Aurigeripilus Mermudes

Mermudes, José Ricardo M., 2015, A new genus and two new species of Araecerini from high elevation in the Andes with a synopsis of the tribe in South America (Coleoptera, Anthribidae, Choraginae), Zootaxa 3918 (4), pp. 587-593 : 588

Aurigeripilus Mermudes gen. nov.

Type species. Aurigeripilus andinus Mermudes gen. nov. et sp. nov., by monotypy.

Etymology. From latin, auriger meaning gold-bearing, plus pilus, hair. Gender masculine.

Diagnosis. Eyes ( Figs. 2–3 ) subrrounded, prominent, moderately coarsely faceted. Antennal club with antennomeres IX and X expanded on outer side (antennae folded back); antennomeres VIII and IX distinctly pedunculate; X almost securiform, with the outer side straight, truncate at apex. Pronotum with median tubercle, moderately developed and acuminate at top ( Fig. 2 ). Elytra with basal gibbosities moderately developed ( Fig. 2 ), impressed behind gibbosities.

Description ( Figs. 1–3 ). Body short, less than 1.5 X longer than wide; relatively more pronounced convexity in the apical two thirds of the elytra ( Fig. 2 ). Head distinctly convex at dorsum. Frons ( Fig. 3 ) wider than long. Rostrum short, slightly longer than wide and feebly impressed between scrobes, with median carina short; apical width slightly longer than width of head behind eyes, but shorter than width between outer ocular margins; apical margin of rostrum straight. Labrum trapezoidal, feebly convex at middle. Distance between inner margins of scrobes shorter than distance between inner ocular margins ( Fig. 3 ). Scrobes subrrounded, with deep ventral extension. Eyes subrrounded, prominent, moderately and coarsely faceted. Above eyes with tuft of setae longer than rostrum. Apical palpomere the longest, acuminate to apex.

Antennae reaching base of elytra. Scape assymetric, curved at base, relatively thickened to apex; antennomere II subequal to half of scape length; III–VIII shorter than II and subequal in length; IX–XI strongly enlarged and moderately swollen; IX and X more expanded on outer side (antennae folded back); X slightly elongate.

Prothorax as long as width at base, with convergent sides, most pronounced in middle of the anterior margin. Pronotum weakly convex, with weakly prominent median tubercle. Antebasal carina strongly angulate and entire at middle; very discreetly sinuate at side, and laterally complete at sides behind lateral angle. Lateral and secondary carina lacking. Procoxae subcontiguous. Metasternum transverse, narrower between meso- and metacoxae. Scutellum short, as long as wide.

Elytra slightly longer than width at humeri, subparallel; convex, with basal gibbosities moderately developed. Interstriae 1, slightly elevated; 3 strongly elevated after gibbosities, attenuate to apex; apex subrounded.

Ventrites I–IV relatively shorter at disk; I sharply shortened in the wider region of metacoxa; V wider than IV, subplanate at disk, truncate at apex. Pygidium impressed; apex truncate-rounded.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Aurigeripilus andinus Mermudes gen. nov. et sp. nov., holotype male: 1, dorsal habitus; 2, lateral habitus; 3, head and rostrum, dorsal. Scale bars: 1 – 2 = 1 mm; 3 = 200 µm.