Psephenops robacki ( Spangler, 1966 ) Barr & Shepard, 2024

Barr, Cheryl B. & Shepard, William D., 2024, A taxonomic review of the genus Psephenops Grouvelle of the Lesser Antilles with description of new species Psephenops trini, and reassignment of Peruvian species Psephenus robacki Spangler (Coleoptera: Psephenidae: Psepheninae), Insecta Mundi 2024 (45), pp. 1-22 : 17

Psephenops robacki ( Spangler, 1966) , new combination

Psephenus robacki Spangler, 1966

( Fig. 17 )

Type locality. PERU, Huánuco Region, Río Rondos near Tingo María.

Type material examined (photographic). Holotype female. Peru, nr. Tingo / Maria IX-29-55 / Rio Rondos / S. S. Roback // Psephenus / N. SP. / det. PJSpangler // HOLOTYPE / Psephenus / robacki / P.J.Spangler [red label] [ Fig. 17e ].

Other material examined (n = 7). PERU: Madre de Dios / Manu / July 2005 547 m / Rio Salvacion / 12°50′S 71°21′W / F. Montes & J. Chavez // Psephenops / robacki / W.D.Shepard (1♀, EMEC) ; PERU: Cusco Region / 3.7 km N Mamabamba / 13 IX 2013 1844 m / unnamed stream / S 13°25.40′ W 70°54.13′ / WDS-A-1925 [on reverse] // William D. / Shepard, leg. (3♀, EMEC) ; PERU: Cusco Region / 10.3 km NE San Miguel / 13 IX 2013 921 m / unnamed stream / S 13°20.57′ W 70°51.54′ / WDS-A-1926 [on reverse] // William D. / Shepard, leg. (1♂, 1♀, EMEC) ; PERU: Región Cusco / Que. [Quebrada] Cadena at Hwy. / 30C SW Vitobamba / −13.3423, −70.8584 / 3-VIII-2022, C.B.Barr (1♂, EMEC) .

Distribution. Peru, South America.

Remarks. Psephenus robacki was described by Spangler (1966) from three female specimens from the Río Rondos near Tingo María, Peru (Huánuco Region). The holotype ( Fig. 17 ) and one paratype are at the ANSP; one paratype is at the USNM. Spangler (1966) also described and illustrated a larva, Psephenus sp. larva 1, which was collected in association with adults of the species and assumed to be the larva of P.robacki . At the time, Psephenops was not yet known from South America, and because the type series is female, tarsal modifications particular to Psephenops males are absent. The species rightfully belongs to Psephenops rather than Psephenus based on the morphology of the holotype ( Fig. 17 ) and Spangler’s illustrations and description. Differences between females of the two genera include the shape and sculpturing of the pronotum, which in Psephenops is more angular laterally and is basally depressed adjacent to a glabrous, shiny median longitudinal carina. We therefore transfer Psephenus robacki Spangler to Psephenops robacki (Spangler) new combination.

We have collected associated male and female Psephenops from one stream in the Cusco Region, Peru, the females of which agree with the species description and the holotype images ( Fig. 17 ) of P.robacki . At two other nearby sites, and one in the Madre de Dios Region, we collected either males or females. Our collection localities are quite far, roughly 700 km straight line distance, from the type locality. Although we think it likely that our specimens are P. robacki , we cannot be certain unless associated males and females are collected from the type locality. Alternatively, in the absence of males, DNA barcoding might link females from the type locality to males from other localities. Currently P.robacki is the only species of Psephenops known from Peru.

Figures

Figure 17. Psephenops robacki (Spangler) new combination, holotype adult female from Peru. a) Dorsal habitus. b) Ventral habitus. c) Lateral habitus. d) Head and pronotum. e) Specimen labels. Photographs courtesy of Karolyn Darrow, USNM.