Phrynocepha natalieae Gilbert, 2011

Gilbert, Arthur J., 2011, A review and clarification of the alticine genera Hemiphrynus Horn 1889 and Phrynocepha Baly 1861 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Insecta Mundi 2011 (200), pp. 1-57 : 47-48

Phrynocepha natalieae Gilbert sp. nov.

( Fig. 41 , 79 )

Type Specimens. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): MEXICO. OAXACA: 2.8 mi. e. Matatlan , 24 July 1974, Clark, Murray, Ashe, Schaffner . Holotype and allotype deposited in the collection of Texas A&M University.

Paratype (1 female) – same data as holotype except 6 mi. NE Mitla, 20 July 1985, Woolley and Zolnerowich [6,476ft.] (1) [ TAMU].

Description. Male (holotype). Body length 4.00 mm; width at elytral humeri 1.75 mm; form elongate. Elytra greenish-black; head, pronotum, legs yellow-orange. Head elongate, “jowl” not obvious; genal length 1.19x longer than maximum length of eye; vertex shining, with large coalescing punctures; postclypeus with prefrontal ridge entire, not emarginate; an acute, elevated frontal carina extends between antennal fossae, curving upward before descending to front edge of postclypeus; anteclypeus entire, same color as labrum; labrum orange, rounded, with a few scattered setae; labral notch indistinct; antennal fossae separated by distance slightly less than width of antennal fossa (fossal width measured from inside edges); frontal tubercles elevated, distinct, separated by coronal suture; area in front of antennal fossa with sunken appearance, with acute frontogenal suture; interocular distance 1.67x wider than width of both eyes combined; eyes nearly round, very small relative to head; antennae stout, 0.80x length of body; antennomeres 1-2 orange; 3-4 bicolored orange/dark brown; 5-11 dark brown; antennomere 3 longest; antennomere 2 shortest; antennomere 4 longer than 5-11; antennomeres 5-11 subequal in length. Pronotum shining, smooth, reticulate, impunctate; lateral margins tapering to apex, widest behind middle; basolateral projections small, obtuse; anterolateral projections rectangular, with corners rounded, obviously projected; basal depression poorly defined. Scutellum dark brown, shining, triangular, impunctate. Elytra distinctly reticulate, irregularly punctate; punctures inconspicuous; with distinct humeral costa extending 3/4 length of each elytron, a second short, vague carina also present behind humerus; humeral depression distinct. Prosternal intercoxal process grooved, approximately 1/4 width of procoxa, elevated ventrally over plane of prosternum and even with plane of tip of procoxae, narrowly, distinctly separating coxae. Procoxae globose. Procoxal cavities open. Mesosternum black. Legs orange; tarsi orange-brown, darker than femora or tibiae; pro- and mesofemora enlarged; tarsomere 1 of protarsi enlarged (relative to female), not heart-shaped, not wider than 3; tarsomere 1 of mesotarsi enlarged, more elongate than tarsomere 1 of protarsi, not wider than tarsomere 3 of mesotarsi; tarsomere 1 of metatarsi enlarged, more elongate than tarsomere 1 of pro- or mesotarsi, not wider than tarsomere 3 of metatarsi; all tibiae gradually expanded apically, with central longitudinal carina. Abdomen black, shiny, impunctate, sparsely pubescent; fifth ventrite broadly emarginate, with small, central, convexity.

Female (allotype). Similar to holotype, differing in the following characters: size slightly smaller (length 3.53 mm; width 1.53 mm); tarsomere 1 not enlarged on pro- and mesotarsi; fifth abdominal ventrite not modified; “jowl” less pronounced or carinate laterally (in frontal view the margin of the “jowl” in the male is visible which gives the male a broader head than the female below the eyes); tibiae slender, not gradually broadening apically.

Variation. The only other specimen is a female that measures 3.47 mm by 1.47 mm. The stout or slender appearance of the antennae, as represented by the fourth antennomere (length to width ratio), varies. In the male holotype, it is relatively stout at approximately 2.4x longer than wide, and in the two females, slightly more slender, approximately 3.0x longer than wide.

Remarks. This species is readily separated from all others in the genus, except P. australis by its small size. It can be separated from P. australis , by the humeral costae extending nearly 3/4 the length of the elytra, as well as by the lack of an obvious carinate “jowl,” and by the distinct and elevated antennal tubercles, and black mesosternum. See “Remarks” for other species. With only the holotype available, the aedeagus was not dissected. The external morphological features for this species will clearly distinguish it from all others.

Distribution. Known only from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The paratype specimen was collected at 6,476 feet elevation.

Host. Unknown.

Etymology. Named for Natalie Nicole Jenkins, my oldest daughter, who like her sister, has endured my passion for collecting leaf beetles her entire life.

Specimens Examined. See “ Type Specimens.”

Figures

Figures 39-42. Habitus of adult Phrynocepha. 39) P. kendrae, male. 40) P. marciae, male holotype. 41) P. natalieae, male holotype. 42) P. pulchella, male.

Figures 78-79. Distribution of Phrynocepha in Mexico.