Amerilochus cinereus Skelley, 2007

Skelley, Paul E., 2007, New South American taxa of Odontolochini Stebnicka and Howden (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), Insecta Mundi 2007 (22), pp. 1-15 : 3-4

Amerilochus cinereus Skelley , new species

( Figure 4-8 )

Type material. Holotype male, label data: “ Peru: Loreto Prov., Iquitos , 90m, 7 May 1992, J. Danoff- Berg, ex: general/ [red paper] HOLOTYPE Amerilochus cinereus P. E. Skelley 2007 ” [ SEMC].

Description. Male body length 2.4 mm, width 0.9 mm; elongate, nearly parallel-sided, dorsally argillaceous gray ( Fig. 5 ). Head and pronotal surface coarsely punctate, separated by 1-2 diameters, obscured by argillaceous covering ( Fig. 6 ). Elytral intervals appear to be impunctate; strial punctures separated by 2- 3 diameters. Mesofemur with distinct fringe of long setae on anterior margin, fringe lacking on metafemur ( Fig. 8 ). Male genitalia with parameres as long as basal piece; parameres greatly narrowing from base to midpoint, then curved downward in gradual arch to acute apex ( Fig. 7 ).

Comments. The unique holotype shows some characters which may be sexual dimorphisms, and not generic characters: the inner apical protibial tooth, and the fringe of long setae on the anterior margin of the mesofemur. However, the combination of all other characters distinguishes Amerilochus from all other aphodiine genera.

Initial examinations of this species posed may questions regarding its relationships, generic placement, and identity. It superfically seems similar to Cartwrightia Islas (Eupariini) in clypeal structure, argillaceous body, and alternately elevated elytral intervals. However, these could all be parallel or convergent characters. Closer examination shows Amerilochus to be a member of the Odontolochini , sharing all tribal characters, yet very distinct from any other described genus.

Etymology. The name “ cinereus ” is Latin for ash-colored, gray, and was selected because of the distinctive body covering of this species.

Figures

Figure 1-4. Key characters. 1) Saprositellus ariquemes Stebnicka, head and pronotum. 2) Saprolochus tambopatae Stebnicka and Galante, head and pronotum. 3) Stebnickiella zosterixys, n. gen., n. sp., lateral habitus. 4) Amerilochus cinereus, n. gen., n. sp., head and pronotum.

Figure 5-8. Amerilochus cinereus, n. gen., n. sp., holotype. 5) Dorsal habitus. 6) Lateral habitus. 7) Genitalia. 8) Ventral mesothorax to abdomen.