Operclipygus yasuni sp. n.

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 100-102

Operclipygus yasuni sp. n. Figs 26B27 A–EMap 9

Type locality.

ECUADOR: Orellana: Yasuní Research Station [0°40.5'S, 76°24'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "Ecuador: Napo, mid.Rio Tiputini, Yasuní Res. Stn. 0°40.5'S, 76°24'W, Dead fish trap, late stage. 24-26 Jun 1999. CEC#024 C.Carlton" / "LSAM 0045445" / " Phelister sp. #21, Hist 161 Yasuní NP Inventory, A.K.Tishechkin det. 2010" (FMNH).

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus dubitabilis , differing as follows: length: 2.18 mm, width: 1.90 mm; frontal stria fragmented at middle; epistoma not at all depressed, lacking fragments of lateral striae; pronotum with lateral submarginal stria shallowly impressed, disk not depressed mediad; pronotal disk with only few small coarse lateral punctures; pygidium lacking marginal stria, with barely visible crease near apex. Male genitalia (Fig. 27): accessory sclerites present; T8 elongate, parallel-sided, basal apodemes only slightly divergent, basal emargination narrow, deep, with basal membrane attachment line distad by about one-fourth basal emargination depth, apical emargination narrow; ventrolateral apodemes narrow, well separated beneath; S8 with apical guides narrow for most of length, abruptly widened at apex, halves approximate in basal fourth, diverging to apex; T9 with apices curving, subacute; T10 with halves separate; S9 narrow at middle, evenly expanded to narrowly rounded base, apex shallowly arcuate, without distinct median emargination, with apical flange narrowed at middle; tegmen slender, with rounded sides slightly narrowing to base, narrowing in apical half to subacute apices, apex moderately curved ventrad; medioventral process small but well sclerotized, ‘U’ -shaped, situated about one-fourth tegmen length from base, projecting beneath; basal piece about one-third tegmen length; median lobe about one-third tegmen length, slender.

Remarks.

This species can be distinguished from the former primarily by the convex epistoma and simple frontal stria.

Etymology.

This species is named, as a noun in apposition, for the Yasuní Research Station, the type locality for this species, and the source for numerous specimens of a great diversity of Exosternini .