Epimetopus deceptus, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 75-78

Epimetopus deceptus , new species

Figs. 113 (habitus), 114 (aedeagus), 129 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Brazil: Mato Grosso, Caceres , MT., 16° 4' S, 57° 41' W, d 16° 4' S, 57° 41' W, 2–4 xii 1955, M. Alvarenga ( MSP) . Paratypes (24): Brazil: Same data as holotype (1 MSP, 6 CAS); Mato Grosso, Caceres , MT., 16° 4' S, 57° 41' W, 1–30 xii 1955, M. Alvarenga (12 MSP) ; Pantanal, 17 km POCONE Pousada (farm), PORTAL PARADISO (B10), 16° 16' S, 56° 38' W, 1 viii 2000, Jan Ruzicka (5 NMPC) .

Differential Diagnosis. In dorsal habitus ( Fig. 113), this species is very similar to E. trogoides and E. clandestinus , including having the carinae of the pronotal hood not confluent with one another anteriorly. It differs from E. fimbriatus in having fewer and larger tubercles on the pronotum, smaller body size (ca. 2.73 vs. 3.59 mm), and a very different aedeagus ( Figs. 114, 122). The aedeagus is superficially similar to that of E. trogoides ( Fig. 112). It differs in several respects, including the following: 1) the parameres apically are wider and rounded, having the lateral margin slightly emarginate subapically, and having the walls thicker, especially the medial walls; 2) the dorsal processes are shorter, more distinctly knobbed and arcuate apically, and in repose fitting into grooves in the median lobe; 3) the distance from the apex of the dorsal processes to the tip of the median lobe is greater; 4) the tip of the median lobe is more rounded; 5) the distance that the apex of the paramere extends beyond the tip of the dorsal process is greater; 6) the basal piece is more arcuate; and 7) the oriface of the basal piece is smaller.

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 2.73/1.39; head (width) 0.75; pronotum 0.89/1.14; elytra 1.91/1.39. Habitus as illustrated ( Fig. 113). Head dark brown to piceous, maxillary palpi light brown; dorsum dark brown with lighter fascia at about midlength of elytra; venter and coxae piceous, remainder of legs brown to reddish brown. Pronotum with hood carinae straight, converging and narrowly separated anteriorly; secondary lateral lobe moderately large; sometimes with very small third lateral lobe near base. Elytron with four strong granulate carinae, third interrupted anteriorly for distance of ca. 3–4 punctures; punctures round or oval, large, each with small granule at anterior margin, non-carinate intervals without granules. Protibiae slightly emarginate on inner margin, outer margin arcuate. Metaventral depression moderately wide, shallow, ca. nine granules along base.

Etymology. Named in reference to the similarity to E. trogoides and E. clandestinus .

Distribution. Currently known from two narrowly separated localities in southwestern Brazil ( Fig. 129).