Operclipygus intermissus, 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 : 112-113

Operclipygus intermissus sp. n. Figs 31 L–NMap 10

Type locality.

PARAGUAY: Itapúa: San Rafael Reserve [26°38.3'S, 55°39.8'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "PARAGUAY: Itapúa, Yataí, San Rafael Reserve, 100m, 26°38'17"S,55°39'50"W, 26-30.IX.2000, Z.H.Falin, ex: flight intercept trap"/ "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00277" (SEMC). Paratypes (1): same data as type (CMNC).

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus dubius , differing mainly in the following characters: length: 1.62-1.65 mm, width: 1.25-1.28 mm; frontal stria fragmented to absent at middle; anterior submarginal pronotal stria interrupted by median pronotal gland opening, continuing beyond it nearly to elytral midpoint; prescutellar impression narrow, not longer than scutellum; fragments of lateral submarginal pronotal stria may be present in anterior corners; pronotal disk with small, faint depressions alongside anterior submarginal stria; prosternal striae convergent to front, meeting in subacute arch; fine ground punctation of pygidium slightly denser than in Operclipygus dubius . Male genitalia (Figs 31 L–N) as for group description, with the apices of S8 vertically oriented, curved to ventral apex, bearing 4 or 5 long apical setae, with distinct submarginal sclerotization along apical margins; T9 with apices obliquely subquadrate; T10 not divided; S9 strongly desclerotized along midline, weakly emarginate at base, apical emargination deep, narrow; tegmen more or less parallel sided, abruptly narrowed to apex.

Remarks.

The combination of an interrupted anterior submarginal pronotal striae (similar to that shown in Fig. 30F), lack of coarse lateral pronotal punctures, and prosternal striae that are joined in an acute anterior angle are the most distinctive external characters of Operclipygus intermissus . It is most similar externally to Operclipygus variabilis , which shares the interrupted anterior submarginal pronotal stria, but Operclipygus variabilis has the prosternal striae united in a distinct arch and has coarse lateral pronotal punctures.

Etymology.

This species’ name refers to the interruption of the anterior submarginal stria by the pronotal gland openings.