Chilenopilus Smith and Mondaca, 2016

Smith, Andrew B. T. & Mondaca, José, 2016, A new genus and species of Tanyproctini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from the Coquimbo Region of Chile, Insecta Mundi 2016 (464), pp. 1-6 : 2

Chilenopilus Smith and Mondaca , new genus

Type species. Chilenopilus coquimbensis new species, here designated.

Description ( Fig. 1–5 ). Length 15.0–16.0 mm. Dorsal surface unicolored with even setal pattern (head and pronotum more setose than elytra). Head: clypeus semicircular, apex strongly reflexed. Labrum reduced, not visible beyond clypeus in dorsal view. Mentum with width greater than length; apex weakly parabolic; surface weakly concave, without medial groove or pit. Antennae with 9 antennomeres, male club approximately equal to funicle in length. Pronotum: widest medially, width greater than length. Apical margin with membranous border. Pygidium: large, wide, with apex curving over plane of sternites. Venter: mesosternal peg absent. Basal sternites compressed, apical sternites and pygidium prominent and curved over plane of basal sternites. Legs: protibia with 3 large teeth on outer margin, teeth evenly separated. Protibial spur present. Claws symmetrical; cleft with strong, subapical tooth. Protibial spurs present. Metatibial apex with 2 spurs, 1 spur adjacent to tarsal articulation and 1 set within apical tibial notch. Metatarsomere 1 slightly longer than metatarsomere 2.

Etymology. Chilenopilus is a combination of “ Chile ” and “hair” in reference to the country where this genus occurs and the long setae on the head and pronotum. The name is masculine in gender.

Composition. This monotypic genus is endemic to IV Región de Coquimbo, Chile.

Diagnosis and classification. The following diagnostic characters were used to place this new taxon in the tribe Tanyproctini : labrum not visible in dorsal view of head, set beneath clypeus; pronotum with translucent apical margin; pygidium large, triangular, partially covered by elytral apex; claws cleft with subapical tooth; metatibia with 2 spurs, one located adjacent to tarsal articulation and the other set on a different plane within apical tibial notch; sternites distinctly defined (not fused), basal sternites compressed lengthwise; apex of abdomen inflated, curved over sternites.

The new genus is based partially on the following characters: antennal club consisting of 3 antennomeres (more than 3 antennomeres in Anahi Martínez , Burmeisteriellus Berg , Castanochilus Ohaus , Diaphylla Erichson , Eideria Neita and Ocampo, Lichniop s Gutiérrez, Lichniopsoides Martínez , Luispenaia Martínez , Parapetiia Martínez , and Pentacoryna Moser ); dentate tarsal claws (simple in Acylochilus Martínez and Puelchesia Ocampo and Smith ); dorsal surface with erect setae (recumbent, scale-like setae in Faargia Martínez , Myloxena Ohaus , Myloxenoides Martínez ); body length 15–16 mm (less than 8 mm in Longicrura Frey ); and claws apically cleft (claws medially dentate in Leuretr a Erichson). We also compared this genus with hundreds of other Neotropical Tanyproctini specimens and reviewed the identification guides published by Martínez (1975) and Lacroix (2007) to further establish the uniqueness of this new taxon.

Figures

Figures 1–5. Chilenopilus coquimbensis holotype male. 1) Dorsal habitus. 2) Parameres, lateral view. 3) Head and pronotum. 4) Parameres. 5) Habitus, oblique view.