Megatrachys Opitz, 1997

Opitz, Weston, 2008, Classification, natural history, and evolution of Epiphloeinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part VII. The genera Hapsidopteris Opitz, Iontoclerus Opitz, Katamyurus Opitz, Megatrachys Opitz, Opitzia Nemésio, Pennasolis Opitz, new genus, Pericales Opitz, new genus, Pteroferus Opitz, new genus, and Turbophloeus Opitz, new genus, Zootaxa 1754, pp. 1-40 : 21

Megatrachys Opitz

Type species: Megatrachys paniculus Opitz, 1997: 61 . By original designation.

Diagnosis: The tufts of dark setae near the apex of the elytra will conveniently distinguish the members of this genus.

Description: Size: Length 5.0– 8.5 mm; width 1.5–2.5 mm. Form: Oblong rectangulate; elytra a little more than three times longer than wide, posterolateral margin gradually curved towards elytral apex. Vestiture: Cranium matted with light setae, vertex between eyes always with one or more setal tufts, latter may also be present on frons; pronotum densely matted with light setae that may be arranged into small wisps; elytral disc vested with primary (1º) setae and secondary (2º) setae, 2º setae white, dark brown or yellow, setae matted, setal tufts prominent. Head: Cranium (figs. 59–61) rugosely punctate; eyes very bulgy, finely faceted, ocular notch angle rounded at innermost point; antenna (fig. 63) inserted at lower angle of eye incision, comprised of 10 antennomeres, loosely clubbed, scape curvate, as long as combined length of pedicel and antennomeres 3–4, scape curvate, funicular antennomeres subfiliform, 7 th and 8 th antennomeres narrow triangular, 10 th antennomere oval; labrum (fig.59) deeply incised; tormal processes horizontal and not welded; mandible robust, dentes well developed, mandibular penicillus very small; maxillary and labial (fig.57) terminal palpomeres digitiform, laterolacinia present; frons very wide; gular sutures (fig. 60) strongly converging; gular pads very small. Thorax: Pronotum (figs. 56, 62) transverse, lateral tubercle very prominent, disc highly undulated, coarsely punctate, pronotal arch domed, anterior margin curvate, posterior margin transverse, anterior transverse depression well developed, disc paralateral tumescences usually prominent, depressed obliquely at sides where discal trichobothria are prominent; pronotal projection (fig. 62) slightly extended to middle; lateral carina not extended to anterior margin of pronotum and posteriorly confluent with pronotal bead; procoxal cavities open; interprocoxal process linear (fig. 62), not laterally expanded distally; metendosternite (fig. 70) without furcal lamina; elytra oblong rectangulate, epipleural margins subparallel then gradually becoming more rounded, then gradually converging towards sutural margin, minutely serrated or not, epipleuron extended to elytral distal four-fifth, punctations small and obscured by rugose surface of disc; metathoracic wing as in figure 133; mesoscutellum transverse (fig. 58); tibial spur formula 0-1-1, tarsal pulvilli formula 3-3-1, anterior margin of tibia spinous; tarsal claws with large basal denticle. Abdomen: Narrows to posterior, six visible sterna; pygidium transverse, sixth visible sternum incised distally in males, not incised in females. Male Genitalia (fig. 68): Aedeagus tubular; phallobasic rod present, linear, phallic plates very broad; spicular fork as in figure 67. Male Mesodermal Reproductive Organs: Two pairs of accessory glands. Female Mesodermal Reproductive Organs: Spermathecal not heavily sclerotized; spermathecal gland attached to subapex of spermathecal gland; bursa copulatrix saccular.

Distribution: The known distribution of this genus extends from Southern México to southeastern Guatemala.

Evolutionary considerations: This Middle American ( Opitz, 2005: 97 ) genus is most closely related to the North American genus Pennasolis , n. gen. with which it shares the following synapotypic characteristics: elytral disc corrugated and epipleural margin minutely serrated.