Paussiger limicornis (Wasmann, 1893)

Raveloson, Ricca, Andrianaharison, Fumiko, Rakotonirina, Jean Claude & Hlaváč, Peter, 2025, The Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) of Madagascar. X. Revision of the myrmecophilous clavigerine genera Rhynchoclaviger Wasmann, 1891 and Paussiger Wasmann, 1893, Zootaxa 5673 (3), pp. 399-410 : 405-406

Paussiger limicornis (Wasmann, 1893)

Paussiger limicornis Wasmann, 1893b: 257 (Type locality: Amparafaravantsiv [Amparafara, Moramanga prefecture, 6 km west of Perinet, 18.929°S, 48.394°E]. Type series: MNHN, probably 2 syntypes ( Jeannel 1954: 304).

Paussiger limicornis Wasmann ; Wasmann 1897: 264 (discussion); Raffray 1905: 466 (catalogue); Raffray 1908: 445 (catalogue); Raffray 1911: 178 (catalogue); Jeannel 1954: 304 (redescription); Jeannel 1960: 200 (distribution); Dajoz 1982: 514 (distribution).

Material studied. 2 ♀, one label: “VOH/ Aug.2012 /14 MADAGASCAR / Réserv. Expérimentale de VOHIMANA/ „ Circuit 3“; 23.viii.2012 / S 18°55’02.3‘‘E 48°30’21.2‘‘; 909m / sifting litter; Winkler app. extr.; L.S. / Rahanitriniaina & E.M. Rabotoson lgt.“ [white, printed] ( PCPH) ; 1 ♀, one label: “EAST MADAGASCAR / Tamatave [Toamasina] distr. / Andasibe , 17-30.XII.2001 / D. Hauck lgt.“ [white, printed] ( PCPH) ; 1 ♀; one label: “ASB/ Nov 2011 MADAGASCAR / border of ANDASIBE N.P.; 27.xi.- / 3.xii.; FEON’NY ALA hotel surr. / sifting leaf litter, Winkler app. / extr.; L.S. Rahanitriniaina lgt.“ [white, printed] ( PCPH) .

Diagnosis. Antenna long, in females 0.40–0.45 mm long, terminal antennomere more than twice as long as wide; first visible paratergite not protruding laterally, distal lobe of aedeagus about 1.6 times as long as basal bulb.

Redescription. Body length about 2.7 mm. Head capsule rectangular, about 1.5 times as long as wide, slightly longer than pronotum, with four parallel carinae; lateral sides dentate, with about 5 small teeth located from under eyes to posterior margin of head capsule; anterior margin of rostrum triangular. Antenna of female 0.40–0.45 mm long, antennomere 3 confluent with 4, terminal antennomere about 0.3 mm long, slightly, evenly narrowed to truncate apex.

Pronotum about 1.3 times as wide as long, sides divergent posteriad, widest in posterior margin, with about 5 sharp teeth, with dentate median and lateral carinae; with wide, flat median sulcus bordered by discal carinae; lacking foveae.

Elytra 1.6–1.7 times as wide as long, shorter than abdomen, glabrous, with almost entire sutural striae, with three discal striae, adjacent to sutural striae, lacking humeral striae, lateral elytral margin non-dentate, with longitudinal impression; interstriae almost lacking punctures, very fine punctation only on anterior fourth.

Abdomen long, 1.6–1.7 times as long as elytra, anterior part of composite tergite with transverse impression, lateral foveae small, adjacent to posterior margin of elytra, with ill-defined trichome; first visible paratergite about as long as second, lacking lateral protrusion, with modest trichome, second visible paratergite parallel-sided, slightly longer than third visible paratergite, all paratergites slender.

Legs short and stout; mesofemur with sharp, long, outwards curved basal spine; mesotibia with apical, stout thorn ( Jeannel 1954: 301, Fig. 159).

Aedeagus ( Jeannel 1954: 303, Fig. 161) elongate, about 2.9 times as long as wide, apical lobe strongly convergent, about 1.6 times as long as basal bulb.

Sexual dimorphism. Females with mesofemora and mesotibia simple, lacking spines.

Host ant. Crematogaster hova -complex Blaimer, 2010 [as Crematogaster (Decacrema) schencki Forel, 1891 ].

Distribution. Madagascar.