Physciolagria, Pic, 1930

Telnov, Dmitry, 2022, Redefinition of Physciolagria Pic, 1930 (Coleoptera: Mycteridae) with a new family placement, genus-rank synonymy, new description, and a key, Zootaxa 5219 (2), pp. 121-138 : 137-138

Key to species of Physciolagria

Confident identification is yet possible only for males. Female remains unknown for P. pollocki . Since pronotal colour varies in Physciolagria , this feature should be used carefully for treating species.

1 Elytral pubescence double, with distinct, short undersetae and longer ordinary setae; parameres of male aedeagus apically with distinct, curved spine apically; pronotum pale, disc with rufobrunneous, median, longitudinal spot......................................................................................................... P. pollocki (Telnov)

- Elytral pubescence simple (without undersetae); parameres of male aedeagus not spinose apically; pronotum nearly uniformly dark or pale, without contrasting median dark spot.......................................................... 2

2 Tegmen of aedeagus as in Figs 28–29 ; median lobe as in Figs 36–38 ; female terminal antennomere as in Fig. 1 , comparatively long, with an inconspicuous basal denticle at inner margin.......................................... P. liturata Pic

- Tegmen and median lobe of aedeagus different; female terminal antennomere comparatively long, with an inconspicuous basal denticle at inner margin ( Figs 18–19 ) or distinctly shorter, with conspicuous basal denticle at inner margin ( Figs 45, 47 )... 3

3 Tegmen of aedeagus as in Figs 30–32 ; median lobe as in Figs 39–41 ; female terminal antennomere rather short, with conspicuous basal denticle at anterior margin ( Figs 45, 47 ); pronotum pale, about same colour as elytra; pronotal dorsal setae about same colour as pronotum................................................................. P. singularicornis (Pic)

- Tegmen of aedeagus as in Figs 33–35 ; median lobe as in Figs 42–44 ; female terminal antennomere comparatively longer, with inconspicuous median denticle at anterior margin ( Figs 18–19 ); pronotum distinctly darker than elytra; pronotal dorsal setae distinctly paler than pronotum.............................................................. P. smithi sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURES 28–35. Tegmen of Physciolagria Pic, 1930. 28—P. liturata Pic, 1930; 29—ditto, parameres, apical portion (note moderately long apical setation); 30—P. singularicornis (Pic, 1935), ♂ from Sebele, Botswana; 31—ditto, paramere, apical portion, apical setation removed; 32—ditto, parameres, apical portion (note long apical setation); 33—P. smithi sp. nov., paratype; 34—ditto, paramere, apical portion, apical setation removed; 35—ditto, parameres, apical portion (note long apical setation) [not to scale].

FIGURES 36–44. Median lobe of Physciolagria Pic, 1930. 36—P. liturata Pic, 1930; 37—ditto, apical portion (note apical pores); 38—ditto, gonopore armature; 39—P. singularicornis (Pic, 1935), ♂ from Sebele, Botswana; 40—ditto, apical portion (note apical spines); 41—ditto, gonopore armature; 42—P. smithi sp. nov., paratype; 43—ditto, apical portion (note apical spines); 44—gonopore armature [not to scale].

FIGURES 1–4. Physciolagria liturata Pic, 1930, holotype ♀. 1—Habitus, dorsal view; 2—ditto, lateral view; 3—Forebody, anterodorsal view; 4—Labels [not to scale].

FIGURES 18–19. Physciolagria smithi sp. nov., paratype ♀. 18—Habitus, dorsal view; 19—Forebody, anterodorsal view [not to scale].

FIGURES 45–48. Physciolagria singularicornis (Pic, 1935), holotype ♀. 45—Habitus, dorsal view; 46—ditto, lateral view; 47—ditto, ventral view; 48—Labels [images courtesy Christophe Rivier, MNHN].