Blepharidina burtli (Bryant)

(Figs 3, 27, 34, 40, 55, 68)

Blepharida burtli Bryant, 1944: 134

Blepharidina burtli (Bryant): Biondi et al. 2017: 129, 142 (pars)

Type material examined. Lectotype ♀ (Biondi des. in Biondi et al. 2017): “Tanganyika (Tanzania) T., Mshughaa, 30 ml. E of Singida (5°03'S, 35°01′48''E), xii.1935 – i.1936, E. Burtl ” (BMNH) . Paralectotypes: same data as lectotype, 2 ♀ (BMNH). Additional material examined in Appendix 1 .

Taxonomic observations. Blepharidina burtli, especially in females, is similar to B. delineata (Fig. 5) in size, habitus and color pattern. However, the two species do not seem closely related because of the clear differences in the spermatheca (Figs 55, 57), having a more elongate distal part, and a thicker and shorter ductus in B. burtli . This species can be distinguished also by: the lateral margin of pronotum moderately sinuate (Fig. 27), with anterolateral part not visible in dorsal view (almost straight and entirely visible in B. delineata); pronotal surface with an incomplete medial stria of punctures touching both posterior and anterior margins (Fig. 27) (complete in B. delineata); elytral surface with smaller points and flat interstriae (Fig. 34) (with larger points and more carinate interstriae in B. delineata). Aedeagus (Fig. 40) in ventral view thick and slightly sinuate laterally, with subrounded apical part and small median acute apex; in lateral view, straight and tapered from basal part to subapical part. Based on the general shape of the aedeagus, B. burtli could be closely related to B. aliquantula sp. nov., B. kasigauensis sp. nov., and B. regalini sp. nov. (Figs 38, 45, 54), but the aedeagus of B. burtli is easily distinguishable for being slightly stubbier, apically more rounded, and with a differently shaped dorsal ligula. Morphometry in Appendix 2.

Distribution. Tanzania (Fig. 68). Possibly Northern-Eastern Afrotropical (NEA) chorotype.

Ecological Notes. Not available. The collection sites fall within the area of Eastern African Xeric Scrub vegetation, and Miombo & Associated Broadleaf Savanna vegetation (belonging respectively to the Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland, and Tropical Lowland Grassland, Savanna & Shrubland formations).