Gauchodaeus Paulsen

Paulsen, M. J. & Ocampo, Federico C., 2012, The Ochodaeidae of Argentina (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea), ZooKeys 174, pp. 7-30 : 23

Gauchodaeus Paulsen gen. n.

Type species.

Gauchodaeus patagonicus Paulsen & Ocampo, here designated.

Diagnosis.

The only known species in Gauchodaeus is an elongate ochodaeid with no elytral closing mechanism, and therefore can be quickly distinguished from the more globular Parochodaeus species with dentate elytral apices and a bituberculate propygidium. The genus is most similar to the genus Synochodaeus of southern Africa but is distinguished by the characters discussed above.

Description.

Ochodaeidae : Chaetocanthinae : Synochodaeini . Form convex, elongate. Sexual dimorphism lacking. Color testaceous to light reddish brown. Length: 5.7-5.9 mm. Width: 2.5-2.7 mm. Head: Surface densely tuberculate/punctate, setose. Mentum strongly tumid, not longitudinally impressed. Labrum densely punctate/setose. Distal 2 labial palpomeres spherical or irregularly shaped (not cylindrical). Clypeus long (length = ½ width), straight anteriorly, not reflexed. Frontoclypeal suture lacking distinct transverse sulcus. Mandibles relatively small, externally rounded, visible beyond labrum in dorsal view. Antenna with 10 antennomeres; 3-antennomere club oval, pubescent; first club antennomere neither strongly hemispherical nor enfolding distal antennomeres. Eyes large, somewhat bulging. Pronotum: Surface densely punctate, punctures moderate in size, with distinct anterior tubercle, setigerous; setae moderately long, testaceous. Margins beaded. Scutellum: Form weakly hastate with apex acute. Elytra: Striae (except sutural) not impressed, obsolete. Surface irregularly punctate; punctures moderate, each with small tubercle anteriorly, setigerous; setae dense, moderately long, testaceous. Legs: Protibia tridentate. Legs simple, unarmed. Mesotibial spur pectinate. Metatibia with large external carina in distal 1/3 long (extending> ½ width of tibia) but interrupted at middle. Metatibial spurs simple (possibly worn). Metatrochanter not acutely produced. Abdomen: Stridulatory peg absent. Propygidium short (length <1/5 width), without elytral locking mechanism.

Etymology.

The name is formed from gaucho, a local word commonly used to describe residents of the pampas or Patagonian grasslands, in combination with the root Ochodaeus. It is masculine in gender.

Composition.

Only one species is known, herein described.

Remarks.

Nothing is known about the life history of these beetles, other than that they live in a rather inhospitable, arid part of Neuquén Province.