Plochionocerus fulgens ( Fabricius, 1793 )

Asiain, Julieta, Márquez, Juan & Morrone, Juan J., 2007, Phylogenetic systematics of the genera Plochionocerus Dejean and Agrodes Nordmann (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xantholinini), Zootaxa 1584, pp. 1-53 : 14-16

Plochionocerus fulgens ( Fabricius, 1793)

Staphylinus fulgens Fabricius, 1793: 522 ; Erichson, 1839: 303 ( Sterculia ); Herman, 2001: 3742 ( Plochionocerus ).

Staphylinus violaceus Olivier, 1795: 8 ; Gravenhorst, 1806: 92 (synonym of Staphylinus fulgens ); Erichson, 1839: 303 ( Sterculia , synonym of Sterculia fulgens ); Herman, 2001: 3746 ( Plochionocerus , valid species), syn. nov.

Sterculia coelestina Erichson, 1839: 303 ; Fauvel, 1901: 252 (synonym of Sterculia violacea ).

Sterculia amazonica Sharp, 1876: 186 ; Herman, 2001: 3744 ( Plochionocerus ), syn. nov.

Sterculia pauloensis Sharp, 1876: 187 ; Fauvel, 1901: 252 ( Sterculia ); Bernhauer & Schubert, 1914: 314 (synonym of Sterculia fulgens ).

Sterculia carinata Bernhauer, 1916: 185 ; Herman, 2001: 3744 ( Plochionocerus ), syn. nov.

Sterculia aureipennis Bernhauer, 1927: 164 ; Herman, 2001: 3744 ( Plochionocerus ), syn. nov.

Type material (5 specimens). Lectotype of Sterculia amazonica by present designation, female: “Ega / S. America: Brazil / Sharp Coll. 1903–313 / Sterculia amazonica Ind. Type. D. S. Amazons / Lectotype Sterculia amazonica Asiain, Márquez & Morrone des. 2007” ( BMNH). Paralectotype, female: “ Type / Ega / S. America: Brazil / idem third label / Sterculia amazonica Type D.S. / Paralectotype Sterculia amazonica Asiain, Márquez & Morrone des. 2007” ( BMNH). Holotype of Sterculia pauloensis , female: “Amazon St. Paulo / Type / S. America: Brazil / idem fourth label / Sterculia pauloensis , Type D. S. / Holotype ” ( BMNH). Lectotype of Sterculia carinata by present designation, female: “ Bolivien, 750 m, Río Gongo, Jasze / carainata / Bernh. Typus / Chicago NHMus M. Bernhauer Collection / Lectotype Sterculia carinata Asiain, Márquez & Morrone des. 2007” ( FMNH). Holotype of Sterculia aureipennis , female: “Notó, Parana / Brasilien / Sterculia aureipennis Bernh. Typus Staudinger / idem fourth label” ( FMNH).

Additional material (170 specimens). BOLIVIA: Beni, 51.9 km S Riberalta, 24.XI.1994, Brzoska, Guerra ( SEMC, ɗ); Depto. Santa Cruz, Buenavista, 100 m, XII.1935 ( BMNH, 1?); Depto. Santa Cruz, Buenavista, F. Sreinball ( BMNH, 1?). BRAZIL: Maranhao, Rio Turiacu, II–III.1966, J. Carvalho ( FMNH, 11ɗɗ); Para, Maranhao, 80 km E of Caninde, Aldeida Maracacume, Rio Maracacume, 22.V.1963, B. Malkin ( FMNH, 4ɗɗ; CC-UAEH, ɗ); Para, Maranhao, 50 km E of Caninde, Aldeida Aracu, Igarape, Gurupu-Umu, V.1963, B. Malkin ( FMNH, ɗ); Matto Grosso ( FMNH, ɗ, 1?); Para, Obidos, II.1939 ( FMNH, ɗ); Matto Grosso, Bajariote ( FMNH, ɗ); Matto Grosso, Corumbia ( FMNH, 1?); Rio Tajos Itaititha, IV, J. F. Zikán ( FMNH, Ψ); Brasilien, Bang-Haas ( FMNH, ɗ); no locality data ( FMNH, ɗ); Para, Sonsanem Est., Shering ( FMNH, 1?); no locality data ( AMNH, ɗ; BMNH, 2ɗɗ, Ψ; FMNH, Ψ; IRSNB, ɗ); Para, Redencaovic, kayapo Territory, Pinkaiti Field Station on Riozinho R., 7°46.29’S, 51°57.65’W, XII.1998, tropical evergreen sea, sonal lowland forest on clay soil, dung pitfall or flight intercept traps, P. Y. Scheffler ( FMNH, ɗ, 1?); Ega ( BMNH, 2ɗɗ, Ψ; FMNH, Ψ); Chapada, XI ( FMNH, Ψ); Am. Reserva Ducke, 26 km NE Manaus, Barbosa, M. G. V., Plot C FIT2, III.1995, G27.1 ( BMNH, Ψ); Para, VIII.1929, G. Arnold ( BMNH, 1?); Fonte Bca R. Solomees Amazonas, 1937, F. Wucherpfennig, Cowley ( BMNH, 1?); Jataly-Goyaz ( IRSNB, Ψ); Parana, Ypizanga ( IRSNB, ɗ); Tebas ( IRSNB, 3ɗɗ, Ψ); Manaus, X.1945, W. Praetorius ( AMNH 2ΨΨ, 5ɗɗ, 2?); Manaus Region, XII.24 ( AMNH, ɗ); Para, Jacareacanga, II.1970, F. R. Barbosa ( AMNH, 3ɗɗ); Puraquequara, 4.X.1945, W. Praetorius ( AMNH, 2ɗɗ); State of Amazonas, Rio Calary-Uaupes, 1906, H. Schmidth ( AMNH, Ψ); Teffe, II.1925, H. Bassler ( AMNH, 2?); Teffe, IX.1924, H. Bassler ( AMNH, 2ɗɗ, 1?); Barba, III.1943, Halik ( USNM, 1?); no locality data, Bowring ( BMNH, 2ɗɗ); Fonteboa ( BMNH, Ψ); Guenca ( BMNH, 1?, ɗ); no locality data, Haudinger ( FMNH, Ψ); Caucathal ( FMNH, 1?); San Agustin Mapiri, 8600 ft, IX.1895, Stuart ( IRSNB, ɗ). GUYANA: Upper Courantyne R., IX.1935, G. A. Hudson ( BMNH, 1?); New River, 3.V.1938, C. A. Hudson ( BMNH, 1?). COLOMBIA: Bogota ( BMNH, ɗ); no locality data ( BMNH, ɗ); Putumayo, Puerto Legulzamo, 180 m, 27–29.X.1971, M. Cooper ( BMNH, ɗ); PNN Amacayacu, San Martín, 3°46’S 70°18’W, 150 m, Malaise, 11–29.XI.2000, B. Amado ( SEMC, ɗ); Putumayo, Santa Rosa, Kofan Indian Village, along forest trail, 2–24.X.1970, B. Malkin ( FMNH, Ψ). ECUADOR: Napo, R. F. Cuyabeno, II.1985, M. García ( QCAZ, 2ɗɗ); Napo, Cuyabeno, 400 m, VIII.1985, Quintana ( QCAZ, ɗ); idem, except: M. E. Ordoñez, ex: hojarasca ( QCAZ,1ɗ); Napo, E. C. Yasuni, 76°24’W 00°40’S, 230 m, XI.1997, R. Montufar ( QCAZ, ɗ); Napo, Tena, III.1996, G. Onore ( QCAZ, ɗ); Napo, Estación Científica Yasuni, 600 m, 76°24’ 0°40’, 04.II.1997, Z. Aguilar ( QCAZ, ɗ); Napo, Scyasuni, 250 m, 8.IX.1997, F. Maza ( QCAZ, ɗ); Sucumbios, Cuyabeno, 250 m, 15.IX.1996, E. Baus ( QCAZ, ɗ); Sucumbios, Cuyabeno, 269 m, 76°11’ 00°01’, 20.XII.1997, L. Cárdenas ( QCAZ, ɗ); Sucumbios, Cuyabeno, Laguna Grande, 250 m, 22.XI.1995, P. Salvador ( QCAZ, ɗ); Sucumbios, L. Grande, Cuyabeno, Estación Puce, 280 m, 18.XI.1995, P. Salvador ( QCAZ, ɗ); Postaza, Sta. Clara, 600 m, 18.III.1995, S. Espinosa ( QCAZ, Ψ); Sucumbios, Reventador, 17.VII.1991, P. Yanez ( QCAZ, ɗ); Napo, Pozo Daini, 19.IX.1989, Sandoval ( QCAZ, ɗ); Cotundo, XII.1978 ( QCAZ, ɗ); Sucumbios, Cuyabeno, 23.VII.1991, F. Campos ( QCAZ, Ψ); Loja, Zamora, Urien Nal., C. Carrión ( BMNH, ɗ); Loja, Zamora, Zamora Eastern Ecuador, C. Carrión ( BMNH, Ψ); Napo Reg, Tiputini Res. Stat ., 0°38’S, 76°9’W, 220 m, 5– 25. IX.2000, flight intercept trap, D. J. Inward & K. A. Jackson ( BMNH, ɗ); Napo ( BMNH, ɗ); no locality data ( BMNH, ɗ, 1?); no locality data, L. Gomez ( BMNH, 1?). Buckley, Macas ( FMNH, ɗ, 1?); no locality data, E. Andy, Buckley ( FMNH, Ψ); Santo Domingo-Pichincha, Piuu. R. d. L., 20.I.1965 ( FMNH, ɗ); Dos Rios, 9.V.1963, L. Peña ( FMNH, 1?); Napo, Onkone Gare Camp, 00°39’10”S, 76°26’00”W, 220 m, terra firma forest, in flight, 4–8.X.1995, T. L. Erwin, G. E. Ball & D. Shpeley ( SEMC, Ψ). FRENCH GUIANA: Cayenne ( IRSNB, ɗ, Ψ). PERU: Madre de Dios, Rio Patuyaca?, 12°39’S, 68°55’W, 400 m ( USNM, ɗ); Madre de Dios, Rio Amiguillos, small river flood plain, 260 m, fligth intercept trap, 12°22’25.4”S, 70°22’13.2”, V.2000, W T. Larsen ( USNM, ɗ); Sani Beni, Junin, 4.XI.1935 ( BMNH, ɗ); Sani Beni, Junin, 6.X.1935 ( BMNH, Ψ); Sani Beni, Junin, 22.X.1935 ( BMNH, ɗ); no locality data ( BMNH, 2ɗɗ, Ψ); Chanchamayo ( BMNH ɗ); Madre de Dios, Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Manu Nacional Park, 350 m, 11°53’45”S, 71°24’24”W, 17.X.2000, R. Brooks ( SEMC, 3ɗɗ); Madre de Dios, Panchita Reserved Zone, Manu Nacional Park, 300 m, 12°1’3”S, 71°13’5”W, 21.X.2000, R. Brooks, ex: miscellaneous collecting ( SEMC, ɗ); Madre de Dios, Pantiacolla Lodge, 4–7 km NW, El Mirador Trail, Alto Madre de Dios River, 500–800 m, 12°39’10”S, 71°15’18”W, 23.X.2000, R. Brooks, ex: on logs ( SEMC, Ψ); Madre de Dios, Pakitza Biological Station, Reserved Zone Manu National Park, 317 m, 11°56’41”S, 71°17’0”W, 16.X.2000, R. Brooks, ex: misc. collecting ( SEMC, ɗ); Depto. Loreto, 1.5 km N Teniente Lopez, 12°35.66’S, 76°06.92’W, 28.VII.1993, 210– 240 m, Richard Leschen, ex: flight intercept trap ( SEMC, Ψ); Chanchamayo, E. G. Smyth ( SEMC, ɗ); Depto. San Martin, Moyabamba, S. A., 10.XI.1936, F. Woytkowski ( SEMC, Ψ); Loreto, Estiron, Rio Ampiyacu, 9.XII.1961, B. Malkin ( FMNH, Ψ;CC-UAEH, ɗ); idem, except: 15–22.V.1966 ( FMNH, ɗ); idem, except: 29–30.III.1970 ( FMNH, Ψ); Depto. Junin, Chanchamayo, 3.IX.1961 ( FMNH, Ψ); idem, except: 15.XII.1961 ( FMNH, Ψ); Chanchamayo, 1500 m, Heyne ( FMNH, 1?); Upper Rio Tapiche, III.1928 ( AMNH, Ψ); Rio Tapiche, III.1928 ( AMNH, 1?); idem, except: 5.IX ( AMNH, ɗ); idem, except: 25.XII.1923 ( AMNH, 1?); idem, except: 12.I.1928 ( AMNH, Ψ); Iquitos ( AMNH, 1?); idem, except: 21.XI.1927 ( AMNH, Ψ, 1?); idem, except: 25.IV ( AMNH, ɗ); idem, except: 25.V ( AMNH, Ψ); Upper Rio Maranon, 29.XII.1924 ( AMNH, 2ɗɗ); idem, except: 26.IX.1924 ( AMNH, ɗ); Middle Rio Ucayali, 19.VII.1928 ( AMNH, ɗ); idem, except: 10.I.1929 ( AMNH, ɗ); Chanchamayo, 28.III.1928 ( AMNH, Ψ); Peru-Brazil Frontier, 27.VIII ( AMNH, 1?); idem, except: 21.I.1928 ( AMNH, 2ɗɗ); idem, except: 14.II.1928 ( AMNH, 2ɗɗ); Tingo Maria Huan., 2200 ft, 12.I.1947, J. C. Pallister ( AMNH, Ψ, ɗ). VENEZUELA: T. F. A. Camp., Cerro de la Neblina, 0°49’N, 66°0’W, 1250 m, 23–24.III.1984, O. S. Flint, Jr ( USNM, Ψ); Caracas, III.1984 ( FMNH, 1?).

Diagnosis. Total length 24.4–28.9 mm; head, pronotum and elytra metallic blue, violet or blue-green; legs and abdomen metallic blue or greenish blue; head rounded to rectangular, 1.22–1.50 times as long as wide, almost as wide as pronotum (0.86–1.11 times), dorsal and ventral surface convex, moderately convex or flat, ventral surface with slightly dense, expanded, umbilicate punctures (10–19 in each half of head), arranged in “v” (similar to Fig. 52 ); apical antennomere in males 1.40–1.74 times longer than wide, almost as long as antennomeres 9+10 combined (1.00–1.09 times); mandibles with basal external channel ( Fig. 63 ); pronotum slightly longer than wide (1.16–1.41 times), shorter than elytra (0.72–0.78 time its length), with two clearly visible depressed areas in posterior third ( Fig. 56 ); prosternum transverse (length/width: 0.65–0.75); aedeagus pear-shaped, big (5.56–6.75 mm), with parameres short (0.24–0.28 times as long as median lobe), apical area of median lobe 0.29–0.35 times as long as the total length of median lobe, and internal sac conspicuous ( Fig. 79 ).

Variation. Great variation in color and body length. Generally the smaller specimens have a rounded head, less convex dorsally, and shorter mandibles.

Nomenclatural notes. The revision of the holotype specimen of P. pauloensis ( Sharp, 1876) , a previous synonym of P. fulgens ( Fabricius, 1793) , allowed us to recognize that the names P. amazonicus ( Sharp, 1876) , P. carinatus ( Bernhauer, 1916) , P. aureipennis ( Bernhauer, 1927) and P. v i o l a c e u s ( Olivier, 1795) refer to a single Amazonian species, P. f u l g e n s, which was previously confused even with Mexican specimens that actually belong to P. simplicicollis . Even Sharp (1867) was not completely sure that P. amazonicus and P. pauloensis , which were described in the same paper, were in fact two different species.

Geographical distribution. Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, and Ecuador (first national records), Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia (not Mexico; Herman 2001).

Figures

FIGURES 48 – 53. Cephalic ventral view: 48, Renda flagellicornis; 49, Philonthus testaceipennis; 50, Plochionocerus simplicicollis; 51, P. gracilis; 52, P. h e r m a n i; 53, P. puncticeps.

FIGURES 63 – 66. Lateral view of pronotal hypomeron: 63, Plochionocerus simplicicollis; 64, Renda spp.; 65, Agrodes conicicollis; 66, A. elegans.

FIGURES 54 – 62. Pronotum: 54, Philonthus testaceipennis; 55, Renda flagellicornis; 56, Plochionocerus simplicicollis; 57, P. reticularis. Elytra: 58, Agrodes spp.; 59, Plochionocerus spp. Midleg: 60, Philonthus testaceipennis; 61, Agrodes spp.; 62, Plochionocerus spp.

FIGURES 79 – 87. Ventral (left) and lateral (right) view of aedeagus: 79, Plochionocerus fulgens; 80, P. h e r m a n i; 81, P. humeralis; 82, P. ig neu s; 83, P. impressipennis; 84, P. janthinus; 85, P. marquezi; 86, P. modestus; 87, P. newtonorum. Scale bar 1 mm.