Operclipygus gilli, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 183-184

Operclipygus gilli sp. n. Figs 4A48 H–I, N49 D–EMap 17

Type locality.

PANAMA: Panamá: Chepo-Carti Road [9.28°N, 79.1°W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "PANAMA: Panamá Chepo-Carti Rd. 400m. June 1982, FIT. B.D. Gill"/ "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00301" (CNCI). Paratypes (28): 4: same data as type (FMNH, MSCC, AKTC); 2: same locality as type but: vii.1982 (CHSM, BDGC). COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: 1: Res. Biol. Carara, Est. Carara, 200m, iv.1990, R. Zuniga, (INBIO); 1: Res. Biol. Carara, Est. Quebrada Bonita, 50m, iv.1994, R. Guzman, (INBIO); 2: Rancho Quemado, Peninsula de Osa, 200m, ix.1992, F. Quesada, (INBIO), 1: ix.1992, M. Segura, (INBIO), 1: ix.1992, A. Marin, (INBIO), 1: v.1992, F. Quesada y G. Varela, (INBIO), 2: viii.1991, F. Quesada, (INBIO), 1: 12-24.v.1993, A. Gutierrez, (INBIO), 1: 7-27.i.1992, A.H. Gutierrez, (INBIO); 1: Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce, Est. Agujas, Golfito, Sendero Zamia, 300m, 5.x.2000, primary forest, A. Azofeifa (INBIO), 3: 3.v.1998, FIT, A. Azofeifa (INBIO), 1: 2-15.i.1996, FIT, A. Azofeifa, (INBIO), 1: 250-350m, 15.iv.2000, FIT, A. Azofeifa (INBIO), 1: 250-350m, 19.v.2000, FIT, A. Azofeifa (INBIO), 1: 9.iv.2000, FIT, A. Azofeifa (INBIO), 1: 11-15.xi.1999, FIT, A. Azofeifa (INBIO); 1: Parque Nac. Corcovado, Sirena Stn. Rio Pavo Trail, 8°29'5"N, 83°35'33"W, 5m, 25-28.vi.2000, FIT, Z. Falin (SEMC); 1: Rincon de Osa, 8°41.141'N, 83°31.117'W, 150m, 23-26.vi.2001, FIT, S. & J. Peck (SEMC).

Diagnostic description.

This species is very similar to Operclipygus distinctus , differing in a few characters as follows: length: 1.84-2.25 mm, width: 1.56-1.90 mm; elytra with outer subhumeral stria present only in apical half, inner subhumeral stria absent; prosternal keel not microsculptured between carinal striae; marginal mesoventral stria interrupted at middle; metaventral disk not depressed on each side of midline; 1st abdominal ventrite with inner lateral stria complete, outer lateral stria finely impressed along inner edge of metacoxa (sometimes obsolete there), curving behind it; coarse pygidial punctures slightly smaller. Male genitalia very similar to those of Operclipygus farctus , except S8 (Fig. 48H) with apical guides more strongly developed at inner edge; S9 (Fig. 48I) with strong, abrupt basal expansion, apex lacking midline sclerotization, but with strong lateral marginal sclerotizations forming a triangular ‘window’ of thin cuticle near apex; tegmen (Fig. 48N) with sides subparallel in basal two-thirds, rather abruptly narrowing about one-fourth from apex, apex not strongly bent ventrad.

Remarks.

Within the subgroup of species near Operclipygus distinctus , Operclipygus gilli can be identified on geography alone, being the only one occurring in Central America. Within the larger Operclipygus farctus group the only sympatric species is Operclipygus bidessois , which is easily distinguished by the smaller, subdepressed, elongate body form. Operclipygus gilli and Operclipygus proximus both possess an outer lateral stria on the 1st abdominal ventrite that curves laterad behind the metacoxa (Fig. 49E), though in Operclipygus gilli its anterior end does not reach the basal margin of the ventrite. An additional difference is that Operclipygus gilli has the base of the pronotum flattened but not distinctly plicate (Fig. 49D).

Etymology.

This species is named for Bruce Gill, whose collections in the Neotropics have enriched this study greatly.