Aphelocerus myrmecoides, 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 : 95-98

MYRMECOIDES GROUP Aphelocerus myrmecoides , new species Figures 11 , 22–24 , 83 , 161, 164, 187–189; map 17

HOLOTYPE: Male. Costa Rica, Puntarenas, 4 km NE San Luis Guacimal , 3500 ft, Feb. 26, 1987, E. Giesbert ( LACM). (Specimen point mounted; support card, antenna and machine printed sex label affixed to support card; locality label, white, machine printed; lectotype label, red, machine and hand print­ ed; plastic vial with abdomen and aedeagus.)

PARATYPES: One hundred and twenty­four specimens. Five specimens from the same locality as the holotype ( FSCA, 3; WOPC, 2). Costa Rica: Guanacaste: Guanacaste Cons. Area , 5 km N Quebrada Grande, 750 m, 12­ II­1996, dry tropical forest, R. Anderson

( CMNC, 1); Puntarenas: San Luis , 21–25­ VII­1996, L. M. La Pierre ( JNRC, 1) ; Las Cruces ridge 27­VI­1996, F. T. Hovore ( WOPC, 1) ; Buen Amigo, San Luis Monteverde A. C. Arenal , 1000–1350 m, IV­1994, Grace Fuentes ( INBC, 1) ; Monteverde , 26­ II­1987, E. Giesbert ( FSCA, 1; WOPC, 1) ; Monteverde , 15­VII–24­VIII­1992, F. A. Cluesada ( INBC, 1) ; Sirena, Corcovado N. P. 0– 100 m., R. Blanco & G. Fonseca , IV­1989 ( INBC, 1) ; San Luis , 1040 m, R. B. A, 18– 22­VII­1990, F. Hovore ( WFBC, 1) ; 22–25­ VII­1992, F. Hovore, ( WFBC, 1) ; 6 km S San Vito, 5000 m ( CASC, 1): Limon: 17 km Guapiles , 16­VI­1986, on dead wood, F. T. Hovore ( WOPC, 1) ; vic. Bribri, 1­I­1986, E. Giesbert ( WOPC, 1): Guanacaste: Estac. Mengo, 1100 m, SW side Volcan Cacao , II­ 1989, GNP Biodiversity Survey ( INBC, 1; WOPC, 1) ; Est. Cacao, 1000–1400 m, Lado SO Vol. Cacao, P.N. Guan, Z. Fuentes , 21– 29­IV­1992 ( INBC, 1), 3 km SE R. Narango , 2­VI­1993, F. D. Parker ( EMUS, 1) ; Hereida: Finca La Selva, 3 km S. Pto. Viejo , 108269N, 848019W, 26­VII­1976, Malaise trap, D. Perry ( WFBC, 1) ; 18­VIII­1994, H. A. Hespenheide ( CHAH, 1) ; nr. Puerto Viego , 18–19­ VI­1975, D. R. Perry ( CHAH, 1; WOPC, 1) ; Est. Biol. La Selva, 50–150 m, 108269N 848019W, Proy ALAS. INBIO­DET, MI / 17/ 675, 29­VI­1997, Bosque primaria, INBIO CR 1002 731925 ( INBC, 1): Cartago: CA­ TIE, 25–29­V­1985, F. T. Hovore ( WFBC, 1; WOPC, 1) ; Catie , 600 m 16–20­V­1979, J. M. & B. A. Campbell ( WOPC, 1) ; Turrialba , CATIE, 26–29­VI­1986, W. Hanson, G. Bohart ( EMUS, 1) ; 23­VI­1996, F. Hovore ( JNRC, 1) ; 27­II­1987 ( WOPC, 1), 28–31­V­ 1987 ( FSCA, 2), 9–14­IV­1988, E. Giesbert ( WOPC, 1) ; 10 km N Pavones , 18­VI­1988, F. Hovore ( WFBC, 1) ; 11–18 km N Pavones , 14­I­1989, F. Hovore ( WOPC, 1) ; 26–27­ XII­1989 ( WFBC, 1; WOPC, 1) ; 1­XII­1995 ( JNRC, 4; WOPC, 1) ; Turrialba, 610 m, IICA, 11­VII­1971, Ginter Ekis ( WOPC, 2; AMNH, 1; BMNH, 1) ; 3­VI­1973 ( WOPC, 5; CASC, 1; SMTD, 1; USNM, 1) ; 6­VI­ 1986, Chemsak, Katsura, A. & M. Michelbacher ( WFBC, 1; WOPC, 1) ; 800 m, F. Nevermann ( USNM, 1) ; 2­VI­1951, D. L. Cartwright ( USNM, 1): Alajuela: Sect. San Ramon de Dos Rios , 620 m, 20­II–3­III­ 1995, C. Lano ( INBC, 2; WOPC, 1): Limon: Revantazon, Hamburg Farm, 1­V­1929, ‘‘an wellem Laub’ ’, F. Nevermann ( FMNH, 1; MCZC, 1) ; 15­I­36 ( ZMHB, 1); San Jose University de Costa Rica, Athletic Fields , 4­ XII­1995, beating dead branches, J. Rifkind ( JNRC, 1) ; F. Nevermann ( ZMAN, 1) ; 10­ VI­23, F. Nevermann ( USNM, 1) ; CATIE, 1­ XII21995 ( JNRC, 4; WOPC, 1) ; CATIE, 1­ XII­1995 ( JNRC, 4; WOPC, 1) ; ‘‘ Costa Rica’ ’, 1926, Paul Serre ( MNHN, 1). Panama: Cocle: 5 km N El Cope Cont. Divide , 850 m, 17­VI­1991, Windsor & Stockwell ( STRI, 1) ; El Velle , 800 m, 19­V­1991, R. Turnbow ( RHTC, 1) ; 29­IV­1992, E. Giesbert ( FSCA, 1; WOPC, 1): Colon: Fort Sherman , 98179N, 798599W, 16­IX­2001, on Brosimum utile, F. Ødegaard ( NINA, 1) ; same locality except 14­IX­2001, on Brosimum utile, F. Ødegaard ( WOPC, 1) ; same locality except 10­XII­2001, on Brosimum utile, F. Ødegaard ( NINA, 1; MIUP, 1) ; same locality except 24­I­2002, on Brosimum , from dead branches in canopy ( WOPC, 2) ; same locality except 17­IV­2002, in flowers of Forsteronia myriantha ( NINA, 1): Panama: Cerro Campana , 645 m, 2­I­2002, beating roadside branches & bushes, W. Opitz ( WOPC, 2) ; Cerro Campana , 850 m, 88409N 798569W, 31­ VII­1974, Stockwell ( WOPC, 2) ; 850 m, 10­ VII­1982, H. P. Stockwell ( STRI, 1) ; 1850 m, 88409N, 798569W; 1­VIII­ 1970, H. A. Hepenheide ( CHAH, 1) ; 23­II­1975, D. Englemann ( WOPC, 1) ; 820 m, 18­IV­1999, H. P. Stockwell, ( STRI, 1) ; 625 m, 25­VI­1995, H. P. Stockwell ( WOPC, 1) ; 20­I­ 1996, 609 m, F. T. Hovore ( JNRC, 4) ; 823 m, 24–27­IV­ 1995, E. Giesbert ( FSCA, 1) ; 31­VI­1987, on dead wood, F. T. Hovore ( WFBC, 1) ; Altos de Cerro Campana , 17–18­V­1994, F. T. Hovore ( WFBC, 1) ; 17­V­1999, Morris & Wappes ( RFMC, 1) ; Cerro Azul / Jefe , 14–25­I­ 1993, F. Hovore ( WFBC, 1) ; CerroAzul, Altus De Pacoras , 4–10­I­1994, J. E. Wappes ( WOPC, 1) ; 8–14 km N El Llano, 11–13­V­ 1994, F. T. Hovore ( WOPC, 1): Cocle: El Valle, 7­I­1994, J. E. Wappes ( JEWC, 1) ; Cerro Jefe , 6­I­1994 Korefs, J. E. Wappes ( JEWC, 1): Bocas del Toro: 11.7 km S Punta Pena, 21­II­1999, R. Turnbow ( JPHC, 2) ; 40 km W Chiriqui Grande , 10­V­1999, Morris & Wappes ( RFMC, 1). Ecuador: Pinchincha: Tinalandia, 16 km SE Sto. Domingo, 4–14­ VI­ 1976, 500 m, S. & J. Peck ( CMNC, 2;

CNCI, 1; WOPC, 1); 15 km E Sto. Domingo, Tinalandia , 23–26­II­ 1981, 700 m, H. F. Howden ( CMNC, 1) ; Hotel Tinalandia , 12 km E of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 15­IV­1985, Causen & Cervenka ( UMSP, 1) ; 17 km E Sto. Domingo , 23–28­XII­1989 ( FSCA, 2) ; vic. Tinalandia , 925 m, 12­VI­ 1997, E. Geisbert, F. Hovore ( FSCA, 1) .

DIAGNOSIS: The following combination of characteristics will distinguish the members of this species: Frontal, pronotal, epipleural, and metepisternal tufts (figs. 22–24) well developed; sutural tuft rudimentary.

DESCRIPTION: Size: Length 4.8–7.0 mm; width 2.0– 2.8 mm. Integument: Black, antennal apex and tarsi piceous. Vestiture: Frontal tuft (fig. 24), pronotal tuft (fig. 23), epipleural (fig. 23), and metepisternal tuft (fig. 23) well developed; mesoscutellum vested with dense mat of white setae, sutural margin with few white setae; remainder of dorsum sparsely vested with erect dark setae; profemora and remainder of legs vested predominantly with white setae, anterior facies of protibia and apex of profemur vested with long black setae, tarsi vested with white setae, pterothorax and abdomen vested with white setae. Head: Genae and epicranium expanded, gena behind eyes wrinkled; interocular depressions and frontal umbo indistinct, region subrugose; frons, epicranium, and gena very finely and sparsely punctate; eyes subspherical, moderately convex; width across eyes nearly equal to width across pronotum (32:33); antenna (fig. 83) elongate, as long as pronotal length (42:42). Thorax: Pronotum elongate (33:42), disc coarsely punctate on anterior third, finely punctate in remainder, anterior transverse depression only faintly indicated at pronotal lateral margins, lateral margins feebly arcuate, elytra across humeri (33: 42); elytra short and boldly convex (fig. 11), very finely punctated, with 10 rows of punctations, depth at humerus 14, greatest depth in posterior half 26; legs particularily prominent and enlongated, metafemur extended beyond elytral apex. Abdomen: Posterior margin of pygidium evenly arcuate in both sexes. Male genitalia: As in figure 161. Male internal reproductive organs (figs. 187, 188): Two pairs of accessory glands, lateral pair short and coiled; medial gland broad, biramous (fig. 188). Female internal reproductive organs (fig. 189); spermathecal capsule cylindric, truncate basally; spermathecal gland attached to base of spermathecal capsule.

NATURAL HISTORY: Specimens were collected in January–March, May–July, November, and December at altitudes ranging from 152 to 1800 m. Most of the beetles were taken in June and July. I collected 13 specimens by sweeping herbaceous hedge growth on a ravine summit adjacent to Rio Renvantazon, in Turrialba, Costa Rica. In association with these specimens, I collected 14 weevils of a Myrmex species that share a striking structural similarity with the clerids. The similarity is so profound that they are almost indistinguishable in dorsal view (compare figs. 163, 164). When observed alive, the two groups of beetles are readily set apart by differences in locomotion. The weevil’s gait being sluggish when compared to the scurrying movement of the clerids. Nevermann captured one specimen in flight in January near Limon, Costa Rica, and D. Englemann found one specimen by beating epipytic vines of an Arum species. J . Rifkind and H. Lezama collected two specimens by beating fallen trees ( Brosium alicastrum ). One of these beetles was collected by Malaise trap and one on dead wood. D. R. Perry collected two specimens in a Malaise trap, ‘‘off ground in tree #1 Coumarouna oleifera ’’. Frode Ødegaard collected two specimens by beating canopy vegetation of Brosimum utile . He captured an additional specimen on canopy flowers of Forsteronia myriantha .

VARIATION: The integument is towards piceous in some specimens. A specimen from Pincincha and one from Emeraldas, in Equador, are unusual in that all setae on the elytral disc are white.

DISTRIBUTION (map 17): The known range extends from the highlands of Costa Rica southward to mountain regions of Panama and Ecuador.

ETYMOLOGY: The trivial name myrmecoides is a Latin compound adjective formed from Myrmex (a weevil genus name) and the suffix ­ oides (likeness). I refer to the similarity in body form between Myrmex weevils and members of this species.

Figures

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. 22–24. Habitus views of Aphelocerus myrmecoides. 22. Dorsal view. 23. Lateral view. 24. Anterior view.

Figs. 62–84. Antennae. 62. Aphelocerus sagittarius. 63. A. irroratus. 64. A. naevius. 65. A. triangulus. 66. A. extensivus. 67. A. humerus. 68. A. argus. 69. A. protenus. 70. A. arenatus. 71. A. patulus. 72. A. monteverde. 73. A. chondrus. 74. A. catie. 75. A. chiriqui. 76. A. immarginatus. 77. A. anticus. 78. A. yungas. 79. A. batesi. 80. A. bufustis. 81. A. acanthus. 82. A. sturnus. 83. A. myrmecoides. 84. A. scutellaris.