Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887

Nazaré-Silva, Everton E. & Silva, Fernando A. B., 2021, A taxonomic revision of the South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini), Zootaxa 5027 (1), pp. 61-86 : 63

Key to the South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887

1. Pronotum centrally with dense, granulate, and well-impressed microsculpture ( Fig. 2A )............................. 2

- Pronotum centrally with inconspicuous microsculpture ( Fig. 2B )................................................ 4

2. Eighth elytral stria absent ( Fig. 2C ) or reduced to basal one-fourth of elytra. Posterior edge of metafemora regularly curved, not projected towards the abdominal ventrites ( Fig. 4C ). Brazil (Mato Grosso) and Argentina................................................................................... Pseudocanthon vazdemelloi new species ( Figs. 3C , 4C ).

- Eighth elytral stria present and extending across approximately the basal half of elytra ( Fig. 2D ). Posterior edge of metafemora slightly angulated at basal third, with expansion towards the abdominal ventrites ( Fig. 4D–E )......................... 3

3. Pygidium metallic green, with orange band at posterior edge ( Fig. 2G ). Apex of parameres pointed in lateral view, curved towards the ventral edge of aedeagus ( Fig. 5E ). Brazil (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul).. Pseudocanthon pantanensis new species ( Figs. 3E , 4D ) .

- Pygidium completely orange ( Fig. 2H ). Apex of parameres truncate, with small and obtuse projection at ventral edge ( Fig. 5F ). Brasil (Mato Grosso) and Argentina............................ Pseudocanthon chaquensis new species ( Figs 3F , 4E ).

4. Dorsal surface of body almost completely black or metallic blue, orange portion restricted to the clypeal surface ( Fig. 3A ). Internal edge of protibia strongly arched ( Fig. 2E ). Venezuela... Pseudocanthon perplexus ( LeConte, 1847) ( Figs 3A , 4A ).

- Surface of clypeus, lateral edges of pronotum, humeral angle, lateral and apex of elytra with orange spots ( Fig. 3B–C ). Internal edge of protibia substraight ( Fig. 2F ). Widespread in South America.............................................................................................. Pseudocanthon xanthurus ( Blanchard, 1847) ( Figs. 3B–C , 4B ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Details of the external morphology in species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887. A, P. vazdemelloi new species pronotal disc; B, P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847) pronotal disc; C, P. vazdemelloi new species detail of left lateral of elytron; D, P. pantanensis new species detail of left lateral of elytron (arrow indicates eighth elytral stria present); E, P. perplexus (LeConte, 1847) protibia in dorsal view (arrow indicates median emargination); F, P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847) protibia in dorsal view; G. P. pantanensis new species pygidium; H, P. chaquensis new species pygidium. Scale bar: 0.5 mm (2A–D); 0.2 mm (2E–H).

FIGURE 3. South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887, dorsal view. A, Pseudocanthon perplexus (LeConte, 1847); B–C, P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847); D, P. vazdemelloi new species; E, P. pantanensis new species; F, P. chaquensis new species. Scale bar: 1 mm (3A–E); 2 mm (3F).

FIGURE 4. South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887, ventral view. A, Pseudocanthon perplexus (LeConte, 1847); B, P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847); C, P. vazdemelloi new species; D, P. pantanensis new species (arrows indicate angulation at posterior edge of metafemur); E, P. chaquensis new species (arrows indicate angulation at posterior edge of metafemur). Scale bar: 1 mm (3A–E); 2 mm (3F).

FIGURE 5. Aedeagus in South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887, lateral and ventral views, respectively. A, Pseudocanthon perplexus (LeConte, 1847); B–C, P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847) (arrows indicate variation at apex of parameres); D. P. vazdemelloi new species; E, P. pantanensis new species; F, P. chaquensis new species. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.