Epimetopus plicatus, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 22-23

Epimetopus plicatus , new species

Figs. 27 (habitus), 29 (aedeagus), 128 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Venezuela: Tachira State, El Tama National Park , HG-vapor light, elev. 472 m, 7° 35.038' N, 72° 10.34' W, 16 vii 2009, Short, Sites, Garcia, Inciarte, Gustafson & Camaco (VZ09-0716-07A) ( MIZA).

Differential Diagnosis. The habitus of this species ( Fig. 27) is very similar to that of other members of the Costatus group; reliable determinations will be based on examination of the aedeagus. The aedeagus of this species has very distinctive parameres ( Fig. 29). They are wide, "wrap around" the median lobe, and the ventral median area has an unusual wrinkled appearance. The median lobe is comparatively short, whereas the basal piece is long. The aedeagus cannot be meaningfully compared with that of other species.

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 1.49/0.73; head (width) 0.40; pronotum 0.54/0.56; elytra 0.99/0.73. Habitus and sculpture as illustrated ( Fig. 27). Head black, dorsum red, venter and coxae dark brown, maxillary palpi testaceous. Eye with ca. 4–5 facets between canthus and posterior margin. Each elytral puncture with granule at anterior and posterior margin, granules usually not linking punctures, non-carinate intervals wide and smooth. Metaventral depression relatively small, only ca. ½ as wide as labrum.

Etymology. Named in reference to the "wrinkles" of the parameres.

Distribution. Currently known only from the type locality in Venezuela ( Fig. 128).