Cymatodera christina Rifkind

Rifkind, Jacques, 2015, New species of Cymatodera Gray (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Tillinae) from México and Central America, with notes on others, Zootaxa 3946 (4), pp. 519-552 : 540-542

Cymatodera christina Rifkind , n. sp.

( Figs. 43–48 )

Type specimens. Holotype male: México, Nayarit, Vol. Ceboruca [sic], Jala, 15-16-VII-1993, Morris, Huether, Wappes. Holotype deposited in CSCA. Paratypes: MEXICO, NAYARIT: 4, Volcan Ceboruco, 8-12 km W Jala, 4 OCT. 1990, J. E. Wappes; 2, same data as previous, except R. Turnbow, coll.; 1, Volcan Ceboruco, 8-14 km NW Jala, 4600-5800’, July 24, 1993, Trop. Decid. Forest trans. to Oak/Pine Forest, beating oak, Rifkind, Bellamy, Reifschneider, colls.; 1, Jésus María, VI-26-1955, R. Malkin, coll.; JALISCO: 1, Tequila, 55mi. W, VI-28 -[19]63, J. Doyen, coll.; 1, 10 mi N Guadalajara, Hwy. 54, 9 -VII-1987, C. L. Bellamy; ZACATECAS: 4, 10 mi S Jalpa, Hwy. 54, 9 -VII-1987, C. L. Bellamy; 1, 10-14 km N La Ceja, 3 Oct. 1990, R. Turnbow. Paratypes are deposited in CIUM, EMEC, JEWC, JNRC, RWTC and WFBM.

Diagnosis. Distinguishable from its congeners by a combination of characteristics: particularly elongate form ( Fig. 43 ), unique elytral sculpturing, shape of the pygidium and, in the males, the presence on the metaventrite of distinct, acute, closely paired tubercles ( Fig. 44 ). Affinities of the new species are not obvious.

Description. (Holotype). Length: 11.70 mm. Form: elongate, subcylindrical. Color: brown to reddish brown; distal margins of antennomeres, palpi and tarsi paler; venter somewhat darker; elytra with a faintly indicated pale, irregularly margined fascia at middle. Head: measured across eyes, wider than pronotum; eyes finely faceted; surface moderately densely punctate and feebly roughened; vestiture inconspicuous, composed of short, fine, pale, anteriorly directed, reclinate setae, interspersed with longer, more robust, erect setae. Pronotum: elongate, slightly broader at middle than at anterior margin; post–anterior transverse impression distinct, V–shaped; surface rather densely granulate–-punctate, transversely rugulose on disk; vestiture more conspicuous than on head. Elytra much longer than broad (ratio of length to width 59:21); sides subparallel, gradually, arcuately convergent posteriorly from about posterior 1/3; posterior margin subsinuate; apices dehiscent; disk subflattened; surface shining; punctures moderate, arranged in striae, deeper anteriorly, virtually absent from disk posterior to basal 1/3 but extending laterally to posterior 1/3 after which they grow obsolete; impunctate surface of disk irregularly rugulose; vestiture inconspicuous, rather sparsely arrayed, consisting of mostly short to moderately long, suberect, pale setae, with an intermingling of longer, erect, more robust, pale setae. Mesoventrite: coarsely punctate. Metaventrite: shining, rugulose laterally, sparsely punctulate otherwise; posterior 1/2 deeply, narrowly, sulcate; margins of sulcus produced into a pair of distinct triangulate tubercles, bearing acute, cristate apices ( Fig. 44 ). Abdomen: shining; surface moderately densely, but shallowly punctulate; vestiture fine, pale, reclinate; ventrite 5 ( Fig. 45 ) with sides tapered, posterior margin semicircularly emarginate; ventrite 6 ( Fig. 45 ) with sides oblique, posterior angles subacute, posterior margin rather deeply, arcuately emarginate, surpassed by tergite 6; tergite 6 ( Fig. 46 ) with a longitudinal median furrow, sides convergent, slightly inflected, posterior angles narrowly rounded, posterior margin with a rather deep V–shaped emargination at middle.

Variation. Length of available specimens ranges from 11.0 mm to 14.60 mm. Females have the posterior margin of ventrite 5 ( Fig. 47 ) sinuate at sides, subtruncate at middle; ventrite 6 ( Fig. 47 ) broader than long, moderately swollen, sides arcuate, hind angles broadly rounded, posterior margin with a broad, shallow, V–shaped emargination at middle, notched at center; surface punctulate, rather conspicuously set with fine, testaceous, posteriorly directed, reclinate setae, interspersed with a few much longer, more robust, testaceous setae; tergite 6 ( Figs. 47-48 ) with sides oblique, apex sharply crimped ventrally, posterior margin rounded, but appearing weakly, arcuately emarginate in dorsal aspect. Females lack the metasternal tubercles of the male.

Etymology. The specific name honors Christy Canyon, American actor and radio personality. The patronymic is treated as a noun in apposition for the sake of euphony.

Distribution. Known from the Mexican states of Zacatecas, Jalisco and Nayarit.

Biology. Specimens have been collected from the end of June to the beginning of October. One specimen was beaten from oak.

Figures

FIGURES 43 – 48. 43. Habitus of Cymatodera christina Rifkind, n. sp. (holotype male). 44. Metasternal tubercles of Cymatodera christina (holotype male). 45. Pygidium (ventral view) of male Cymatodera christina. 46. Pygidium (dorsal view) of male Cymatodera christina. 47. Pygidium (ventral view) of female Cymatodera christina. 48. Pygidium (dorsal view) of female Cymatodera christina.