Operclipygus pecki, 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 : 77-78

Operclipygus pecki sp. n. Figs 19 C–D 20EMap 7

Type locality.

BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: 5 km SSE Buena Vista, Flora y Fauna Hotel [17°29.925'S, 63°39.128'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "BOLIVIA: Dpto. Santa Cruz. 5km SSE Buena Vista, Flora y Fauna Hotel 17°29.925'S, 63°39.128'W. 440m F.I.T. 15-24 Dec 2003. S. & J. Peck" / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-01309" (CMNC). Paratypes (17): 14: same data as type; same data as type except as noted: 2: 24-31.xii.2003 (CMNC, AKTC, FMNH, MSCC), 1: 7-12.v.2004, FIT, sandy forest, A. Cline & J. Wappes (AKTC)

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus sejunctus , differing only in a few characters as follows: length: 2.22-2.40 mm, width: 1.87-2.03 mm; body very faintly bicolored, with prothorax rufescent, posterior part of body rufo-piceous; frontal stria with secondary median interruption in some individuals; supraorbital stria interrupted at vertex; pronotal disk with lateral punctures shallower and fewer than Operclipygus sejunctus ; anterior marginal pronotal stria complete behind head in most individuals; coarser elytral punctures densest at apex, but with few coarse punctures extending up the apical thirds of interstriae; mesoventral disk with few coarse punctures at sides; metaventral disk with strong ground punctation, with coarser punctures gradually becoming larger and denser toward metacoxae; secondary lateral metaventral stria longer, extending from mesometaventral suture about halfway to metacoxa; both ground punctation and coarse secondary punctation of propygidium and especially pygidium denser than in Operclipygus sejunctus . Male genitalia (Fig. 20E): as in Operclipygus sejunctus except S9 lacking apical emargination and with lateral flanges more strongly recurved at inner corners; aedeagus widest just beyond midpoint, narrowed toward base, then slightly widened at extreme base, gradually narrowed toward apex, but with apex appearing truncate, with distinct, membraneous apical pads that are widened beneath; medioventral process very weak, ‘V’ -shaped, its apex at tegmen midpoint (not projecting in lateral view); median lobe about one-fourth tegmen length.

Remarks.

This species can be separated from others in the Operclipygus sejunctus group by its rufescent prothorax (Fig. 19B), diffuse metaventral punctation (Fig. 19C), and by the shape of the aedeagus (Fig. 20E).

Etymology.

We name this species in honor of Dr. Stewart Peck, collector of most of the type specimens of this species, as well as many others in this study.