Blennidus

Allegro, Gianni & Giachino, Pier Mauro, 2015, Annotated checklist of the Blennidus subgenus Agraphoderus species from Peru with description of B. bombonensis n. sp. and synonymic notes (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichinae), Zootaxa 4000 (1), pp. 1-48 : 21-23

Key to the species of Blennidus subgenus Agraphoderus recorded from Peru

(To cope with a possible misinterpretation at couplet 27, Blennidus anxius is keyed twice)

1. Pronotum flattened on disc and markedly restricted at base, with sides rectilinear or slightly sinuate in posterior third; hind angles of pronotum obtuse, with blunt apex ( Fig. 62 ). Elytra subdepressed. Aedeagus curved in dorsal view and with apical blade sharply pointed ( Fig. 98 ). Dept. Ancash, Cordillera blanca. 8.3–10.3 mm ...... Blennidus huascarani Allegro, 2010 .

- Species dorsally convex. The above characters are not all present together....................................... 2.

2. Male mesotibiae with an inner spine or an acutely pointed swelling in subapical position........................... 3.

- Male mesotibie without an inner subapical spine, at most with an obtuse swelling................................. 5.

3. Male metatibiae with a marked subapical swelling. Hind angles of pronotum widely rounded (Fig. 54). Male dorsally with strong metallic lustre. Dept. Cajamarca. 9.5–9.8 mm .............................. Blennidus bellesi ( Straneo, 1993)

- Male metatibiae subapically not swollen. Hind angles of pronotum obtuse but more or less indicated.................. 4.

4. Hind angles of pronotum with pointed vertex ( Fig. 68 ). Elytra subparallel sided or slightly dilated backwards, with rounded apex. The subapical inner spine of male mesotibiae short. Aedeagus short and markedly curved downwards at apex in lateral view ( Fig. 104 ). Dept. Cuzco. 8.5–9.5 mm .................................. Blennidus mesotibialis ( Straneo, 1993)

- Hind angles of pronotum with blunt vertex ( Fig. 69 ). Elytra oval, with pointed apex. The subapical inner spine of male mesotibia long and acuminate. Aedeagus slender, scarcely curved downwards at apex in lateral view ( Fig. 105 ). Dept. Cajamarca. 9.5 mm ............................................................... Blennidus negrei ( Straneo, 1993)

5. Pronotum usually disc-shaped, with hind angles more or less rounded (Figs. 56, 72, 76, 78). Species distributed in northern Peru (Dept. Cajamarca)............................................................................... 6.

- Pronotum of different shape, or species distributed in central or southern Peru.................................... 9.

6. The 1st to 5th elytral striae all equally impressed, with moderately convex intervals. Hind angles of pronotum rounded or hardly evident ( Fig. 76 ). Larger size (9.2–10.9 mm).......................... Blennidus pinguis (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

- The 1st elytral stria more impressed than 2nd to 5th, which are more or less obsolete, with flat intervals. Hind angles of pronotum rounded or widely obtuse. Smaller size (<9 mm)........................................................... 7.

7. Pronotum with base as wide as anterior margin, with sides strongly convex and hind angles rounded (Fig. 56). 9.0 mm. Dept. Cajamarca............................................................... Blennidus crassus ( Straneo, 1993)

- Pronotum with base definitely narrower than anterior margin, with sides less convex and hind angles widely obtuse but evident ( Figs. 72 , 78 )........................................................................................ 8.

8. Larger size (8.5–9.0 mm). Umbilicate pores at sides of elytra widely interrupted at middle. Sides of pronotum linear or slightly convex just before hind angles ( Fig. 72 ). Sterna IV–VI with a series of evident punctures at sides. Aedeagus in dorsal view markedly arcuate ( Fig. 108 )................................................ Blennidus orbicollis ( Straneo, 1993)

- Smaller size (7.5–8.0 mm). Umbilicate pores at sides of elytra not widely interrupted at middle. Sides of pronotum slightly sinuate just before hind angles ( Fig. 78 ). Sterna IV–VI without punctures at sides. Aedeagus in dorsal view moderately arcuate ( Fig. 114 ).................................................. Blennidus pseudolaevis (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

9. Male fore tarsi scarcely dilated, without scaly pubescence underneath. Head very large. Pronotum clearly transverse (W/ L>1.4) ( Fig. 63 ). The 1st elytral stria definitely more impressed than others. Large body size (11–13 mm). Dept. Pasco (Cerro de Pasco)............................................................ Blennidus inca ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

-.. Male fore-tarsi normally dilated, with scaly pubescence underneath. The other above characters not all present together 10.

10. Pronotum widely flattened before hind angles, which are angulately obtuse and clearly raised ( Fig. 80 ). Elytra with subparallel sides and striae all equally impressed. 9.5 mm. Unknown distribution............ Blennidus refleximargo ( Straneo, 1993)

- Pronotum with different shape......................................................................... 11.

11. Elytra with a single discal setigerous pore on 3rd interval and with marked green or bluish metallic lustre.............. 12.

- Elytra with at least two discal setigerous pores on 3rd interval. Brown or black species, at most with slight metallic lustre. 14.

12. Elytra with green-bluish lustre. Striae superficially impressed but evident; the 1st, as well as the 8th and 9th, more impressed than others. Sides of pronotum regularly rounded with a very shortly sinuation before basal angles, which are obtusely angulate ( Fig. 84 ). 9 mm. Unknown distribution.................................... Blennidus tenenbaumi ( Lutshnik, 1927)

- Elytra with marked green-olive lustre................................................................... 13.

13. Pronotum with basal angles right and acutely pointed ( Fig. 71 ). Head with frontal furrows very faint. Elytral striae all very superficial. 9 mm. Unknown distribution............................... Blennidus olivaceus ( Tschitschérine, 1897)

- Pronotum with basal angles obtuse, with a small blunt tooth at vertex. Head with frontal furrows impressed. The 1st elytral stria, as well the 7th–9th, more impressed than others. 9 mm. Unknown distribution.................................................................................................... Blennidus idioderus ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

14. Lateral margins of pronotum with two close setigerous pores on anterior half. Posterior angles of pronotum rounded ( Fig. 60 ) 8.5 mm. Unknown distribution...................................... Blennidus euphaenops ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

- Lateral margins of pronotum with a single setigerous pore on anterior half. Posterior angles of pronotum rounded or angulate.................................................................................................. 15.

15. Species ranging in the mountains of Cordillera Blanca (Dept. Ancash). Only the 1st elytral stria well impressed, the others superficial or obliterated. Male mesotibiae preapically swollen. Seta on posterior angles of pronotum not moved forewards.................................................................................................... 16.

- Species recorded from other Andean areas of Peru. The above characters not all present together.................... 17.

16. Posterior angles of pronotum almost rounded ( Fig. 86 ). Larger size (8.5–9.4 mm). Median lobe of aedeagus stouter ( Fig. 119 )........................................................................ Blennidus unistria ( Straneo, 1993)

- Posterior angles of pronotum obtuse but clearly indicated by a small tooth ( Fig. 61 ). Smaller size (7.4–9.2 mm). Median lobe of aedeagus slender ( Fig. 97 ).................................... Blennidus fitzcarraldi (Giachino & Allegro, 2011)

17. Species ranging in the Andes of southern Peru. Elytral striae all equally impressed (at most the 1st slightly more impressed). Male mesotibiae not preapically swollen (sometimes metatibiae preapically swollen). Seta on posterior angles of pronotum not moved forewards................................................................................... 18.

- Species recorded from other Andean areas of Peru. The above characters not all present together.................... 23.

18. Sides of pronotum sinuate at the base or posteriorly nearly straight; male metatibiae not preapically swollen........... 19.

- Sides of pronotum rounded over entire length; male metatibiae preapically swollen or not.......................... 22.

19. Impressed elytral striae with feebly convex intervals in ♂. Distinctly pear-shaped elytra. Aedeagus with median lobe regularly curved and not depressed ventrally ( Fig. 100 ). Species from the Puno area. 7.7–7.8 mm ................................................................................................... Blennidus jelskii ( Tschitschérine, 1897)

- Superficial elytral striae with flat intervals in both sexes. Elytra not pear-shaped. Aedeagus with median lobe angulately inserted on the basal bulb and ventrally somewhat depressed. Species from the Cuzco area........................ 20.

20. Sides of pronotum markedly sinuate at base (Fig. 51). A faint metallic lustre is usually present in ♂. In lateral view, median lobe of aedeagus larger and distally nearly straight ( Fig. 89 ). Relatively larger (8.0–9.0 mm)..................................................................................... Blennidus abramalagae (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

- Sides of pronotum weakly sinuate or nearly straight at base. Metallic lustre usually absent. Median lobe of aedeagus smaller and angulately bent downwards in the distal part ( Figs. 113, 117 ). Relatively smaller (6.6–8.8 mm).................. 21.

21. Habitus more slender (length/width of elytra = 1.50–1.57). Elytra less convex, with apical declivity less marked. Aedeagus smaller even in the largest specimens ( Fig. 113 ). 6.6–8.8 mm ............ Blennidus procerus (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

- Habitus oval (length/width of elytra = 1.45). Elytra more convex, with marked apical declivity. Aedeagus more slender and larger ( Fig. 117 ). 7.7–8.7 mm ...................................... Blennidus straneoi (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

22. Elytral striae definitely impressed, with slightly convex intervals. Male metatibiae preapically not swollen. Median lobe of aedeagus distally rounded in dorsal view ( Fig. 91 ). Larger size (9.5 mm). Species from the Puno area.................................................................................. Blennidus aulacostigma ( Tschitschérine, 1897)

- Elytral striae superficial, with flat intervals. Male metatibiae preapically swollen. Median lobe of aedeagus distally pointed in dorsal view ( Fig. 95 ). Smaller size (7.6–9.3 mm). Species from the Cuzco area.................................................................................................... Blennidus etontii (Allegro & Giachino, 2011)

23. Hind angles of pronotum more or less rounded, always blunt at apex, and postangular seta distinctly moved forewards... 24.

- Hind angles of pronotum rounded or angulate; if rounded the postangular seta not moved forewards................. 27.

24. The 1st elytral stria distinctly more impressed than others; intervals flat. Elytra oval shaped, narrow at base and dilated backwards; shoulders rounded. Male mesotibiae not preapically swollen. The apical blade of aedeagus slightly bent to left in dorsal view ( Fig. 118 ). Ticlio, Abra de Anticona..................................... Blennidus ticlianus ( Straneo, 1993)

- Elytral striae well impressed and intervals subconvex; the 1st stria only slightly more impressed than others. Male mesotibiae preapically swollen. The apical blade of aedeagus not laterally bent in dorsal view. Species from Depts. Pasco and Huanuco.................................................................................................... 25.

25. Male metatibiae with a marked subapical swelling. Depts. Pasco and Huanuco.. Blennidus languens ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

- Male metatibiae without marked subapical swelling........................................................ 26.

26. Larger size (10–12 mm). Elytra oval shaped, narrower at base and dilated backwards. Front angles of pronotum not prominent ( Fig. 74 ).............................................................. Blennidus pascoensis ( Straneo, 1954)

- Smaller size (9–9.5 mm). Elytra shorter, with subparallel sides, not distinctly dilated backwards. Front angles of pronotum prominent (Fig. 55)........................................................... Blennidus bombonensis n. sp.

27. Hind angles of pronotum broadly or narrowly rounded...................................................... 28.

- Hind angles of pronotum from almost right (sometimes blunt at vertex) to obtuse, but always angulate................ 34.

28. Larger size (> 11 mm). Elytral striae more or less equally impressed. Posterior angles of pronotum broadly rounded ( Fig. 67 ).

Depts. Junin and Huancavelica............................................... Blennidus mateui ( Straneo, 1993) - Smaller size (<10.5 mm). Posterior angles of pronotum more or less narrowly rounded. The 1st elytral stria usually more impressed than others; intervals flat..................................................................... 29.

29. Elytra short-oval, relatively wide (L/W=1.40). Sides of pronotum arcuate and hind angles broadly obtuse ( Fig. 82 ). 7.1 mm. Dept. La Libertad........................................................ Blennidus sublaevis ( Straneo, 1993)

- Elytra more slender (L/W=1.50). Body larger (> 7.5 mm).................................................... 30.

30. Smaller (7.5–8.2 mm). Apical blade of aedeagus short and almost triangular in dorsal view......................... 31.

- Larger (9.1–10.2 mm). Apical blade of aedeagus longer, widely truncate at apex and bent to the right in dorsal view ( Figs. 88 , 102 ).............................................................................................. 33.

31. Body dark brown. Legs reddish-brown. Elytral striae 2–5 generally superficial, distinctly less impressed than 1st. Dept. Junin..................................................................... Blennidus vereshaginae ( Straneo, 1993)

- Body piceous black, with concolorous legs. Striae 2–5 complete and distinct, although less impressed than 1st.......... 32.

32. Posterior angles of pronotum rounded ( Fig. 83 ). Unknown distribution........... Blennidus tardus ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

- Posterior angles of pronotum obtuse with blunt vertex (Fig. 52). Dept. Lima...... Blennidus anxius ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

33. Males usually with bronze lustre. Aedeagus not exceptionally slender ( Fig. 88 ). Dept. Huancavelica................................................................................... Blennidus abditus (Giachino & Allegro, 2011)

- Males usually without bronze lustre. Aedeagus exceptionally long and slender, very distinctive ( Fig. 102 ). Dept. Junin............................................................................. Blennidus longiloba ( Straneo, 1993)

34. Sides of pronotum markedly convex, widest at anterior third ( Figs. 58 , 73 ). The 1st elytral stria definitely more impressed than others, which are very superficial; intervals flat........................................................... 35

- Sides of pronotum moderately convex, sometimes linear towards base, widest at middle or just beyond middle. The 1st elytral stria hardly more impressed than others, which are complete and distinct; intervals flat or subconvex................. 36.

35. Smaller size (7 mm). Sides of pronotum less rounded in basal half, with very short sinuation at base ( Fig. 58 ). Unknown distribution.............................................................. Blennidus egens ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

- Larger size (8.4 mm). Sides of pronotum evenly rounded on whole length ( Fig. 73 ). Dept. Junin........................................................................................ Blennidus pachycerus ( Tschitschérine, 1897)

36. Pronotum subquadrangular with sides hardly convex, almost linear or subsinuate before hind angles (Figs. 57, 70, 75)... 37.

- Pronotum subquadrangular or transverse, with sides more convex and usually evenly rounded before hind angles....... 39.

37. Elytra short-oval, dull even in males due to a strong microsculpture; striae distinctly punctate and very superficial in posterior third. 8–9 mm. Depts. Pasco and Junin......................................... Blennidus curtatus ( Straneo, 1993)

- Elytra oval-elongate, moderately shiny in males; striae impunctate and well impressed even in posterior third.......... 38.

38. Larger size (8.5–9 mm). Sides of pronotum linear (or slightly convex) in basal half ( Fig. 70 ). Elytra angulate at shoulders. Median lobe of aedeagus shorter and stouter ( Fig. 106 ). Depts. Junin-Pasco......... Blennidus nigritulus ( Straneo, 1993)

- Smaller size (7.6 mm). Sides of pronotum with short sinuation before hind angles ( Fig. 75 ). Elytra rounded at shoulders. Median lobe of aedeagus more slender ( Fig. 111 ). Unknown distribution.... Blennidus phaenogonus ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

39. Smaller size (8.2 mm). Fore angles of pronotum completely obliterated (Fig. 52). Median lobe of aedeagus hardly curved downwards at apex in lateral view ( Fig. 90 ). Dept. Lima...................... Blennidus anxius ( Tschitschérine, 1898)

- Larger size (8.5–9 mm). Fore angles of pronotum more or less prominent ( Fig. 79 ). Median lobe of aedeagus distinctly curved downwards at apex in lateral view ( Fig. 115 ). Dept. Junin...................... Blennidus rectangulus ( Straneo, 1993)

Figures

FIGURES 58 – 65. Pronotum of Blennidus: egens male HT (58); etontii male HT (59); euphaenops male HT (60); fitzcarraldi male HT (61); huascarani male HT (62); inca male LT (63); jelskii male LT (64); languens male LT (65).

FIGURES 94 – 99. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: curtatus HT (94); etontii HT (95); euphaenops HT (96); fitzcarraldi HT (97); huascarani HT (98); inca LT (99).

FIGURES 66 – 73. Pronotum of Blennidus: longiloba male HT (66); mateui male HT (67); mesotibialis male HT (68); negrei male HT (69); nigritulus male HT (70); olivaceus male HT (71); orbicollis male PT (72); pachycerus male HT (73).

FIGURES 100 – 105. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: jelskii LT (100); languens LT (101); longiloba HT (102); mateui HT (103); mesotibialis PT (104); negrei HT (105).

FIGURES 74 – 81. Pronotum of Blennidus: pascoensis male HT (74); phaenogonus male LT (75); pinguis male HT (76); procerus male HT (77); pseudolaevis male HT (78); rectangulus male HT (79); refleximargo male HT (80); straneoi male HT (81).

FIGURES 106 – 111. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: nigritulus HT (106); olivaceus HT (107); orbicollis PT (108); pachycerus HT (109); pascoensis HT (110); phaenogonus LT (111).

FIGURES 112 – 117. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: pinguis HT (112); procerus HT (113); pseudolaevis HT (114); rectangulus HT (115); refleximargo HT (116); straneoi HT (117).

FIGURES 82 – 87. Pronotum of Blennidus: sublaevis female PT (82); tardus female HT (83); tenenbaumi male HT (84); ticlianus male HT (85); unistria male HT (86); vereshaginae male HT (87).

FIGURES 118 – 120. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: ticlianus HT (118); unistria HT (119); vereshaginae HT (120).

FIGURES 88 – 93. Aedeagus (left lateral and dorsal aspects) of Blennidus: abditus HT (88); abramalagae HT (89); anxius HT (90); aulacostigma HT (91); bellesi HT (92); bombonensis n. sp. HT (93).