Aphelocerus ligulus, Opitz, Weston, 2019

Opitz, Weston, 2019, Descriptions of new genera and new species of Western Hemisphere checkered beetles (Coleoptera, Cleroidea, Cleridae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (2), pp. 959-1076 : 962-963

Aphelocerus ligulus OPITZ nov.sp. ( Figs 8 , 101, 202 , 263 )

Holotype: ♀. Type locality: PERU, Madre de Dios, Rio Tambopata Res. , 30 km (air) sw Pto. Maldonado, 290 m, 12°50S' 69°20W'. A second label reads: Smithsonian Institution Canopy Fogging project, T. L. Erwin et al colls. 02 May 84, 02/01/03. A third label reads; FOGGING 00016 157 ( USNM) . Paratype: 1specimen. Peru: Provincia de Tambopata, Madre de Dios, Rio

Tambopata Reserva, 30 km SW Puerto Maldonado, 12°50S' 69°20W', 2-V- 1984, 290 m, fogging tree canopy, T. L. Erwin ( USNM).

D i a g n o s i s: The genus Aphelocerus KIRSCH was revised in 2005 (OPITZ 2005). This work included a key to species. Aphelocerus ligulus specimens key out to A. batesi OPITZ from which A. ligulus specimens differ by showing shorter phallobasic lobes that are shorter, wider, and more acuminate.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 4.0 mm; width 2.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 263 . Color: Black; row of white setae at base of elytral sutural margin contiguous with anterior patch of white setae, elytral disc posterior patch of white setae minimally developed. Head: Interocular depression and frontal umbo shallow; antenna ( Fig. 8 ) capitate, funicular antennomeres filiform, progressively shorter and wider towards capitulum, capitulum compact; eyes finely facetted, eye narrower than frons (EW/FW 16/34). Thorax: Pronotum ( Fig. 101 ) quadrate, very finely punctate; (PW/PL 65/65); elytral disc with two patches of white setae, anterior patch obliquely positioned and oblong, posterior patch very small, disc impressed with small setiferous punctures (EL/EW 200/60). Abdomen: Pygidium transverse / scutiform; aedeagus as in Fig. 202.

N a t u r a l H i s t o r y: The available specimen was collected during May, at 290 m, by fogging tree canopy.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: ThisspeciesisknownfromPeru.

E t y m o l o g y: The trivial name, ligulus, is a Latin noun with the meaning of "ladle"; with reference to spoon-shaped aedeagus.

Figures

Figs 1-27: Antennae; (1) Aphelocerus nodus; (2) A. copanus; (3) A. magnipannus; (4) A. yoro; (5) A. sparicapillus; (6) A. tigra. (7) A. nolus; (8) A. ligulus; (9) Perilypus schusteri; (10) P. apunctus; (11) P. virgulatus; (12) P. izabal; (13) P. alpinus; (14) Cregya fuscomacula; (15) Phonius versus; (16) Pujoliclerus ariquemes; (17) Pelonium falcatum; (18) Pujoliclerus cnecostus; (19) P. trunculus. (20) P. sentus; (21) P. testudinatus; (22) P. catie; (23) P. flavidus; (24) P. convexus; (25) P. meloinus; (26) P. mexicoensis; (27) P. tuxtlas.

Figs 201-206: Aedeagi; (201) Aphelocerus copanus; (202) A. ligulus; (203) A. magnipannus; (204) A. nodus; (205) A. nolus; (206) A. sparicapillus.

Figs 262-265: Habitus; (262) Aphelocerus copanus; (263) A. ligulus; (264) A. magnipannus; (265) A. nodus.

Figs 101-117: Pronota; (101) Aphelocerus ligulus; (102) A. yoro; (103) Ridica achira; (104) R. merida; (105) Ampleris cacuminis; (106) Plocamocera catalexis; (107) Aphelocerus tigra; (108) A. sparicapillus; (109) A. nolus; (110) A. magnipannus; (111) Pyticeroides desodes; (112) Cregya petalosa; (113) C. livida; (114) C. tobagoensis; (115) C. maura; (116) Pujoliclerus flavidus; (117) Amboakis collucoatis.