Gracilaclopus parvulus ( Ohaus 1910 )

Ocampo, Federico C. & Mondaca, José, 2012, Revision of the scarab subfamily Aclopinae Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Argentina and Chile, Zootaxa 3409, pp. 1-29 : 15-16

Gracilaclopus parvulus ( Ohaus 1910)

( Figs. 21, 22 , 30 , 32 )

Aclopus parvulus Ohaus 1910: 175 .

Gracilaclopus parvulus (Ohaus) , new combination Diagnosis. This species is recognized by the following combination of characters: labral apex complete, lacking indentation or teeth; body bicolored; size <4.8 mm; male genitalia as Fig. 30 .

Redescription. Male Length 3.40–4.30 mm, width 1.40–2.10 mm. Color: Head dark brown, pronotum brown; elytra light brown; legs, antennae, and mouthparts brown; ventral surface brown. Head ( Fig. 21 ): Frons flat on apical half, convex at base, surface at base sparsely punctate, glabrous, at apex densely punctate, punctures large. Clypeus strongly transverse; lateral margins oblique; anterior margin straight, slightly reflexed; frontoclypeal suture obsolete, surface densely punctate, punctures large. Labral shape subrectangular in dorsal view, apex rounded, strongly reflexed, surface slightly carinate at middle, glabrous. Antennae with eight antennomeres. Pronotum ( Fig. 22 ): Convex, wider than long. Surface sparsely punctate, bearing few setae; setae long, slender. Marginal bead present in all margins, reduced on posterior margin at middle. Anterior angles slightly acute posterior angles broadly rounded. Scutellum: Large , subtriangular, apex rounded, surface punctate at base, smooth at apex. Elytra: Surface punctate, punctures sparse, setose, setae moderately long. Legs: Mesotibiae and metatibiae with two transverse carinae. Mesotibial and metatibial apex with fringe of spine-like setae. Male genitalia ( Fig. 30 ): Parameres longer than phallobase, broadly curved, simple, symmetrical, apex rounded.

Type material. According to Ohaus (1910) the type material of A. parvulus is in the Bruch collection at the MACN, but it could not be found. Another attempt to find it at the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin) (where most of Ohaus’ material is deposited) was also unsuccessful. We presume that the type specimen lost. In order to preserve the nomenclatural stability of the name, a neotype for A. parvulus Ohaus is designated.

Aclopus parvulus Ohaus neotype here designated at IAZA labeled: “ ARGENTINA: / Prov. Catamarca / Andalgalá. 27 February 1973 / Frank A. Enders”; “Pitfall trap / creosotebush / desert / S-C-3” “ Aclopus / parvulus / Ohaus NEOTYPE / Ocampo & Mondaca det.”

A neotype is here designated to provide for the nomenclatural stability of the taxon studied, according to the Article 72 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Remarks. Only males are known. Specimens vary slightly in size (see description) and color (some specimens have darker elytra).

Distribution ( Fig. 32 ). ARGENTINA: Catamarca: Agua Amarilla (1), Andalgalá (1), Río Potrero (65 km N Andalgalá) (1). La Rioja: Patquía (2), Guandacol (68). BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: Camirí (5 km S) (1).

Temporal distribution. December (68), December-January (2), February (3).

Figures

FIGURE 32. Distribution map of Gracilaclopus electricus, G. m o ro c h u s, G. nigroscutatus, and G. parvulus.

FIGURES 21 – 22. Gracilaclopus parvulus, male.

FIGURES 23 – 30. 23) Male genitalia of G. bidentulus, aedeagus lateral view; 24) G. c a c e re s i, aedeagus lateral view; 25) G. candelariae, aedeagus lateral view; 26 a – b) G. crepuscularis, aedeagus lateral and frontal views respectively; 27 a – c) G. electricus, a – b) aedeagus lateral and frontal views, c) ventral plate of the genital segment; 28) G. m o ro c h u s, aedeagus lateral view; 29) G. nigroscutatus, aedeagus lateral view; 30) G. parvulus, aedeagus lateral view.