Parachorius asymmetricus Tarasov, 2017

Tarasov, Sergei, 2017, A cybertaxonomic revision of the new dung beetle tribe Parachoriini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) and its phylogenetic assessment using molecular and morphological data, Zootaxa 4329 (2), pp. 101-149 : 116

Parachorius asymmetricus Tarasov new species

( Figs. 6 , 25A )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F032F403-82AA-4A56-A085-3E8771794696

Type locality. Nilgiri Hills [ India].

Etymology. The name of this species derives from the word "asymmetrical" referring to the asymmetry of aedeagal parameres in this species. The name should be treated as an adjective in the nominative singular.

Distribution. The species is known from southern and central India.

Taxonomic notes. One female with uniformly black elytra from Malabar (included in material examined) is excluded from the type series since exact identification requires examination of male genitalia. However, the shape of protibia and locality of this female are consistent with that of P. asymmetricus .

Diagnosis. The species is most similar to P. humeralis from which it differs by asymmetrical male genitalia and widened protibia with first tooth nearly merging the second tooth in males. Parachorius asymmetricus is the only Parachorius species with drastically asymmetrical parameres and it can be easily separated from the rest of Parachorius species using this character.

Description. Body. Body dark, length 4.5–4.7 mm. Elytra usually with yellow humeral spots.

Head. Clypeus with two teeth, outer margin of each tooth distinctly notched basally.

Pronotum. Pronotum rounded laterally. Frontal angles rounded. Disc covered with punctures separated by 1–3 puncture diameter(s). Pronotum in anterior-posterior direction notably shorter than elytra.

Elytra. Elytra covered with sparse punctures.

Wings. Wings normally developed.

Legs. Profemur with almost straight or sinuate anterior margin. Protibia with apical spur reaching protarsomere 2; first tooth normal, notably modified in males, nearly merging with second tooth and approximately twice as wide as second tooth. First tooth distinctly separated from denticles located between first and second teeth. Metafemoral posterior margin not serrate, largely dilated in apical half and produced into a sharp angle; dilation steeply reduced near apex. Metatibia slightly sinuate, inner margin not denticulate, produced in small angle apically.

Metasternum. Transverse basal ridge of metasternum reduced and extremely short.

Aedeagus. Parameres distinctly asymmetrical.

Holotype. Male ( Fig. 6E ). Elytra with yellow humeral spots.

Material examined. Holotype: male, "Nilgiri Hills. H.L. Andrewes. / Nilgiri Hills / Andrewes Bequest. B.M. 1922-221 / Cassolus humeralis Determined by G.J. Arrow. / HOLOTYPE Parachorius asymmetricus S. Tarasov det. 2010", 11°25'1"N, 76°30'1"E (BMNH). Paratypes (1 male, 1 female): India: 1 male paratype, Mandar (Beng) 1/91 (P. Cardon) (ISNB); Chota Nagpore, Palkot, on vi– vii/1897, (R.P. Cordon) (NMPC); 1 female paratype, Malabar, Walayar forests, on ix/1956 (P.S. Nathan) (ISNB). Additional specimen: 1 female, Malabar, Walayar forests, on IX.1956, (P.S. Nathan) (ISNB).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Morphology of Parachorius asymmetricus. (A) aedeagus, left lateral view (holotype). (B) aedeagus, left lateral view (paratype). (C) aedeagus, right lateral view (holotype). (D) aedeagus, dorsal view (holotype). (E) habitus (male, holotype). (F) right metafemur (male, holotype). (G) protibia (putative female). (H) protibia (male, holotype).

FIGURE 25. Distribution maps of Parachorius species. (A) Parachorius asymmetricus. (B) Parachorius bolavensis. (C) Parachorius fukiensis. (D) Parachorius fungorum. (E) Parachorius globosus. (F) Parachorius gotoi. Type locality — type locality of species (holotype or lectotype); Type. Collection data — localities of type specimens associated with species (paratypes or paralectotypes); Collection data — localities of other specimens examined in this study.