Ceratophila (Ceratophila)

Tang, William, Skelley, Paul & Pérez-Farrera, Miguel Angel, 2018, Ceratophila, a new genus of erotylid beetles (Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) inhabiting male cones of the cycad Ceratozamia (Cycadales: Zamiaceae), Zootaxa 4508 (2), pp. 151-178 : 156-157

Ceratophila (Ceratophila) Tang, Skelley & Pérez-Farrera, nominate subgenus

Type species. Ceratophila (Ceratophila) picipennis , n. sp., here designated.

Adult diagnosis. The subgenus C. ( Ceratophila ) is distinguished from the subgenus C. ( Vovidesa ) by the convex pronotal surface near lateral carina; lateral carina distinctly thicker anteriorly; metatibia triangularly dilated toward apex; and apparently lacking sexual dimorphism.

Adult description. Length 3.03–5.11 mm, width 1.26–2.04 mm. Mouthparts: submentum without long erect or reclining setae. Pronotum: nearly quadrate, length/width = 0.78–0.90; anterior margin near eyes weakly emarginate, anterior angles slightly projecting, anterior angles rounded; surface near lateral carinae not explanate, carinae in dorsal view evenly arcuate; in lateral view thickening anteriorly, 2× thicker than posterior edge; pronotal disc lacking longitudinal groove extending anteriorly from lateral basal pore in margin. Elytra: in most populations often laterally with dark coloration that may extend to disc, maculation merges gradually with lighter ground color anteriad and posteriad; lacking visible setae on surface. Legs: protibia with distal lateral tooth strongly developed in both sexes, apex of tooth with cluster of 3 short stout spinules; meso- and metatibiae moderately angularly dilated at apex which is fringed with short stout spinules. Male genitalia: median lobe and tegmen compressed laterally, penile struts 1.15–1.90× longer than median lobe. Sexual dimorphism absent, except in C. (C.) chemnicki .

Remarks. Ceratophila (Ceratophila) is notably different from C. ( Vovidesa ) in an apparent lack of external sexual dimorphism (exception, see remarks under C. chemnicki ) and in other noted external characters. Many populations of Ceratozamia appear to have a member of each subgenus on the male cones. The morphological differences between these beetles imply they occupy different niches on the cones, fulfilling different functions.