Canthon (Peltecanthon) terciae, Nunes & Nunes & Vaz-De, 2020

Nunes, Luis Gabriel de O. A., Nunes, Rafael V. & Vaz-De, Fernando Z., 2020, Taxonomic revision of the South American subgenus Canthon (Peltecanthon) Pereira, 1953 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini), European Journal of Taxonomy 594, pp. 1-27 : 18-23

Canthon (Peltecanthon) terciae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C9F36543-7F9D-4498-ABAF-3784D46A2E60

Figs 7–9

Diagnosis

Canthon terciae sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: elytra and pronotum dorsally red or green reddish ( Fig. 7A ). Legs with flat metafemur at the base, with no punctures or groove ( Fig. 7B ). Hypomeron with thin transverse carina between the anterior and posterior portion, projecting to the median region, never near the lateral margin, anterior region without excavation ( Fig. 7C ). Propygidium with strong carina near pygidium edge ( Fig. 7D ). Parameres, in lateral view ( Fig. 8A ): flattened; truncated apex, sub-straight, never sinuous; slightly rounded upper angle; lower right angle. In dorsal view ( Fig. 8B ): membranous portion separating the parameres, wider in the central region and narrower at the base and at the apex. Internal sac ( Fig. 8 C–D). Peripheral fronto-lateral sclerite (FLP) involving the axial sclerite (A), the two structures form a complex with a central duct, wider at the base, which gradually tapers to the apex, which is much thinner; subaxial sclerite (SA), smaller than in C. staigi , lateral to the FLP + A complex; peripheral medial sclerite (MP), without central dentin at the inner margin, distal to A, lateral in relation to FLP + A tapered region, with the sharper part passing within a semiduct formed by MP; superior right peripheral sclerite (SRP) with lateral angular prolongation.

Etymology

This species is named in honour of Dr Tercia Vargas dos Santos, who developed phylogeographical studies with the subgenus Peltecanthon and reinforced our taxonomic decision.

Material examined

Holotype

BRAZIL • ♂; (white label) “ Rio Grande do Norte, Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela , 35°1′5″ W, 6°23′19″ S, 44 m, 24-V-2007, leg. J. A. Rafael & F. F. Xavier Fº ( CEMT)”.

Paratypes (98 specs)

BRAZIL – Rio Grande do Norte • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela ; 35°01′5″ W, 6°23′19″ S; 44 m a.s.l.; 24 May 2007; J.A. Rafael and F.F. Xavier Fº leg.; CEMT • 1 ♂; Baia Formosa, RPPN Mata Estrela ; 35º01′0.7″ W, 6º22′53.2″ S; 1 Oct. 2013; C.M.Q. Costa Endres leg.; pitfall, “fezes humanas”; CEMT . – Paraíba • 2 ♀♀; João Pessoa , DSE/UFPB; A.A. Endres leg.; CEMT • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; João Pessoa [Lagoa Seca]; 35º50′ W, 7º10′ S; May 2002; M.I.M. Hernández leg.; “floresta”; “armadilha pitfall ”; CEMT • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH • 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Mamanguape, Rebio Guaribas ; 35º10′ W, 6º41′ S; 2002; M.I.M. Hernández leg.; “floresta”; “armadilha de interceptação de vôo”; CEMT • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collecting data as for preceding; Jan.– Feb. and Apr. 2002; A.A. Endres leg.; “mata”; “armadilha pitfall ”; CEMT • 10 ♂♂; same collecting data as for preceding; Jun. 2002; M.I.M. Hernández leg.; “floresta”; “armadilha pitfall ”; CEMT • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Rio Tinto, Rebio Guaribas ; 35º4′ W, 6º46′ S; Mar. 2002; M.I.M. Hernández leg.; “floresta”; “armadilha pitfall ”; CEMT • 1 ♂; Mamanguape, Rebio Guaribas ; 35º11′58.8″ W, 6º43′32.3″ S; 30 Sep. 2013; C.M.Q. Costa Endres leg.; pitfall, “fezes humanas”; CEMT • 2 ♀♀; Guaribas, Reserva Biológica de Guaribas; 3 May 2014; Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT • 1 ♂; Areia, Mata do Pau Ferro ; 35º42′ W, 6º58′ S; Apr. 2004; P.S. Coroca leg.; floresta, pitfall; CEMT • 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Caaporã, Mata do Pau Ferro ; 34º57′15.27″ W, 7º28′8.89″ S; 20 Apr. 2013; C.N. Liberal leg.; frag. A, pitfall 3; “fezes”; CEMT • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH . – Pernambuco • 3 ♀♀; Itamaracá, Vila Velha; 11–13 May 2011; Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 5 Oct. 2011; CEMT • 2 ♂♂; Araçoiaba , CIMNC; 17 May 2010; K.K.T. Pessoa leg.; pitfall (carne), fechada 4, conjunto 2; CEMT • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collecting data as for preceding; 28 Feb. 2010; K.K.T. Pessoa leg.; pitfall (carne), aberta 1, conjunto 2; CEMT • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collecting data as for preceding; 15 May 2010; R.S. Correia leg.; (P. A.) carne e fezes, fechada 1 and 2 – 17:00; CEMT • 3 ♂♂; same collecting data as for preceding; 17 Apr. 2010; R.S. Correia leg.; (P. A.) fezes e carne, fechada 1 and 2, aberta 6 – 17:00; CEMT • 2 ♂♂; same collecting data as for preceding; 12 Jun. 2010; R.S. Correia leg.; (P. A.) carne, fechada 2 – 17:00; CEMT • 2 ♂♂; Paudalho , CIMNC; 16 Jun. 2009; A.A. Costa leg.; pitfall; CEMT • 2 ♂♂; same collecting data as for preceding; 30 Oct. 2010; R.S. Correia leg.; (P. A.) carne, fechada 1 – 17:00; CEMT • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collecting data as for preceding; 31 Oct. 2010; R.S. Correia leg.; (P. A.) carne, fechada 1 – 7:00; CEMT • 3 ♀♀; Caruaru; 5 Jul. 2012; Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Pesqueira, Serra do Ororubá [Ororoba]; 1 Jul. 2013; Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Bonito, Brejo de Altitude; 2–4 Jun. 2011; Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Tamandaré; 8 Jan. 2010; R.C. Moura and Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT . – Sergipe • 2 ♀♀; Santa Luzia do Itanhy; 26 Jun. 2017; I.C. Amorin and Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Genética de Insetos leg.; CEMT .

Description

Holotype (male)

MEASUREMENTS. Body length (except the head): 10.0 mm, pronotum width: 7.0 mm.

COLOUR. Dorsally red with bright green. Ventrally green with bright red ( Fig. 7A ).

HEAD. Red with bright green. Dorsal surface with small spots equally spaced. Two clypeal teeth triangular, with rounded apex, separated by a V-shaped emargination, with two tuft of setae dorsally and two tufts ventrally. Clypeo-genal suture present ( Fig. 7A ).

PRONOTUM. Pronotal disc smooth, red, bright, with small punctures equally spaced. Anterior angles acute ( Fig. 7A ).

ELYTRA. Striae narrow, distinctly impressed. Interstriae wide, flat ( Fig. 7A ).

HYPOMERON. Green, chagrinated microsculpture. Sparse setae present on anterior portion and anterolaterally. With thin transverse carina between the anterior and posterior portion projecting to the median, region anterior not excavated ( Fig. 7C ). Anterior portion flat, with a little tooth anterolaterally ( Fig. 7C ).

LEGS. Protibiae with three teeth. Protibial spur flattened dorsoventrally, bifid, with medial and lateral triangular bifurcation with different sizes, asymmetrical ( Fig. 7E ). Meso- and metafemoral ventral side lacking anterior and posterior margin. Metafemora with a narrower and longer base, claviform ( Fig. 7B ).

ABDOMEN. Ventrite glabrous, chagrinated. Black and green.

PYGIDIUM. As wide as long. Red with bright green. Basal margin expanded, forming a strong carina in V-form between pygidium and propygidium.

PARAMERES. Flattened laterally. On lateral view, apical portion ventrally truncated, dorsally a little curve. In dorsal view, central membranous portion enlarged in the centre ( Fig. 8 A–B).

INTERNAL SAC ( Figs 8–9 ). Fronto-lateral peripheric sclerite (FLP) involving axial sclerite (A) forming a central duct with spiniform apex, very slim. Subaxial sclerite (SA) small, lateral to FLP + A complex and MP, dorsal to all sclerites. Medial peripheric sclerite (MP) semicircular, widely emarginated, with the internal margin continue (without central tooth), margin external sinuous; Apex of the FLP + A complex involved by MP. Superior right peripheral sclerite (SRP) circular, with lateral prolongation in the dorsoventral direction.

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION. Body length (except the head) ranges from 8.5 to 11.5 mm; pronotum width from 6 to 7.5 mm. Colour: dorsally green with bright red. Legs: metafemoral ventral surface not completely smooth, with some punctures.

Female

LEGS. Protibial spur with medial and lateral bifurcation triangular with equal sizes, symmetrical ( Fig. 7F ).

Remarks

This new species is much more similar to C. staigi than to the other two species of Peltecanthon . The differences between them are very subtle, and there are great morphological similarities between them, in the main characters that differentiate the species of this subgenus; the main differences observed are in the sclerites of the internal sac (exactly in MP). In addition to the sclerite, these species ( C. staigi and C. terciae sp. nov.) can be differentiated only by the characters of the dorsal colour and base of the metafemur, without any need for dissection.

Geographic distribution

Northern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Sergipe ( Fig. 10 ).

Figures

Fig. 7. Canthon (Peltecanthon) terciae sp. nov., paratype, ♂, Rio Grande do Norte, Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela (CEMT). A. Dorsal habitus. B. Ventral surface of meso- and metafemora. C. Transverse carina in the hypomeron. D. Carina in the margin between pygidium and propygidium. E. Male protibial spur. F. Paratype, ♀, Rio Grande do Norte, Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela (CEMT), protibial spur.

Fig. 8. Canthon (Peltecanthon) terciae sp. nov., paratype, ♂, Rio Grande do Norte, Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela (CEMT). A. Parameres lateral view. B. Parameres dorsal view. C. Internal sac ventral view. D. Internal sac dorsal view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods.

Fig. 9. Canthon (Peltecanthon) terciae sp. nov., paratype, ♂, Rio Grande do Norte, Baia Formosa, Mata Estrela (CEMT). Position of the internal sac sclerites. A. Dorsal view. B. Ventral view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods.

Fig. 10. Distribution map for species of Peltecanthon: C. (P.) staigi (Pereira, 1953) (blue circle); C. (P.) haroldi Harold, 1867 nom. nov. (green square); C. (P.) splendidus Schmidt, 1922 (yellow triangle); C. (P.) terciae sp. nov. (red circle)