Ophthalmoglipa leblanci, Ruzzier, Enrico, 2015

Ruzzier, Enrico, 2015, Taxonomic considerations on the genus Ophthalmoglipa Franciscolo, 1952 (Coleoptera: Mordellidae) with description of two new species, Zootaxa 4059 (2), pp. 364-370 : 364

Ophthalmoglipa Franciscolo, 1952

Franciscolo proposed this genus on the basis of what I now understand to be a mix of three species; this therefore raises the problem of credibly associating the correct type species. O. aurocaudata (sensu Franciscolo) represents a combination of the three different species, does not fully represent the true Mordella aurocaudata (sensu Fairmaire 1897) and cannot therefore be considered a suitable type species. The fact that the author designated Glipa aurocaudata as the type species and simultaneously designated as typical form [sic!] the specimens from São Tomé (= Ophthalmoglipa leblanci n. sp.) further complicates the situation. However, as it cannot be excluded that specimens belonging to G. aurocaudata in the strict sense were also used in the original description, I propose that the type species remains O. aurocaudata but it must be considered in a different sense. Thus, the type speceis will no longer be O. aurocaudata (sensu Franciscolo 1952) but O. aurocaudata (sensu novo), as redescribed herein.