Operclipygus wenzeli, 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 : 365-367

Operclipygus wenzeli sp. n. Figs 101 G–HMap 34

Type locality.

BOLIVIA: La Paz: Espía [16°28'S, 67°20'W].

Type material.

Holotype female: "Espia. RioBopi Boliv.W.M.Mann, July-Aug, 1921" / "Mulford Bio.Expl 1921-22" / " Phelister #77 det.R.Wenzel 19"/ "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00276" (USNM).

Diagnostic description.

Length: 2.15 mm, width: 1.81 mm; body rufescent, broadly oval, widest behind humeri; frons weakly depressed at middle, with conspicuous fine ground punctation; frontal stria rounded between eyes, with central portion detached from sides; pronotal disk with distinct oval prescutellar impression slightly longer than scutellum, ground punctation fine, with numerous coarser punctures along and close to lateral margin; marginal pronotal stria interrupted behind head, lateral submarginal stria obsolete in basal half; anterior submarginal stria divergent from margin at sides, but not recurved; median pronotal gland openings situated just laterad ends of anterior submarginal stria, about 5 puncture widths from anterior margin; elytra with single complete epipleural stria somewhat deeply and crenulately impressed, outer subhumeral stria present in apical half, and as a basal fragment, inner subhumeral stria absent, striae 1-3 complete, 4th stria present in apical half, and as distinct basal puncture, 5th stria absent, sutural stria present in apical three-fourths; prosternal keel weakly emarginate at base, carinal striae divergent, disconnected basally, weakly convergent anteriorly, united in broad arch about one-fourth from presternal suture; mesoventrite weakly projecting at middle, marginal stria complete; mesometaventral stria broadly arched forward beyond middle of mesoventral disk, arc continuous with lateral metaventral stria which extends to middle of metacoxa; 1st abdominal ventrite with single, complete lateral stria; propygidium uniformly sparsely covered with small, very shallow punctures separated by about their diameters; pygidium with fine, shallow but dense ground punctation, with coarser punctures evenly interspersed; marginal pygidial sulcus absent. Male not known.

Remarks.

Although known from a single female, this species is more than adequately distinct enough to justify establishment of a species. It may be related to Operclipygus falini , with which it shares the abbreviated lateral submarginal pronotal stria (Fig. 101 G) and detached central portion of frontal stria. However, these are rather insubstantial similarities, and it differs in its absence of a 5th dorsal elytral stria, the lack of any punctures on the disk of the 1st abdominal ventrite, and the minutely, densely punctate pygidium which lacks any marginal sulcus (Fig. 101H).

Etymology.

We name this species in honor of Rupert Wenzel, the 20th century's pre-eminent histerid specialist, in recognition of his contributions to our understanding of Operclipygus , and his recognition of this species as undescribed.