Parataenius martinezi, Stebnicka & Skelley, 2009

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Taxonomic redefinition of the genera Parataenius Balthasar and Pseudataenius Brown, with descriptions of three new species (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (66), pp. 1-18 : 9-10

Parataenius martinezi , new species

Figure 6 , 12 , 17

Diagnosis. Similar to P. simulator , but with different pronotal punctation and clypeal surface. Clypeal margin reflexed, rounded on each side of deep median emargination, surface transversely rugulose throughout from median convexity to vertex. Pronotal punctures mixed minute and fine to moderate, minute punctures everywhere distributed, fine punctures widely scattered on disc, become larger and closer laterally, separated by a diameter or more near lateral border. Elytral striae finely impressed, strial punctures fine; intervals with minute scattered punctures. Abdominal sternites smooth, minutely fluted along sutures, sternite 5 deeply grooved. Meso- and metatibiae setigerous, expanded apically; metatibial spurs rather thick, slightly sinuate; basal tarsomere of metatarsus shorter than upper tibial spur.

Description. Length 4.5-5.0 mm. Body shiny, dark castaneous ( Fig. 6 ). Clypeal margin reflexed, rounded on each side of deep median emargination, sides slightly arcuate toward right-angled genae; clypeal surface transversely rugulose throughout median convexity to vertex, vertical area with fine scattered punctures. Pronotum convex, posterior angles obtusely rounded, lateral edge and posterior angles fringed with moderately, long setae; surface punctures mixed minute and fine to moderate, minute punctures everywhere distributed, fine punctures widely scattered on disc becoming larger and closer laterally, on sides separated by one times their diameter or more ( Fig. 12 ). Scutellum pentagonal. Elytra widest in apical third, humeral denticles very small; striae narrowly, finely impressed, strial punctures fine, weakly crenate margins of intervals; intervals weakly convex, minute punctures inconspicuous, widely scattered. Ventral sclerites smooth; meso-metasternal carina short; metasternum impunctate, smooth from side to side, lateral metasternal triangle slightly alutaceous; abdominal sternites smooth, minutely fluted along sutures, sternite 5 deeply grooved; surface of sternites impunctate and glabrous at middle, irregularly wrinkled and setaceous laterally; disc of pygidium subgranulate and setaceous, not distinctly eroded. Femora smooth except few setigerous punctures apically, posterior line of metafemur visible only at apex; lateral teeth of protibia large, apical spur relatively long; meso- and metatibia setigerous, expanded apically; apex of metatibia with row of close setae, without accessory spine, spurs rather thick, slightly sinuate; basal tarsomere of metatarsus shorter than upper tibial spur and shorter than following 3 tarsomeres together, tarsomere 5 equal in length to combined. tarsomeres 3-4. External sexual differences slight; male genitalia as in Fig. 17 .

Type material. Holotype male: Argentina, Santiago del Estero, El Charco , January 1959 (Purchase ex F.H. Walz), in NMNH . Paratypes (5 females): 1 – Argentina, Santiago del Estero, Ojo de Agua , Feb. 1974, A. Martinez ; 4 – Paraguay, Dep. San Pedro, W of Vaca Ihu, Est. Triangulo , 180 m, 25-28.II.1993, and 7-11.XI.1995, F. Bretzendorfer . Paratypes are in: CMNO, FSCA, ISEA, SMNS.

Remarks. Parataenius martinezi is most similar to P. derbesis , but differs from that species by having a more slender body and pronotal punctures unequal in size and less dense.

Etymology. The species is named in memory of the eminent Argentinian entomologist, Antonio Martínez.

Figures

Figure 1-6. Parataenius spp., dorsal habitus. 1) P. selvae, holotype. 2) P. estero, holotype. 3) P. simulator. 4) P. derbesis. 5) P. brunneus. 6) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 7-12. Parataenius spp., anterolateral view of head and pronotum. 7) P. selvae, holotype. 8) P. estero, holotype. 9) P. simulator. 10) P. derbesis. 11) P. brunneus. 12) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 13-17. Parataenius spp., male genitalia. 13) P. simulator. 14) P. derbesis. 15) P. brunneus. 16) P. selvae. 17) P. martinezi.