Parataenius simulator (Harold)

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Taxonomic redefinition of the genera Parataenius Balthasar and Pseudataenius Brown, with descriptions of three new species (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (66), pp. 1-18 : 4-6

Parataenius simulator (Harold)

Figure 3 , 9 , 13

Ataenius simulator Harold 1868: 85 – Schmidt 1922: 439; Cartwright 1964: 103; Woodruff 1973: 130, fig.

226; Cartwright 1974: 74; Harpootlian 2001: 43. Psammodius schwarzi Linell 1896: 721 – Cartwright 1964: 103 (as synonym of A. simulator ). Parataenius granuliceps Petrovitz 1971: 102 – Chalumeau 1992: 193 (as synonym of A. simulator ). Ataenius (Brancotaenius) lusitanicus Paulian 1979: 66 – Chalumeau 1992: 193 (as synonym of A. simu-

lator). Parataenius simulator – Dellacasa 1988: 281 (catalogue); Chalumeau 1992: 193; Stebnicka and Howden

1996: 140-141, fig. 85, 113; Stebnicka 2001: 26, fig. 9, 11, 23; Smith and Skelley 2007: 40, fig. 13, 17,

77.

Diagnosis. Clypeal margin obtusely rounded or slightly angulate each side of middle; surface coarsely transversely rugulose, rugulae usually broken into tubercles. Pronotum convex, everywhere with fine, evenly distributed punctures separated by one diameter or more, and coarse punctures unevenly spaced, mostly in anterior and posterior angles with some scattered across base. Protibia broader than usual; meso- and metatibiae rather short, expanded apically; apex of metatibia with fringe of short setae, triangular accessory spine and slightly flattened spurs; basal segment of metatarsus arcuate, shorter than upper tibial spur.

Description. Length 3.8-5.9 mm. Body convex, shiny, reddish brown to piceous ( Fig. 3 ). Head moderate in size, clypeal margin obtusely rounded or slightly angulate on each side of rather deep median emargination, gena noticeably fringed with setae; clypeal surface coarsely transversely rugulose, rugulae usually broken into tubercles; vertex punctate. Pronotum convex, side and base margined, lateral edge finely crenate, fringed with pale setae ( Fig. 9 ); surface with mixed punctures, everywhere with fine, evenly distributed punctures separated by 1 diameter or more, and coarse punctures unevenly spaced, mostly in anterior and posterior angles of pronotum with some scattered across base. Scutellum triangular, impunctate. Elytra convex, sides slightly arcuate, humeri finely denticulate; striae strongly impressed, deep strial punctures slightly crenating inner margins of intervals; intervals moderately convex with minute, scattered punctures or impunctate. Ventral surface shiny, partially covered with pale setae; mesosternum convex, shagreened; metasternum shiny, midline fine, lateral metasternal triangle elongate and deepest along anterior margin; abdominal sternites shiny, finely fluted along sutures, fluting longer on successive sternites, fine to moderate punctures concentrated on sides; pygidium apically with smooth, wide lip, disc scabrously eroded with scattered long setae. Meso- and metafemora smooth, shiny, finely punctate, 3-4 coarse punctures at apex, posterior femoral lines absent; protibia broader than usual; meso- and metatibiae rather short, strongly dilated apically; apex of metatibia with fringe of short setae, triangular accessory spine and slightly flattened spurs; basal segment of metatarsus slightly arcuate, shorter than upper tibial spur, longer than following 3 tarsomeres combined. Male penultimate abdominal sternite shorter than in female; male genitalia as in Fig. 13 .

Type material. Ataenius simulator : lectotype ( Argentina, Mendoza) designated by Cartwright (1973), in MNHN. Psammodius schwarzi : lectotype (Florida, Jacksonville) designated by Cartwright (1964), in NMNH. Parataenius granuliceps : holotype ( Australia, Sydney) in MHNG. Ataenius lusitanicus : holotype ( Portugal, Minho, Foz de Neiva) in MNHN.

Specimens examined. Name-bearing types of Ataenius simulator , Parataenius granuliceps and Ataenius lusitanicus and other specimens (over 1000). Argentina – Prov. Cordoba: Tegua; San Vincente; Prov.

Santa Fe : Reconquista ; Prov. Buenos Aires : Santa Teresita, Buenos Aires ; Patagonia, Bahia Blanca ; Prov. Mendoza ; Prov. Chaco : Corres, Resistencia ; Prov. Santiago del Estero : El Charco ; Prov. Neuquen: Chos Malal. Brazil – Rio Grande do Sul, Pelotas ; Capao de Camoas. Chile – Ñuble, Rio Pinto , Chillan ; Linares, Puenta Malecho, Longavi River ; Bio-Bio, Los Angeles. Mexico – Baja California, San Jose de Cabo. Uruguay – Pampa del Lavalleja. USA – Alabama: Tuscaloosa , 14-XII-1943, BD Valentine ; Florida: Alachua Co., Gainesville 28-III-1987, P. Skelley, at light ; Florida: Highlands Co., Highlands Hammock State Park , 16-VI-1970, G.H. Nelson ; Florida: Polk Co., Tiger Creek Preserve, 2.5 mi. SE. Babson Park , 18-19-V-2006, D. Almquist, blacklight ; Georgia: Hart Co., Nuberg , VII-1978, FN Young ; Georgia: Turner Co., rest area #9 on I-75, 13-V-1987, P. Skelley at light ; Mississippi: Sturgis , 2-VII-1985, O. E. Hunt, at light ; Mississippi: Billoxy (sic) 29-VII-1964, W.W. Gibson, blacklight ; North Carolina: Raleigh , VI-9-1953, G.H. Nelson ; South Carolina: Aiken , V-25-1977, O.E. Hunt, at light ; South Carolina: Blackville ; Pennsylvania: Eastin , Sept 1957 Bowl, light ; Virginia: Suffolk Co., Suffolk , 16-VIII-1994, C. L. Staines. Specimens of P. simulator occur in nearly every collection studied and their full data are too voluminous to present here. Those with data listed above are deposited in CMNO, FSCA, HNHM, NMNH, PESC, SMTD, ZMHB .

Remarks. Parataenius simulator is recognizable by its stout body and clypeal surface with coarse transverse granules. It is most common in Argentina and widely distributed in the Americas but occurs locally. It is collected through the year, mostly at light, and frequently taken in large numbers. In Australia, it has been collected in Berlese samples from logs and leaf litter. Larval stages were described by Verdú and Galante (1999). Other specimens from southern South America were studied and reported in Smith and Skelley (2007).

Distribution. Neotropical Region, southeastern United States; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Europe ( Portugal).

Figures

Figure 1-6. Parataenius spp., dorsal habitus. 1) P. selvae, holotype. 2) P. estero, holotype. 3) P. simulator. 4) P. derbesis. 5) P. brunneus. 6) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 7-12. Parataenius spp., anterolateral view of head and pronotum. 7) P. selvae, holotype. 8) P. estero, holotype. 9) P. simulator. 10) P. derbesis. 11) P. brunneus. 12) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 13-17. Parataenius spp., male genitalia. 13) P. simulator. 14) P. derbesis. 15) P. brunneus. 16) P. selvae. 17) P. martinezi.