Megatrachys paniculus Opitz

Opitz, Weston, 2008, Classification, natural history, and evolution of Epiphloeinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part VII. The genera Hapsidopteris Opitz, Iontoclerus Opitz, Katamyurus Opitz, Megatrachys Opitz, Opitzia Nemésio, Pennasolis Opitz, new genus, Pericales Opitz, new genus, Pteroferus Opitz, new genus, and Turbophloeus Opitz, new genus, Zootaxa 1754, pp. 1-40 : 23

Megatrachys paniculus Opitz

Figures 56–63, 67, 68, 70, 133; map 2.

Megatrachys paniculus Opitz, 1997: 61 . Holotype: ♂. MEX., 5 mi. W. San Cristóbal , Chis., V-19-1969, J. M. Campbell (CNCI). (Specimen pin mounted, gender symbol affixed to support card; locality label; CNCI acronymic label; holotype label; plastic vial with abdomen and aedeagus.). Paratypes: Seven specimens. México: Chiapas: 8.4 km W San Cristóbal de las Casas, 19-V-1969, J. M Campbell ( WOPC, 1); idem, 23-V-1969, 2287 m, J. M. Campbell ( CNCI, 1); idem, 3-V-1969, H. F. Howden ( WOPC, 1); Tinijapa , 13.4 NE San Cristóbal de las Casas , 26-V-1969, J. M. Campbell ( CNCI, 1); 18.5 km E San Cristóbal de las Casas , 5-V-1969, H. F. Howden ( WOPC, 1); near San Cristóbal de las Casas , 2-5- VII-1986, J. E. Wappes ( WFBC, 1); junction of highways 199 & 190, 22-VI-1990, J. Huether ( JNRC, 1) .

Diagnosis: Readily distinguishable from the superficially similar specimens of M. truncatia by large aggregate of decumbent white setae on the sides of the pronotum, the three brown setal tufts on the cranium, and the gradually rounded deflexion of the elytral preapex.

Description: Length 7. 0 mm; width 1.8 mm. Form: Long oblong rectangulate. Integument: Dark brown, except pronotal side with mat of white setae; legs yellow and with brown infuscations, cranium with three small brown setal tufts, elytra with ten small brown setal tufts, elytral setae gray, brown, or yellow. Head: Cranium coarsely punctate, eyes large, very convex; vertex between eyes broad. Thorax: Pronotal side margins with well-developed tubercle, anterior transverse depression prominent, anterior not projected, disc with shallow and elevated sculpturing and with coarse punctations; elytral side margins parallel to posterior four-fifths, then acutely angled to apex; disc subcorrugated and coarsely punctuate. Abdomen: Aedeagus as in figure 68.

Variation: Length 6.8–9.0 mm; width 2.0– 2.5 mm.

Natural history: Specimens were collected from southern México from May through July, at elevations ranging from 2287 to 2439 m.

Distribution (Map 2): In addition to the type specimens I examined five specimens from México: Chiapas: San Cristóbal de las Casas, vicinity El Chivero, 3-5-VII-1986, 2439 m, E. Giesbert: Junction highway 199 & 190, 22-VI-1990, J. Huether. Specimens are deposited in CNCI, FSCA, JNRC, JPHC, WFBC, and WOPC.