Operclipygus variabilis, 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 : 113-115

Operclipygus variabilis sp. n. Figs 30F32 A–CMap 10

Type locality.

ECUADOR: Orellana: Yasuní National Park, Maxus Road at Piraña Bridge [0°39.5'S, 76°26'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "ECUADOR: Depto. Orellana P.N. Yasuní, Via Maxus at Puente Piraña. 0°39.5'S, 76°26'W, Flight intercept FIT 1b-1. 14-20.vii.2008. A.K. Tishechkin. AT1052" / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-02054" (FMNH). Paratypes (4): 1: Yasuní Res. Stn., mid.Rio Tiputini, 0°40.5'S, 76°24'W, 17-26.vii.1999, FIT, A.K. Tishechkin (LSAM), 1: 23-30.vi.1999, FIT, C.E. Carlton & A.K. Tishechkin (LSAM), 1: 4-17.vii.1999, FIT, C.E. Carlton & A.K. Tishechkin (AKTC); 1: Tiputini Biodiversity Station, 0.6376°S, 76.1499°W, 4-9.vi.2011, FIT, M.S. Caterino & A.K. Tishechkin, DNA Extract MSC-2192 (SBMNH).

Other material.

BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: 1: 5km SSE Buena Vista, Flora y Fauna Hotel, 17°29.925'S, 63°39.128'W, 440m, 15-24.xii.2003, FIT, S. & J. Peck (AKTC). BRAZIL: Mato Grosso: 1: Cotriguaçu, Fazenda São Nicolau, 9°49.0'S, 58°16.6'W, 15-18.xii.2010, FIT, F.Z. Vaz-de-Mello & A.F. Oliveira (CEMT). FRENCH GUI ANA: 1: Rés. Natur. de la Trinité, 4°40.11'N, 53°16.99'W, 7.ii.2011, Window trap, understory, SEAG (MNHN); 1: Rés. Natur. des Nouragues, Camp Inselberg, 4°05'N, 52°41'W, 30.ix.2010, Window trap, SEAG (CHND).

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus andinus , differing mainly in the following characters: length: 1.40-1.47 mm, width: 1.03-1.06 mm; frons always with central portion of frontal stria present, detached from sides; pronotal disk with fragments of lateral submarginal stria usually present in anterior corners; anterior submarginal stria recurved, interrupted at median pronotal gland openings, but continued posterolaterad beyond to near pronotal midpoint; pronotal disk finely punctulate throughout, with few coarser lateral punctures posterolaterad apices of recurved anterior submarginal stria; prosternal striae more or less complete, nearly reaching presternal suture, subparallel in anterior half, joined in anterior arch; propygidial punctures moderate in size, round, denser in middle two-thirds of disk than at sides; pygidium with ground punctation fine, dense, though rather shallow; with coarser punctures concentrated along the anterior margin, with few additional coarse punctures mostly restricted to basal third of disk; marginal pygidial sulcus appearing as a connected series of deep, coarse punctures. Male genitalia (Figs 32 A–C) as for group description, with the apices of S8 narrowed, but broadly subtruncate, bearing 4 or 5 long apical setae, with linear submarginal sclerotization along upper, apical margins; T9 with apices narrowed, bluntly triangular; T10 not divided; S9 narrow, with base only slightly widened, weakly rounded, with shallow apical emargination; tegmen with sides widening strongly toward apex, narrowed to broadly rounded apex.

Remarks.

The aedeagus of this species is somewhat similar to that of Operclipygus validus , widening toward the apex (compare figs 32C and 32D). However, several other genitalic characters distinguish Operclipygus variabilis , including the narrower apices of T9 (Fig. 32A), the truncate apices of S8, and the basally narrower S9 (Fig. 32B). Due to variability in external characters, which may indicate significant geographic differentiation, we restrict the type series to those specimens from eastern Ecuador.

Etymology.

This species’ name refers to its notable variability in a few characters, especially the lateral pronotal punctation and length of the 4th dorsal elytral stria.