Hilophyllus martinezi Paulsen & Mondaca, 2006

Paulsen, M. J. & Mondaca, José, 2006, Revision of the South American Ceratognathini (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Aesalinae) with the description of a new genus and a new species, Zootaxa 1191 (1191), pp. 1-19 : 16-18

Hilophyllus martinezi Paulsen & Mondaca , new species

( Figs. 3, 14, 18, 21, 24–25)

Type material

Holotype male (MNNC) labeled: a) “ CHILE ÑUBLE / Los Lleuques / 29­XI­1988 / Colección MNHN” [=MNNC, S. Roitman collector]; b) on red paper, “ Hilophyllus / martinezi (male symbol) / Paulsen & Mondaca / HOLOTYPE ”.

Description

Holotype male. Length: 8.0 mm. Width: 2.9 mm. Color/Surface: Dark reddishbrown, weakly shining. Dorsum ( Fig. 3) almost uniformly covered with large punctures, most with a single elongate, apically acute scale ( Fig. 14). Head: Eyes large, width of eyes together in dorsal view greater than narrowest interocular width. Mandibles small, externally rounded, not abruptly curved inward at middle; dorsal tooth acute; ventral tooth of right mandible minute (apex of right mandible broken). Antennal club segments elongate, longer than 1.5 times length of head ( Fig. 16). Pronotum: Sides strongly explanate, explanate margin subequal to eye in width. Anterior angle produced beyond anterior margin ( Fig. 24). Lateral margin broadly rounded, widest before middle. Elytra: Shape elongate. Almost uniformly punctate, most punctures with scales, punctures without scales forming longitudinal rows (not patches), scales brown and testaceous. Sutural interval and lateral margin elevated apically. Surface between punctures roughened ( Fig. 14), appearing wrinkled at 40x. Legs: Mesotibiae lacking external tooth. Male genitalia: See Fig. 21. Parameres with 2 small, external teeth at apex ( Fig. 18), median lobe cylindrical toward apex, not laterally compressed.

Female unknown.

Diagnosis

This species is distinguished from H. penai by its unarmed mesotibiae. It is, however, externally quite similar to H. argentinensis . The most notable external difference between these two species is in the anterior angles of the pronotum, which are produced beyond the anterior pronotal margin in H. martinezi but more or less contiguous with the anterior margin of the pronotum in H. argentinensis ( Fig. 23). This gives the overall impression of a smaller pronotum in H. martinezi . Ideally we would prefer more material upon which to base a new species. However, the form of the male genitalia ( Figs. 20–21) in H. argentinensis and H. martinezi are vastly different. Based on the constancy of male genitalic form (i.e., lack of variation) observed in H. penai (n = 4), as well as in H. argentinensis (n = 9) across its range, we believe that the unique male genitalic form of H. martinezi is compelling evidence that this is a distinct species.

Distribution ( Fig. 25)

CHILE. The species is known from central Chile.

Locality data: 1 specimen examined.

CHILE (1). VIII Región (1): Los Lleuques.

Temporal distribution. November (1).

Etymology

The species is named martinezi in honor of Antonio Martínez and his contributions to the knowledge of South American Coleoptera .

Remarks

This single specimen from Los Lleuques, Ñuble, is similar externally to H. argentinensis . However, the male genitalia ( Fig. 21) are distinct. The apex of each paramere bears two minute, external teeth ( Fig. 18) rather than the large external tooth present on H. argentinensis . Furthermore, the parameres are strongly narrowed before the apex and the median lobe is broad and subcylindrical to the apex, not strongly laterally compressed. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.