Phelister vilavelha, Caterino & Tishechkin, 2020

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2020, Recognition and revision of the Phelister blairi group (Histeridae, Histerinae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 1001, pp. 1-154 : 1

49. Phelister vilavelha sp. nov. Figs 31C-E , 32D-E , Map 17

Type material.

Holotype male: " Brazil: Paraná, Ponta Grossa, Vila Velha [-25.25, -50.01] 14-16VIII/2009, Grossi & Parizotto (leg.)" / “fezes” / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00751" (DZUP). Paratypes (2): same data as type (CESP, CERPE).

Diagnostic description.

Length: 1.69-1.81 mm (avg. 1.76 mm); width: 1.54-1.65 mm (avg. 1.62 mm). This species is extremely similar to the preceding ( P. curvipes ) in external morphology (though not in male genitalia), differing principally in the following characters: body not bicolored, more less uniformly piceous frontal ground punctation slightly more conspicuous; right mandible with strong basal tooth (possibly not a difference from the preceding, in which it could not be observed); median pronotal gland openings 2/3 behind anterior pronotal margin; lateral secondary pronotal punctures more numerous and covering most of the outer 1/4 of the pronotal disk; 1st dorsal elytral stria obsolete in the apical 2/3; 2nd through sutural elytral striae distinctly comprising series of disconnected punctures; 4th stria present only in apical 2/3, 5th stria with no basal arch; secondary pygidial punctures sparse but extending nearly to apex; prosternal keel striae obsolete in anterior 1/2; protibia more strongly curved; Male: S8 without apical processes; aedeagus with basal piece ~ 1/3 length of tegmen; tegmen slightly widened to near apex, then evenly narrowed to subacute apices, apex slightly curved ventrally in lateral view; medioventral process absent; median lobe ~ 2/3 tegmen length, basal apodemes abruptly narrowed in basal 1/3.

Etymology.

This species is named for the Parque Estadual Vila Velha, the only known locality for this species.

Distribution.

This species is only known from the type locality in Paraná, Brazil.

Remarks.

The differences between this species and the very similar preceding one are adequately detailed in the preceding remarks section and the description above.

Figures

Map 17. Collecting records for Phelister curvipes (upright black triangle), P. vilavelha (black hexagon), P. rio (white circle), P. semotus (stars), P. uncinatus (black squares), and P. inscriptus (inverted white triangles).

Figure 31. A, B Phelister curvipes: A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C-E P. vilavelha: C dorsal habitus D ventral habitus E prothoracic leg, showing curved protibia.

Figure 32. Male genitalia A-C Phelister curvipes: A eight tergite, dorsal (T 8) B aedeagus, dorsal C aedeagus, lateral D, E P. vilavelha: D aedeagus, dorsal E aedeagus, lateral.