Prathapanius Viswajyothi & Clark, 2020

Viswajyothi, Keezhpattillam & Clark, Shawn M., 2020, Prathapanius fortis, a new genus and new species of Galerucinae from Ecuador (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), ZooKeys 968, pp. 111-126 : 111

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.968.54228
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F07FF11E-DF46-4BB9-AA67-542B5CB53EBD
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/47D955A8-44F0-47DC-AD4D-8D89A98F0DC0
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:47D955A8-44F0-47DC-AD4D-8D89A98F0DC0
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Prathapanius Viswajyothi & Clark
status	gen. nov.

Treatment

Prathapanius Viswajyothi & Clark gen. nov. Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 2 View Figure 2 , 3 View Figure 3 , 4 View Figure 4 , 5 View Figure 5 , 6 View Figure 6

Diagnosis.

This genus is easily recognized by the remarkable male characters. The front femora are enormously enlarged (Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 3 View Figure 3 , 4B View Figure 4 ), and each front trochanter is posteriorly produced to form a spine-like process (Figs 1B View Figure 1 , 3A, B View Figure 3 ). These two features are not both present in any other known New World galerucine genus. Beyond the male characteristics, the genal space (distance from the eye to the base of exposed mandible) is extremely large (equal to about half the maximum diameter of the eye). This condition is also present in genera such as Gynandrobrotica and Isotes Weise, but, unlike Prathapanius , they lack erect setae on the elytra.

Using the key to genera by Smith and Lawrence (1967), this new genus would be identified as Synbrotica Bechyné (couplet 4), which is a junior synonym of Isotes . Similarly, in the key by Derunkov et al. (2015), it would be identified as Isotes (couplet 4). In both instances, Prathapanius may be distinguished by above-mentioned characters.

Description.

Body narrow, oblong (Fig. 1A View Figure 1 ). Antennal calli well developed, raised, convex, triangular, slightly longer than wide; antennal fossae slightly ventral to middle level of eyes (Fig. 2A View Figure 2 ); genal space large, equal to at least half maximum diameter of eye; antennae slender, filiform, uniformly setose throughout length; apical maxillary palpomere slender, much longer than broad. Pronotum lacking bead or fringe of setae along anterior margin; lateral margin carinate, slightly sinuate, with evenly spaced setae along entire length; posterior margin with bead in lateral portions, without bead mesally, with a few short setae, without well-developed setal fringe. Elytra with numerous well-separated, erect setae, somewhat arranged in longitudinal rows; humeral calli well developed; basal calli poorly developed, not delimited behind by depression; epipleuron parallel-sided in basal half, gradually, slightly narrowed in distal half, disappearing before apex (Fig. 2B View Figure 2 ). Procoxal cavities open behind; protrochanter of male with sharp, posterior projection (Figs 1B View Figure 1 , 3A, B View Figure 3 ); profemur of male greatly enlarged (Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 3 View Figure 3 , 4B View Figure 4 ); metafemur of male enlarged, but not as much as profemur (Fig. 1B, C View Figure 1 ); all tibiae with dorsal ridge; tibial spur present in mesothoracic leg of male, in all legs of female; tarsal claws bifid, with inner appendage long and of nearly same thickness as outer appendage or slightly narrow (Fig. 4A View Figure 4 ); front and middle basitarsi with denser ventral setation than hind basitarsus. Apical margin of last abdominal ventrite lacking lobe or depression, slightly sinuate in male, evenly rounded in female (Fig. 6F View Figure 6 ). Median lobe of aedeagus with dorsal fin-like structure in basal third (Fig. 5A View Figure 5 ); basal spurs absent. Tegmen with fin-like structure, similar to that on median aedeagal lobe (Fig. 5E View Figure 5 ).

Type species.

Prathapanius fortis Viswajyothi & Clark, sp. nov.

Etymology.

The name of this new genus honors K. D. Prathapan, renowned chrysomelid systematist and advisor to the senior author. The enormous front femora of the males are comparable to the strong personality and scientific prowess of Dr Prathapan. The genus name should be treated as a masculine noun.

Comments.

This genus clearly belongs in the galerucine section Diabroticites ( Luperini , Diabroticina ), as evidenced by the absence of basal spurs on the aedeagus, the absence of a rectangular lobe at the apex of the male abdomen, and the presence of bifid tarsal claws. However, the relationships within this section are debatable. The short setae along the lateral margin of the pronotum, as well as the longer setae on the elytral disc, suggest a relationship to Acalymma Barber and Zischkaita Bechyné. However, these genera have short genae. The large genae of Prathapanius suggest a relationship with Isotes . This is reinforced by the fact that some (but not all) species of Isotes have a small keel on the aedeagus, although not nearly as large as the dorsal fin of Prathapanius ( Rodrigues and Mermudes 2015). However, Isotes lacks the above-mentioned elytral setae. As already mentioned, the remarkable features of the male legs and genitalia of Prathapanius are unlike any other known genus of Neotropical Galerucinae .

This new genus currently includes a single species. However, future investigation may prove that Zischkaita serrana Moura also belongs here, although it is a much less slender beetle. The male front legs of Z. serrana exhibit modifications very similar to those of Prathapanius , except that the femoral enlargement is not nearly as dramatic ( Moura 2003). The original description of Z. serrana does not mention the genal length or genitalia, and we have not examined specimens.