Neoapterocis chilensis, Lopes-Andrade, Cristiano, 2007

Lopes-Andrade, Cristiano, 2007, Neoapterocis, a new genus of apterous Ciidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) from Chile and Mexico, Zootaxa 1481, pp. 35-47 : 40-41

Neoapterocis chilensis sp. nov.

( Figs 1–6 )

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Chile, terra typica of this species.

Diagnosis. This species is easily distinguished from Neo . mexicanus sp. nov. by the presence of two small tubercles on the male frontoclypeal ridge ( Figs 1–3 , arrows) and the lack of emarginations on the apical lobes of male tegmen ( Fig. 6 ). It is generally smaller than Neo . mexicanus sp. nov., but with the abdominal setose patch of the male proportionally larger and marginated.

Description. Holotype. ɗ, measurements in mm: TL 1.26; PL 0.42; PW 0.58; EL 0.79; EW 0.68; GD 0.53. Ratios: PL/PW 0.73; EL/EW 1.15; EL/PL 1.88; GD/EW 0.77; TL/EW 1.85. Upper surfaces brown; undersurfaces brown, but antennae, mouthparts, legs and ventrites yellowish brown. Abdominal ventrites and legs densely covered with setae; each seta more than four times longer than those on the elytra. Head with frontoclypeal ridge bearing two small tubercles ( Figs 1–3 , arrows), separated by a distance of an eye width; lateral margins broadly rounded. Length of the antennomeres (in mm): 0.055; 0.033; 0.041; 0.024; 0.012; 0.012; 0.012; 0.035; 0.034; 0.058. Pronotum with lateral margins visible from above, except for posterior onethird. Epipleura rather smooth, with small sparse punctures anteriorly and larger punctures posteriorly. Prosternum distinctly elevated at midline; intercoxal process subparallel sided, margined; punctures large and coalescent, giving a rugose impression to the surface. Disc of mesoventrite barely visible, punctation similar to that of the intercoxal process of prosternum. Metaventrite without distinct discrimen; disc with sparse punctures, subglabrous. First abdominal ventrite as long as the next three abdominal ventrites together; setose patch circular, marginate, its diameter one-fourth the ventrite length at the midline. Aedeagus ( Fig. 6 ) with apical lobes of tegmen simple. Median lobe of aedeagus (penis) wider near halfway its length, apex sclerotized and subtriangular.

Females. Unknown.

Type series. Holotype. ɗ, Chile: labeled “ Chile / Concepcion Prov / Periquillo / 30.ii.97 / leg. T. Cekalovic” ( MZSP). Paratypes (three specimens; LAPC). Chile: 2ɗɗ, same data as holotype; 1ɗ labeled “ Chile / Concepcion Prov / Toma / 12.xii.1982 / leg. T. Cekalovic”.

Variation. Measurements in mm (n = 4, including the holotype): TL 1.11–1.32 (1.24 ± 0.09); PL 0.42– 0.47 (0.45 ± 0.03); PW 0.53–0.63 (0.57 ± 0.05); EL 0.68–0.79 (0.76 ± 0.05); EW 0.63–0.74 (0.68 ±0.04); GD 0.47–0.63 (0.54 ± 0.07). Ratios: PL/PW 0.73–0.90 (0.79 ± 0.08); EL/EW 1.08–1.15 (1.12 ± 0.04); EL/PL 1.63–1.88 (1.71 ± 0.11); GD/EW 0.75–0.86 (0.79 ± 0.05); TL/EW 1.75–1.85 (1.81 ± 0.05).

Biology. No information was available.

Distribution. Known from Chile, province of Concepción (VIII región del Biobío).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Neoapterocis chilensis sp. nov., male holotype. 1. Dorsal view. 2. Lateral view. 3. Ventral view. Note the small tubercles in the frontoclypeal ridge (arrows).

FIGURES 4 – 6. Neoapterocis chilensis sp. nov. 4. Antenna. 5. From left to right, anterior, median and posterior tibiae and part of tarsi. 6. Male genitalia showing the tegmen (teg) and median lobe (ml).