Aneflomorpha sinaloae (Linsley, 1935) García & Santos-Silva, 2022

García, Kimberly & Santos-Silva, Antonio, 2022, The multiform genus Psyrassa Pascoe (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Elaphidiini): new species, new records, synonyms and transfers, Insecta Mundi 2022 (953), pp. 1-26 : 3-4

Aneflomorpha sinaloae (Linsley, 1935) , new combination

( Fig. 8–12 )

Psyrassa sinaloae Linsley 1935a: 145 ; Blackwelder 1946: 567 (checklist); Franz 1954: 219 (distr.); Chemsak et al. 1992: 47 (cat.); Monné 1993: 12 (cat.); Monné and Giesbert 1994: 61 (checklist); Noguera and Chemsak 1996: 399 (checklist); Monné 2005: 242 (cat.); Toledo 2005: 48; Monné and Hovore 2006: 72 (checklist); Monné 2022: 425 (cat.).

Aneflomorpha martini Chemsak and Linsley 1968: 32 ; Ruette 1970: 18 (type); Chemsak et al. 1992: 37 (checklist); Monné 1993: 29 (cat.); Monné and Giesbert 1994: 48 (checklist); Noguera and Chemsak 1996: 398 (checklist.); Noguera et al. 2002: 623 (distr.); Monné 2005: 184 (cat.); Monné and Hovore 2006: 60 (checklist); Monné 2022: 322 (cat.). New synonym.

Remarks. Psyrassa sinaloae Linsley, 1935 and Aneflomorpha martini Chemsak and Linsley, 1968 (see photographs on Bezark 2022) were described from Sinaloa ( Mexico). Comparing photographs of the holotypes as well as original descriptions and redescription of the former, we conclude that they are the same species. Therefore, they are synonymized herein. The differences between Psyrassa Pascoe, 1866 and Aneflomorpha Casey, 1912 are questionable. Linsley (1961) separated these two genera in his key as follows: “Pronotum polished, glabrous, sparsely punctate,” leading to Psyrassa ; “Pronotum densely punctate or pubescent, or punctate with smooth spaces or polished dorsal callosities,” leading to Aneflomorpha . However, the sculpturing of the pronotum in Psyrassa is very variable, and may be identical to that in species of Aneflomorpha , sometimes with distinct smooth area; the pubescence on the pronotum may or may not be present in Psyrassa , although when present, always sparse or restricted to the posterior region. According to Lingafelter (1998): “ Aneflomorpha strongly resembles Psyrassa ; indeed, the two genera share many characters … Both of these genera are speciose and probably are polyphyletic; each containing some taxa that should belong in the other … The lack of a strong pronotal constriction, more heavily punctate and pubescent pronotum, general openness of the procoxal cavities posteriorly, and longer third antennomere in Aneflomorpha distinguish it from Psyrassa ”. We agree that these two genera appear to be polyphyletic and that there are species of Psyrassa in Aneflomorpha as well as vice versa. However, the shape of the procoxal cavities posteriorly and the length of the antennomere III cannot be used to separate them. This is because these features are very variable in Psyrassa . Furthermore, the prothorax may or may not be strongly constricted in Psyrassa . For now, the only reliable difference between Psyrassa and Aneflomorpha is decumbent pubescence on the pronotum and elytra, sparser or absent in the former, abundant in the latter ( Fig. 8, 12 ).

Based on the pronotal and elytral pubescence in Psyrassa sinaloae , it is transferred to Aneflomorpha . Currently, it is known from Mexico (Sinaloa, Morelos, Michoacán, Jalisco) ( Monné 2022; Tavakilian and Chevillotte 2021).

Material examined. MEXICO, MICHOACÁN: Hwy MX 37, 98 km S Nueva Italia , 1 female, 13.VII.2006, F. Skillman and D.C. Hildebrant leg. ( MZSP, formerly FWSC) ; 2 females, 15.VII.2006, F. Skillman and D.C. Hildebrant leg. ( FWSC) . JALISCO: 7 km N Autlán de Navarro, rd. to Microondas de San Francisco , 19.83506N 104.34757W, 1 female, F. Skillman and J.F. Limon leg. ( FWSC) .

Figures

Figures 8–12. Aneflomorpha sinaloae (Linsley, 1935), female from Mexico (Michoacán): 8) Dorsal habitus. 9) Ventral habitus. 10) Lateral habitus. 11) Head, frontal view. 12) Pronotum.