Parochodaeus Nikolajev 1995: 77

Paulsen, M. J., 2007, Nomenclatural changes in the Nearctic Ochodaeinae and description of two new genera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae), Insecta Mundi 2007 (21), pp. 1-13 : 10

Parochodaeus Nikolajev 1995: 77

( Fig. 2 )

Remarks. Species of Parochodaeus are immediately recognizable due to the dentate elytral apices and bituberculate posterior margin of the propygidium ( Fig. 2 ). The antenna consists of 10 antennomeres, and the stridulatory peg is present. In the Nearctic fauna, additional species transferred to Parochodaeus include P. californicus (Horn) and P. peninsularis (Horn) (new combinations). All specimens of Ochodaeidae examined from South America thus far are members of Parochodaeus , and the genus is in need of revision.

One species was recorded from Nebraska by Ratcliffe (1991), as O. kansanus . The species was later transferred to Parochodaeus by Nikolajev (1995). However, P. kansanus most closely approximates the description of O. duplex LeConte , which was described from Texas ( LeConte 1868) but has been overlooked since that time. The description of O. duplex agrees with males of P. kansanus , and no other known species from Texas, in the dual carinae of the clypeus and frons. Fall (1909) expressed concerns about the possible synonymy of O. kansanus with O. duplex . Although LeConte’s name has remained unused for nearly a century, it is unlikely that Fall’s name has been used in 25 publications in the last 50 years, thus O. duplex cannot be suppressed. Neither Horn (1895), nor Fall (1909) could locate the type of O. duplex in the MCZ. Fall (1909) indicated that the type might be present in Ulke’s collection in the CMNH, but I have examined that collection as well and it is not present. To alleviate confusion surrounding the identity of this species, the lectotype of O. kansanus in the MCZ from Hamilton, KS (here designated) is also designated as the neotype of O. duplex , resulting in an objective synonymy. With the lectotype designation above, the remaining syntypes of O. kansanus are paralectotypes. Male (MCZ) labeled: a) “Hamilton Co. / Ks. 3350 ft. / F.H. Snow.”; b) “TYPE / kansanus”; c) “M.C.Z. / Type / 24778” on red paper; d) male symbol; e) “H.C. FALL / COLLECTION”; f) “ Ochodaeus / kansanus / Fall” on redbordered paper; g) “ Ochodaeus kansanus / Fall, 1909 (male symbol) / LECTOTYPE / Det. M.J. Paulsen” on red paper; h) “ Ochodaeus duplex / LeConte, 1868 (male symbol) / NEOTYPE / Det. M.J. Paulsen” on red paper; i) Parochodaeus duplex / ( LeConte, 1868) / det. M.J. Paulsen 2007”. Lectotype of Ochodaeus kansanus Fall, 1909 here designated. Neotype of Ochodaeus duplex LeConte, 1868 here designated. One male, three female paralectotypes labeled a) as a of lectotype; b) male or female symbol, or label not present; c) as e of lectotype; d) “ Ochodaeus kansanus / Fall, 1909 (male or female symbol) / PARALECTOTYPE / Det. M.J. Paulsen” on yellow paper; e) as i of lectotype. Two male paralectotypes labeled: a) “Hamilton / Co. Ks.”; b) male symbol; c) as e of lectotype; d) as i of lectotype. One male, one female paralectotype labeled: a) “McPherson / Ks. 8/29”; b-e) as paralectotypes above. One female paralectotype labeled: a) “McPhers / Ks. 7/31”; b-e) as paralectotypes above. One male paralectotype labeled: a) McPherson / Ks. VIII-29 / (Knaus)”; b-e as paralectotypes above. Two male paralectotypes labeled: a) “Las Vegas / N. Mex. /?. A. Fenyes”; b-e) as paralectotypes above.

Parochodaeus pectoralis (LeConte) is known from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah ( Carlson 1975). In 2004, I collected it in Dundy County in extreme southwestern Nebraska. This species is easily separated from P. duplex by its larger size and enlarged, strongly curved first tarsomere of the metatarsus. Carlson (1975) treated the P. pectoralis complex, creating two new species. Revisionary work is needed on these and other taxa, especially P. biarmatus (LeConte) , before a useful key to Nearctic species of Parochodaeus can be created.

Figures

Figure 1-4. Propygidia of Nearctic Ochodaeinae genera. Scale bars = 0.5 mm. 1) Unmodified propygidium of Cucochodaeus sparsus, with elytral apices evenly rounded. 2) Two tubercles present on apex of propygidium in Parochodaeus duplex, dentate elytral apices also shown. 3) Elongate propygidium with subparallel sulcus in Xenochodaeus simplex. 4) Short propygidium with trapezoidal sulcus in Neochodaeus praesidii, arrow indicates stridulatory peg.