Kakita Chamorro-Lacayo & Konstantinov, 2009

Chamorro-Lacayo, Maria & Konstantinov, Alexander, 2009, Synopsis of warty leaf beetle genera of the world (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae, Chlamisini), ZooKeys 8 (8), pp. 63-88 : 78-80

Kakita Chamorro-Lacayo & Konstantinov , new name

( Fig. 6 A-E)

Ceratochlamys Bokermann, 1961:465 , nec Habe, 1946: 214 (Mollusca); Type species: Ceratochlamys monrosi Bokermann, 1961 , by monotypy; Seeno and Wilcox, 1982: 43 (catalog).

Diagnosis. Length 5.20 mm, width 2.70 mm. General body shape oblong. Head with large laminar projection on occipital region, projection longer than entire head. Antenna serrate beyond 5 th antennomere, 3 rd antennomere elongate, cylindrical, 4 th antennomere slightly dilated distally. Pronotum large with paired pyramidal projections directed towards cephalic projection. Prosternal process 2/3 length of entire prosternum, narrow. Mesoscutellum trapezoidal. Sutural serration of elytra incomplete. Elytral tubercules well developed. Tarsal claws appendiculate.

Distribution. The only species, Kakita monrosi (Bokermann) , is known from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Bokerman 1961).

Remarks. Only a single female specimen represents this genus. Whether the laminar projection on the head, which distinguishes this genus from all other chlamisines, is sexually dimorphic is unknown. In leaf beetles, sexually dimorphic characters on the head, such as projections and enlarged mandibles, are usually present only on the male (e.g., Labidostomis Germar ; Pseudochlamys Lacordaire ; Normaltica Konstantinov ) ( Konstantinov 2004; Konstantinov and Korotyaev 2004). On the other hand, all female cryptocephalines have a modified 5 th ventrite for the purpose of scatoshell coating. It is possible, that this laminar projection on the head is only present on the female

also for purposes dealing with coating of individual eggs. Females, during the coating process, strike a pose in which the entire weight of their bodies rests on their forelegs and possibly their head. This laminar projection may be helpful in balancing their body. One thing is certain, observation in the field and continued collecting efforts to discover the male are necessary to understand the function of this modification.

The name Ceratochlamys Bokermann, 1961 is preoccupied by an available name in Mollusca, Ceratochlamys Habe, 1946 . A replacement name, Kakita Chamorro-Lacayo & Konstantinov is provided and Ceratochlamys Bokermann is invalid as a junior homonym.

Etymology. Kakita , modified from its correct spelling “caquita”, is a Spanish word for “small feces or excrement”. The name alludes to the resemblance these beetles have to small pieces of excrement. The name is feminine.

Figures

Figure 6. Kakita monrosi (Bokermann). A, Ventral view. B, Lateral view. C, Antenna. D, Frontal view. E, Prosternum.