Feeridium, Vaz-De-Mello, 2008

Vaz-De-Mello, Fernando Z., 2008, Synopsis of the new subtribe Scatimina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Ateuchini), with descriptions of twelve new genera and review of Genieridium, new genus, Zootaxa 1955, pp. 1-75 : 24-25

5. Feeridium new genus

Diagnosis: Size large (4.5–5.2 mm), very elongated ( Fig. 20). Mesofemora and metafemora very strong and rounded ( Fig. 54), eyes extremely large dorsally, interocular width narrower than twice eye width ( Fig. 52). Eytral interstriae sparsely punctate, with uniseriate setae only at apex and sides.

Description: Length 4.5–5.2 mm, body very elongated, with subparallel sides ( Fig. 20); color brown, opaque, without metallic sheen. Clypeus with two strong teeth, separated by narrow U-shaped emargination, clypeus laterally and gena continuously rounded. Clypeofrontal and clypeogenal sutures not discernible. Eyes, in dorsal view, enormous, as long as wide; interocular width less than 1.5 times eye width ( Fig. 52). Pronotum lacking anterior and posterior beads, lateral pronotal callosity rounded and darkened; disc covered by simple strong punctures, glabrous; separated of hypomeron by row of punctures, without carina. Hypomeron without lateral longitudinal carina; mesoepimeron anterior transverse carina strong and distinct; metasternal disc with minute impressed punctures. Elytral interstriae flat, with unorganized punctures on disc, sparse uniseriate setae present only apically and laterally; striae slightly deeper posteriorly, not widened. Pseudoepipleura gradually narrowed posteriorly, with slight longitudinal fold near metacoxa, completely glabrous. Protibia with three very strong teeth, distributed along apical three-fifths, basally not denticulate, lacking ventral scale-like setae. Mesofemora wider than third of their length, metafemora about as wide as half of their length ( Fig. 54); mesotibiae apically wider than one of their length, metatibiae apically quite as wide as half of their length ( Fig. 54). Metatarsi with basal tarsomere as long as 1.5 times the following tarsomere. Parameres as long as two-thirds of phallobase, flattened and truncate, apically divergent ( Fig. 53). Internal sac with pseudoflagellum relativelly short and bent at mid-length, rounded by flat large accessory lamella. Coxites triangular, very sclerotized, and pointed. Spermateca C-shaped, bulbous basally (narrower at duct insertion), drastically narrowed apically, with duct short and not sclerotized.

Sexual dimorphism: Males have central portion of last abdominal sternite flat to slightly concave, pygidium more elongated, and a protibial apicomesal tooth, ventrally directed.

Type species: Feeridium woodruffi new species (monotypy).

Etymology: After François Feer, who collected and sent me the first specimens I saw of this genus. Gen- der neutral.

Composition: The new genus currently includes solely the new species.

Distribution: French Guyana and Amazonian Brazil. Known from Humid Guiana, Roraima and Varzea provinces of the Amazonian subregion.

Remarks: The condition of the parameres and pseudepipleura relates this genus to Degallieridium . However, it superficially resembles both Genieridium and Nunoidium , from which it can be immediately distinguished by the condition of pseudepipleuron, head, and elytra. Synapomorphies defining this genus include lack of row-organized elytral disc punctation, absence of pronotal-hypomeral carina, lack of sexual differences in protarsi, size of eyes and psammophiliform development of legs.