Pachycerus efflatouni, (TEWFIK, 1942)

Meregalli, Massimo, 2009, Revision of the Indo-African Pachycerus Schoenherr, 1823, with a description of four new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (2), pp. 295-325 : 312

PACHYCERUS EFFLATOUNI ( TEWFIK, 1942)

Cleonus (Pachycerus) Efflatouni Tewfik, 1942: 171 .

Holotype (not found): Yemen, Wadi Sharis [15°41′N, 43°35′E].

Type: This species was based on a single specimen labelled ‘ Wadi Sharis ( Yemen), 16– 21.7.1936 ’ ( Tewfik, 1942: 174). Tewfik was the Curator of the Entomological Collections of the Faculty of Science , Fuad I University, Cairo, Egypt, and in the original description it was stated that the holotype was deposited in this collection. However, notwithstanding a long search in all of the collections of the institute, my colleague Mahmoud Abdel-Dayem (Fouad I University, Cairo, Egypt) was not able to find it .

Discussion: No other specimen referable to this species was cited after the description, and the only other Pachycerus examined from the Arabian Peninsula belongs to P. hippali sp. nov., a completely different taxon. Hence, the true identity of P. efflatouni remains uncertain. The original description is relatively good, although it particularizes nonspecific traits, which are sometimes even typical of the entire family or subfamily, and are thus devoid of any significant value in the characterization of this species. The text and the schematic drawings of the body suggest that this species belongs to the P. badeni group. It is 12-mm long (probably including the rostrum), and is characterized by four black round spots on the elytra, two on the base and two on the declivity, behind the apex of interval 5, forming a distinctive pattern; it should have simple scales on the elytra and have bifid to multifid scales on the rostrum. Refer to Tewfik (1942) for the complete description: a detailed comparative discussion between the original description of P. efflatouni and the characters of P. sahelicus sp. nov. is given in the description of the latter species. The original drawings are reproduced here in Figure 70.

Figures

Figure 70. Pachycerus efflatouni (Tewfik, 1942). Reproduction of the original drawings (from Tewfik, 1942: 173; ‘Fig. 1: Dorsal view. – Fig. 2: Lateral view. – Fig. 3: The antenna. – Fig. 4: Middle left leg. – Fig. 5: Last tarsal segment of middle left leg, ventral aspect. – Fig. 6: Quinquefid scale-like hair. – Fig. 7: Bifid scale-like hair. – Fig. 8: Fid-like scaly hair’).