Sorocha Soula, 2006

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

Sorocha Soula, 2006 Figs 1E , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105

Type species.

Pelidnota acutipennis F. Bates, 1904.

Species.

16 species and subspecies; length 16-19 mm.

Soula (2006) described the genus Sorocha for a homogeneous group of species that Ohaus (1934b) had placed in the " P. pulchella group" based on the smooth, shiny elytra that lack markings, and distribution in the Andean highlands. Based on overall gestalt, species in the genus Sorocha are similar to species in the genus Pseudochlorota Ohaus ( Lasiocalina ), but they differ in the following respects: larger claw on all legs (simple in Sorocha ; widely split in Pseudochlorota ); unguitractor plate (flat and with two apical setae in Sorocha ; subcylindrical and with two or more setae in Pseudochlorota ); pronotal basolateral corner (quadrate in Sorocha ; rounded in Pseudochlorota ); and apex of the metatibia (lacking spinules in Sorocha ; possessing spinules in Pseudochlorota ).

This taxon requires phylogenetic analysis because we think some species are probably more appropriately placed in Pelidnota . Sorocha can be characterized, in part, by the following characters: disc of the frons with a V-shaped depressed region (shared with Pseudochlorota ); all claws simple; male protarsal claw with inner tubercle; bidentate mandibles; pronotum with bead complete or incomplete apically (complete laterally and basally); elytral base with a median “dimple” lateral of scutellum; elytral epipleuron shelf-like (not rounded); protibia with basal external tooth slightly removed from apical teeth; clypeal length shorter than length of frons; eyes large; apex of the metatibia biemarginate and lacking apical spinules; meso- and metatarsomere 5 lacking internomedial tooth; mesometasternal keel not surpassing mesocoxae; metasternum with dense pilosity.

Species in the genus are superficially similar, and identification is hampered due to lack of a key. Females cannot currently be identified due to similarity among species. Species in the genus are distributed at high elevations from Colombia and Venezuela to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. Larvae are not known. Soula (2006) stated that species in the genus are not readily attracted to lights at night.

Figures

Figure 1. Clypeal shape varying from rounded, parabolic, trapezoidal, subquadrate (A-D), and emarginate (E-F). Lateral edge of mandibles with no reflexed teeth (lacking teeth in A, but the mandible is reflexed rather than flattened in A, two reflexed teeth (B, E, F), or one reflexed tooth (C )). Apical bead of pronotum varying from obsolete (A) to complete medially (B, C, D, F). Disc of frons with V-shaped depression (E) or frons planar, smooth, lacking V-shaped depression (A-D, F) A Chrysina beyeri Skinner B Epichalcoplethis velutipes velutipes (Arrow) C Parhomonyx fuscoaeneus (Ohaus) D Chipita mexicana (Ohaus) E Sorocha sp. F Homonyx elongatus (Blanchard).

Figure 100. Sorocha marxi Soula male specimen from DJCC. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 101. Sorocha maylini Soula holotype male from BMNH. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 102. Pelidnota (Ganonota) plicipennis Ohaus (valid name Sorocha plicipennis [Ohaus]) type male from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 103. Pelidnota similis Ohaus (valid name Sorocha similis [Ohaus]) male specimen (possibly invalid type) from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 104. Pelidnota tolimana Ohaus (valid name Sorocha tolimana [Ohaus]) male syntype from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.

Figure 105. Pelidnota (Ganonota) yungana Ohaus (valid name Sorocha yungana [Ohaus]) male holotype from ZMHB. A Dorsal habitus B Lateral habitus C Specimen labels and male genitalia D Male genitalia, lateral view E Male parameres, caudal view.