Operclipygus lucanoides, 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 : 33-34

Operclipygus lucanoides sp. n. Figs 7C7EMap 1

Type locality.

FRENCH GUIANA: Itoupé Table Mountain [3°1.38'N, 53°5.73'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "GUYANE FR., Mont tabularie Itoupé. 3°1.38'N, 53°5.73'W. 570 m. Piège d’interception, 17 Mar 2010. SEAG leg." / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00269" (MNHN). Paratypes (4): FRENCH GUIANA: 1: Rés. des Nouragues, Camp Inselberg, 20.viii.2010 (CHND), 1: 28.i.2010; 1: Rés. des Nouragues, Saut Pararé, 4°02'N, 52°41'W, 20.iv.2010 (MNHN); 1: Belvèdére de Saül, 3°1'22"N, 53°12'34"W, 30.ix.2010 (FMNH).

Other material.

SURINAME: Sipaliwini, W bank Suriname R., nr. Jungle Resort Pingpe, 4°02'30"N, 55°27'00"W, 1-11.ii.2012, FIT, A. Hielkema (RMNH).

Diagnostic description.

This species has the most strongly exaggerated sculputuring in the group, but otherwise is very similar to both of the above. It differs in the following characters: length: 2.65-2.68 mm, width: 1.81-1.83 mm; body piceous; frontal stria carinate, continuous with supraorbital stria, which is interrupted medially; pronotal disk strongly depressed along inner edges of lateral and anterior submarginal striae, marginal bead being strongly elevated and subcarinate; anterior submarginal pronotal stria recurved about one-fourth pronotal length (although varied in type material); elytra with inner subhumeral stria present in apical half or more, with the interval between it and dorsal stria 1 strongly elevated; dorsal striae 1-5 and sutural complete, 5th and sutural striae often joined by basal arch; prosternal striae nearly reaching presternal suture anteriorly, joined in a broad arch; propygidium depressed on either side (and correspondingly elevated along lateral edges), punctures large, only slightly elongate, separated by less than half their widths; pygidium as in Operclipygus schmidti , with larger punctures sparsely scattered amongst fine, dense ground punctation. Male genitalia indistinguishable from those of Operclipygus sulcistrius (Fig. 3).

Remarks.

The strongly exaggerated dorsal sculpturing, especially the elevated anterior pronotal margin (Fig. 7E) distinguishes this species rather unambiguously. It is also unique in the group in having the strongly impressed supraorbital stria interrupted at the middle, and in having the apical half of the inner subhumeral stria present along the outer edge of the subhumeral elytral swelling.

Etymology.

This species’ name refers to its exaggerated, subporrect mandibles, reminiscent of a small stag beetle.