Aphelocerus lividus, OPITZ, 2005

OPITZ, WESTON, 2005, Classification, Natural History, And Evolution Of The Genus Aphelocerus Kirsch (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2005 (293), pp. 1-128 : 69-72

BATESI GROUP Aphelocerus lividus , new species Figures 59 , 107–109 , 131 , 170 ; map 8

HOLOTYPE: Male. Mexico: Chiapas: Junct. Rts. 190 & 195, 11­VI­1969, J. M. Campbell ( CNCI). (Specimen pin mounted; support card; locality label, white, machine printed, machine printed sex label attached to locality label; holotype label, red, machine and hand printed; plastic vial with aedeagus.)

PARATYPES: Seventy­six paratypes. Three specimens from the same locality as the holotype ( CNCI, 1; WOPC, 2). Mexico: Chiapas, 1964–1965, D. E. Breedlove ( CASC, 1) ; 27 km Simojovel , 17­VII­1962, J. M. Campbell ( CNCI, 1) ; Campbell & Bright ( CNCI, 1) ; 3.2 km NE Bochil , 3­VII­1969, D. Bright & J. M. Campbell ( CNCI, 1) ; 6.4 km N Bochil , 4­V­1969, H. F. Howden ( CMNC, 1) ; 4.8 km NW Rincon, Chamula, 2103 m, Hwy. 195, 24­IV­1983, C. & L. O’ Brien & G. B. Marshall ( JNRC, 12; WOPC, 1) ; 14 km SE Tapulila, Hwy. 195, 24­IV­1983, 1554 m, C. L. O’Brien & G. B. Marshall ( FSCA, 3; JNRC, 5; WOPC, 4) ; Hwy. 195, Mirador, El Cam. , 27­VI­1960, J. Huether ( JNRC, 1) ; Mirador, El Caminero, Hwy. 195, 11 km S Ranyon, 1900 m, 27­VII21990, M.C. Thomas ( FSCA, 3; USNM, 1; WOPC, 3) ; Mirador, El Caminero , on Hwy. 195, 27 VI­1990, R. Turnbow ( RHTC, 2; WOPC, 2) ; Hwy. 195, 1900 m, 27­VI­1992, J. Huether ( JPHC, 6; WOPC, 3) ; Hwy. 195, Mirador, El Cam., 1900 m, 27­VI­1960, J. Huether ( JNRC, 1) ; 5.7 km S Rayon , 1900 m, 27­VI­1990, R. Turnbow ( RHTC, 2; WOPC, 1) ; M. C. Thomas ( FSCA, 1); ( ZMAN, 1) . Guatemala: Sacatepequez: 10 km W San Miquel Duenas, Jnct. Rts. 6 & 10, 2439 m, 29­V­1966, J. M. Cambell ( WOPC, 1) ; Capetillo, G. C. Champion ( BMNH, 1; DEIC, 1; MNHP 1; WOPC, 1): Zacapa: Jabali S slope of Sierra de las Minas , N of Cabanas, 28­VIII­1948, 1676 m, R. D. Mitchel ( FMNH, 1) ; rd. to San Lorenzo , 1288 m, 20–21­IV­1966, E. Giesbert, J. Monzon ( WOPC, 1) ; vicinity San Lorenzo , 1463 m, 4­IV­1991, E. Giesbert ( WOPC, 1) ; vic. San Lorenzo , 1463 m, 4­IV­1991, E. Giesbert ( WOPC, 1) ; rd. to San Lorenzo , 1340 m, 22­IV­1995 ( FSDA, 1): Baja Verapaz: 19–24 km N Salama, 25–31­IV­1989, 1371 m, J.E. Wappes ( JEWC, 2) ; 24 km N Salama , 21­IV­1995, Giesbert & Monzon ( WOPC, 1) ; Purulha , 5 km S San Geronimo, 1585 m, 6–14­IV­1991, E. Giesbert ( FSCA, 2; WOPC, 1). Alta Verapaz: Coban, 1219 m, 8­VII­1947, C. & P. Vaurie ( AMNH, 2). Guatemala: without additional information, L. Conradt ( MNHN, 1). Honduras: Olancho: P.N. La Marulla, 24­V­1995, R. Turnbow ( RHTC, 1): La Marulla, Pq. Nac. 24–27­V­ 1995, J. E. Wappes ( WOPC, 1) ; 25­V­1996. F. G. Andrews and A.J. Gilbert, blacklight ( CDAE, 3; WOPC, 1): Santa Barbara: nr. Lago Yojoa, above El Mochito, El Cidral , 9­ IX­1984, C. W. O’Brien ( JNRC, 1) .

DIAGNOSIS: Cranium, pronotum, legs, and abdomen cyanescent; elytral umbo prominent; aedeagus short; male and female pygidium transverse (figs. 107–108). Elytral discal setal tuft as in figure 170.

DESCRIPTION: Size: Length 4.1–5.8 mm; width 1.5–2.2 mm. Integument: Cranium, pronotum, legs, and abdomen cyanescent; elytra piceous. Vestiture: Integument vested predominantly with dark setae, few pale setae; metaepisternal, sutural, and elytral discal tufts well developed, latter bipartite, posterior patch abbreviated, setae of anterior patch directed anteriorly, setae of posterior patch directed posteriorly. Head: Width across eyes feebly narrower than width across pronotum (25:27), finely, sparsely punctate; interocular depressions very feebly developed; eyes subspherical, moderately convex, antenna as in figure 59. Thorax: Pronotum subequal in width and length (24:25); substantially narrower than width across humeri (24:32), finely punctate; side margins feebly arcuate, anterior transverse depression indistinct, elytra moderately convex in posterior half, depth at humerus 19, greatest depth in posterior half 25. Abdomen: Pygidia as in figure 107 and 108, female sixth visible abdominal sternum as in figure 109. Male genitalia: As in figure 131; aedeagus short.

VARIATION: The posterior patch of the elytral middiscal setal tuft becomes progressively larger, more widened towards the epipleural margin, in specimens from southern Mexico, through Guatemala, and into Honduras.

NATURAL HISTORY: Specimens were collected during May, June, and July at altitudes ranging from 1219 to 2439 m. A Honduran specimen was captured in September.

DISTRIBUTION (map 8): Specimens have been found from the highlands of southern Mexico, central Guatemala, and eastern Honduras.

ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin lividus (bluish). I refer to the cyanescent luster on the cranium, pronotum, legs, and abdomen.

Aphelocerus nitidus (Chevrolat) Figures 2–8 , 15 , 33 , 58 , 157 , 234, 237 , 261 , 271 ; map 6

Clerus nitidus Chevrolat, 1843: 25 . LECTOTYPE. Female. Here selected. Mexico, Veracruz, Tuspan (5 Tuxpan) (D. Salle) (MNHN). (Specimen point mounted, antenna, pygidium, sixth abdominal sternum, and sex label affixed to paper point, white, machine printed; support card, white; identification­locality label, green, mounted on white support card, cursive and hand printed; MNHN repository label, white with green marking, machine printed; MNHN repository label, white, machine printed; lectotype label, red, machine printed; identification label, white, machine printed). Gorham, 1882: 162. Wolcott, 1927: 73. Corporaal, 1950: 147. Ekis, 1975: 27, 61. Barr, 1976: 18.

Clerus laevigatus Spinola, 1844: 238 . LECTOTYPE. Mexico (MRSN). (Specimen point mounted; support card with green type label and sex label; small square of yellow ribbon; MRSN repository label, white, hand printed; lectotype label, red, machine and hand printed; plastic vial with aedeagus.) Corporaal, 1950:147.

Clerus nebulosus Spinola, 1844: 238 . There is some uncertainty as to the identity of this nominal species. The availability of the name stems from its listing in synonymy by Spinola (1844: 238), and representation by a habitus illustration. Unfortunately, the type specimen appears to be lost; thus I accept this synonymy as established by Spinola. Gorham, 1882: 163 ( Clerus ). Corporaal, 1950: 147 ( Adelphoclerus ). Ekis, 1975: 60 ( Adelphoclerus ).

Clerus mollifascia Chevrolat, 1874: 297 . LECTO­ TYPE. Female. Here selected. Mexico, Yucatan (MHNH). (Specimen point mounted, pygidium and machine printed sex label affixed to paper point; support card; identification­locality label, green, mounted on white card, cursive and hand printed; Paris Museum repository label, white machine printed, and with green marking; lectotype label, red, machine and hand printed; specimen identification label, white, hand print­ ed.). New Synonymy. Wickham and Wolcott, 1912: 55; Wolcott, 1927: 73; Corporaal, 1950: 147; Barr, 1976: 18. The name bearer of this nominal species is not significantly different from the holotype of Aphelocerus nitidudus (Chevrolat) .

DIAGNOSIS: A. nitidus (Chevrolat) specimens are characterized by having the midelytral setal tuft variable, but usually separated into two small but distinct setal patches (fig. 33). Setae project anteriorly in anterior patch and posteriorly in posterior patch.

DESCRIPTION: Size: Length 4.9–5.6 mm; width 2.1–2.6 mm. Integument: Black. Vestiture: Cranium, pronotal sides, pterothorax, legs, and abdomen densely vested with pale setae; pronotal disc with dark setae; mesocutellum matted with white setae; elytral disc with bipartite setal tuft, remainder of discal setae dark; anterior third of elytral sutural margin vested with white setal tuft; metepisternal tuft prominent. Head: Width across eyes slightly narrower than width across pronotum (28:30), finely punctate; interocular depression broad and shallow; eyes subspherical, moderately convex; antenna as in figure 58. Thorax: Pronotum subequal in width and length (30:31), narrower than width across humeri (30:42), disc finely sparsely punctate, side margins moderately arcuate and feebly incised by subapical depression; elytra moderately convex in posterior half, depth at humerus 18, greatest depth at posterior half 20, surface finely punctate and shiny; elytral middiscal setal tuft with patches joined or not (see figs. 234, 237, 271). Abdomen: Male pygidium evenly arcuate in posterior margin; female pygidium with posterior margin broadly arcuate; sixth visible sterum of male and female transverse, males’ incised at distal margin. Male genitalia: As in figures 157 and 261. Male internal reproductive organs: Two pairs of accessory glands; lateral gland uniramous, coiled, and diverticulated basally; medial gland bi­ ramous, linear, dorsal branch of medial gland very short; testis comprised of 12 follicles.

VARIATION: This is a highly variable species in such salient characteristics as integumental color (black to stramineous), development of midelytral setal tuft (sometimes faintly indicated or extended posteriorly into acute extensions; see figs. 33, 234, 237, 271), length of setal tuft on the sutural margin, degree of pygideal truncation, and in the ventral surface of the parameres (sometimes flanged or explanate in distal half [fig. 261] or with their outer margins slightly inflexed giving a subsaggitate appearance [fig. 157]; the latter condition appears commonly among specimens from the more northern latitudes).

NATURAL HISTORY: Specimens were collected throughout the year, most often during the summer. Beating oak foliage at altitudes 402–1859 m produced several specimens.

DISTRIBUTION (map 6): This species seems to be concentrated in the north highlands of the Sierra Madre Oriental and within the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. Substantial collections are recorded from the highlands of Cordoba and Orizaba.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Ninety­eight specimens were examined from: Mexico: Veracruz: Tuxpan ; Jalapa, Botanical Gardens , 1320 m, 9­VI­1983, C. & L. O’Brien & G. B. Marshall ; 11.2 km SE Orizaba , 19–20­VI­ 1983, B. K. Dozier ; Presidio , 25­VII­1965, A. B. Lau ; Acultzingo , 9­VI­1959, 1524 m, H. E. Evans ; Cordoba , 29­VI­1966, J. S. Buckett, M. R. & R. C. Gardner ; 3.7 km SE Rinconada , 21­VI­1962, D. H. Jansen ; 0.6 km W Fortin de las Flores, 2­VII­1962, D. H. Janzen ; 8 km E Las Vigas , 29­VI­1962, J. M. Campbell ; Fortin de las Flores, Sumidero ; Planta de la Cerveceria, Ing. Daniel Rubago Res , 762–914 m, 12­VII­1968 ; H. V. Weems, III; 4.3 km SE Orizaba , 19–20­VI­ 1983, B. K. Dozier ; San Rafael Jicaltepec, 3­ IV­1986: Puebla: 4.3 N Zacapoxtla , 1524 m, 12­VI­1983, C. W. & L. O’Brien & G. B. Marshall: Hidalgo: 18 km NE Jalapa, 1676 m, 27­V­1974, O’Brien ; 14 km NE Jacala , 1890 m, 27­V­1974, C. W. O’Brien ; 1.8 km SW Jacala , 1859 m, 27­V­1974, O’Brien ; 15.6 km NE Jacala , 1859 m, 27­V­1974, O’Brien ; Acatempa , 15 km N Tlanchinol, 21­VI­1988, R. Turnbow ; 46 km SW Tamazunchale , 1493 m, 4­VI­1987, R. Turnbow ; La Quebradora, 10.8 km N Tlanchinol, 20­ VII­1988, R. Turnbow: Tamaulipas: Rd. to Rancho del Cielo nr. Gomez Farias, 14­VI­ 1982, R. Turnbow ; rd. from Alta Cimas to Est. Biol. Canindo, 900–1400 m, 28­VII­ 1993, E. G. Riley & M. A. Quinn: Queretaro: 24.9 km SW Xilitla, 1420 m 3­VI­1987, R. Turnbow: San Luis Potosi: 11 km SW Xilitla, 26­V­1974, C. W. O’Brien ; 24.9 km SW Xilitla , 26­V­1974, C. W. O’Brien ; San Luis Potosi, 1829–1981 m, 27­V­1965, H. V. Weems, Jr .; Microondas Tortugas at km 82 on rte. 70, 19­VII­1988, R. Turnbow ; Puerto Verde , 64 km W Ciudad Valles, 15­VII­1982, R. Turnbow. Honduras: Franciso Morazán :

Parque Nacional La Tigra , 1­VI­1993, R. Turnbow ; 15 km N. Jesus de Ortoro , 15­VIII­ 1977, C. W. O’Brien ; Tegucigalpa vic. El Sitio, 945 m, 24­IV­1993, J. Rifkind, P. Gunn, sweeping, beating tropical deciduous forest. Specimens are deposited in: AMNH, BMNH, CASC, CNCI, EMEC, FMNH, FSCA, RFMC, SEMC, TAMU, WFBC, and WOPC .

Figures

Figs. 47–61. Habitus view and antennas. 47. Aphelocerus formicoides (habitus, lateral view). 48– 61. Antennas. 48. A. ciliaris. 49. A. inconstans. 50. A. domus. 51. A. echinatus. 52. A. bispineus. 53. A. citimus. 54. A. leucomelas. 55. A. coalitus. 56. A. inbatus. 57. A. coactus. 58. A. nitidus. 59. A. lividus. 60. A. cornuatus. 61. A. acutus.

Figs. 85–120. Antennae, pygidia, and sixth visible abdominal sterna. 85–90. Antennae. 85. Aphelocerus affaniatis. 86. A. dispilis. 87. A. formicoides. 88. A. cheliferous. 89. A. panus. 90. A. calvus. 91– 120. Pygidium and/or sixth visible abdominal sternum. 91–94. A. ciliaris. 91–92. male (91, pygidium; 92, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 93–94. female (93, pygidium; 94, sixth visible dominal sternum). 95. A. coactus, female pygdium. 96. A. domus, female pygidium. 97–100. A. coalitus, male (97, pygidium; 98, sixth visible abdominal sternum), 99–100. Female (99, pygidium; 100, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 101. A. leucomelas, male pygidium. 102–104. A. coactus. 102–103. male (102, pygidium; 103, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 104, female, pygidium. 105–106. A. acutus, pygidea (105, male; 106, female). 107–109. A. lividus. 107, male (pygidium). 108–109, female (108, pygidium; 109, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 110–113. A. sagittarius. 110–111, male (110, pygidium; 111, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 113, female, pygidium. 114–115. A. humerus, female (114, pygidium; 115, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 116–117. A. naevius, female (116, pygidium; 117, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 118–119. A. triangulus, female (118, pygidium; 119, sixth visible abdominal sternum). 120. A. arenatus, male, pygidium.

Figs. 121–138. Tegmina or phalli. 121. Aphelocerus inconstans, tegmen. 122. A. inconstans, tegmen. 123. A. citimus, tegmen. 124. A. argus, tegmen. 125. A. echinatus, tegmen. 126–127. A. leucomelas (126, tegmen; 127, phallus). 128–129. A. coalitus (128, tegmen; 129, phallus). 130. A. acutus, tegmen. 131. A. lividus, tegmen. 132. A. irroratus, tegmen. 133. A. acutus, tegmen. 134. A. arenatus, tegmen. 135–136. A. sagittarius tegmina (135, ventral view; 136, lateral view). 137. A. sculptillus, tegmen. 138. A. protenus, tegmen.

Figs. 162–183. Aedeagus, habitus, elytral discal setal tufts. 162. Aphelocerus dispilis, aedeagus. 163. Weevil, Myrmex sp. 164. Aphelocerus myrmecoides, 165–183. Elytral discal setal tufts. 165. A. sagittarius. 166. A. triangulus. 167. A. cornuatus. 168. A. humerus. 169. A. acutus. 170. A. lividus. 171. A. protenus. 172. A. argus. 173. A. arenatus. 174. A. catie. 175. A. chiriqui. 176. A. yungas. 177. A. monteverde. 178. A. anticus. 179. A. batesi. 180. A. bufustis. 181. A. acanthus. 182. A. yungas. 183. A. sturnus.

Figs. 2–12. Various organs. 2–8. Aphelocerus nitidus. 2. Cranium (ventral view). 3. Mandible. 4. Labrum. 5. Labium. 6. Maxilla. 7–8. Pronotum (7, lateral view; 8, ventral view). 9. A. coalitus, elytral outline (lateral view). 10. A. coactus, elytral outline (lateral view). 11. A. myrmecoides, elytra (lateral view). 12. A. coactus, alimentary canal.

Figs. 13–21. Various organs. 13–14. Aphelocerus coactus. 13. Tegmen. 14. Spicular fork. 15. A. nitidus metathoracic wing. 16–19. A. coactus. 16–17. Ovipositor (16. dorsal view; 17. ventral view). 18. Male internal reproductive organs. 19. Accessory glands. 20. A. inconstans; female internal reproductive organs. 21. A. coactus brain and ventral nerve cord.

Figs. 33–36. Habitus views. 33. Aphelocerus nitidus, dorsal. 34. A. irroratus, dorsal. 35–36. A. naevius (35, dorsal; 36, lateral)

Figs. 154–157. Aedeagi. 154. Aphelocerus ciliaris. 155. A. coalitus 156. A. coactus. 157. A. nitidus.

Figs. 230–240. Elytral middiscal setal tufts. 230. Aphelocerus yungas. 231. A. improcerus. 232. A. domus. 233. A. turnbowi. 234. A. nitidus. 235. A. acuticolis. 236. A. scalenus. 237. A. nitidus. 238. A. cohibilis. 239. A. sabulosus. 240. A. sculptillus.

Figs. 261–268. Aedeagi, male internal reproductive organs and elytra. 261. Aphelocerus nitidus, aedeagus. 262–263. A. cirritus (262, aedeagus; 263, internal reproductive organs). 264. A. dispilis, aedeagus. 265. A. torosus, aedeagus. 266. A. capillus, internal reproductive organs. 267. A. torosus, elytron. 268. A. acutus, elytron.

Figs. 269–277. Pronota, elytral setal patches, tegmen. 269. Aphelocerus inconstans, pronotum. 270. A. cirritus, pronotum. 271. A. nitidus, elytral setal patches. 272. A. batesi, pronotum. 273. A. bufustis, pronotum. 274. A. cirritus elytral setal patch. 275. A. torosus, pronotum. 276–277. A. olanchoensis (276, pronotum; 277, tegmen).