Desertaclopus lucasi Ocampo & Mondaca

Ocampo, Federico C. & Mondaca, José, 2012, Revision of the scarab subfamily Aclopinae Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Argentina and Chile, Zootaxa 3409, pp. 1-29 : 22-24

Desertaclopus lucasi Ocampo & Mondaca , new species

( Figs 35, 37 , 40 , 43 )

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other species of Desertaclopus based on the following combination of characters: distance between clypeal and frontal carinae (at middle) as long as or smaller than the distance between clypeal apical margin and clypeal carina; size> 0.8 mm; male genitalia as Fig. 40 .

Description. Holotype male. Length 9.84 mm, width 4.62 mm. Color: Head, pronotum black; elytra brown on disc black on margins; legs, antennae, and mouthparts brown; ventral surface brown to black. Head ( Fig. 35 ): Eye canthus well developed, apex slightly reflexed, bearing 4–5 setae, setae short; frontocanthal carina present. Eyes well developed, rounded, weakly divided by eye canthus. Frons flat on apical half, convex at base with well developed transversal carina, carinae slightly depressed at middle; surface smooth, glabrous. Clypeus strongly transverse; lateral margins rounded; anterior margin rounded; frontoclypeal suture developed as carina; carina with setae, setae moderately long, slender; clypeal surface sparsely punctate. Distance between clypeal and frontal carinae (at middle) as long as or smaller than the distance between clypeal apical margin and clypeal carina. Labral shape semicircular in dorsal view apex rounded, reflexed, glabrous. Mandibular outer margin broadly sinuate externally, concave dorsoventrally, lacking incisory teeth, molar area poorly developed ( Fig. 35 ), ventral surface moderately setose, setae long. Labium las long as wide, strongly reduced, labial palp with three palpomeres, palpomere 3 as long as 1–2 combined; labial surface setose, setae dense to moderately dense, long and slender. Maxillae poorly developed, maxillary palp with four palpomeres. Antennae with eight antennomeres. Pronotum ( Fig. 36 ): Convex, wider than long. Surface sparsely punctate, glabrous, except for margins. Marginal bead present in all margins; anterior margin concave, with deep furrow, membrane well developed; lateral and posterior margins broadly rounded. Anterior angle nearly right-angled; posterior angles broadly rounded. Scutellum: Subtriangular , apex rounded, surface punctate at base, smooth at apex. Elytra ( Fig. 37 ): Convex, longer than wide, lateral margins rounded. Surface punctate; punctures sparse, glabrous. Elytral striae absent, except for sutural striae; pseudoepipleura not developed. Ve n te r: Surface setose, setae long; ventrites 3–5 membranous on apical margin. Pygidium not exposed beyond clypeal margin, triangular, surface sparsely setose; setae long, slender. Legs: Protibiae with two teeth, protibial spur not developed. Mesotibiae and metatibiae, with one transverse carina. Mesotibial apex with fringe of thick setae, metatibial apex with small setae. Metatibia robust, apical width 2/3 as long as tibiae. Mesotibial spurs contiguous, metatibial spurs apart. Metatibial tarsal insertion with notch, notch associated with tibial process. Tarsus longer than tibiae. Protarsomeres, mesotarsomeres, and metatarsomeres 1, 5 longer than 2, 3, 4 individually; all tarsi with long, apical setae. Protarsal claws curved, simple, symmetrical. Male genitalia ( Figs. 40 a–c): Parameres longer than phallobase, slightly curved, simple, symmetrical, apex rounded, club-like. Genital segment developed as ventral plate.

Remarks. Only males are known; they vary in length (8.12–11.80 mm), and color (one paratype has black elytra). Peter Allsopp (Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Bundaberg, Australia) first recognized this as a new species, but it was never formally described (based on determination labels, see type material for D. lucasi )

Type material. Holotype male at IAZA labeled: “R. A. CATAMARCA / 6 Km. Sta. María / 6-XII-1969 / A. Willink-Stange Col.”; “ Desertaclopus / lucas i / Ocampo & Mondaca / HOLOTYPE ” (red label). Paratypes (all male). Two paratypes (1 CMNC, 1 IAZA) labeled: “ ARGENTINA / Catamarca / Santa María / Fritz-leg. / Coll. Martínez / Ene. 941.” One paratype ( CMNC) labeled: “ ARGENTINA / Catamarca / D° Sta. María / P. de Balasto / Coll. Martínez / Feb. 943”. One paratype ( BMNH) labeled: “ ARGENTINA / La Rioja Prov. / Patquia / K.J. Hayward / B.M. 1932-33 ”; “ PARATYPE / Aclopus / bicarinatus / Allsopp / det. P. G. Allsopp. 1980”. One paratype ( CMNC) labeled: “ ARGENTINA / Salta / Alemania / Nuñez legit / Coll. Martínez / Nov. 948”. All paratypes labeled: “ Desertaclopus / lucasi / Ocampo & Mondaca / PARATYPE ” (yellow label).

Etymology. This species is named after FCO’s nephew, Lucas Salemme, to encourage his love for nature and fascination with the world’s insect diversity.

Distribution ( Fig. 43 ). ARGENTINA: Catamarca: Santa María (1), Santa María (6 km from), Punta de Balasto (1). La Rioja: Patquía (1). Salta: Alemania (1).

Temporal distribution. January (2), February (1), November (1), December (1).

Figures

FIGURE 43. Distribution map of Desertaclopus atacamensis, D. lucasi, and D. marcosi.

FIGURES 35 – 37. Desertaclopus lucasi, male.

FIGURES 40 – 42. 40 a – c) Male genitalia of Desertaclopus lucasi, a – b) aedeagus lateral and frontal views, c) ventral plate of the genital segment; 41 a – b) D. marcosi, aedeagus lateral and frontal views; 42 a – b) D. atacamensis, lateral and frontal views.