Theognete tzotzil Anderson, 2010

Anderson, Robert S., 2010, A taxonomic monograph of the Middle American leaf-litter inhabiting weevil genus Theognete Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; Molytinae; Lymantini) 2458, Zootaxa 2458 (1), pp. 1-127 : 41

31. Theognete tzotzil Anderson , new species ( Figures 144 , 179 , 214 , 324–327 )

Diagnosis. Size. Length, male, 2.81–3.32mm; female, 2.81–3.26mm. Width, male, 1.69–2.08mm; female, 1.63–1.97mm. Pronotum with few very small or no distinct punctures; weakly cordate with dense, erect, apically recurved, moderately long scales condensed along anterolateral margins and in paramedian clumps in apical half of length. Elytra rounded, with similar apically recurved scales linearly arranged along intervals, strial regions with very fine, appressed, elongate, hair-like scales. Striae not impressed. Posterolateral area with series of 3–6 shallow, contiguous punctures. Mesosternum flat, slightly sloping anteriad, punctate to various extent in transverse band at extreme apex (usually obscured by prosternum). Male tergite VIII emarginate in middle. Aedeagus as in Fig. 179 .

Geographical distribution. México (Chiapas).

Natural history. Collected from berlese extraction of cloud forest and oak-pine forest leaf litter at elevations of from 1500–1825m.

Derivation of specific name. Noun in apposition; after the Tzotzil, the native Indians of the highlands of Chiapas.

Material examined. 122♂, 81♀♀ ( BMNH, CMNC, CWOB, ECOS, MCZC, USNM, UVGC) .

Holotype ♂ ( CMNC): MÉXICO: Chiapas. 8.9km E. Rayón, 1500m, 19.IX.1991, R. Anderson, cloud forest litter, 91-109 / HOLOTYPE ♂, Theognete tzotzil sp. nov., R. S. Anderson. Aedeagus extracted. Paratypes: MÉXICO. Chiapas. Pueblo Nuevo Solistahuacán (8 mi. E.), 6000', 26–27.VIII.1973, A. Newton, berlese cloud forest leaf litter (4♂, 5♀♀ CMNC, MCZC). Rayón (8.9 km E.), 1500 m, 19.IX.1991, R. Anderson, oak-pine forest litter, 91-109 (118♂, 77♀♀ BMNH, CMNC, CWOB, ECOS, USNM, UVGC) .

Chorological relationships. Sympatric with T. backorum and T. jonesi .

Figures

FIGURES 144–154. Habitus, dorsal view, Theognete tzotzil species group. 144. T. tzotzil. 145. T. braunae. 146. T. zapatista. 147. T. howdenorum. 148. T. maturini. 149. T. montana. 150. T. lalannei. 151. T. hortenseae. 152. T. scopulus. 153. T. backorum. 154. T. lutulenta.

FIGURES 178–180. Aedeagus, dorsal and lateral view, Theognete tzotzil species group. 178. T. huitepec. 179. T. tzotzil. 180. T. braunae.

FIGURES 204–227. Abdominal ventrite 5, male, ventral view, Theognete tzotzil species group. 204. T. galvezi. 205. T. echinata. 206. T. schaubeli. 207. T. clavisetosa. 208. T. schusteri. 209. T. cortesi. 210. T. trusterae. 211. T. cavei. 212. T. peckorum. 213. T. huitepec. 214. T. tzotzil. 215. T. braunae. 216. T. zapatista. 217. T. howdenorum. 218. T. maturini. 219. T. montana. 220. T. lalannei. 221. T. hortenseae. 222. T. scopulus. 223. T. backorum. 224. T. lutulenta. 225. T. confusa. 226. T. lapouimetorum. 227. T. balli.

FIGURES 316–331. Female genitalia (top to bottom; spermatheca, tergite VIII, sternite VIII, tergite VII), Theognete species, various species groups, representatives. 316–319. T. bothynometopon. 320–323. T. tzotzil. 324–327. T. terrestris. 328–331. T. hesmos.