Cymatodera ochlera

Burke, Alan F. & Zolnerowich, Gregory, 2014, Cymatodera ochlera Barr, a junior synonym of Cymatodera wolcotti Barr, with a comparison to similar species (Coleoptera: Cleridae), Zootaxa 3847 (3), pp. 423-430 : 427-428

Cymatodera ochlera and C. wolcotti

The diagnostic characters cited by Barr indicate that the sixth visible ventrite of male C. ochlera has the lateral margins moderately oblique and the posterolateral angles moderately curved inward, while male specimens of C. wolcotti have the lateral margins of the sixth ventrite straight and the posterolateral angles extended posteriorly. A number of male specimens of both species were examined, and the sixth tergite of these specimens was very consistent and only slight variation in the posterior portion of the lateral margins was observed. Specifically, this portion of the segment can be moderately curved inwardly ( Fig. 11 ) to slightly curved outwardly ( Fig. 10 ). The lateral margins of the sixth visible ventrite were very consistent among these individuals, with no noticeable variation. Similarly, male specimens identified as C. wolcotti exhibited the posterolateral angles of the sixth visible ventrite from strongly curved inwardly ( Fig. 15 ), to posteriorly extended ( Fig. 17 ), with a number of specimens, identified either as C. wolcotti or as C. ochlera , with these angles moderately extended inwardly ( Figs. 14, 16 ). Moreover, the two species share very similar male genitalia. Male genitalia were extracted and examined from a number of specimens from both species, and minor variation was observed, with the general structure of the aedeagus as follows: shape rather robust; parameres developed, broad, subtriangular in shape, lateral margins sinuate, distally pointed; phallobase narrowing toward base; phallus with copulatory piece acuminate at apex and partially covered by tegmen; phallic plate armed with two rows of denticles that gradually become reduced in size toward apex; phallobasic apodeme robust distally, endophallic struts distally slender ( Figs. 6–7 ). Variation in male genitalia observed among those revised specimens are: length of each row of denticles somewhat variable, and phallus feebly to moderately robust.

Barr indicated females of these species are remarkably similar, but they could be separated based on the distance between the eyes. For the females of C. ochlera , the distance between the eyes is twice the length of the eleventh antennomere, while for C. wolcotti females, the eyes are separated by a distance that is at least 2½ times the length of the eleventh antennomere. The female specimens examined here showed considerable variability for this character, thus, it is considered unreliable for distinguishing these species. Additionally, the female pygidium of these species is very similar, and noticeable variation can be observed. These observations show that the characters given by Barr do not indicate a clear discontinuity between both species, but instead, specimens of C. ochlera and C. wolcotti have a continuous array of variation. Whether these differences are caused by geographical distribution, population variability, or altitudinal clines, is unknown. Thus, C. ochlera should be considered a junior synonym of C. wolcotti .

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 18. Sixth abdominal segment of: 9 Cymatodera balteata (male, dorsal view); 10 C. ochlera (male, dorsal view); 11 C. wolcotti (male, dorsal view); 12 C. undulata (male, dorsal view); 13 C. balteata (male, ventral view); 14 C. ochlera (male, ventral view); 15 C. wolcotti (male, ventral view); 16 C. wolcotti paratype (male, ventral view); 17 C. wolcotti (male, ventral view); 18 C. undulata (male, ventral view). For Figs. 10 – 11, arrows indicate curvature of posterolateral margins. For Figs. 14 – 17, arrows indicate direction of hind angles.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Male genitalia of: 5 Cymatodera balteata; 6 C. ochlera; 7 C. wolcotti; 8 C. undulata.