Parochodaeus campsognathus (Arrow, 1904)

Paulsen, M. J. & Ocampo, Federico C., 2012, The Ochodaeidae of Argentina (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea), ZooKeys 174, pp. 7-30 : 12-13

Parochodaeus campsognathus (Arrow, 1904) Figs 38Map 1

Ochodaeus campsognathus Arrow 1904: 744, original combination.

Type material.

Lectotype male (BMNH), pinned. Lectotype here designated to fix the concept to a single specimen from the original series. Original labels: a) "Argentina / Chaco / Wagner. / 1903-180."; b) ♀ (sic); c) "Ochodaeus / campsognathus, / Type / Arrow"; d) red-bordered circular “TYPE”; e) blue-bordered circular "SYN- / TYPE"; f) "[O. campsognathus / Arrow BM / Syntype 1]" / DET. / D. C. CARLSON 19__"; g) "Parochodaeus / campsognathus / (Arrow, 1904) / det. M.J. Paulsen 2009". Two paralectotypes (male and female) labeled with a, e, g as above specimen, and f except syntype numbers 2 and 3.

Type locality.

Argentina: Chaco.

Diagnosis.

The species is easily distinguished by its V-shaped frontal carina (Figs 3, 8), but in the smallest specimens the carinae can be almost obsolete. If necessary, the large, rectangular mentum with a complete, deep longitudinal furrow will confirm identification.

Description.

Length:4.6-9.1 mm. Width:2.5-4.9mm. Head: Surface roughened as pronotum, sparsely punctate. Frons with broad V-shaped carina medially (Fig. 3), pointing anteriorly. Clypeus trapezoidal, short in males (length equal to 1/4 width), longer in females (length equal to approximately 1/3 width); anterior margin thickened, elevated but indistinctly indicated. Labrum deeply emarginate. Mandibles angulate externally, larger males with external angulation strongly produced upward. Mentum large, rectangular, with distinct longitudinal furrow for entire length. Pronotum: Form convex to strongly convex in larger individuals. Surface with densely tiled tubercles, tubercles moderate; surface between tubercles punctate; punctures fine. Elytra: Setae of interstrial tubercles moderately long, erect. Legs: Protibia with apical spur weakly curved; internal apical tooth lacking. Metatrochanter simple. Metafemur with posterior margin simple. Metatibia straight, narrow (>4 × longer than wide) expanding gradually to apex. Metatarsomere 1 not greatly enlarged. Abdomen:Stridulatory peg present.

Distribution

(Map 1). 153 specimens examined.

ARGENTINA: BUENOS AIRES: Lobos Estancia El Ombú (1), Puán (1), Tandil (1); CHACO: Resistencia (100 km NW) (1); CÓRDOBA: Anisacate (2), Río Cuarto (45 km N) (4), no locality (17); CORRIENTES: San Roque (1); ENTRE RÍOS: Santa Elena (2); FORMOSA: Ingeniero Juárez (1), Gran Guardia (1), Pilcomayo (1), No data (2); LA PAMPA: General Acha (1); MENDOZA: El Retamo (1), Moliches (7), Reserva de la Biósfera Ñacuñán (2), no locality (2); SAN LUIS: Arizona (7); SALTA: Joaquín V. González (1), Rivadavia (1); SANTA FÉ: Estancia la Noria (17), Lanteri (3), Villa Ana (7); SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO: El Pinto (1), Fernández (4), La Banda (1), Ojo de Agua (1), Río Salado (28); TUCUMÁN: Encrucijada (3), no locality (1). No data (4).

BOLIVIA: SANTA CRUZ: Cordillera Parapetí (1).

BRAZIL: MATO GROSSO: Cuiabá (2); RIO GRANDE DO SUL: Rio Grande do Chapada (1). No data (2).

PARAGUAY: BOQUERÓN: 145 km from Puerto Casado (3); Guairá: Independencia (1).

Temporal distribution.January (16), February (16), March (10), April (3), October (1), November (6), December (25). No data (70).

Remarks.

Based on the collections examined, this is the most commonly collected species of ochodaeid in South America, and it is also the largest.

The original description of Arrow (1904) mentioned six syntypes, although there are ten specimens with the appropriate Wagner labels in the Natural History Museum in London. There are two pairs, (2♂, 2♀), treated as syntypes by Carlson, who labeled them numbers 1-4. One male with a BMNH type label (Syntype #1 sensu Carlson) had the genitalia dissected by Carlson, and this specimen is chosen as the lectotype. The fourth specimen ( Carlson’s Syntype #4) labeled "Argentina / Rio las Garzas / E. Wagner. / 1907-384" is a female accessioned three years after Arrow’s publication. Because this date is after the publication date, it is not clear that Arrow studied the specimen and its syntype status is questionable.