Hilophyllus argentinensis ( Martínez, 1981 ) Paulsen & Mondaca, 2006

Paulsen, M. J. & Mondaca, José, 2006, Revision of the South American Ceratognathini (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Aesalinae) with the description of a new genus and a new species, Zootaxa 1191 (1191), pp. 1-19 : 12-15

Hilophyllus argentinensis ( Martínez, 1981) , new combination

( Figs. 2, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 23, 25)

Ceratognathus argentinensis Martínez, 1981: 13 .

Type specimens

Holotype male lost. Both the holotype and allotype of C. argentinensis were present in the Martínez collection in 1994 as evidenced by a photograph taken at that time by Gerardo Arriagada (Las Cruces, Chile). Approximately one week after the photo was taken, Henry Howden purchased the Martínez collection, including non­primary types. The specimens purchased by Howden were subsequently donated to the CMNC, including the allotype of C. argentinensis . The holotype was deposited in the collection of Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Buenos Aires, the depository of the majority of Martínez primary types. The first of three boxes of Martínez types was later stolen from the MACN (F. Ocampo, UNSM, personal communication). The specimens in each box were arranged alphabetically by genus, and as the second box begins with “ Chaetodus ”, the holotype of Ceratognathus argentinensis was in the box that was stolen and is lost. We designate a neotype to maintain stability in the nomenclature. Because the allotype is in poor condition with the abdomen missing we are choosing a recently collected male as the neotype. The specimen chosen matches the original description of the holotype in all characters and is from approximately 45 km northeast of the type locality in similar habitat. NEOTYPE HERE DESIGNATED: deposited at MNNC, labeled: a) “ CHILE: Región IX (Araucania) / P.N. Villarrica; Puesco, 732 m / S 39º31’59.6” W 71º33’19.6” / BL/MV light; M.J. Paulsen / & J. Mondaca; 8 DEC 2004 ”; b) on red paper “ Ceratognathus / argentinensis Martínez / NEOTYPE / det. Paulsen & Mondaca 2006”; c) “ Hilophyllus / argentinensis (Martínez) / det. M.J. Paulsen 2005 ”. Allotype (CMNC) labeled: a) “ ARGENTINA / NEUQUEN / Lago Curruhe / Grande, s/tronco / J.P.R., H., A. y A. Martínez / Coll. Martínez / Ene. “967”; b) on pink paper, “ ALLOTYPUS ”; c) on red paper: “ Ceratognathus / argentinensis (female symbol) / sp. nov.” / (typeset) “A. MARTÍNEZ–DET. 19__” (handwritten year illegible); d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLE CTION / ex. A. Martinez coll”; e) “ Hilophyllus / argentinensis (Martínez) / det. M.J. Paulsen 2005 ”.

Redescription

Male (n = 9). Length: 8.1–8.5 mm. Width: 3.2–3.4 mm. Color/Surface: Reddishbrown, weakly shining. Dorsum ( Fig. 2) almost uniformly covered with large punctures; most with a single elongate, apically acute scale. Head: Eyes large, width of eyes together in dorsal view greater than narrowest interocular width. Mandibles ( Fig. 6) small, abruptly curved inward at middle; dorsal tooth acute; ventral tooth of right mandible acute or reduced to angulation. Antennal club segments elongate, longer than 1.5 times length of head ( Fig. 15). Pronotum: Sides strongly explanate, explanate margin subequal to eye in width. Anterior angle not produced anteriorly ( Fig. 23), broadly rounded, appearing nearly contiguous and parallel with anterior margin. Lateral margin broadly rounded, widest at middle. Elytra: Shape elongate. Surface almost uniformly punctate, most punctures with scales, punctures without scales forming longitudinal rows (not patches). Scales usually of two colors, brown and light testaceous (scales of greased specimens appearing unicolored). Sutural interval and lateral margin elevated at apex. Surface between punctures smooth ( Fig. 13), notably shining at 40x. Legs: Mesotibiae lacking external tooth. Abdomen: Apex of last ventrite truncate. Male genitalia: Parameres with exteriorly curved tooth at apex ( Fig. 20).

Female (n = 5). Differing from male in following characters: Length: 8.9–9.1 mm. Width: 3.6–3.9 mm. Head: Width of eyes together in dorsal view subequal to 1/3 interocular width. Mandibles small, not strongly curved inward at middle; dorsal tooth of each mandible reduced, ventral tooth of right mandible acute. Antennal club segments short, as long as 1/2 length of head. Pronotum: Sides more narrowly explanate. Anterior angles constricted toward head. Lateral margin not uniformly rounded, pinched inward anteriorly.

Diagnosis

This species is distinguished from H. penai by the unarmed mesotibiae. Also, it differs from H. penai by the elytral scale pattern ( H. argentinensis with patches of contrasting lighter and darker scales, whereas H. penai has patches of light­colored scales contrasting with glabrous areas). Males of H. argentinensis can be distinguished from either of the remaining species because they possess exceptionally long antennal club segments that are much longer than the head and mandibles together. In addition, they have a distinct genitalic form with hooked parameres and a laterally compressed median lobe ( Fig. 20).

Distribution ( Fig. 25)

Argentina, Chile. The species is distributed widely in central Chile and extends into neighboring areas with similar habitats in Argentina.

Locality data: 14 specimens examined. ARGENTINA (1) . Neuquén (1): Lago Curruhué Grande. CHILE (13) . VIII Región (1): W. of P.N. Nahuelbuta. IX Región (2): P.N. Villarrica

(Puesco, Vol. Villarrica). X Región (10): Cordillera Pelada, M. N. Alerce Costero, P. N.

Mocho­Choshuenco, R. N. Valdiviana. Temporal distribution. December (2), January (8), February (4).

Remarks

Martínez (1981) indicated that the type series was collected on a tree trunk, possibly of Nothofagus sp. , in an advanced state of decomposition in the province of Neuquén, Argentina. More recently, adult and immature specimens of H. argentinensis were found in the lower branches of a decomposing coigüe, Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirbel) Blume ( Mondaca & Paulsen 2005) . However, if this species is termitophilous, it is probable that its distribution is limited more by the presence or absence of termites than the range of a specific host tree. In 2006, MJP collected an additional specimen flying in late afternoon at a height of approximately three meters around the trunk of a partially decomposed lenga, N. pumilio (Poeppig & Endlicher) Krasser. Furthermore , one specimen was collected by Dr. Elizabeth Arias (University of California–Berkeley) during insecticidal fogging of Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch (Araucariaceae) west of Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta, suggesting that the species may not be restricted to Nothofagus .

In 2004, we collected a single male specimen of H. argentinensis at mercury vapor light in Parque Nacional Villarrica. In 2006, we collected three male specimens at Reserva Nacional Valdiviana and one male specimen at Parque Nacional Mocho­Choshuenco, all at mercury vapor lights. Previously, there was only anecdotal evidence that this species was attracted to light. It may be relevant that males of this species possess proportionately the largest eyes in the genus; large eyes suggest nocturnal activity, making collection at light traps less surprising although still infrequent.