Theognete gracilis Anderson, 2010

Anderson, Robert S., 2010, A taxonomic monograph of the Middle American leaf-litter inhabiting weevil genus Theognete Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; Molytinae; Lymantini) 2458, Zootaxa 2458 (1), pp. 1-127 : 16-17

2. Theognete gracilis Anderson , new species ( Figures 2 , 34 , 40 , 46 )

Diagnosis. Size. Length, male, 3.65–3.77mm; female, 3.88–3.93mm. Width, male, 2.25–2.30mm; female, 2.47mm. As for T. araneiformis except pronotum slightly more robust and elytra slightly more rounded. Aedeagus as in Fig. 40 .

Geographical distribution. México (Hidalgo).

Natural history. Collected from berlese extractions of cloud forest leaf litter at elevations of 1375– 1525m.

Derivation of specific name. Named from the Latin gracilis , meaning slender, in reference to adults of this species having relatively long, slender legs.

Material examined. 3♂, 2♀♀ ( CMNC, CWOB). Holotype ♂ ( CMNC): MÉXICO: Hidalgo. 2.4mi NE. Tlanchinol , 4500’ 14.vi.83, S. & J. Peck, cloud for. litter / HOLOTYPE ♂ Theognete gracilis sp. nov. R.S. Anderson. Aedeagus extracted. Paratypes: MÉXICO. Hidalgo. Tlanchinol (2.7 mi. N. Hwy 105), 5000', 10.V.1983, C. W . & L. O'Brien & G.B. Marshall, from dead branch on ground (2♂ CWOB). Tlanchinol (2.7 mi. N. Hwy 105), 5000', 17.VI.1983, C. W . & L. O'Brien & G.B. Marshall, berlese sifted cloud forest litter (1♀ CWOB). 2.4mi NE. Tlanchinol , 4500’ 14.vi.83, S. & J. Peck, cloud for. litter (1♀ CMNC) .

Chorological relationships. Sympatric with T. hesmos , T. minuta , T. harbini and T. caviventris .

Figures

FIGURES 2–7. Thoracic sterna, ventral view, Theognete species. 2. T. gracilis. 3. T. striatifemur. 4. T. fulgida. 5. T. semistriata. 6. T. caviventris. 7. T. bothynometopon.

FIGURES 29–34. Habitus, dorsal view, Theognete araneiformis species group. 29. T. kovariki. 30. T. azteca. 31. T. striatifemur. 32. T. tuberosa. 33. T. araneiformis. 34. T. gracilis.

FIGURES 38–40. Aedeagus, dorsal and lateral view, Theognete araneiformis species group. 38. T. tuberosa. 39. T. araneiformis. 40. T. gracilis.

FIGURES 41–46. Abdominal ventrite 5, male, ventral view, Theognete araneiformis species group. 41. T. kovariki. 42. T. azteca. 43. T. striatifemur. 44. T. tuberosa. 45. T. araneiformis. 46. T. gracilis.