Elaphidion bidens (Fabricius)

Lingafelter, Steven W., 2008, Seven New Species of Elaphidiini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from the Dominican Republic with Taxonomic Notes, New Country Records, and a Key toElaphidionAudinet-Serville from Hispaniola, The Coleopterists Bulletin 62 (3), pp. 353-379 : 353-379

Elaphidion bidens (Fabricius)

( Fig. 3 )

Stenocorus bidens Fabricius 1787: 143

[not] Cerambix bidens, Olivier 1795: 42 . Misidentification (not a formal description).

358 Discussion. Fisher (1932: 22) stated that ‘‘this species was described by Fabricius 1787 from South America.’’ He also mentioned that the ‘‘type’’ of bidens Olivier (1795) differs from bidens of Fabricius (1787), being listed as a synonym of E. irroratum (Linnaeus) in Aurivillius (1912). After examining the holotype from CUNM ( Fig. 3 ) and the original Olivier (1795) and Fabricius (1787; 1792) literature, a clarification of the nomenclature and taxonomy is warranted.

First, Olivier (1795) did not describe bidens as a new species. He referred to Fabricius’ type in his characterization of the species. It is clear that he misidentified specimens he had, thinking they were E. bidens (Fabricius) . He stated that the antennomeres are bispinose in his description and illustrated this, along with pronounced elytral apical spines ( Olivier 1795: plate 17, fig. 125, species no. 53). This led Aurivillius (1912) to synonymize bidens of Olivier with E. irroratum , a formal act which was not necessary since Olivier did not describe bidens as a new species.

Fisher (1932) incorrectly stated that bidens Fabricius is South American. Presumably this assumption was based on his interpretation of ‘‘America meridionale’’ used by Fabricius (1787; 1792). This was a common but vague geographic description that can refer to any southern America region, including Florida, Texas, the Caribbean, and points south. Fabricius (1787) indicated that the type originated from the Paykull collection. Examination of the type ( Fig. 3 ) shows that this species is dissimilar to Hispaniolan Elaphidion , and very similar to E. mayesae Ivie from St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, there is no label other than ‘‘ bidens ’’ on the specimen, and no information about where Paykull collected in Zimsen (1964). There are no Elaphidion species from South America (with the exception of E. irroratum that ranges into coastal regions of northern South America). While the taxonomic relationships of E. bidens Fabricius and E. mayesae Ivie need to be explored further, it is clear that E. bidens is neither South American nor Hispaniolan and should therefore be excluded from lists of species for those regions.

Figures

Figs. 1–4. Habitus photos of Dominican Republic Elaphidiini. 1) Anelaphus crispulum (Fisher), male; 2) Elaphidion fullonium Newman, neotype, male [5holotype of Elaphidion confusum Fisher], (USNM); 3) Elaphidion bidens (Fabricius), holotype; 4) Nesiosphaerion testaceum (Fisher), female.