Tarsostenus carus (Newman)

Bartlett, Justin S., 2015, New synonymies for Australian Cleridae (Coleoptera), Zootaxa 4057 (2), pp. 281-287 : 286-287

Tarsostenus carus (Newman)

Clerus carus Newman, 1840: 15 .

Tarsostenus pulcher Macleay, 1872: 272 syn. n. ( Fig. 25 ).

Material examined. Tarsostenus pulcher Macleay : LECTOTYPE (here designated) of Tarsostenus pulcher Macleay, 1872 syn. n.: K-209303 / K34244 / Tarsosternus pulcher M c L.W. Gayndah (AM).

Remarks. The pale brown T. pulcher syntype differs in colouration to most typical Tarsostenus carus specimens which have elytra that are at least partially dark blue. Paler specimens, though rarer, reside in collections and the T. pulcher lectotype falls within this end of the colour range of the species. It is possible that these are teneral specimens that have hardened but had not attained full colouration before death. I have compared the T. pulcher syntype to a range of typical-looking T. carus specimens and observed no morphological differences.

Macleay’s (1872: 272) binomen Tarsosternus pulcher is clearly a lapsus calami in relation to the valid genus Tarsostenus and it is here considered an incorrect original spelling ( ICZN 1999: Article 32.5.1). I therefore emend the available name of the intended taxon to Tarsostenus pulcher Macleay, 1872 ( ICZN 1999: Articles 32.2.2 and 32.5.1) with the name Tarsosternus pulcher deemed unavailable ( ICZN 1999: Article 32.4). I recommend the exclusion of the name Tarsosternus pulcher in catalogues and faunal lists unless accompanied by a note explaining its status - for example, “ Tarsosternus pulcher (unavailable; incorrect original spelling emended to Tarsostenus pulcher by Bartlett 2015)”.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 25. (13) Clerus ventralis Westwood, lectotype; (14) Phlogistus conspiciendus Elston, lectotype; (15) Thanasimus acerbus Newman, lectotype; (16) Thanasimus cursorius Westwood, lectotype; (17) Stigmatium dispar Kuwert, lectotype; (18) Stigmatium laevium Macleay, lectotype; (19) Stigmatium fasciatoventre Chevrolat, lectotype; (20) Stigmatium flavescens Chevrolat, lectotype; (21) Xestonotus eximius Kuwert, lectotype; (22) Stigmatium varipes Chevrolat, lectotype; (23) Stigmatium versipelle Gorham, lectotype; (24) Xestonotus (Cyclotomocerus) australicus Kuwert, lectotype; (25) Tarsostenus pulcher Macleay, lectotype.