Geochus tibialis, Broun, 1893, 1465

Leschen, Richard A. B., Davis, Steven, Brown, Samuel D. J., Brav-Cubitt, Talia & Buckley, Thomas R., 2022, The Enigmatic Dead-Leaf Miner Geochus Broun (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Phylogenetic Placement, a New Species, and Lectotype Designations, The Coleopterists Bulletin 76 (1), pp. 1-35 : 31

GeOchUs tibialis Broun, 1893 ( Figs. 6E–F , 7 , 15–16 )

Geochus tibialis Broun 1893b: 1465 . Type locality: Capleston.

Type Depository. BMNH : LT, 3 PLT.

Distribution. New Zealand (BR).

Remarks. Broun stated that he had based his description on six specimens, some of which “were not in good condition”. Four specimens were locat- ed in the Broun collection (BMNH), one which we designate as the lectotype to stabilize the epithet, with the other three becoming paralectotypes. One specimen in Paris (MHNP), labeled as a variant, and three spare specimens in the BMNH, we considered not to be part of the syntype series.

This species forms a species group with G. lateralis , G. marginatus , and G. nigripes , which all share sharply carinate lateral margins of their elytra.

Type Material Examined. Lectotype, here designated ( BMNH): card-mounted, “2540. [in Broun’s hand]// New Zealand. [red underline] Broun Coll. Brit. Mus. 1922-482.//Capleston Westland. [in Broun’s hand]// Geochus tibialis [in Broun’s hand]” . Paralectotypes ( BMNH): 3, same but 1 lacking the identification label .

Figures

Fig. 6. SEM images. A) Geochus rugulosus, left elytron. G. sulcatus: B) Mesonotum, C) Right elytron, D) Enlargement of elytron, showing canal openings of wax glands (arrows). G. tibialis: E) Head (dorso-anterior aspect), F) Enlargement of frons and dorsal surface of rostrum.

Fig. 7. SEM images, Geochus tibialis. A) Left antenna, showing apex of scape and funicular articles, B) Mesonotum, C) Right elytron, D) Enlargement of elytron, showing canal openings of wax glands (arrows), E) Pro- and mesothorax, lateral aspect, showing partially fused metaventrite and metepisternum, F) Enlargement of metepisternum, showing stellate setae/tentacular scales on mes- and metanepisterna.

Fig. 15. Elytral outlines for representatives of each of the Geochus species groups.

Fig. 16. Dorsal habitus photographs of representatives of the type series or holotypes of Geochus arranged into informal groups.