Balgus tuberculosus ( Dalman, 1823 )

Barbosa, Felipe Francisco, 2016, Revision and phylogeny of the genus Balgus Fleutiaux, 1920 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Thylacosterninae), Zootaxa 4083 (4), pp. 451-482 : 468-471

Balgus tuberculosus ( Dalman, 1823)

( Figure 9 )

Melasis tuberculosa Dalman, 1823: 55 (original description).

Pterotarsus tuberculatus Latreille, 1834: 132 (new combination); Guérin-Méneville, 1843: 194. Pterotarsus tuberculosus Laporte, 1835: 177 ; Bonvouloir, 1875: 832, 833, 847 (redescription). Balgus tuberculosus Fleutiaux, 1920: 98 (new combination); Schenkling, 1928: 7 (catalogue); Blackwelder, 1944: 275

(catalogue); Chassain & Touroult, 2010: 21 (catalogue).

Diagnosis. Subcylindrical body ( Figures 9A, B, C, F ), attenuate narrowing on the posterior third; dorsal and ventral regions covered with yellow or golden pubescence, moderately dense on the head and pronotum, scattered on the elytra; ventrite 5 triangular, with longitudinal median carina forming two or three teeth, abruptly narrowed from base to apex, which is truncated and curved.

Redescription. Subcylindrical body, narrowing attenuate on the posterior third. Elytra about twice as long as pronotum. Dorsal and ventral regions covered with yellow or golden pubescence, moderately dense on head and pronotum, scattered on elytra.

Color: First antennomere dark brown to black, other antennomeres dark brown or light brown; antennal rami brown or yellow. Head and pronotum black, dark brown or reddish-brown. Elytra dark brown, light brown or yellow, darker at base, which are black, dark brown or reddish-brown; regions with tubercles and apex black. Ventral region and legs black, dark brown or reddish-brown; tarsi light brown or yellow.

Head ( Figure 9D ): Punctate, with deep longitudinal median anterior depression, continuing posteriorly on longitudinal groove on vertex, not V-shaped. Eye with spherical surface in lateral view, dorsal margin not sinuous.

Thorax: Subcylindrical prothorax ( Figures 9A, B, C, F ), almost as long as wide; margins sinuous; tubercles prominent ( Figure 1 ); posterior half of pronotum with posterolateral oblong tubercle, posterolateral rounded tubercle and posteromedian rounded tubercle; anterior half of the pronotum with anterorolateral oblong tubercle, anterorolateral rounded tubercle and anteroromedian rounded tubercle. Pronotal sculpture formed by deep punctations, sparser and denser on intervals of tubercles. Scutellum trapezoidal; almost as long as wide; margins subparallel; carinate. Lateral thoracic sclerites hidden under elytra. Antennal pocket very deep next to basal region of prosternal process. Prosternal process gradually attenuate toward posterior margin; margin more or less rounded. Prosternum, mesoventrite and metaventrite densely punctate. Elytra ( Figures 9A, C, F ) finely and sparsely punctated; apex subacuminate; fifth of elytra with five elevated stria and with tranverse rugosities. Two elongated central tubercles, which seem to be a continuation of the second basal stria, first in middle and second in posterior third; less elongated lateral tubercle, which seems to be a continuation of fourth basal stria; another lateral tubercle which seems to be a continuation of fifth the basal stria.

Abdominal ventrites: Densely punctated; ventrite 5 ( Figure 9E ) triangular, with longitudinal median carina forming two or three teeth; abruptly narrowed from base to apex, which is truncated and curved.

Female genitalia ( Figure 9G ): Baculum about 5.5 times as long as coxite; baculi separated by about width of baculum, at least in apical third. Coxites without setae.

Aedeagus ( Figure 9H, I, J ): Paramere tapering near apex; acuminate at the apex and with many setae. Penis tapering to apex; acuminate at apex, slightly curved ventrally in lateral view. Phallobasis about twice as long as paramere; about three times paramere’s width. Concavity of phallobasis in dorsal view with expanded base apically, reaching limit of the parameres.

Intraspecific variation: size variation (N = 48): length 11.8–19 mm (mean = 15.19 mm); humeral width 3.9– 6.3 mm (mean = 4.94 mm). Greater color variation when compared to other species of the genus, from very dark specimens until light brown to yellow specimens.

Note on the type specimen: The holotype of Melasis tuberculosa Dalman,1823 was examined. However, it is very damaged, with only a palpus, a tarsus and an antenna glued to the label. These structures do not allow for a clear comparison between B. tuberculosus ( Dalman, 1823) and other species of the genus Balgus . Fortunatley, Dalman made a complete external morphological description of this species. A neotype was not designated, since the Article 75.1 of the ICZN does not mention that a part of the holotype cannot be considered a holotype, and a neotype may be assigned only if the holotype has been lost completely.

Etymology. [tuberculus +adjective suffix that indicates abundance] - tuberculus, from Latin, “tubercle”.

Material examined. 1 ex., Holotype (just a palpus, a tarsus and an antenna), Brazil, Guérin-Méneville coll., Fig. par Guérin-Méneville, Ann. S. E. Fr., 1843, v. VI, 565, IRSN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Bahia (BA), Reed col. (?), J. D. Fry coll. 1905.100, BNHM ; 1 ex., Brazil, Espírito Santo (ES), Córrego Itá, W. Zikán col., XI/1955, MNRJ ; 1 ex., Brazil, Espírito Santo (ES), E. Fleutiaux coll., MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Caxambu, A. M. Bello col., X/1993 , A. M. Bello coll., FIOCRUZ; 2 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Belo Horizonte, R. L. Araújo col., 20/XI/1951, A. Cobos det., IBSP ; 2 exs., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Belo Horizonte, R. L. Araújo col., 20/XII/ 1951 , MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Belo Horizonte, R. L. Araújo col., 20/XII/1951 , A. Cobos det., 1967, MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Belo Horizonte, R. L. Araújo col., 20/XII/1951 , A. Cobos det., 1973, IBSP; 1 ex. Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Belo Horizonte, I. Agron. , 05/XII/1956, R. L. Araújo col., P . Pereira det., 1964, MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Ipatinga, E. Grossi col., XII/1993 , A. M. Bello coll., FIOCRUZ; 3 exs., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Ipatinga, Horto Onze, 280m, E & P. Grossi cols., 15/XI/1993 - 15/ XII/1993, donated by Dr. P. Grossi, MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Lavras, Prox. Poço Bonito, F. Z. Vaz-de-Mello col., XII/2000, C. Lopes-Andrade det., 2013, UFV ; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), Viçosa, F. Z. Vaz-de-Mello col., 8/XI/2000, C. Lopes-Andrade det., 2013, UFV ; 2 exs., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), E. Fleutiaux coll., MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Minas Gerais (MG), coll. généralle, J. Chassain det., 2011, MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Parque Nacional de Itatiaia , 1100 m, M. L. Monné, J. R. Mermudes, H. S. Monné, M. A. Monné cols., 11–14/I/2008, UFRJ ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itatiaia , 850 m, E. Gounelle col., II/1899 , J. D. Fry coll. 1905.100, BNHM; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itatiaia , 700 m, J. F. Zikán col., 26/V/1938 , J. F. Zikán coll., MNRJ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itatiaia, 800 m, MNRJ ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Nova Friburgo, E. Grossi col., II/2001 , A. M. Bello coll., FIOCRUZ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Serra dos Órgãos, C. E. Tottenham coll., 1963-414, BNHM ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Teresópolis, A. M. Bello col., XII/ 1992 , A. M. Bello coll., FIOCRUZ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado , D. Zajclw col., 15/II/1952 , MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado , D. Zajclw col., 12/III/1952 , MZUSP; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado , D. Zajclw col., XI/1955 , MNRJ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Floresta da Tijuca , C. A. Campos Seabra col., 29/I/1957 , Campos Seabra coll., MNRJ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Floresta da Tijuca , C. A. Campos Seabra col., 14/III/1958 , Campos Seabra coll., MNRJ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Floresta da Tijuca , C. A. Campos Seabra col., 4/II/1967 , Campos Seabra coll., MNRJ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Floresta da Tijuca , D. Zajclw col., 1/XII/1954, MZUSP ; 1 ex. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio Tijuca , R. Vossien col., MNRJ ; 4 exs., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Tijuca , E. Gounelle col., XII/ 1884 , Bonneuil coll., IRSN; 4 exs., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro , Tijuca, E. Gounelle, XII/1884 , E. Fleutiaux coll., MNHN; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro , Tijuca, E. Gounelle col., XII/1884, coll. généralle, E. Fleutiaux det., 189(illegible), MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio de Janeiro , J. T. LaColordaire coll., E. Fleutiaux det., IRSN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Castelnau, 10-44, J. Chassain det., 2011, MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Castelnau, 10-44, E. Fleutiaux det., MNHN ; 2 exs., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Castelnau, 10-44, MNHN ; 2 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), E. Fleutiaux coll., MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), E. Fleutiaux det., MNHN ; 1 ex., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), J. D. Fry coll. 1905.100, E. Fleutiaux det. (?), BNHM ; 6 exs., Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), J. D. Fry coll., 1905.100, BNHM ; 1 ex. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), XII/1932, Réné, MNRJ ; 1 ex., Brazil, São Paulo (SP), Piracicaba, C. E. Tottenham coll., 1963-414, BNHM ; 1 ex., Brazil, São Paulo (SP), Porto Ferreira, transition area between Mata Atlântica and Cerrado , 21°50'37"S 47°25'31,18"W, 1:00 pm, 27/XII/2014, G. Biffi col., MZUSP ; 1 ex., Brazil, Bonneuil coll., IRSN; 1 ex., Brazil, E. Fleutiaux det., 1904, BNHM; 7 exs., Brazil, E. Fleutiaux coll., MNHN; 1 ex., Brazil, Guérin-Méneville coll., IRSN; 1 ex., Brazil, (illegible), Hardwich’s Bequest, BNHM; 1 ex., ( No location), M Sédillot coll, E . Fleutiaux det., MNHN.

Distribution. Brazil (BA, ES, MG, RJ & SP) ( Figure 15 ). Type locality. Brazil.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Balgus tuberculosus (Dalman, 1823), pronotum showing tubercles and names, dorsal view.

FIGURE 9. Balgus tuberculosus (Dalman, 1823): A) habitus, dorsal view; B) habitus, ventral view; C) habitus, lateral view; D) head, frontal view; E) ventrite 5, ventral view; F) pronotum and elytra, dorsal view; G) female genitalia, dorsal view, apex oriented to the bottom of the page; G) aedeagus, dorsal view; H) aedeagus, lateral view; I) aedeagus, ventral view. The genitalia apex oriented to the bottom of the page. Genitalia scales: 0.5 mm, other scales: 2 mm.

FIGURE 15. Geographical distribution of Balgus tuberculosus (Dalman, 1823), Balgus subfasciatus (Bonvouloir, 1875) and Balgus schnusei (Heller, 1914).