Fidia albovittata Lefèvre

Strother, M. S. & Staines, C. L., 2008, A revision of the New World genus Fidia Baly 1863 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae: Adoxini), Zootaxa 1798 (1), pp. 1-100 : 21-23

Fidia albovittata Lefèvre

( Figs. 1 , 90–91 ; Maps 9–10)

Fidia albovittata Lefèvre 1877: 166 (original description); Jacoby 1882: 167 (faunal treatment); Lefèvre 1885: 75 (catalog); Clavareau 1914: 76 (catalog); Blackwelder 1946: 662 (checklist); Bechyné 1953: 249 (catalog); Wilcox 1975: 57 (checklist); Flowers 1996: 36 (checklist).

Lefèvre (1877) did not state the number of specimens he had before him but clearly indicated that he had more than one by giving a range of length and width measurements in his description. A male located in the BMNH and bearing the labels, "Type. / SYN-TYPE [white disc with blue border] / San Andres / Tuxtla / Mexico Salle Coll. / Fidia albovitta [sic], Lef. apud Sallé [handwritten] / B.C.A. 167.5. / LECTOTYPE Fidia albovittata Lefèvre design. M.S.Strother 1993 [red]", is here designated as the Lectotype. The specimen is glued on a point and is in very good condition with a hole in the right elytron from the original pin and left antennomeres 6–11 missing. The dissected abdominal sterna, terga, and pygidium are glued on a card beneath the specimen, and the aedeagus and associated sclerites are preserved in glycerin in a microvial pinned beneath the specimen. One Paralectotype is here designated (♀ in BMNH): "SYN-TYPE [white disc with blue border] / San Andres / Type. Sp. figured. / Mexico Salle Coll. / Fidia albovitta [sic], Lef. apud Salle. [handwritten] / B.C.A. 167.5. / PARALECTOTYPE Fidia albovittata Lefèvre design. M. S. Strother 1993 [yellow]". Although this was the specimen illustrated in the Biologia, it was not chosen as the lectotype because it is a female. No additional syntypes are located in the BMNH (S. Shute pers. comm.) nor in the MNHN (N. Berti pers. comm.) .

Fidia sallei Lefèvre 1877: 166 (original description); Lefèvre 1885: 76 (catalog); Clavareau 1914: 77 (catalog); Bechyné 1953: 249 (catalog); Flowers 1996: 36 (checklist). NEW SYNONYMY.

Lefèvre (1877) gave a range of measurements for F. sallei but did not say how many specimens he examined. A female located in the BMNH and bearing the labels, " Type [white disc with red border] / GUANAJUATO / Type / Guanajuato Mexico. Salle Coll. / Fidia Sallei ! E. Lef. [handwritten] / 561 [blue square] / Fidia Sallaei [sic], Lef. apud Sallé. [handwritten] / Type. Sp. figured. / B.C.A. 167.6. / 6. Fidia sallaei [sic]. [folded] / LECTOTYPE Fidia sallei Lefèvre design. M.S.Strother 1993 [red]", is here designated as Lectotype. The specimen is pinned through the right elytron near the middle of the sutural margin and is in relatively poor condition. It is dirty with much of the pubescence matted or abraded. The labrum, maxillae, and labium appear to have been eaten by dermestids or forcibly removed, and the mandibles are widely splayed. The prothorax is glued to the mesothorax, and the left metathoracic leg is glued to a card beneath the specimen. The tip of the ovipositor is slightly extruded, and the following structures are missing: the right metathoracic leg and antennomeres 10+11 from each antenna. No additional specimens were located in the BMNH or the MNHN.

Fidia sallaei Jacoby 1882: 167 (catalog, unjustified emendation); Blackwelder 1946: 662 (checklist); Wilcox 1975: 57 (checklist). NEW SYNONYMY.

Fidia unistriata Jacoby 1882: 168 (original description); Lefèvre 1885: 76 (catalog); Clavareau 1914: 77 (catalog); Blackwelder 1946: 662 (checklist); Bechyné 1953: 250 (catalog); Wilcox 1975: 57 (checklist); Flowers 1996: 36 (checklist). NEW SYNONYMY.

Jacoby (1882) clearly stated that he had several specimens before him. A male located in the BMNH and bearing the labels, "Type [white disc with red border] / SYN-TYPE [white disc with blue border] / S. Geronimo [sic], Guatemala. Champion. / B.C.A. 168.9. / Fidia unistriata type Jac. [blue, handwritten in Jacoby's hand based on comparison with plate 3 figures I and J of Smith & Lawrence (1967)] / LECTOTYPE Fidia unistriata Jacoby design. M.S.Strother 1993 [red]", is here designated as the Lectotype. The specimen is glued on a point and is in very good condition with the following structures missing: tarsomere five of the right pro-, right meso-, and left mesotarsi and antennomere 11 of both antennae. The dissected abdomen is glued on a point pinned beneath the specimen, and the aedeagus and associated sclerites are preserved in glycerin in a microvial pinned beneath the specimen. Five specimens located in the BMNH are here designated as Paralectotypes: "SYN-TYPE [white disc with blue border] / S. Geronimo [sic], Guatemala. Champion. / B.C.A. 168.9."; "La Tinta,Vera Paz. Champion. / B.C.A. 168.9. / B.C.A. 168.9." (two pointed specimens on same pin); and "Chacoj, Vera Paz. Champion. / B.C.A. 168.9. / B.C.A. 168.9." (two pointed specimens on same pin). Each specimen also bears the label, " PARALECTOTYPE Fidia unistriata Jacoby design. M. S. Strother 1993 [yellow]".

Description. Males: TL = 3.94–5.16 mm., HW = 1.80–2.44 mm; Females: TL = 4.40–5.92 mm., HW = 2.08– 2.80 mm. Color: Usually entirely blackish or very dark red-brown, often with faint to distinct blue metallic luster, less commonly pale red-brown; pubescence composed of two types: 1) whitish, ensate, adpressed to recumbent setae and 2) brown to black, hairlike, suberect to erect setae. Pronotum: Length subequal to width, widest at or immediately posteriad of middle; sides feebly to distinctly convex in dorsal view; dorsum moderately convex to nearly straight in lateral view, rarely feebly sinuate with anterior portion slightly convex and posterior portion slightly concave; densely, coarsely punctate to sparsely, finely punctulate, often with punctules along midline much more closely placed than on remainder of disc; pubescence sparse to dense, often forming dense medial stripe. Mesepisternum: Entirely glabrous or with few setae, not as densely pubescent as mesepimeron. Elytra: Intrahumeral callus obsolescent to strongly developed, with or without shallow, lunate postcallosal impression; asetose punctate-striae feebly to strongly developed; interstices flat to slightly convex, sparsely, finely punctulate to densely punctulate-rugulose; pubescence highly variable, extremes as follows: 1) sparse, composed almost entirely of suberect to erect, dark, hair-like setae with only a few whitish, ensate setae at humeral callus, sutural margin and apex; 2) forming complete, alternating longitudinal rows of dense, adpressed, whitish, ensate setae and sparse, suberect to erect, darker, hairlike setae. Abdomen: Males with medial area of first and second sterna flattened to feebly concave, each with relatively large, impunctate, glabrous area; last three sterna weakly convex medially, medial area of third and fourth coarsely punctate, especially apically, with numerous, relatively long, suberect, golden setae; last sternum often with shallow, transverse medial impression; pygidium dorsally gently convex in apical ½ with broadly arcuate apex. Females with medial area of all sterna evenly convex, first sternum often with small, medial glabrous area; apical margin of last sternum with rounded apical process feeble to well-developed; pygidium dorsally flat to slightly impressed in apical ½ with acutely rounded apex. Legs: Males with profemur moderately to distinctly swollen; all tibial spurs small, lacking surface sculpture (several specimens from central portion of distribution possessed long metatibial spurs); pro- and mesobasitarsi slightly expanded; all basitarsi with disco-setae. Females with all femora gradually tapered towards base. Penis: In posterior view, sides slightly tapered to rounded posterolateral angles; apical process broad, subacutely rounded to truncate at apex. In lateral view, eudorsal surface of declivitous part moderately to distinctly convex; euventral surface moderately to strongly concave; distally tapered to acute point. Sperm guide composed of upper and lower sclerites. Spermatheca: Basal arm type.

Diagnosis. Medium-sized (3.94–5.92 mm.); entirely black to very dark red-brown, often with blue metallic luster; pronotal and elytral setae composed of two types: 1) whitish, ensate, adpressed to recumbent setae and 2) brown to black, hairlike, suberect to erect setae; whitish setae often arranged in medial pronotal stripe and one or more complete to incomplete, dense to sparse longitudinal stripes on each elytron. Males with profemur moderately to distinctly swollen; all basitarsi bearing disco-setae; penis with acutely rounded to truncate, lobelike apical process ( Figs. 90–91 ).

Specimens of F. albovittata vary considerably in the amount, density, and pattern of whitish pubescence on the pronotum and elytra. Some specimens of F. albovittata are similar to F.spuria and entirely dark specimens of F. pedestris but are distinguished from these by the dimorphic dorsal pubescence. In addition, differences in the shape of the apical process of the penis immediately separate males of these three species.

Distribution (Maps 9 and 10). Fidia albovittata occurs from southern Tamaulipas, Mexico to central Honduras. Collecting elevations ranged from 152–1219 m.

Specimens examined. (97). BELIZE. TOLEDO: Punta Gorda, ix:10–20:06 (MCZC:1), state only, ix:1– 15:06 (MCZC:1); State not determined: Rio Hondo, no date (BMNH).

COSTA RICA. PUNTARENAS: 4–6 km. S Sta. Elena, vi:4–7:1980 ( EGRC:1) .

GUATEMALA. ALTA VERAPAZ: Panzos, Guatemala, R., no date ( UMRM:1) . BAJA VERAPAZ: 16 km. N. Salama, v:23:1991 ( CMNC:2) . ZACAPA: nr La Union, iv:14:1990 ( JEWC:1) .

HONDURAS. ATLANTIDA: 22 mi. S La Ceiba , vi:29:1985 (AUEM:1) . COMAYAGUA: Lago Yojoa, vii:19:1974 (EGRC:2). OLANCHO: 11 mi. NE Catacamas , vi:15:1974 (EGRC:1), 7 mi. NE Catacamas, vi:14:1974 (EGRC:1) .

MEXICO. CAMPECHE: 10 km W Xpujil, Chicanna, vii:12–14:83 ( TAMU:1), 3.8 mi. N. Escarcega, x:9:1976 ( TAMU:1), Palizada, no date ( BMNH:1). CHIAPAS: 1 km W. Ocosingo, ix: 30–x:1:1986 ( JEWC:1), 1 km. S Ocosingo, x:18:1988 ( RHT:1), * 6 km N San Fernando, ix:4:1981 ( AUEM:2), * 6.5 km E Bochil, ix:13:1981 ( AUEM:1), 9.8 km. N Ocosingo, vi:28:1990 ( RHT:1), 17 KM W. Tutl. Gtz., vi:27– 30:1986 ( JEWC:2), vii:1–8:1986 ( JEWC:3), 21.3 km N Ocozocoautla, ix:7:1981 ( AUEM:2, BYUC:1), 25 mi. sw. Cintalapa, vii:11:1971 ( TAMU:1), 30.6 km. W Ocosingo, ix:30;1986 ( RHT:1), 35mi. SW Cintalapa, vi:25:65 ( TAMU:1), 44 km. S Palenque, ix:30:1986 ( RHT:1), 45 km SE Comitan Chincultic Ruinas, vi:16:1987 ( JEWC:1), 76 km. N Ocosingo, x:1:1986 ( RHT:1), El Sumidero, La Ceiba Mirador, vi:24:1990 ( RHT:2), Jct. Hwys 190–195, vi:6:1969 ( CMNC:2), * M. Trujillo, no date ( BMNH:1), Parque de Laguna Montebello, vi:21:1990 ( RHT:2), Puerto Cate, ix:9:1981 ( AUEM:1). HIDALGO: Cerro Boludo, 23 km. SW Tamazunchale, vi:4:1987 ( RHT:1), La Quebradora, 10.8 km. N Tlanchinol, vii:21:1988 ( RHT:2), Minera Autlan (=Otonga), v:7:83 ( EGRC:1), Minera Autlan (=Otonga), viii:1:82 ( EGRC:1). NUEVO LEON: * Cola de Caballo, vi:17:1976 ( FSCA:1), Santa Rosa Canyon, 28 km. W Linares, vi:1:1987, ( RHT:1). QUERETARO: Qro., vi:1986 ( USNM:6). QUINTANA ROO: 15 km. S Playa del Carmen, vi:2:1984 ( RHT:1), 15–18 km N Tulum, x:11–12:1982 ( JEWC:2), 45 mi. W. Chetumal, viii:9:1974 ( EGRC:2). SAN LUIS POTOSI: 13 mi. W. El Naranjo, vi:30:1965 ( TAMU:1), * El Salto, vi:5:1965 ( TAMU:1), * El Salto, at the falls, iv:22:1947 ( UMRM:1), * gravel rd. at km. 11.5 on Guadalcazar rd., vii:19:1982 ( RHT:1), * Las Abritas Area Hwy 80, vi:2:1982 ( JEWC:2), * microwave tower rd. nr. hwy. 70, km. mk. 82, vii:15:1982 (RHT:1, TAMU:2), * vic. Las Abritas, vi:2:1982 ( RHT:2). TAMAULIPAS: along rd to Rancho de Cielo, 1–3 mi W Gomez Farias, v:21:79 ( EGRC:4), Altus Cumbres. 12 mi. west Ciudad Victoria, vi:18:1986 ( TAMU:1), Canon Novillo, 6 mi. sw. Ciudad Victoria, vii:4:1986 ( TAMU:1). VERACRUZ: * 2 mi S Los Mangos, vi:17–25:1985 ( JEWC:1), * Cerro de Plumas (see Selander & Vaurie 1962), no date ( BMNH:1), * El. Palmar, 16 km. W. Tetzonapa, vi:9– 15:1948 ( UAIC:1), Orizaba, vi ( CASC:1), no date ( CASC:1). YUCUTAN: Temax, no date ( BMNH:1). Mexico, locality illegible or not given, no date ( BMNH:2).

Temporal Data. Collecting dates ranged from 14 April to 18 October.

Natural History. No data other than "oak pastureland", "vid follaje", and "at night".

Remarks. The taxonomy presented here is not considered a final solution. Observations of large series of specimens from various elevations throughout the known distribution will be necessary to determine the limits and the number of taxa involved in this complex of highly variable populations.

In 1877, Lefèvre described the centrally distributed form of this species with sparse, incomplete elytral stripes and a distinct pronotal stripe as F. albovittata and the northern form with dense, complete elytral stripes and a distinct pronotal stripe as F.sallei . Jacoby (1882) described the sparsely pubescent southern form which lacks a pronotal stripe as F. unistriata and introduced the unjustified emendation F. sallaei .

Specimens from the northern and southern extremes of the distribution differ distinctly in the amount, density, and pattern of the whitish pubescence on the pronotum and elytra, the density and coarseness of the pronotal and elytral punctation, and more subtly in the shape of the apical process of the penis. However, specimens from the central portion of the distribution exhibit a complete overlap in variability of all of these characters and preclude the separation of populations from this region into distinguishably unique taxa. Therefore, the names F.sallei and F. unistriata which are based on extremes of what appears to be continuous variation, are here synonymized with F. albovittata .

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Dorsal habitus of Fidia species. 1. F. albovittata. 2. F.cana. 3. F. chapini. 4. F. clematis.

FIGURES 90–92. Distal part of male aedeagus, lateral and dorsal views (scale bar = 0.5 mm). 90. F. albovittata, Hidalgo, Mexico. 91. F. albovittata, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. 92. F. convexicollis.