Operclipygus granulipectus, 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 : 267-269

Operclipygus granulipectus sp. n. Figs 69 F–H 70G, JMap 25

Type locality.

COSTA RICA: Heredia: La Selva Biological Station [10°26'N, 84°1'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "COSTA RICA: Heredia, La Selva, 3.2 km SE Puerto Viejo, 100m, 28 Feb. 1992, W.Bell, ex: flight intercept trap"/ "SEMC0903634 KUNHM-ENT" (INBIO). Paratypes (28): 26: same data as type, except as noted: 2: same data as type (INBIO), 1: 14.ii.1992 (SEMC), 2: 17.ii.1992 (SEMC, FMNH), 1: 19.ii.1992 (SEMC), 2: 1.iii.1992 (SEMC, MSCC), 3: 3.iii.1992 (SEMC, AKTC), 2: 6.iii.1992 (SEMC), 1: 19.vi.1998 (LSAM), 1: 22.vi.1998, FIT, C.E. Carlton & A.K. Tishechkin (LSAM), 1: 24.vi.1998 (LSAM), 1: 25.vi.1998 (LSAM), 1: 26.vi.1998 (LSAM), 2: 27.vi.1998 (LSAM), 2: 28.vi.1998 (LSAM), 1: 29.vi.1998 (LSAM), 2: 170m, 2-5.iii.1991, FIT, H. & A. Howden (CMNC), 2: 21-28.iii.1988, W.E. Steiner, J.M. Hill, J.M. Swearingen, J.M. Mitchell (USNM).

Other material

(13). COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: 1: Parque Nac. Guanacaste, 9km S Santa Cecilia, Est. Pitilla, 700m, vii.1995, FIT, C. Moraga, P. Rios, (INBIO); Limón: 2: Area Cons. Tortuguero, Sector Cerro Cocori, Fca. De E. Rojas, 150m, v.1993, E. Rojas, (INBIO), 2: 28. v– 17.vi.1992, E. Rojas, (INBIO); 1: Oeste de R.B. Hitoy Cerere, Finca el Tucan, 100-200m, 14-21.viii.2001, FIT, W. Arana (INBIO); 1: R.B. Hitoy Cerere, Send. Espavel, 140m, 18. iii– 1.iv.2002, FIT, W. Arana (INBIO); 2: Estrella Valley, Pandora, 1-16.iii.1984, FIT, H. Howden & G. Manley (CHSM); Puntarenas: 3: Est. Esquinas, Peninsula de Osa, 200m, iv.1993, J.F. Quesada, (INBIO); 2: Bosque Esquinas, Peninsula de Osa, 200m, iv.1993, J.F. Quesada, (INBIO); 2: Alajuela, San Jose, Eciton burchelli , H. Schmidt (BMNH). PANAMA: Panamá: 1: Barro Colorado Isl., 9°11'N, 79°51'W, 1.viii.1994, FIT, D. Banks (SEMC).

Diagnostic description.

This species is very similar to the preceding, Operclipygus punctissipygus , differing only in the following characters: length: 1.62-1.93 mm, width: 1.37-1.68 mm; frontal stria complete over antennae; supraorbital stria frequently represented by a few fragments; elytron with outer subhumeral stria absent, stria 1 variably abbreviated from apex, sutural stria longer, present in apical three-fourths, apically continuous with apical marginal elytral stria which extends laterad to near apex of 2nd stria, sometimes connected with it; prosternal keel with carinal striae complete, not shortened anteriorly; not only mesometaventral stria, but actual mesometaventral suture arched strongly forward; anteromedial portion of male metaventral disk shallowly depressed, densely punctate, with extremely fine, scale-like setae in punctures; lateral stria of 1st abdominal ventrite bending laterad behind coxa, but generally fragmented; lacking distinct postcoxal fovea; propygidium and pygidium with ground punctation fine and rather sparse; propygidium with coarser punctures small, sparse, restricted to basal half; pygidium lacking coarse punctures; marginal pygidial stria fine, present only at extreme apex. Male genitalia (Fig. 70G, J): T9 lacking distinct lateral denticle; S9 with apical margin lacking median emargination, apical flange continuous, with basolateral corners strongly prolonged proximad; tegmen narrow, elongate, lacking medioventral process; basal piece nearly one-half tegmen length; else as in Operclipygus impunctipennis .

Remarks.

This species’ most distinctive character is the depressed and setose male meso- and metaventrites (Fig. 69G). It is otherwise rather variable, and hard to characterize. The well-impressed apical marginal elytral stria (Fig. 69F), usual presence of only a single complete dorsal elytral stria (the 2nd, with the 1st abbreviated from the apex and the 3rd interrupted), and the lack of coarse punctures on the pygidium (Fig. 69H) should distinguish most specimens. Due to considerable variation, we limit the type series to those specimens from the vicinity of La Selva, in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Etymology.

This species’ name refers to the very finely setose meso- and metaventrites of the male.