Parataenius brunneus (Schmidt) Stebnicka & Skelley, 2009

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 : 7-8

Parataenius brunneus (Schmidt) , new combination

Figure 5 , 11 , 15

Ataenius brunneus Schmidt 1922: 102-103 – Dellacasa 1988: 273 (catalogue).

Diagnosis. Color yellowish to rusty brown. Clypeal margin reflexed, subangulate on each side of deep median emargination; surface with fine, very close transverse rugulae blending into vertical, irregular band of fine punctures. Pronotum convex with lateral tumosity, punctures mixed fine and moderate, the latter shallow, increasingly larger toward base and sides, separated by one times their diameter or less. Abdominal sternites smooth, without fluting along sutures, sternite 5 deeply grooved. Meso- and metatibiae setigerous, moderately dilated apically; spurs slender, a little sinuate; basal tarsomere of metatarsus slightly arcuate, equal in length to upper tibial spur, tarsomere 5 equal in length to combined tarsomeres 3-4.

Description. Length 3.8-4.5 mm. Body shiny, yellowish to rusty brown ( Fig. 5 ). Clypeal margin reflexed, obtusely rounded to subangulate on each side of deep median emargination, sides slightly arcuate toward right-angled genae; clypeal surface with fine very close transverse rugulae blending into vertical, irregular band of fine punctures. Pronotum convex with lateral tumosity, posterior angles obtusely rounded, lateral edge crenulate, fringed with short setae; surface punctures mixed fine and moderate, the latter shallow, increasingly larger toward base and sides, separated by one times their diameter or less ( Fig. 11 ). Scutellum pentagonal. Elytra widest in apical third, humeral denticles minute; striae narrow and shallow, strial punctures fine; intervals flat, each interval from base to apex with very fine, scattered punctures. Ventral sclerites smooth; meso-metasternal carina short; metasternum smooth, disc with minute scattered punctures; abdominal sternites smooth, without fluting along sutures, sternite 5 deeply grooved; surface of sternites from side to side with row of fine punctures bearing adherent, pale setae; disc of pygidium subgranulate and setaceous, not distinctly eroded. Femora smooth except few setigerous punctures apically, posterior line of metafemur short; meso- and metatibiae setigerous, moderately expanded apically; apex of metatibia with row of close setae, without accessory spine, spurs slender, slightly sinuate; basal tarsomere of metatarsus slightly arcuate, equal in length to upper tibial spur and shorter than following 3 tarsomeres combined, tarsomere 5 equal in length to combined tarsomeres 3-4. Male pronotum wider than in female, metatibiae and tarsal segments usually thicker; male genitalia as in Fig. 15 .

Type material. Holotype male, labeled ‘Typus’, ‘ Argentinien, Prov. Santiago d’ Estero’, ‘ Ataenius brunneus m.’, in NHRS.

Specimens examined. Holotype and other specimens (35). Argentina – Prov. La Rioja: Mascasin , November 1962, F.H. Walz ( ISEA, NMNH) ; 6 km E Chepes , 10.XII.1978, black light trap, Woodruff & Runnacles & Cordo ( FSCA, NMNH) ; Prov. Stgo del Estero: Colonia Dora. Oct. 1956, F.H. Walz ( NMNH) ; Prov. Cordoba: 4 km NE Cruz del Eje, 20.II.1982, H.& A. Howden ( CMNO) .

Remarks. Parataenius brunneus is most similar to P. selvae , but differs from that species by characters given in the key. Nothing is known about the bionomy of this infrequently collected species.

Distribution. Argentina.

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.