Pujoliclerus hermani Opitz, 2014

Opitz, Weston, 2014, Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Checkered Beetle GenusPujoliclerusPic (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Peloniinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (4), pp. 727-756 : 727-756

Pujoliclerus hermani Opitz , new species ( Figs. 31 , 60 , 84 , 103 , 124 )

Holotype. ♂. VENEZUELA: Edo. Merida, Merida, trail to Monte Zerpa, IV-10-94, L. Herman, # 2781-2783, litter near stream ( AMNH).

Diagnosis. Pujoliclerus hermani is distinguishable from other members of the genus by the pale yellow coloration of the elytra.

Description. Size: Length 6.0 mm; width 12.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 103 . Integument: Head mostly yellow, with rectangular black marking on vertex; antenna mostly black, scape mostly yellow, last antennomere yellow; pronotal disc broadly black, sides broadly yellow; elytra light yellow; legs mostly yellow, tibiae infuscated; pterothorax and abdomen brown. Head: Eyes as wide as frons (14:14); funicular antennomeres slightly expanded ( Fig. 31 ). Thorax: Pronotum slightly transverse (40:38), lateral tubercle very prominent ( Fig. 60 ); epipleural fold gradually diminishings to elytral apex; asetiferous punctures prominent to elytral apex. Abdomen: Tegminal lobes and phallic apex as in Fig. 84 .

Natural History. T h e t y p e w a s c o l l e c t e d during April, from streamside litter.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Venezuela ( Fig. 124 ).

Etymology. I dedicate this species to Lee Herman for his unfailing companionship during several expeditions to Latin America (with one exception, he nearly let me drown in a downpour on Cerro Campana, Panama, while he frolicked around in our fancy rental vehicle, searching for those insignificant litter beetles).

Figures

Figs. 21–38. Pujoliclerus species, antennae. 21) P. helvinus; 22) P. maracayensis; 23) P. bilineatus; 24) P. calceatus; 25) P. corumba; 26) P. ovatus; 27) P. wappesi; 28) P. amplus; 29) P. flavoapicalus; 30) P. gilvus; 31) P. hermani; 32) P. alajuela; 33) P. orellana; 34) P. megacavus; 35) P. oxinus; 36) P. alboordinus; 37) P. apolegmus; 38) P. catarina.

Figs. 48–61. Pujoliclerus species, pronota. 48) P. helvinus; 49) P. maracayensis; 50) P. modestus; 51) P. bilineatus; 52) P. calceatus; 53) P. corumba; 54) P. flavolimbatus; 55) P. ovatus; 56) P. wappesi; 57) P. amplus; 58) P. flavoapicalus; 59) P. gilvus; 60) P. hermani; 61) P. orellana.

Figs. 76–91. Pujoliclerus species, aedeagi. 76) P. helvinus; 77) P. bilineatus; 78) P. calceatus; 79) P. corumba; 80) P. flavolimbatus; 81) P. ovatus (tegmen only); 82) P. wappesi; 83) P. gilvus; 84) P. hermani; 85) P. casselorum; 86) P. catarina (phallus only); 87) P. argus; 88) P. aspigalbus; 89) P. flora; 90) P. posticalis; 91) P. pallidus.

Figs. 98–103. Pujoliclerus species, habitus. 98) P. ovatus; 99) P. wappesi; 100) P. amplus; 101) P. flavoapicalus;

Fig. 124. Geographic distribution of seven Pujoliclerus species.