Epimetopus balfourbrownei Rocha, 1969

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 55

Epimetopus balfourbrownei Rocha, 1969

Figs. 92, 93 (habitus), 89, 90 (aedeagus), 127 (map)

Epimetopus balfourbrownei Rocha 1969: 180 .

Epimetopus alvarengai Rocha 1969: 183 ; Oliva 1986.

Epimetopus leechi Rocha 1969: 182 ; new synonymy.

Type material: Holotype (male): Brazil, Mato Grosso, " Jacaré P.N. Xingu M. T. XI-1965, M. Alvarenga; [male symbol]; 3; [label with measurements]; Epimetopus balfourbrownei A. A. Rocha det.; HOLOTYPO [red label]" ( MSP).

Epimetopus leechi (new synonymy): Holotype (male): " BRAZIL: Matto Grosso side of Rio Araguaia , Santa Isabel; VIII-10 to 20–57 Borys Malkin; 2; [male symbol]; [label with measurements]; HOLOTIPO [red]; Epimetopus leechi A. A. Rocha det.; California Academy of Sciences Type No. 10192/" ( CAS).

New collection records: Four specimens with same locality data as holotype of E. balfourbrownei (3 FMNH, 1 USNM).

Differential diagnosis. The dorsal habitus of E. balfourbrownei is quite similar to that of E. thermarum ( Figs. 86, 92); differing therefrom in the smaller size (ca. 2.16 vs. 2.73 mm) and the slightly less elongate elytra which are slightly less convex and have a less abrupt posterior declivity. However, reliable determinations will require examination of the aedeagus. The aedeagus is similar to that of E. thermarum , but notably differs in the following: 1) the aedeagus is considerably shorter (ca. 0.65 vs. 0.80 mm); 2) the dorsal processes are wider, stouter; 3) the median lobe distal part that extends beyond the tips of the dorsal processes is shorter, wider, and less acutely pointed apically; and 4) the basal piece is shorter. The aedeagus of the holotype of E. leechi ( Fig. 89) is virtually identical to the aedeagus of the holotype of E. balfourbrownei ( Fig. 90); E. leechi is therefore herein synonomized with E. balfourbrownei .

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 2.16/1.17; head (width) 0.62; pronotum 0.78/0.90; elytra 1.38/1.17. Habitus as illustrated ( Figs. 92, 93). Head piceous, maxillary palpi light brown; pronotum dark brown to piceous; elytra dark brown except yellowish large V-shaped fascia near midlength, and very faintly yellowish apically; venter piceous; legs rufous. Pronotum with hood carinae straight, converging and confluent anteriorly, grooved throughout; secondary lateral lobes very small, almost absent. Elytron with four strong granulate carinae, third interrupted anteriorly for distance of ca. 3–4 punctures; punctures round or oval, large, each with small granule at anterior margin, non-carinate intervals without granules. Protibiae slightly emarginate on inner margin, almost straight. Metaventral depression moderately deep and wide, ca. nine granules along base.

Distribution. Currently known from two rather narrowly separated localities in Brazil ( Fig. 127).