Operclipygus punctistrius, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 51-52

Operclipygus punctistrius sp. n. Figs 11C12D, GMap 3

Type locality.

BOLIVIA: Cochabamba: 67.5 km E Villa Tunari, Valle Sajta Biological Station [17°6.3'S, 64°46.9'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "BOLIVIA: COCHABAMBA 67.5km E Villa Tunari, Est. Biol. Valle Sajta, Univ. San Simon 300m, 17°06'19"S, 64°46'57"W, 7-9.II.1999, F. Génier, lowland rain forest, ex. f.i.t. 1 99-041" / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00095" (CMNC). Paratypes (36): all same locality as type, 9: same date as type, 25: 9-13.II.1999 (CMNC, FMNH, MSCC, AKTC).

Diagnostic description.

This species is difficult to separate from Operclipygus kerga by external characters. It is on average slightly smaller (length: 2.31-2.65 mm, width: 2.03-2.40 mm) and frequently has the sides of the pygidial marginal stria abbreviated, or present only as a disconnected series of punctures (Fig. 11C). Specimens must be dissected for definite identification, and the aedeagus is highly distinctive, with the tegmen abruptly narrowed in the apical third, having the apices angulately truncate, and with the medioventral process more narrowly rounded, but more strongly projecting beneath. In addition, S9 is more robust, with a wider, truncate base and wider lateral flanges, and is more strongly sclerotized.

Remarks.

This species may only be separated from Operclipygus kerga by the characters in the description, particularly by the form of the aedeagus (Fig. 12G).

Etymology

. This species’ name refers to the frequent reduction of the pygidial sulcus to a series of marginal punctures.