Microogenius Gutierrez , 1951

Moore, Matthew R., Jameson, Mary L., Garner, Beulah H., Audibert, Cedric, Smith, Andrew B. T. & Seidel, Matthias, 2017, Synopsis of the pelidnotine scarabs (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) and annotated catalog of the species and subspecies, ZooKeys 666, pp. 1-349 : 1

Microogenius Gutierrez, 1951 Figs 41 , 42 , 43

Type species.

Oogenius martinezi Gutiérrez 1951.

Species.

4 species; length 10-13 mm.

The classification and nomenclatural history of this genus are quite complicated due to two impediments: lack of robust circumscription of ruteline groups and access to literature. Historically, the genus Microogenius was considered a member of the subtribe Lasiocalina and closely related to Lasiocala Blanchard ( Martínez 1974) as well as a member of the subtribe Pelidnotina closely related to Eremophygus and Oogenius ( Ohaus 1934b). Based on similarities, the two subtribes were combined ( Martínez 1974), but this publication was effectively lost until Soula (2006) noted Martínez’s synonymy of Oogenius (Microogenius) and created the new genus Minilasiocala Soula. However, based on the Principle of Priority, Microogenius should be considered the valid name ( Moore and Jameson 2013). Similar problems circumscribing ruteline groups led Soula to initially consider the taxon a lasiocaline scarab ( Soula 2006) and later to consider it a pelidnotine scarab ( Soula 2011). Clearly, phylogenetic and revisionary research must examine relationships of the South American genera Microogenius , Oogenius , Eremophygus , and Lasiocala .

Although the validity of the genus requires evaluation, a few characters can be used with caution for diagnosis: apex of labrum extends beyond clypeal apex and visible in dorsal view (shared with Eremophygus and Oogenius ); metatarsomere 4 at apex with 4-6 long setae that are subequal in length and thickness; mandible on external margin rounded (shared with Eremophygus ); pronotal basal bead complete (shared with Eremophygus ); terminal tergite of female rounded at apex (shared with Eremophygus ).

As currently composed, species in the genus are distributed in the altiplano of Bolivia and Argentina. Larvae, natural history, and sister group relationships are not known.

Figures

Figure 41. Lasiocala arrowi Ohaus (valid name Microogenius arrowi [Ohaus]) paralectotype male from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels.

Figure 42. Oogenius (Microogenius) gutierrezi Martinez (valid name Microogenius gutierrezi Martinez) holotype male from MACN. A Dorsal habitus B Specimen labels and male genitalia.

Figure 43. Oogenius (Microogenius) martinezi Gutierrez (valid name Microogenius martinezi [Gutierrez]) paratype male from UCCC. A Dorsal habitus B Specimen labels, mouthparts, and male genitalia.