Theognete laevis Champion

Anderson, Robert S., 2010, A taxonomic monograph of the Middle American leaf-litter inhabiting weevil genus Theognete Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; Molytinae; Lymantini) 2458, Zootaxa 2458 (1), pp. 1-127 : 20-21

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.2458.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7E42061C-9D11-49C5-8737-CEED0864E699
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E88799-FFAF-FFF4-2F39-FCCF492C1F38
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Theognete laevis Champion
status

Treatment

7. Theognete laevis Champion View in CoL ( Figures 19 View FIGURES 19–24 , 25 View FIGURES 25–28 , 47 View FIGURES 47–50 , 51 View FIGURES 51–54 , 55 View FIGURES 55–58 , 121–124 View FIGURES 117–132 )

Theognete laevis Champion, 1902:97 View in CoL .

Theognete laevis View in CoL ; O’Brien & Wibmer 1982:85 (checklist).

Diagnosis. Size. Length, male, 3.99–4.66mm; female, 4.33–4.55mm. Width, male, 2.30–2.70mm; female, 2.53–2.64mm. Pronotum with simple, recurved scales condensed in anterior median area as well as laterally on tubercles. Lateral tubercle well-defined, divided by sharp, deep oblique sulcus down flanks, posterior portion of tubercle more dorsal and sharp, anterior portion more ventral and flatter. Elytra with median portion of disk not flattened, stria not impressed. Posterolateral area of elytra with single, anteriorly directed puncture. Elytral vestiture composed of scattered simple, recurved scales. Femora with deep, very large punctures in distal portion. Abdominal ventrite 5 with large basal excavation, two more posterior lateral punctures, one median puncture and transverse impression across apical margin. Aedeagus as in Fig. 51 View FIGURES 51–54 .

Comments. Theognete laevis Champion was described from two syntype specimens, one from Cerro Zunil in Guatemala and the other from the "Sierra de Durango " in México ( Champion 1902). Later, Champion (1903: 210) noted with reference to another weevil, Sibinia tessellata Champion , that “this insect and various others quoted on the preceding pages were obtained by us from M. Donckier, of Paris; but there is reason to believe that they were found much further south, probably in Veracruz or Oaxaca, although all are labeled ‘Sierra de Durango’” ( Clark 1978:190–191). These two syntypes have been examined and were found to represent two distinct species, T. laevis ( México) and an undescribed species herein named T. championi ( Guatemala) . Based on conspecificity of the Mexican syntype with other specimens examined during this study, T. laevis is now known to occur only in the “Volcanes de los Tuxtlas” region of the state of Veracruz, and it is therefore highly likely that the Mexican syntype was also collected in this area. This specimen is here designated as lectotype of T. laevis .

Geographical distribution. México (Veracruz).

Natural history. Collected from berlese extraction of lowland to lower montane rain forest leaf litter at elevations ranging from 300–1075m.

Derivation of specific name. Unknown.

Material examined. 7♂, 3♀♀ ( CMNC, CWOB, MCZC). Lectotype ♀ ( BMNH): syntype (disk with purple border) / México, ex coll. Flohr (recto), Sierra de / Durango (verso) / B.C.A. Col. iv.4., Theognete , laevis, Champ / Theognete laevis Ch. , LECTOTYPE, desig. R. Anderson, 2010. Other specimens: MÉXICO: Veracruz: Catemaco (6 mi. N.E.), 1500', 7.VII.1976, A. Newton, berlese rain forest leaf litter (1♂ MCZC). Catemaco (ca. 20 mi. E., Los Tuxtlas Biology Station), 1000', 29–30.VI.1983, R. Anderson, tropical lowland forest (3♂ CMNC). Catemaco (33 km N., Los Tuxtlas Biology Station), 3.VI.1984, D.H. Lindeman, litter sifting (1♂ CMNC). 8–15. VI.1984, D. H. Lindeman (1♀♀ CMNC). 18–22.VII.1984, D.H. Lindeman (2♂ CMNC). Volcán San Martin (S.E. slope), 3000–3500', 28.VII.1959, W.C. Lund (1♀♀ CWOB).

Chorological relationships. Not known to be sympatric with any other species of Theognete .