Aphengium ibateguara, Silva, Fernando A. B. & Vaz-De-Mello, Fernando, 2015

Silva, Fernando A. B. & Vaz-De-Mello, Fernando, 2015, A revision of the genus Aphengium Harold, 1868 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Ateuchini), Zootaxa 3955 (4), pp. 505-520 : 510-511

Aphengium ibateguara sp. nov.

(Figs 2, 3, 19–24, 33, 39, 41)

Etymology. The species name is a toponym in apposition referring to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Males of A. ibateguara sp. nov. are similar to those of A. sordidum by having dense and contiguous dorsal punctures on head ( Fig. 21 ). However, it can be distinguished from A. sordidum by the following characters of the genitalia: length of parameres less than one-half that of phallobase ( Fig. 33 ); apical third of parameres abruptly narrowed ( Fig. 33 ); and fronto-lateral peripheral sclerite (FLP) as in figure 39. Females can be immediately distinguished from other Aphengium species by having the same puncture patterns on the central and posterior portions of head ( Fig. 22 ).

Description. Length. Small (7–8 mm) ( Figs. 19, 20 ). Head. Foveiform punctures dense and contiguous over dorsal surface; deeply impressed and often rounded ( Fig. 21 ). Surface around clypeal teeth rugose. Pronotum. Covered by foveiform, setose punctures; larger on lateral and posterior portions, not contiguous, usually separated by distance equivalent to less than one puncture diameter ( Fig. 23 ). Anteromedial punctures weakly impressed. Disc of pronotum slightly convex. Anterior angle of pronotum approximately 90°. Lateral angle greater than 90°; margin explanate. Margin between lateral and posterior angles straight. Elytra. Elongate-oval shape ( Figs. 19, 20 ). Disc slightly convex, with dense and conspicuous setae. Lateral margins slightly curved outwards. Foveiform punctures separated on the elytral disc by distance equivalent to at least two times puncture diameter. Secondary sexual characters. Besides the sexual dimorphism described for the genus, females differs from the males in the following aspects: punctures on dorsal surface of head usually smaller and more dispersed than those in males ( Fig. 22 ). Punctures around clypeus weakly impressed. Margin of pronotum, close to lateral angles, not explanate ( Fig. 24 ). Aedeagus. Length of parameres less than one-half that of phallobase. Apical third of parameres abruptly narrowed; apex rounded ( Fig. 33 ). Superior right peripheral sclerite (SRP) sigmoid. Fronto-lateral peripheral sclerite (FLP) as in figure 39.

Material studied. Holotype. BRAZIL: ALAGOAS: Ibateguara , [Usina Serra Grande], [35°56'15"W, 8°58'41"S], 16.III.2008, pitfall hum. faeces, B.K.C. Filgueiras (1♂ CEMT). Paratypes [9]. BRAZIL: ALAGOAS: Ibateguara , [Usina Serra Grande], [35°56'15"W, 8°58'41"S], 19.IX.2007, pitfall carrion, B.K.C. Filgueiras (1♂ CEMT); same, 21.IX.2007, pitfall hum. faeces, B.K.C. Filgueiras (3♀ CEMT); same, 12.X.2007, pitfall hum. faeces, B.K.C. Filgueiras (1♀ 1♂ CERPE); same, 10.XI.2007, pitfall hum. faeces, B.K.C. Filgueiras (1♂ CEMT); same, 16.III. 2008, pitfall carrion, B.K.C. Filgueiras (2♂ CEMT).

Distribution. This species is known from a single locality that corresponds to the largest remaining Atlantic Forest fragment in Alagoas state. Extensive sampling in forest fragments of neighboring areas provided no further specimens of Aphengium .

Figures

FIGURES 19 – 24. Aphengium ibateguara sp. nov.; 19. Male (dorsal view); 20. Female (dorsal view); 21. Male head; 22. Female head; 23. Male pronotum; 24. Female pronotum.

FIGURES 31 – 34. Aedeagus of Aphengium; 31. A. sordidum (arrow shows dorsal margin of parameres curved inward at its apical third); 32. A. cupreum; 33. A. ibateguara sp. nov.; 34. A. curtum sp. nov.