. Some paratypes are almost unicolourcd bright reddish, but with slightly darkened elytra or/and metasternum. Antennái club sometimes is rather subround than subquadrate. A little variability is observed in punctuation and sculpture. Diagnosis -This new species is very recognisable due to its large and evenly convex body, reddish coloration and coarser punctation. Alone species in the African fauna can be compared with it, B. (B.) caslanescens. The new species in contrast to the latter has not only larger body and corser punctation, but also more oval outline, smooth or smoothed sculpture of integument, arcuate outline of scutellum, shorter and much wider last labial palpomere, much wider and more strongly convergent antennái grooves, much narrower and strongly convex apex of prosternai process, submesocoxal line not deviating from posterior edge of cavity ot outer corner, markedly narrower sclerites of legs, much shorter sclerites of the last abdominal segment in both sexes and structures of genitalia. Etymology - The name of this new species means "great", "strong", "important".