Careocallus tehuelche Cherman, 2024

Cherman, Mariana A., Basílio, Daniel S., Clarkson, Bruno, Agostinis, André O., Smith, Andrew B. T., Vaz-De-Mello, Fernando Z. & Almeida, Lúcia M., 2024, New and revised taxa of Neotropical Diplotaxini (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae): do they change the existing relationships? Revisiting systematics with morphological and molecular data, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 201 (1), pp. 98-135 : 128-130

Careocallus tehuelche Cherman , sp. nov. ( Figs 8A–G , 9A–E , 11B, C )

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:40F4C7B7-87DB-4CC6-9EC2-3C826826B692

Type material

Careocallus tehuelche , ♂ holotype ( IADIZA): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquén / 23km E. Zapala (Ruta 16)/ 828 m 38.73500º S / 69.89919º W 08-XII-2017 /Coll: E. Stevani G. Flores,/ R. Carara F. Aballay’, [red typeset and handwritten] ‘ CAREOCALLUS /TEHUELCHE/ HOLOTYPE / Cherman M.A.’, genitalia mounted. Paratypes (50) all with the label [yellow typeset and handwritten] ‘ CAREOCALLUS / TEHUELCHE/ PARATYPE /Cherman M.A.’: two ♀ paratypes ( IADIZA) with the same data as the holotype. One ♂ and two ♀ paratypes ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARG:Nuequin [Neuquén]/nr Zapala/ 19-21.XII.1965 /A. Martinez’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/ COLLECTION/Ottawa, Canada’. Seven ♂ and two ♀ paratypes with the labels ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARG: Neuquin/nr Zapala/19–21.XIII.1965/A. Martinez’, [white typeset] ‘H.&A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’, each of the nine paratypes with a number of the following sequence [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘Canadian Museum of/Musée canadien de la/NATURE/ CMNEN 00029729–37’. One ♂ and one ♀ paratypes ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ SA. VACA MUERTA /(950 M. S.N.M.)/NEUQUEN-ARG.’, [white typeset] ‘14-XII-74/LG. M. GENTILI’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’. One ♂ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset, outlined] ‘BAJADA MARUCHO/ 870 m. s.n.m./Neuquen – Arg./4-XII-72/Lg. M. Gentili’, white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’, genitalia mounted. Two ♂ paratypes ( CMNC) with the same labels, plus the following sequence of numbers: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘Canadian Museum of/Musée canadien de la/NATURE/ CMNEN 00029727–28’. One ♀ paratype ( CMNC) with the same labels, plus: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘Canadian Museum of/Musée canadien de la/ NATURE/ CMNEN 00029738’. One ♂ and one ♀ paratypes ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARG:Rio Negro/nr San Carlos/ 19. XII.1965 /A. Martinez’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/Ottawa, Canada’, ♂ paratype with genitalia mounted. One ♂ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘PUERTO MADRYN/(20 M. S.N.M.)/CHUBUT— ARG.’, [white typeset] ‘11-X-74/LG. M. GENTILI’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’, genitalia mounted. Three ♂ paratypes each mounted on cards ( CMNC) with the same labels plus the following sequence of numbers: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘Canadian Museum of/Musée canadien de la/NATURE/ CMNEN 00029716–18’. One ♀ paratype ( CEMT): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquén /RP 43, W Chos Malal/ S 37º15ʹ55ʹʹ W 70º31ʹ22ʹʹ/ Jan-9-2003, 1385 m /F.C. Ocampo, A.B. T. Smith’, mouthparts, wings and pygidium mounted. One ♂ paratype ( CEMT): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquen /Aguada Florencia/Est. A.C.A., 2.XI.1967 /Cichero, Hernandez,/& A. Martínez’. Two ♀ paratypes ( CMNC): [white handwritten] ‘Ene: 979/ ARGENTINA / San Luis /Dº Capital/San Jeronimo/Williner- leg./coll. Martínez’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’. One ♀ paratype ( CMNC): [white handwritten] ‘Ene: 965/ ARGENTINA / NEUQUEN /Aº [arroyo] Picun Leufú/y Ruta 5/Coll. Martínez’, [white typeset, outlined] ‘H. & A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’, maxilla mounted. One ♀ paratype ( IADIZA): [white typeset] ‘ R.A Neuquén Picún Leufu/Pitfall 1998’. One ♂ and one ♀ paratypes ( IADIZA): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Chubut /Pla. Valdez. El Salitral/ 29-I-2007 / Coll. G. Cheli’, ♂ with genitalia mounted. Four ♂ paratypes (2 BDGC, 2 CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquen /Aguada Florencia/Est. A.C.A., 2.XI.1967 /Cichero, Hernandez,/& A. Martínez’. These paratypes each with a number of the following sequence: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘SCARABS OF/SOUTHERN/ SOUTH AMERICA / SSSA 3003239–42’. One ♂ paratype ( IADIZA): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquén /Dto. Zapala Cerro Mesa/ 23km E. Zapala (Ruta 16)/ 828 m 38.73500º S / 69.89919º W 08-XII-2017 /Coll: E. Stevani G. Flores,/ R. Carara F. Aballay’, [white typeset] ‘M.A. CHERMAN/DNA BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN MAC 018’, [white typeset] ‘ EXTRACTION CODE / LSBC 48/(from dried specimen)’. One ♀ paratype ( IADIZA): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquén /Dto. Zapala Cerro Mesa/ 23km E. Zapala (Ruta 16)/ 828 m 38.73500º S / 69.89919º W 08-XII-2017 /Coll: E. Stevani G. Flores,/ R. Carara F. Aballay’, [white typeset] ‘M.A. CHERMAN/DNA BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN MAC 019’, [white typeset] ‘ EXTRACTION CODE / LSBC 49/(from dried specimen)’. One ♀ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Mendoza /Reserva La Payunia, Los Relinchos/S 36º00ʹ59ʹʹ W 68º48ʹ39ʹʹ/ Jan-6- 2003, 1714 m /F.C. Ocampo, A.B. T. Smith’, [white typeset] ‘A.B. T. SMITH DNA/BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN ABTS 841’, [white typeset] ‘ EXTRACTION CODE / LSBC 04/(from fresh specimen)’ (DNA specimen stored in alcohol at -20 ºC). One ♀ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Mendoza /Reserva La Payunia, Los Relinchos/S36º00ʹ59ʹʹW68º48ʹ39ʹʹ/ Jan-6-2003, 1714 m /F.C. Ocampo, A.B. T. Smith’, [white typeset] ‘A.B. T. SMITH DNA/ BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN ABTS 841’ (specimen stored in alcohol at –80ºC). One ♂ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Mendoza /Reserva La Payunia, Los Relinchos/S 36º00ʹ59ʹʹ W 68º48ʹ39ʹʹ/ Jan-6-2003, 1714 m /F.C. Ocampo, A.B. T. Smith’, [white typeset] ‘A.B. T. SMITH DNA/ BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN ABTS 837’, [white typeset] ‘ EXTRACTION CODE / LSBC 18/(from fresh specimen)’ (DNA specimen stored in alcohol at –20°C). One ♂ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA, Chubut / Peninsula Valdes; Salinas Chicas/ 31.x.2005 /G Cheli’, [white typeset] ‘A.B. T. SMITH DNA/BARCODE VOUCHER/ SPECIMEN ABTS 694’, [white typeset] ‘SCARABS/OF SOUTHERN/ SOUTH AMERICA / SSSA 3003286’, [white typeset] ‘ EXTRACTION CODE / LSBC 19/(from fresh specimen)’ (DNA specimen stored in alcohol at –20°C). One ♂ paratype ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Chubut / Peninsula Valdes; Salinas Chicas/ 31.x.2005 /G Cheli’, [white typeset] ‘SCARABS/OF SOUTHERN/ SOUTH AMERICA / SSSA 3003287’ (DNA specimen stored in alcohol at –80°C). One ♂ and one ♀ paratypes ( TMSA): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA, Chubut /Penin. Valdes, S.Jose/~ 42.30 S – 64.05 W’, [white typeset] ‘ 8.11.1990; ARG-109/on dunes, night/leg. Endrödi-Younga’. The two paratypes each with one number of the sequence: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘SCARABS OF/SOUTHERN/ SOUTH AMERICA / SSSA 3003211-12’. Three ♂ paratypes mounted on cards ( CMNC): [white typeset] ‘LA NEGRA-Jaram/ 770 m. s.n.m./ Neuquen-Arg./2-XI-72/LG. M. Gentili’, [white typeset] ‘H.&A. HOWDEN/COLLECTION/ ex. A. Martinez coll.’. Each of these paratypes with a number of the sequence: [white typeset with data matrix code] ‘Canadian Museum of/Musée canadien de la/NATURE/ CMNEN 00029739– 41’. One female paratype ( UNSM): [white typeset] ‘ ARGENTINA: Neuquén /Cutral Co; E. RN 22/38º57ʹ11ʹʹS, 69º24ʹ34ʹʹW/ 794 m; 3.ii.2006; Coll. F C/Ocampo’, [white typeset], ‘U of NEBRASḎ/ STATE MUSEUM /entomology/ UNSMe/5001’.

Holotype and five paratypes deposited at IADIZA. Thirtyfour paratypes at CMNC. Four paratypes at CEMT. Two paratypes at DZUP. Two paratypes at TMSA. Two paratypes at BDGC. One paratype at UNSM.

Diagnosis

Body strongly oval in females ( Fig. 9A ), more elongate in males ( Fig. 8A ); shiny, elytra purplish-red, unicolorous with the body or slightly lighter in colour; pronotal disc sparse and very coarsely punctate, posterior corners subangulate; sutural ridge elevated; apex of sutural ridge forming angle 90º with the posterior margin of elytron ( Fig. 14F ); mesotibia cylindrical in cross-section; pygidium sparsely bristled throughout the disc; pygidial apex from quadrate to rounded; in males inner margin of metatibia carinate straight towards apex ( Fig. 8D ); protarsomeres I and II inconspicuously enlarged ( Fig. 8C ); protarsal claw, superior tooth one half the length of protarsomere V; inferior tooth shorter and closer to the base in males ( Fig. 9D, E ); apex of parameres spatulate, margins rounded, straight not coplanar in lateral view ( Fig. 8F, G ).

Holotype description

Length: 10.7 mm; width 5.8 mm. Purplish-red. Head: frons somewhat swollen, slightly longer than clypeus; clypeus trapezoidal, anterior margin subemarginate medially; fovea of maxillary distal palpomere deep, extending past the transverse midline ( Fig. 8B ); antenna with 10 antennomeres, club lighter in colour and longer than funicle. Thorax: pronotal disc very coarsely punctate, punctures sparse; pronotal posterior corners subangulate ( Fig. 8B ); hypomeron with long bristles and few scales on inner margin; metaventrite with sparse long bristles; distance between mesocoxae and metacoxae near twice longer than the metacoxa; scutellum ogival, few punctures at the sides except on apex. Elytra: shiny, uniform red, slightly darker on base; convex, 2.5 times longer than the pronotum ( Fig. 8C ); sutural ridge and elytron unicolorous, distinctly elevated, apex in 90º angle with the posterior margin of elytron; elytral disc coarsely punctate; punctures forming three elytral ridges, the outermost almost unnoticeable. Legs: protibia with three teeth, middle and apical equal in size, the three teeth equally spaced ( Fig. 8B ); mesotibia cylindrical in cross-section; surface finely sculptured; mesotibia with two transverse carinae, the apical carina forming a ring ( Fig. 8C ); inner margin of metatibia carinate straight to apex; inner surface barely setose; metatibial disc finely sculptured; two transverse carina present posteriorly, the apical carina extending across the disc ( Fig. 8D ); protarsomeres I and II inconspicuously enlarged; claws bifid, protarsal claw longer than the others, one-half the length of the protarsomere V; inferior tooth raising next to the base of the superior tooth ( Fig. 9E ). Abdomen: ventrites sparsely bristled on disc; propygidium slightly visible, bristled; pygidium flat, subquadrate, as wide as it is long; pygidial disc sparsely bristled throughout, longer bristles erect; pygidial apex rounded ( Fig. 8E ). Parameres: maximum width at the basal region, parameral split at the second third of the basal region, parameres gradually narrowed towards subapical portion; inner margins slightly convergent; apex spatulate, rounded ( Fig. 8F ); parameres straight in lateral view, sloped at subapical portion, apex flattened ( Fig. 8G ).

Variation

Male paratypes: Length: 8.2–12.4 mm; width 4.1–5.2 mm. As the holotype except in the size (larger and smaller), colour (darker and lighter); elytra more elongate; metatibia with apical transverse carina weaker and incomplete, surface not entirely crossed by the carina; pygidial apex quadrate or subquadrate.

Female paratypes: Length: 9.1–12.3 mm; width 4.7–7.1 mm. As the holotype except in the body strongly oval; distance between mesocoxae and metacoxae 1.5 times the length of the metacoxae; hindwings brachypterous ( Figs 11C , 12B ); elytral ridge elevated or not; inner margin of metatibia not carinate; pygidium longer, bristles on pygidial disc longer towards the apex; pygidial apex rounder.

Etymology

Noun in the genitive case. The term ‘Tehuelche complex’ has been used by researchers in a broad sense to name a heterogeneous group of indigenous people from Patagonia and the Pampas. Several specialists have proposed grouping them together on account of the similarities in their cultural traits, geographic vicinity and languages, even though the languages they spoke amongst themselves were not related to each other and their geographic distributions were extensive (Nacuzzi 2002).

Type locality

ARGENTINA. Neuquén, 23 km E. Zapala (Ruta 16), 828 m, 38.73500ºS 69.89919ºW .

Geographical distribution

ARGENTINA (San Luis, Neuquén, Rio Negro , Chubut).

Figures

Figure 8. Careocallus tehuelche. Male holotype habitus (A), head and pronotum (B), lateral (C), metatibia (D), posterior (E), and parameres in dorsal (F) and lateral (G) views.

Figure 9. Careocallus tehuelche. Female paratype habitus (A); lateral (B) and posterior (C) views; protarsal claw of female (D) and male (E).

Figure 11. Hindwing in Careocallus. Careocallus densicollis male (A); Careocallus tehuelche male (B) and female (C).

Figure 12. Hindwing in Careocallus, detail of radial sector.Careocallus tehuelche male (A) and female (B).

Figure 14. Posterior margin of elytra, variation in apex of sutural ridge among Diplotaxini.Apex angulate (A, F); apex subangulate (E) or rounded (B–D). Diplotaxis tristis Kirby (A); Pachrodema castanea Blanchard (B); Homalochilus punctatostriatus (C); Pacuvia philippiana Gutiérrez (D); Liogenys suturalis (E); Careocallus tehuelche (F).