Pseudomicracis, Eggers, 1920

Jordal, Bjarte H., 2022, The strongly dimorphic bark beetle genus Pseudomicracis (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) in Madagascar-an integrated taxonomic revision, Zootaxa 5125 (3), pp. 325-343 : 341-342

Key to the Malagasy species of Pseudomicracis

1 Antennal scapus small, rounded, with few setae; most species with interstrial setae truncated, many species with rugose to granulated interstriae on posterior part of elytra, some of these with larger tubercles (males).......................... 2

- Scapus triangularly extended dorsally, sometimes more strongly elongated into a spike; interstrial setae spatulate, rarely truncated; elytral cuticle generally smooth (females)........................................................... 11

Males

2 Posterolateral margin of declivity with a series of large tubercles, each much larger than antennal club, declivity flattened; antennal club>1.5 × longer than wide, sutures obscure....................................................... 3

- Elytral declivity smooth or at most with posterolateral rim of small granules; antennal club <1.3× as long as wide........ 5

3 One pair of tall, narrow ridges on lower two thirds of declivity located on interstriae 4–5.................... P. pennata

- Posterolateral margin of declivity with a series of nodules..................................................... 4

4 Declivital margin with 6–7 subequal nodules..................................................... P. tomicoides

- Declivital margin with 2–3 much larger nodules on interstriae 4–6........................................ P. dispar

5 Elytral interstriae coarsely granulated or tuberculate, interstrial setae curved and spatulate; stout species, <2.5 × as long as wide.............................................................................. P. verrucosa , sp. nov.

- Elytral interstriae at most only finely granulated and rugose, setae erect, truncated; body>2.6 × as long as wide.......... 6

6 Posterolateral margin of declivity with a granulated rim; elytral apex very broadly mucronate........ P. coronata , sp. nov.

- Declivital margin smooth; elytral apex narrowly mucronate................................................... 7

7 Anterior margin of pronotum with 4–6 narrowly separated raised teeth.......................................... 8

- Anterior margin of pronotum smooth or with scant irregular granules........................................... 10

8 Antennal club with only weakly procurved sutures.............................................. P. atra , sp. nov.

- Antennal club with strongly procurved sutures.............................................................. 9

9 Interstrial setae uniseriate, interstriae 1 with only broad scale-like setae; eyes separated above by 2.5 × their width............................................................................................ P. lauricola , sp. nov.

- Interstrial setae slightly confused, interstriae 1 with broad scale-like setae and fine setae along the suture which are similar to those in striae; eyes separated above by <2× their width........................................ P. pilosa , sp. nov.

10 Eyes normal, separated above by about 3 × their width; all interstriae with uniseriate setae........... P. madagascariensis

- Eyes large, separated above by <1.5 × their width; interstria 1 with confused setae, other interstriae uniseriate............................................................................................. P. vitrioculata , sp. nov.

Females

11 Antennal club elongated, sutures obscure; body <2.6 × as long as wide......................................... 12

- Antennal club only slightly longer than broad, with two distinctly procurved sutures marked by setae; body>2.7 × as long as wide.............................................................................................. 14

12 Setae on elytral interstriae and posterior part of pronotum dagger-shaped; mucro on elytral apex in lateral view taller than long....................................................................................... P. pennata

- Setae either bristle-like or spatulate; mucro longer than tall................................................... 13

13 Frons densely setose, setae long; sutures on antennal club not visible; setae on declivital interstriae confused.. P. tomicoides

- Frons with short and well separated setae; sutures on club obscurely marked, procurved; setae on declivital interstriae uniseriate.......................................................................................... P. dispar

14 Frons lightly concave, along dorsal margin with a broad projecting tuft of setae................... P. madagascariensis

- Frons flattened or convex, vestiture scant................................................................. 15

15 Interstrial and strial setae confused on and near interstriae 1..................................... P. pilosa , sp. nov.

- All strial and interstrial setae in uniseriate rows............................................................ 16

16 Elytral apex (mucro) extended, base of mucro very broad, almost half the with of elytra............. P. coronata , sp. nov.

- Elytral apex not extended, base of mucro about one-quarter as wide as elytra..................................... 17

17 Scapus extended dorsally into a short spike; interstrial setae equally distributed from base to apex of elytra..... P. lauricola , sp. nov.

- Scapus triangular, not taller than long; interstrial setae mainly on declivity................................ P. difficilis