Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović, 2025

Ćurčić, Srećko, Vrbica, Maja, Kocić, Korana, Gojšina, Vukašin, Vranić, Sofija & Vesović, Nikola, 2025, Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov., a new troglobitic leiodid beetle (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Leptodirini) from southwestern Serbia, European Journal of Taxonomy 997, pp. 289-307 : 294-300

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:02AFC9E8-9688-4B9F-95C4-C194658D018B

Figs 1–5 ; Tables 1–3

Diagnosis

A medium-sized, depigmented, anophthalmous, scaphoid leptodirine beetle with the character state of the genus Remyella , closely related to R. hussoni and R. propiformis , from which it differs mainly in the sides of the pronotum, which converge in a straight line from the point of maximum pronotal width to the anterior pronotal angles.

Differential diagnosis

The species geographically, morphologically and molecularly closest to the new species are R. hussoni and R. propiformis , with which R. spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. shares the similar body length, the presence of the lateral rim of the pronotum extending from the pronotal base to ⅔–¾ of the PL, the narrow median lobe of the aedeagus and the similar shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus ( Winkler 1933; Jeannel 1934: 101, figs 12–13; Guéorguiev 1990; Giachino & Etonti 1995: 80, 82, figs 1–7; Njunjić et al. 2017: 150–151, figs 15, 31). The species R. javorensis and R. raskae seem to be close to the new species based on the shape of the sides of the pronotum, which in these three species converge in a straight line from the point of maximum pronotal width to the anterior pronotal angles ( Ćurčić et al. 2008: 111, 113, figs 1–4; Njunjić et al. 2017: 151, figs 28–29, 32). The basic differences between R. spanovicae and all other species of the genus Remyella are listed below.

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. differs from R. hussoni in the PL/PW (M 1.19 vs 1.10), the PW (slightly before the middle vs approximately in the middle), the shape of the lateral pronotal margins (converging in a straight line from the point of maximum pronotal width to the anterior pronotal angles vs convex in the anterior part), the density of the punctuation on the pronotal disc (relatively sparse vs dense) and the shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus (slightly extended vs sharp) ( Jeannel 1934; Guéorguiev 1990; Giachino & Etonti 1995; Njunjić et al. 2017: 151, fig. 31).

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. differs from R. propiformis in the shape of the lateral pronotal margins (converging in a straight line from the point of maximum pronotal width to the anterior pronotal angles vs convex in the anterior part), the PW (slightly before the middle vs approximately in the middle) and the shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus (slightly extended vs sharp) ( Winkler 1933; Jeannel 1934: 101, figs 12–13; Guéorguiev 1990; Giachino & Etonti 1995: 80, 82, figs 1–7; Njunjić et al. 2017: 150, fig. 15).

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. differs from R. javorensis in the TL (on average smaller vs on average greater), the PL/PW (M 1.19 vs 1.25), the PW (slightly before the middle vs approximately in the middle), the shape of the lateral pronotal margins (less abruptly narrowed after the middle, then converging to the pronotal base vs more abruptly narrowed after the middle, then parallel to the pronotal base), the length of the lateral pronotal rim (extending from the pronotal base to ⅔–¾ of the PL vs limited to the basal half of the pronotum) and the shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus (slightly extended vs bent upwards) ( Ćurčić et al. 2008: 113, figs 3–4; Njunjić et al. 2017: 151, figs 29, 32).

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. differs from R. raskae in the TL (on average smaller vs on average greater), the PL/PW (M 1.19 vs 1.25), the PW (slightly before the middle vs in the posterior third), the shape of the lateral pronotal margins (less abruptly narrowed after the middle, then converging to the pronotal base vs more abruptly narrowed after the basal third, then parallel to the pronotal base), the length of the lateral pronotal rim (extending from the pronotal base to ⅔–¾ of the PL vs limited to the basal half of the pronotum) and the shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus (slightly extended vs sharp) ( Ćurčić et al. 2008: 111, figs 1–2; Njunjić et al. 2017: 151, fig. 28).

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. differs from R. scaphoides in the PL/PW (M 1.19 vs 1.15), the PW (slightly before the middle vs approximately in the middle), the shape of the lateral pronotal margins (converging in a straight line from the point of maximum pronotal width to the anterior pronotal angles vs convex in the anterior part), the width of the median lobe of the aedeagus (narrow vs wide) and the shape of the apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus (slightly extended vs blunt) ( Jeannel 1931: 261, 264, figs 6–8, 11; Winkler 1933; Jeannel 1934: 101, fig. 11; Winkler 1933; Guéorguiev 1990; Giachino & Etonti 1995; Njunjić et al. 2017: 150–151, figs 14, 30).

Etymology

Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. is named after Ivana Španović, a famous Serbian athlete, one of the greatest female long jumpers of all time. She is the reigning world champion, two-time world indoor champion, two-time European champion, three-time European indoor champion, five-time winner of the Diamond League Trophy and Olympic medalist in the women’s long jump.

Type material

Holotype SERBIA • ♂ ( Fig. 2A ); southwestern Serbia, Pešter Plateau, town of Tutin, village of Đerekare , Pećina na Đerekarskom Vrelu Cave ; 42°58′51.0″ N, 20°07′13.0″ E; 25 Jun.–15 Jul. 2023; Srećko Ćurčić and Vukašin Gojšina leg.; collected manually and with pitfall traps filled with propylene glycol and with rotten meat or cheese as bait; IZFB-24/15 ; IZFB.

Paratypes

SERBIA • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; IZFB-24/16 ; IZFB • 75 ♀♀ (three of which are shown in Figs 2B , 3 ); same data as for holotype; IZFB-24/17-91 ; IZFB • 12 ♀♀; same locality as for holotype; 25 Jun. 2023; Nikola Vesović and Srećko Ćurčić leg.; collected manually; IZFB-24/92-103 ; IZFB .

Description

HABITUS. Medium-sized leptodirine beetle. Body length: TL M 4.48 mm (4.14 mm in males, 4.53 mm in females), R 4.09–4.72 mm (4.09–4.18 mm in males, 4.29–4.72 mm in females) ( Table 1 ). Body colour yellowish-brown, body shape scaphoid, tegument shiny ( Figs 2 , 3A ). Head, pronotum and elytra with polygonal microsculpture ( Fig. 3D, F, K ).

HEAD. Elongate (HL/HW M 1.17, R 1.08–1.25), with slightly concave genae, covered with short and dense yellow erect setae and dense punctuation ( Fig. 3C ), about as wide as pronotum (HW/PW M 1.02, R 0.97–1.06). Eyes absent. Antennae elongate, thin, longer than elytra (AL/EL M 1.49, R 1.40–1.82), longer than body in males (AL/TL M 1.12, R 1.11–1.13) and shorter than body in females (AL/TL M 0.92, R 0.89–0.94) ( Fig. 3B ). Antennomere I widened apically, in most cases slightly longer than antennomere II (A1L/A2L M 1.04, R 0.96–1.16). Antennomere II slightly widened apically. Antennomere III longer than antennomere II (A3L/A2L M 1.37, R 1.17–1.48). Antennomeres IV–VI longer than preceding ones. Antennomere VI slightly shorter than antennomeres IV and V. Antennomere VIII shorter and narrower than antennomeres VII (A8L/A7L M 0.82, R 0.74–0.91; A8W/A7W M 0.64, R 0.50–0.71) and IX (A8L/ A9L M 0.91, R 0.85–0.97; A8W/A9W M 0.65, R 0.50–0.83) ( Table 1 ).

THORAX. Pronotum sub-bell-shaped, covered with sparsely distributed short yellow erect hairs ( Fig. 3E ), longer than wide (PL/PW M 1.19, R 1.13–1.26), about as long as head in females (PL/HL M 1.00, R 0.93–1.08) and slightly longer than head in males (PL/HL M 1.05, R 1.05) ( Table 1 ). Widest slightly before middle in both sexes, about as wide as head (HW/PW M 1.02, R 0.97–1.06). Sides of pronotum gradually converging in straight line from point of maximum pronotal width to anterior pronotal angles, converging in concave line posteriorly to posterior pronotal angles. Lateral rim of pronotum starting at base and reaching ⅔–¾ of PL. Posterior angles blunt, slightly obtusely angled, not extended posteriorly. Anterior pronotal margin slightly convex. Pronotal base almost straight, in some specimens barely concave medially. Pronotal disc regularly convex, with relatively sparse punctuation ( Fig. 3E–F, I ). Pronotal base slightly shorter than anterior pronotal margin (PB/AM M 0.92, R 0.88–0.95). Mesocoxal cavities close together. Mesosternal intercoxal apophysis not reaching anterior margin of metasternum ( Fig. 3G ). Metasternal intercoxal apophysis broad, with posterior processes separated from each other. Mesoventral carina absent ( Fig. 3H ).

ELYTRA. Scaphoid, elongate in relation to body (TL/EL M 1.58, R 1.53–1.61), narrow, oval, convex ( Fig. 3J ), widest just before middle in both sexes ( Fig. 2 ), more elongate in males (EL/EW M 2.49, R 2.45–2.52) than in females (EL/EW M 2.27, R 2.14–2.53) ( Table 1 ). Scutellum well developed, triangular, with transverse microsculpture ( Fig. 3E ). Sutural striae absent. Elytral apices rounded, separated from each other, covering pygidium in both sexes. Disc covered with dense and moderately deep punctures and relatively long, dense, recumbent yellow hairs ( Fig. 3H, K ).

LEGS. Very long and thin ( Figs 2 , 3A ). Profemora slightly broadened basally, thicker than meso- and metafemora. Protibiae without external row of spines. Protarsi five-segmented in males, four-segmented in females, not dilated.

ABDOMEN. Aedeagus in dorsal view with relatively narrow median lobe. Sides of median lobe parallel from base to two-thirds of length, then converging and ending in equilateral triangle, with sharp, slightly extended apex ( Fig. 4A–B ). Each paramere with two apical setae and one subapical seta ( Fig. 4A–B ).

GONOSTYLI. Straight in dorsal view ( Fig. 4C ). Each stylus with one apical seta and three lateral setae. Anterior margin of female abdominal ventrite VIII angled. Apophysis located at top of angle ( Fig. 4D ).

Sexual dimorphism

Several features of sexual dimorphism have been observed in this new species: (i) the males are shorter than the females; (ii) the antennae are longer in the males than in the females, the AL/TL is larger in the males than in the females and the antennae are longer than the body in the males, whereas they are shorter than the body in the females; (iii) the elytra are more elongate in the males than in the females.

Distribution, type locality and bionomy

The new species inhabits only the Pećina na Đerekarskom Vrelu Cave, village of Đerekare, near the town of Tutin, Pešter Plateau, southwestern Serbia ( Fig. 1 ). It is located at the Đerekare spring, the source of the Đerekarska Reka (= Boroštica) river, which is about 2 km upstream from the village of Đerekare ( Petrović 1976). The total length of the cave is 100 m, while the difference in height between the entrance and the highest point is 23 m. The entrance channel has the form of a spacious hall with a structural extension on the left side and a higher level in the form of a channel connected to the entrance part of the cave by a 5 m high section. The higher level is in the form of a structural cavity with a small daylight hole and a crack, in the bottom of which there is stagnant water ( Nešić 2015). The specimens of the new species were collected in the deepest part of the higher level of the cave, both on the damp limestone walls with trickling water and on the clay floor, in complete darkness ( Fig. 5 ).

Figures

Fig. 1. Map of a part of southwestern Serbia and northeastern Montenegro (Pešter Plateau) with the localities of the species of Remyella Jeannel, 1931.

Fig. 2. Habitus of Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov., dorsal view. A. Holotype, ♂ (IZFB-24/15). B. Paratype, ♀ (IZFB-24/17). Scale bars = 2 mm.

Fig. 3. Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić,Vrbica &Vesović sp. nov.,SEM images of the external morphological features. A–F, J, K. Paratype, ♀ (IZFB-24/18). G–I. Paratype, ♀ (IZFB-24/19). A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Right antenna, dorsal view. C. Head, dorsal view. D. Microsculpture of head, dorsal view. E. Pronotum, dorsal view. F. Microsculpture of pronotum, dorsal view. G. Mesoventrite, ventral view. H. Mesoventrite, lateral view. I. Pronotum, lateral view. J. Elytra, dorsal view. K. Microsculpture of elytra, dorsal view. Scale bars: A = 2 mm; B = 1 mm; C, E, G–J = 500 μm; D, F, K = 50 μm.

Fig. 4. Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. A–B. Holotype, ♂ (IZFB-24/15), morphological features of the genitalia. C–D. Paratype, ♀ (IZFB-24/20). A. Aedeagus, dorsal view. B. Apex of median lobe and parameres, dorsal view. C. Gonostyli, dorsal view. D. Abdominal ventrite VIII, ventral view. Scale bars = 100 μm.

Fig. 5. Pećina na Đerekarskom Vrelu Cave, the type locality of Remyella spanovicae Ćurčić, Vrbica & Vesović sp. nov. and the sites where the specimens were collected (golden stars) (modified after Nešić 2015; reproduced with permission of Dragan Nešić).