Epimetopus steineri, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 18

Epimetopus steineri , new species

Figs. 18 (habitus), 22 (aedeagus), 128 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Ecuador, Napo, Tena , 0° 59' N, 77° 49' W, 27 v 1977, W. E. Steiner ( USNM) . Paratypes (18): Ecuador: Same data as holotype (5 USNM) ; Napo, Tena , 0° 59' N, 77° 49' W, 26 v 1977, W. E. Steiner (11 USNM) ; Tena (4 km S), 1° 3' S, 77° 48' W, 23 v 1977, P. J. Spangler & D. R. Givens (#70) (2 USNM) .

Differential Diagnosis. The habitus of this species ( Fig. 18) is very similar to that of several other members of the Costatus group; reliable determinations will be based on examination of the aedeagus. The aedeagus ( Fig. 22) has a large and distinctively shaped median lobe, widest at about midlength, tapering toward the apex, then widening slightly apically. The internal sac has many fine ridges and spicules. It might be compared with E. transversoides ( Fig. 15), but the median lobe is shaped differently and significantly larger.

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 2.22/1.69; head (width) 0.44; pronotum 0.61/0.68; elytra 1.11/0.85. Habitus and sculpture as illustrated ( Fig. 18). Head black, dorsum red, venter and coxae dark brown, maxillary palpi testaceous. Eye with ca. 3–4 facets between canthus and posterior margin. Elytral punctures round, each with distinct granule at anterior margin, most granules not linking punctures. Protibiae slightly arcuate. Metaventral depression moderately deep, ca. six granules along base.

Etymology. Named in honor of the expert collector, long-time friend and colleague Warren E. Steiner.

Distribution. Currently only known from Ecuador ( Fig. 128).