Anomalini, Peringuey, 1902

Madrigal, Kevin, Zaragoza-Caballero, Santiago & Ramírez-Ponce, Andrés, 2023, Comparative morphology of the genera with perpendicular parameres in Anomalini (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) allows revalidation of the endemic Mexican genus Lamoana Casey, 1915 stat. rev., European Journal of Taxonomy 910, pp. 175-199 : 182-183

Anomalini genera with perpendicular parameres

Paucar-Cabrera (2003) described Balanogonia with two species. One of the diagnostic characters that defined it was the perpendicular position of parameres regarding the tectum. In the same publication, she noticed that there are other species that share this character like E. pilosipennis Ohaus, 1897 , S. guatemalicus Katbeh-Bader, 2000 and S. villosella Blanchard, 1851 (analyzed herein). This condition does not appear to be a diagnostic character that defines just a genus but an entire group of genera endemic to America, i.e., Moroniella , Callirhinus , Mazahuapertha . A comparison of the genitalia of Balanogonia with the genera mentioned before, raises doubt about the placement of B. freudei (Frey, 1968) (see Paucar-Cabrera 2003). This species has the parameres slightly inclined and neither totally perpendicular nor dorsoventrally depressed, the median lobe is not developed, and the distribution is very different between the two species ( Fig. 9 ). It must be said that besides the similar male genitalia morphology, this small group of genera also share specialized anthophilous feeding and diurnal habits. However, despite the similar genital morphological plan, differences between these genera are evident in both genital ( Figs 3–4 ) and somatic morphology ( Figs 5–6 ; Table 1 ).

For example, Moroniella is distinguished by having the apex of the parameres directed externally with the median lobe having a needle-shaped apex ( Fig. 4c ), and a longitudinal keel on each side of the base of the median lobe ( Fig. 4d ); Balanogonia presents simple parameres, completely overlapping ( Fig. 4e ), with the median lobe broadly rounded at the apex ( Fig. 4f ); Callirhinus presents the apex of the parameres directed internally with the median lobe acute triangular ( Fig. 4g ), and with a uniform and slightly concave surface ( Fig. 4h ); Mazahuapertha presents the apex of the parameres rounded and curved towards outside with the median lobe subtriangular rounded ( Fig. 4i ), and with the base of the median lobe with uniform and slightly concave surface ( Fig. 4j ). Strigoderma villosella differs with respect to the others by being the only one with the parameres with a pre-apical notch on the external border ( Fig. 4a ), abundant setae on both faces ( Figs 3a , 4a–b ), as well as a conspicuous lobe on each side of the median lobe ( Figs 3a , 4b ).

Figures

Fig. 9. Distribution map of the genera with perpendicular parameres (the only genus not endemic to Mexico is Moroniella Ramírez-Ponce, 2015, which extends into Central America).

Fig. 3. Tegmen with the parameres in perpendicular position. a. Strigoderma villosella (Blanchard, 1851). b. Moroniella Ramírez-Ponce, 2015. c. Balanogonia Paucar-Cabrera, 2003. d. Callirhinus Blanchard, 1851. e. Mazahuapertha Morón & Nogueira, 1998. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 4. Parameres (caudal view) and median lobe (ventral view). a–b. Strigoderma villosella (Blanchard, 1851). c–d. Moroniella Ramírez-Ponce, 2015. e–f. Balanogonia Paucar-Cabrera, 2003. g–h. Callirhinus Blanchard, 1851. i–j. Mazahuapertha Morón & Nogueira, 1998. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 5. Lateral view of the genera with perpendicular parameres. a. Strigoderma villosella (Blanchard, 1851). b. Moroniella Ramírez-Ponce, 2015. c. Balanogonia Paucar-Cabrera, 2003. d. Callirhinus Blanchard, 1851. e. Mazahuapertha Morón & Nogueira, 1998. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 6. Dorsal habitus of the genera with perpendicular parameres. a. Strigoderma villosella (Blanchard, 1851). b. Moroniella Ramírez-Ponce, 2015. c. Balanogonia Paucar-Cabrera, 2003. d. Callirhinus Blanchard, 1851. e. Mazahuapertha Morón & Nogueira, 1998. Scale bars = 1 mm.