Physicochemical Characterization, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Dissolution of GlimepirideCaptisol Inclusion Complexes

This present study investigated the effect of Captisol, a chemically modified cyclodextrin, on the in vitro dissolution of glimepiride. We prepared glimepirideCaptisol complexes of different mass ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 w/w) by a physical mixing or freeze-drying technique, and found that complexation with Captisol enhanced the water solubility of glimepiride. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation predicted complex formation; at the same time, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscope indicated molecular interactions that support complexation. We also found that an inclusion complex was better than a physical mixture in enhancing the complexation of glimepiride with Captisol and enhancing water solubility. Phase solubility study of the glimepirideCaptisol complex showed an AL-type profile, implying the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex. The study also revealed that pH influenced the stability of the complex because the stability constant of the glimepirideCaptisol complex was higher in distilled water of pH 6.0 than in phosphate buffer of pH 7.2

Pheropsophus devagiriensis Venugopal & Thomas 2019, sp. nov.

Pheropsophus devagiriensis sp. nov. (Fig. 4 A, 5 A) Specimens examined (n=6): Holotype, labelled “ Male, India: Tamil Nadu: Courtallam (8.930855°N, 77.268843°E), Hand Picking, from under stones, 14.X.2015, coll. S.V. Akhil ”; Paratypes, 5 exs., India: Tamil Nadu: Courtallam (8.930855°N, 77.268843°E), 14.X.2015, coll. S.V. Akhil. Description. TLA: 20.0 mm; TW: 8.1 mm Colour: Head completely yellow without spots; clypeus (lateral edge brownish black) and labrum yellow with anterior brownish yellow border; fronto-clypeal suture light reddish brown; antennal segments 1–4 yellowish brown and 5–11 dark reddish brown; pronotum black with two large yellow spots on both sides of a narrow but prominent black median furrow, the two spots not reaching the lateral edge, lateral border being black; anterior and posterior margins of pronotum black; elytra with yellow patches including two small, yellow, rounded humeral spots, wide median transverse bands interrupted at suture and extreme apex; apical yellow band of elytra very narrow, just a small, fine yellow line; scutellum black; legs with coxa, trochanter, femur and tibia pale reddish yellow, tarsal end of tibia reddish brown, first tarsi with middle portion yellow and rest reddish brown, tarsi 2–5 reddish brown; claws dark brown; underside of head completely yellow; lateral side of the thorax with pale reddish yellow spot in the form of “T”; metasternum reddish yellow posteriorly and reddish brown anteriorly; metepisternum reddish yellow; rest of the ventral region brownish black. Head: Eyes prominent and protruding; labrum convex anteriorly; vertex with long supra orbital setae. Third antennal segment longer than segments 1 and 2 combined. Mandibles wide but short, protruding beyond the labrum; mandibular scrobe unisetose. Palpi pubescent with terminal segment dilated. Submentum setose with 4–5 long and 10–12 short setae. Gular sutures diverging. Pronotum: Narrowed posteriorly; sides rounded in the anterior half and parallel behind; beaded dark lateral margin; anterior and posterior margin straight; disc finely punctate but glabrous except for very few brown setae along lateral edges; anterior and posterior margins each with a fringe of short dense setae Elytra: convex on sides; with almost erased humerus; base narrower than apex, broadest just before apex. All nine striations (counting from the suture) well marked. Elytra very sparsely punctate with 1–3 setae on each intervals and a row of short yet sparse setae near apex. Abdomen: finely pubescent. Male Genitalia: Aedeagus with median lobe stout, low degree of curvature (only slightly curved); apex round- ed, blunt. Measurements: Holotype Male, TLA= 20 mm; TLB= 17.7 mm; TW= 8.1 mm; PL = 3.6 mm; PW = 3.7 mm; EL = 10.2 mm. Paratype Female, TLA= 21 mm; TLB = 16.8 mm; TW= 7.2 mm; PL = 3.6 mm; PW = 3.5 mm; EL = 9.6 mm Type material: Holotype male: India: Tamil Nadu: Courtallam (8.930855°N, 77.268843°E), 14.X.2015, handpicked from under stones, coll. S.V. Akhil, deposited at ZSIC. Paratypes: 1 male, 4 females, Tamil Nadu, Courtallam (8.930855°N, 77.268843°E), 14.X.2015, from under stones Geographical distribution. India: Tamil Nadu: Courtallam (Moist south Western Ghats eco-region) Collecting circumstances: All the six specimens were handpicked from under stones near to a stream. Etymology: This species is named after the host research institution. Remarks. Pherosophus devagiriensis sp. nov. is very similar to P. hilaris but differs from it by head entirely yellow, pronotum with bright yellow spot not reaching the lateral margin, lateral margin black, pronontal median furrow deep, disc glabrous and shiny, elytral humeral spot very small, elytral yellow apical band narrow.Published as part of Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1) on pages 83-86, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/399361

Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent

Venugopal, Akhil S., Thomas, Sabu K. (2019): Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent. Zootaxa 4608 (1): 65-89, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.

Pheropsophus tripustulatus

Pheropsophus tripustulatus (FABRICIUS, 1792) (Fig. 3 I, 5 H) = Brachinus marginalis DEJEAN, 1825 = Pheropsophus amoenus CHAUDOIR, 1850 Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus annulus FABRICIUS, 1801 Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus curtus ARROW, 1901 Carabus tripustulatus Fabricius, 1792: 145; 1801: 218; Hope, 1838: 101; Motschulsky, 1855: 55; Andrewes, 1919: 124; 1921a: 155–159; 1921b: 346; 1924c: 592; 1930: 276. Brachinus marginalis Dejean, 1825: 310; Heyne-Tasch, 1908: 14; Andrewes, 1921a: 149; 1930: 276. Pheropsophus amoenus Chaudoir, 1850: 78; 1876: 36; Andrewes, 1930: 276. Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus annulus (described as Brachinus) Fabricius, 1801: 217; Motschulsky, 1855: 55; Chaudoir, 1876: 47; Andrewes, 1921a: 164; 1930: 276. Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus curtus Arrow, 1901: 204; Andrewes, 1919: 198; 1930: 276. Specimens examined (n=9): Verified specimen (H.E. Andrewes), labelled “ Pheropsophus 3-pustulatus F.: marginalis D.: amoenus C., compared with 3 types, H.E.A. Ex-Musaeo A. Kuwpert 1894, Ex. coll. R. Oberthur (Dejean’s type has less yellow at apex HEA)” (locality unknown), in BMNH. Other specimens examined: 1 ex., locality: unknown, in ZMUK (wrongly labelled as P. hilaris); 6 exs., India: Kerala: Palakkad, Hand picking, 26.XI.2017, coll. M.Divya; 1 ex., India: Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore (TNAU). Description. Length: 13.0 mm; TW: 5.6 mm Colour: Head reddish yellow with a large blackish brown spot between the eyes; clypeus and labrum reddish yellow; antennae pale yellow-red; pronotum blackish brown with a large oblong yellow spot on each side along the outer edge; elytra black with humeral spot yellow, having a small posterior projection; yellow lateral margin; striations yellow towards apex; yellow apical band with a yellow spot in the middle; reddish yellow legs, apex of femur without black spot. Head: Short, stout; protruding, prominent eyes; neck wrinkled. Pronotum: Disc laterally with anterior 2/3 rd rounded, posterior 1/3 rd straight; anterior margin rounded, concave, posterior margin sinuate; disc with many deep punctuations; median furrow prominent. Elytra: Subparallel, rectangular, base not narrowed; humeral spot large; striations wide, blunt towards apex. Geographical distribution. INDIA: Odisha: Barkuda Is. (Lake Chilka) (Andrewes 1930); Tamil Nadu: Ennur, Chennai (Andrewes 1930); Pondicherry (Andrewes 1930); Kerala: Travancore (Andrewes 1930); THAILAND (Andrewes 1919). Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus annulus – INDIA: Tamil Nadu: Tharangambadi (Chaudoir 1876). Ssp. Pheropsophus tripustulatus curtus – INDIA: Karnataka: North Kanara (Andrewes 1921b); Kerala: Mahe, Malabar (Andrewes 1921b), Nilambur (New record). Remarks. Similar to P. bimaculatus, but differs with narrow yellow spot on pronotum, large black spot on head, large elytral humeral spot with posterior projection, small, narrow elytral median band and yellow spot on elytral apical band on each elytron.Published as part of Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1) on page 83, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/399361

Pheropsophus picicollis Chaudoir 1876

Pheropsophus picicollis CHAUDOIR, 1876 (Fig. 2 C, 5 F) Pheropsophus picicollis Chaudoir, 1876: 44; Bates, 1892b: 392; Andrewes, 1930: 275; Jedlička, 1963:532; Hrdlička, 2017: 480. Specimen examined (n=7): Syntype, labelled “Ex-Musaeo Chaudoir”, ‘ Siam’, coll. M. H. Deyrolle, type in MNHN Paris. Other specimens examined: 1 ex., India: Kerala: Koorachund, Hand picking, 24.VIII.2015, coll. V.A. Jithmon; 1 ex., India: Kerala: Chelari, Hand Picking, 28.I.2016, coll. S.V. Akhil; 1 ex., India: Kerala: Nilambur, Light trap, 29.II.2016, coll. S.V. Akhil; 1 ex., India: Kerala: Koorachund, Hand picking, 04.VI.2016, coll. V.A. Jithmon; 2 exs., India: Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore (TNAU). Description. Length: 15.0–17.0 mm Colour: Head almost entirely black with reddish yellow borders (lateral, anterior and posterior); clypeus and labrum reddish yellow; reddish yellow epistome; first four antennal segments light yellow red and 5–11 dark brown; eyes grey; pronotum entirely black; elytra black with humeral spots and median bands; legs with coxa, trochanter and tarsi dark reddish brown; femur and tibia reddish yellow; black spot on the apex of femur present on all legs; underside of head reddish yellow with black patch around eyes; last articles of palpi reddish; underside of body black, with episternum yellow posteriorly, middle of the metasternum light brown. Head: Narrow; neck wrinkled; eyes prominent and protruding. Pronotum: Smooth, glabrous, oblong, barely convex on sides, anterior and posterior similarly narrowed; anterior and posterior margins straight; weak bead along lateral margin; two long setae (one each on either side) in the center towards the lateral margin. Elytra: Subparallel, narrowed towards base; humerus prominent; humeral spot more angular posteriorly, median band narrow, more transverse, extending to the second stria, rather strongly serrated on both edges, not reaching the lateral margin; yellow apical border serrated on the striation, extending between the 2 nd and 8 th striations; the first and eighth striations are black to the end; striations shallow but broad, intervals flat, glabrous. Geographical distribution. INDIA: Karnataka: Bangalore (Andrewes 1930); Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram (Andrewes 1930), Chelari (New record), Koorachudu (New record); Goa: Mormugao (Andrewes 1930); Arunachal Pradesh and Assam: Dafla Hills (Bates 1892b); Mizoram and Tripura: Lushai Hills (Andrewes 1930); Andaman Is. (Andrewes 1930); BHUTAN (Andrewes 1930); SRI LANKA (Andrewes 1930); MYANMAR: Karen Hills (Andrewes 1930). Shan hills (Andrewes 1930). Bhamo (Bates 1892b). Palon (Bates 1892b). Rangoon (Chaudoir 1876); Malay Peninsula (Andrewes 1930); THAILAND (Chaudoir 1876); LAOS (Andrewes 1930). Remarks. Very similar to P. occipitalis but differs by narrow, more transverse elytral median band and the narrow black head with the epistome and the anterior corners near the base of the antennae reddish yellow.Published as part of Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1) on page 79, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/399361

Pheropsophus consularis

<i>Pheropsophus consularis</i> (SCHMIDT-GOEBEL, 1846) <p>(Fig. 1 G)</p> <p> <i>=</i> <i>Pheropsophus stenoderus</i> CHAUDOIR, 1850</p> <p> <i>Brachinus consularis</i> Schmidt-Goebel, 1846: 75; Bates, 1891b: 336; 1892b: 392; Andrewes, 1923: 44; 1924a: 116; 1930: 272; Jedlička, 1963: 531; Hrdlička, 2017: 479; Ullah <i>et al</i>., 2017: 180</p> <p> <i>Pheropsophus stenoderus</i> Chaudoir, 1850: 77; 1876: 41; Arrow, 1901: 204; Andrewes, 1924a: 56; 1930: 272; Mani, 1955: 486.</p> <p> <b>Specimens examined (n=1)</b>: Syntype, labelled “ Burma ”, type in NMPC</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Length: 15.8–16.9 mm</p> <p> <b>Colour</b>: Head pale reddish yellow, with beret/”V” shaped black spot; first 4 segments of antennae yellow, the remaining darker, brownish; pronotum black with two longitudinally elongate reddish yellow spots; elytra black; legs pale reddish yellow with coxa, trochanter brownish yellow; femur, tibia pale reddish yellow; tarsi dark brown; black spot on the apex of femur. Venter with mentum, mandibles and last segment of palpi brownish black; submentum, gula and gena reddish yellow; prosternum brownish black with prosternal lobe having reddish yellow colour; metasternum and metepisternum reddish yellow with reddish brown borders; third abdominal sternite yellowish posteriorly.</p> <p> <b>Head:</b> Elongated and narrow, small eyes, a pair of flat impressions between the eyes.</p> <p> <b>Pronotum:</b> As broad as the head, longer than broad, almost straight laterally, posterior portion as broad as anterior, with pronounced anterior transverse impression, the anterior margin straight; two elongated, narrow, dark reddish yellow spots on both sides of the shallow median furrow that converge backwards.</p> <p> <b>Elytra:</b> Twice as wide and three times as long as the pronotum, narrow, sub parallel, less constricted towards the base, almost straight. Humerus almost erased with round humeral spot; median band transverse, strongly serrated; striations narrow, pointed, intervals rounded, broad, apex of the striations yellowish; very narrow apical border.</p> <p> <b>Venter:</b> With well-marked gular sutures; prosternal process having 4 long apical setae.</p> <p> <b>Geographical distribution.</b> INDIA: Assam: Silonibari (Andrewes 1923), Sibsagar (Andrewes 1923); Bengal: Siliguri (Andrewes 1923); Arunachal Pradesh: Rotung (Andrewes 1930); Himachal Pradesh: Kangra, Spiti: Gharry (Andrewes 1930); Bihar: Chapra (Andrewes 1923); Uttarakhand: Dehra dun (Andrewes 1930). Ranikhet (Andrewes 1930); Jharkhand: Tetara (Bates 1891a), Konbir (Bates 1891a); Odisha: Surada (Andrewes 1924a); MYANMAR: Bhamo. Karen Hills. Tanintharyi (Tennasserim). Karin cheba. Palon (Bates 1892b); BANGLADESH: Dhaka (Andrewes 1923). Sardah (Andrewes 1923); PAKISTAN: Islamabad. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Swat. Maidan (Ullah <i>et al</i>. 2017).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Pheropsophus consularis</i> is similar to <i>P. javanus</i> but differs from it by having unique ‘V’/Beret shaped black spot over its head, broader elytral median transverse band, smaller humeral spot and smaller black spot over the apex of femur.</p>Published as part of <i>Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1)</i> on page 72, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3993611">http://zenodo.org/record/3993611</a&gt

Pheropsophus javanus

Pheropsophus javanus (DEJEAN, 1825) (Fig. 1 H) = Brachinus interruptus SCHMIDT GOEBEL, 1846 (non Dejean) = Brachinus fimbriatus CHAUDOIR, 1876 (originally in Dejean, Cat. p.13) = Pheropsophus agnatus CHAUDOIR, 1876 = Pheropsophus kuntzeni DUPIUS, 1914 Brachinus javanus Dejean, 1825: 305; Redtenbacher, 1844: 5; Chaudoir, 1876: 42; Heyne-Tasch, 1908: 14; Bouchard, 1903: 173; Andrewes, 1923(1924b): 460; 1930: 273; Jedlička, 1963: 529; Habu, 1984: 123; Hrdlička, 2017: 480. Brachinus interruptus Schmidt-Goebel, (non Dejean) 1846: 74; Andrewes, 1923: 44; 1930: 273. Brachinus fimbriatus Chaudoir, 1876: 42; Andrewes, 1930: 273. Pheropsophus agnatus Chaudoir, 1876: 43; Bates, 1889: 281; 1892b: 392; Lewis, 1896: 331; Dupuis, 1913: 419; Arrow, 1915: 499; Andrewes, 1930: 273. Pheropsophus kuntzeni Dupuis, 1914: 29; Andrewes, 1927: 110; 1930: 273. Specimen examined (n=1): Holotype, labelled “in Inf Java, G.J. Arrow vidit 1901, Ex. Musaeo Chaudoir ”, type in MNHN Paris Description. Length: 18.0–19.0 mm; TW: 6.8–7.3 mm Colour: Head reddish yellow; large black coloured spot present over the vertex of head; palpi reddish yellow; antennae pale reddish yellow, brownish from the fourth segment onwards; eyes grey; pronotum black with two pale reddish- yellow oval spots on either sides of the median furrow; elytra black; legs with anterior half of coxa reddish yellow and posterior half reddish brown; femur and tibia reddish yellow with a black round spot on the apex of the femur; tarsi reddish brown with dark brown claws. Underside of head reddish yellow; prosternum reddish brown with reddish yellow spot at the tip; mesosternum and metasternum with centrally reddish yellow and brownish lateral border; mesepisternum reddish yellow while proepisternum and metepisternum brownish black; sternites with anterior reddish brown and posterior brownish black. Head: Broad; eyes protruding; with a prominent spot (of various shape) on vertex; labrum convex, long and protruding. Pronotum: Lateral edges subparallel, narrowing posteriorly; wider than the head; distinct median longitudinal furrow; yellowish spot on both side of the median furrow, not reaching the lateral margins. Elytra: Narrow, elongated, subparallel, with both base and apex narrower than mid region; humeral spot present (of varying size); median transverse band narrow and with highly serrated edges; apical margin yellowish only along the striations. Venter: Body underside generally pubescent. Geographical distribution. INDIA: Assam: Margherita; Odisha: Balighai (Andrewes 1923); Kerala: Malabar (Andrewes 1930); Throughout MYANMAR (Schmidt-Goebel 1846) and the Malay Peninsula (Habu 1984); THAI- LAND (Habu 1984); ‘Indo- China’ (Habu 1984). CHINA (Habu 1984); JAPAN (Habu 1984); TAIWAN (Dupius 1914); VIETNAM (Bates 1889); INDONESIA: Java (Dejean 1825). Sumatra (Andrewes 1930). Borneo (Habu 1984). Palembang (Bouchard 1903); PHILIPPINES (Andrewes 1930); NEW GUINEA (Darlington 1968); RUS- SIA: Far East (Hrdlička 2017). Remarks. Pherosophus javanus is closely placed to P. occipitalis, P. picicollis and P. consularis and Jedlička (1963) considered all as variants of P. javanus. However we disagree with Jedlička (1963), as P. javanus is distinct from P. occipitalis by having simple broad, rectangular black spot over vertex, pronotum rectangular with anterior and posterior margins straight, elytral median transverse band narrow, apex of elytra straightly truncate; distinct from P. picicollis by having smaller black spot over vertex, presence of reddish yellow spots on pronotum, narrow and highly serrated elytral median transverse band, elytral apical band very faint, apex of elytra straightly truncate; and distinct from P. consularis by the presence of simple black spot on head, wider pronotum, rectangular elytra with lateral margins subparallel, elytral humeral spot larger, elytral median transverse band narrow.Published as part of Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1) on pages 73-74, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/399361

Pheropsophus Solier 1833

<i>Pheropsophus</i> SOLIER 1833 <p> <i>Pheropsophus</i> Solier, 1833: 461; Lacordaire, 1854: 99; Chaudoir, 1876: 16; Arrow, 1901: 193; Hubenthal, 1914: 437; Andrewes, 1924a: 55; 1930: 270; Jedlička, 1963: 524; Erwin, 1970: 34; 1971: 1; Habu, 1984: 119; Saha <i>et al.</i>, 1992: 50; Prasad, 1997: 993; Saha and Halder, 2000: 33; Hrdlička, 2003: 212–218; 2017: 471–480.</p> <p> <i>Stenaptinus</i> Maindron, 1906: 15; Hubenthal, 1911: 547; Erwin, 1971: 1; Habu, 1984: 119; Hrdlička, 2003: 212–218; 2017: 471–480.</p> <p> <b>Head:</b> Base slightly attenuated, cylindrical, surface coarse. <i>Ligula</i> narrow, slightly obtuse, bisetose (in <i>P. aequinoctialis</i> ventrally more pubescent, highly convex). <i>Glossae</i> narrow, bisetose; <i>paraglossae</i> membranous, long, as long as ligula, rounded apically, translucent. <i>Palpi</i> with thick posterior margin (crassiusculi), subglabrous, covered with very few hairs; Maxillary palpi with penultimate segment short, terminal segment subcompressed, truncate, subsecuriform; the last segment of labial palpi dilated at its extremity and more or less securiform. <i>Mentum</i> deeply emarginated, more or less arcuate at the base, median tooth absent, lateral lobes parallel and long, apex acute and rounded, narrowed towards base; absolutely connate, suture obliterate. <i>Labrum</i> glabrous, flat, transverse, very narrow, anterior angle obtuse and widely rounded. <i>Antennae</i> long, pubescent, 1 st segment little less pubescent, 2 nd segment short, 3 rd and following longer, rectangular.</p> <p> <b>Pronotum:</b> Usually squared, posterior narrow, rarely subcordate.</p> <p> <b>Elytra:</b> Mostly 8-costate; substantially wider than the pronotum at their base, subparallel or enlarged towards apex, apex almost straight and interior truncate.</p> <p> <b>Venter:</b> <i>Epimeron</i> of intermediate size, exterior narrow, parallel, interior more or less dilated. <i>Episternum</i> elongate, longitudinal depression obliquely truncate, posterior strongly attenuate, almost triangular.</p> <p> <b>Legs:</b> Strong, long; <i>femur</i> moderately covered by series of punctuations and hairs; <i>tibiae</i> spinulose, spines arranged more in series, anteriorly glabrous; <i>tarsi</i> surface densely covered with hairs, segments subcylindrical, base attenuated, ♂ pro tarsi with 2 rows of lamellate projections underneath.</p> <p> <b>Type species</b> — <i>Carabus complanatus</i> Fabricius 1775 (designated by Hope 1838)</p> <p> <b>Geographical distribution.</b> Cosmopolitan.</p>Published as part of <i>Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1)</i> on pages 66-67, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3993611">http://zenodo.org/record/3993611</a&gt

Pheropsophus hilaris

<i>Pheropsophus hilaris</i> (FABRICIUS, 1798) <p>(Fig. 3 A, 3 B, 3 C, 3 D, 3 E)</p> <p> <i>=</i> <i>Brachinus discicollis</i> DEJEAN 1825</p> <p> <i>=</i> <i>Brachinus affinis</i> DEJEAN 1825</p> <p> <i>Carabus hilaris</i> Fabricius, 1798: 56; Schaum, 1847: 49; Motschulsky, 1855: 55; Chaudoir, 1876: 25; Gestro, 1882: 297; Bates, 1892b: 391; Arrow, 1901: 202; Andrewes, 1921a: 159; 1924a: 55; 1930: 272; Jedlička, 1963: 529.</p> <p> <i>Brachinus discicollis</i> Dejean, 1825: 300; Chaudoir, 1876: 21; Arrow, 1901: 203; Andrewes, 1930: 272.</p> <p> <i>Brachinus affinis</i> Dejean, 1825: 301; Andrewes, 1930: 272.</p> <p> <b>Specimens examined (n=11)</b>: Lectotype (here designated), in India orientali, Daldorff, Mus. D. Lund “, type in ZMUK; Paralectotypes (2 specimens) (here designated), “ India orientali”, type in ZMUK</p> <p> Other specimens examined: 1 ex., “in India Orient. Dejean. ” (in MNHN); 1 ex. „Ost-Indien / Trichinopoly / T. Paesler G.“ (labelled as <i>P. discicollis</i>) (in ZMHB); 1 ex. “ India Oriental. Dejean.” (in ZMHB. Nr. 2368); 1 ex. „South India / Madras State / Coimbatore / 1400 F“ (in ZMHB); 4 exs., India: Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore (TNAU).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Length: 13.0–16.0 mm; TW: 5.6 mm</p> <p> <b>Colour</b>: Head yellowish anteriorly and brownish red posteriorly, a black spot in the middle of the brownish red portion; pronotum brownish black with reddish brown oval spots on both sides of the middle furrow (but not extending to the lateral margin in some variations), posterior and anterior margins of pronotum black/brownish-black, cordiform reddish brown spot on pronotum with wing like colour projection laterally (absent in some variations); elytra black; elytral apex with moderate yellow band; legs with coxa, trochanter, femur and tibia reddish yellow; 1 st tarsi with middle region reddish yellow and borders brown; rest of the tarsi brown coloured; claws brownish black; ventral side of head reddish yellow; prosternum brownish black with light reddish yellow coloured prosternal process; rest of the ventral region brownish black.</p> <p> <b>Head:</b> Elongated, longer than broad; neck wrinkled; eyes protruding; first four antennal segments bright.</p> <p> <b>Pronotum:</b> Convex anteriorly and narrowed posteriorly; lateral bead present, narrow; median furrow distinct.</p> <p> <b>Elytra:</b> Convex, narrower at the base, widest just before apex; humerus obliterate, base rounded; the median transverse band somewhat strongly serrated on its edges (the marking almost touches the apical band in some variations), apex with sharp, broad yellow band.</p> <p> <b>Geographical distribution.</b> INDIA: Maharashtra: Nagpur (Andrewes 1930). Deccan (Chaudoir 1876); Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Thiruchirappalli (Thichinopoly), Redhills, Coimbatore (Andrewes 1930); Pondicherry (Andrewes 1930); SRI LANKA: Murunkan, Anuradhapura (Andrewes 1930); BANGLADESH (Andrewes 1930). CHINA (Jedlička 1963)</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Pheropsophus hilaris</i> is morphologically similar to <i>P. catoirei</i>, but distinct by basic colour of pronotum black with heart-shaped reddish brown mark, elytra convex with obliterate humerus, smaller elytral humeral spot.</p> <p> <i>Pheropsophus hilaris</i> is the most confused Indian <i>Pheropsophus</i> species due to difficulties with its taxonomy following the misplacement of the type species during 1798–1920 period, later workers who were not referring to the notes of Andrewes (1921a) regarding the misplacement of type species and the misinterpretation of the very brief description provided by Fabricius (1798). It led to the split of the species in two subspecies— <i>P. hilaris hilaris</i> and <i>P. hilaris sobrinus</i>, both of which are actually variants of <i>P. sobrinus</i> (see reinstating the species status of <i>P. sobrinus</i>).</p> <p> <i>Pheropsophus hilaris</i> was first described by Fabricius (1798) and the type was presumed to be kept at Copenhagen museum. Andrewes (1921a) specifically mentioned that “the original type species at Copenhagen (now at ZMUK) is having a misplaced label and it does not agree with the description of <i>P. hilaris</i> rather it resembles <i>P. tripustulatus</i> described by Fabricius itself; the type is ignored and the description accepted”. However, the type was not ignored and <i>P. tripustulatus</i> was maintained as the type for <i>P. hilaris</i>. This error was noticed during the revision of the description of <i>P. hilaris, P. discicollis</i> and <i>P. tripustulatus</i> while analysing the type species. Analysing the type of <i>P. hilaris</i> at Copenhagen museum (as per Andrewes, 1921a) it was found that Andrewes was correct in his statement on misplaced type and what was kept labelled as type of <i>P. hilaris</i> at Copenhagen was actually <i>P. tripustulatus</i>. Authors could trace the three <i>P. hilaris</i> specimens from the Fabrician collection preserved at Kiel museum, which exactly matched the type description of <i>P. hilaris</i> by Fabricius 1798. One of them is designated as lectotype (Fig. 3 A), and the others as paralectotypes (Fig. 3 B).</p> <p> Analysis of the types of <i>P. hilaris</i> (Fabricius 1798) and <i>P. discicollis</i> (Dejean 1826) (3C, 3D, 3E) showed that these two species are conspecific having exactly similar morphological characters. This error might have happened probably because Dejean (1826) did not see the holotype of <i>P. hilaris</i> described by Fabricius (1798). <i>Pheropsophus hilaris,</i> being the older name among the two, is retained.</p>Published as part of <i>Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1)</i> on pages 72-73, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3993611">http://zenodo.org/record/3993611</a&gt

Pheropsophus nanodes Bates 1892

Pheropsophus nanodes BATES, 1892 (Fig. 2 B) Pheropsophus nanodes Bates, 1892b: 391; Andrewes, 1930: 274; Hrdlička, 2017: 480. Specimen examined (n=1): Verified specimen (Andrewes), labelled “ China: SE Tibet: Zayul, Rong Chu Valley, 6000 ft, 10.V.1933, F. Kingdon Ward & R.J.H. Kaulback ”, det. H.E. Andrewes. Description. Length: 9.0 mm Colour: Body black, shiny; head bi-coloured with frontal yellow and posterior black, yellow frontal spot between the eyes continue to the margin of eyes; clypeus brownish yellow, labrum brown coloured with yellow bor- der; antennal segments 1–2 light brownish yellow coloured, segments 3–11 dark brown; pronotum brownish black; elytra deep black; legs with coxa, trochanter, femur and tibia reddish yellow; tarsi reddish brown; prosternum, mesosternum and metasternum reddish yellow; ventral side of head entirely reddish yellow including palpi, mentum and submentum. Head: Oval, eyes protruding, smooth, neck punctuated and wrinkled. Pronotum: Wider than long, with round yellow spots on both sides of the median furrow, disc laterally with anterior 3/4 th rounded, posterior 1/4 th narrow, hind angle sub-acute; lateral bead raised, broad; disc sparsely punctuated. Elytra: Short, convex, narrow towards base, humerus erased, disc with narrow striations; with small yellow spot in the middle; very narrow apical yellow band. Geographical distribution. INDIA: Assam: Sadiya (Bates 1892b), Panji (Andrewes 1930); Arunachal Pradesh: ‘between Pasighat and Kobo’, Dosing, Yambung, ‘below Damda’ (Andrewes 1930); CHINA: SE. Tibet: Zayul: Rong Chu Valley (6000ft) (Andrewes 1933). Remarks. The smallest Indian Pheropsophus recorded. It is morphologically similar to P. nigricollis but differs by having head bi-coloured with anterior yellow and posterior black, broad lateral bead of pronotum, obliterate humerus without spot, with median spot instead of median transverse band. Endemic to Eastern Himalaya hotspot of biodiversity.Published as part of Venugopal, Akhil S. & Thomas, Sabu K., 2019, Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent, pp. 65-89 in Zootaxa 4608 (1) on page 77, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4608.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/399361