Enoclerus hovorei Rifkind and Barr, 2007

Ivie, Michael A. & Spiessberger, Erich L., 2007, Clarification of the Correct Original Spelling of Caecomenimopsis jamaicensis Dajoz (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Diaperinae: Gnathidiini: Anopidiina), The Coleopterists Bulletin 61 (2), pp. 195-199 : 195-199

Enoclerus hovorei Rifkind and Barr , new species

(Fig. 2)

Type Material. Holotype male: COSTA RICA, Puntarenas, Monteverde , June 16–19-1995, F. Hovore, collector . Holotype deposited in the California State Collection of Arthropods , Sacramento , California, U.S.A. ( CSCA). Six paratypes: (2) same data as holotype, except 12-15-VI-1996; (1) same data as holotype except 22-25-vii-1992; (1) same data as holotype except 17–18 May, 1984; (1) same data as holotype except 18-22-vii-1990; (1) Costa Rica, Prov. Guanacaste, Est. Cacao, 1,000–1,400 m, Lado Suroeste del Volcán Cacao, Malaise trap, 1990 (INBio label collecting data: L-N-323300, 375700 / Barcode: INBIO CRI000, 628971) . Paratypes deposited in INBC, JNRC , and WFBC.

Diagnosis. Readily distinguishable from its congeners based on a unique combination of color, elytral pattern, and setal arrangement. It appears somewhat similar to Enoclerus bicarinatus (Gorham) , with which it may be sympatric in parts of Costa Rica. By comparison with E. hovorei , however, E. bicarinatus has the subbasal carinae generally more elongate, the midelytral fascia not as acutely deflexed, and bears, in addition, a pair of pale oblique antemedian elytral markings that are entirely absent in the new species.

Description (Holotype). Length: 6.00 mm. Color: Black; tibiae brownish-red; tarsi, antennal club, antennomeres 1–2 (dorsally), and mouthparts, brown; antennomeres 1–2 (ventrally), apices of maxillary palpi, and third pair of trochanters, reddish-testaceus; elytra with eburneous raised subbasal and median markings as in Fig. 2; median fasciae attaining epipleural folds laterally. Head: front bi-impressed; surface densely, moderately finely and shallowly punctate, moderately densely set with fine, medium length, suberect silvery setae, interspersed with fewer longer and more robust, erect black setae. Pronotum: slightly wider than long; distinctly narrower than elytra at base; transverse impression distinct, slightly oblique on sides of disk, broadly ‘‘V’’ shaped at middle; surface finely, rather sparsely punctate on basal disk, more coarsely, subconfluently punctate in front of transverse impression; pubescence moderately dense, but not obscuring the surface, consisting of erect and suberect black and silvery setae of varying length and thickness, most noticeably arranged as follows: a sparse array of short, suberect, robust, apically oriented silvery setae in front of transverse impression; basal disk at middle bearing black setae only. Elytra: elongate (almost 2X as long as wide), widest at middle; humeri well developed, subquadrate; subbasal swellings distinct, each crowned with a longitudinally produced, glabrous, ovate-elongate eburneous carina; disk with surface shining, sparsely and finely punctate above, shallowly dimpled, a little more densely punctate laterally; inconspicuously set with short, suberect black setae intermingled with fewer longer, more robust, erect black setae, and patterned with conspicuous concentrations of rather short, reclinate, whitish setae arranged as a laterally deflexed, postbasal oblique fascia, continuing narrowly along the elytral midline (broader somewhat at apical 1/3), then expanding obliquely over apices; median lunulate-angulate fascia distinctly raised; sides subparallel; apices separately rounded, slightly dehiscent. Mesosternum: posterior median process distinctly elevated, apex entire (not cleft). Metasternum: convex; surface shining; sides each with a distinct triangular concentration of reclinate silvery setae. Abdomen: shining, virtually impunctate, set with a few long, pale setae; visible sternite 6 with hind margin feebly, arcuately emarginate; abdominal apex without setal daggers.

Variation. Length ranges from 4.65 mm – 7.75 mm. The few available specimens are rather uniform in color, sculpturing and setal patterning. The female has visible sternite 6 with the hind margin semicircularly rounded.

Natural History. This apparently uncommon species appears to be restricted to upland habitats (ca. 1,000–1,500 m elevation) in Costa Rica. It has been collected in cloudforest at Monteverde .

Etymology. We name this species in honor of the late Frank T. Hovore, collector of most of the type series. Frank had a special affinity for the Coleoptera of Monteverde and we take great pleasure in associating his name with this rare and attractive clerid.