Epimetopus peruvianus, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 46-49

Epimetopus peruvianus , new species

Figs. 82 (habitus), 83 (aedeagus), 128 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Peru: Ayacucho, La Mar, Santa Rosa, elev. 640 m, 13° 0' S, 73° 41' W, 19–25 ix 1976, Robert Gordon ( USNM) . Paratypes: Same data as holotype (2 USNM) ; same data, except 8–15 ix 1976 (10 USNM) .

Differential Diagnosis. The dorsal habitus of E. peruvianus is very similar to that of E. angulatus ( Figs. 78, 82); E. peruvianus is slightly smaller (ca. 2.62 vs. 2.73 mm). Reliable determinations will be based on examination of the aedeagi of the two species ( Figs. 79, 80, 82). The aedeagus clearly differs from that of other members of the Mendeli group: the distal part of the median lobe is deeply divided into two processes that diverge from one another; the membranous part of the median lobe is very wide; and the parameres are wide at the base, but abruptly narrowed at about midlength, and from there to the apices are parallel.

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 2.62/1.34; head (width) 0.64; pronotum 0.90/0.94; elytra 1.76/1.34. Habitus as illustrated ( Fig. 82). Head and pronotum piceous, maxillary palpi light brown; elytra brown to dark brown except yellowish fascia slightly past midlength (very faint in some specimens); venter and coxae piceous, remainder of legs dark brown. Eye canthus incomplete, ca. 3 facets between canthus and posterior margin. Pronotum with hood carinae arcuate, confluent at anterior tip, grooved throughout; primary lateral lobe with anterior angle produced; secondary lateral lobe very small, almost absent. Elytron with four granulate carinae, third interrupted anteriorly for distance of ca. 2–3 punctures; 4th carina slightly higher than others; punctures round, moderately large, each with small granule at anterior margin, non-carinate intervals with irregular row of small granules. Protibiae rather long and slender, emarginate on inner margin in distal ½. Metaventral depression moderately deep and wide, granules sparse, rather widely separated, ca. seven granules along base.

Distribution. Currently known only from the type locality in Peru ( Fig. 128).

Etymology. Named in reference to the geographical distribution.