Philonthus bonariensis Bernhauer, 1909

Chani-Posse, Mariana, 2010, Revision of the southern South American species of Philonthus Stephens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) 2595, Zootaxa 2595, pp. 1-70 : 15-19

Philonthus bonariensis Bernhauer, 1909

(Figs. 2, 9, 31–36, 146)

Philonthus bonariensis Bernhauer, 1909: 245 ; Bernhauer & Schubert, 1914: 330 (catalog); Bruch, 1915: 444 (catalog); Blackwelder, 1944: 132 (list); Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968: 355 (misidentified as Philonthus hepaticus ); Frank, 1982: 38 (list); Herman, 2001b: 2762 (catalog); Chani-Posse, 2004: 222 (characters), 230 (list).

Philonthus catamarcanus Bernhauer, 1916: 36 ; Scheerpeltz, 1933: 1335 (catalog); Blackwelder, 1944: 132 (list); Herman, 2001b: 2772 (catalog); Chani-Posse, 2004: 230 (list); Chani-Posse de Maus, 2009: 38 (syn.)

Philonthus weiseri Bernhauer, 1921: 169 ; Scheerpeltz, 1933: 1368 (catalog); Blackwelder, 1944: 135 (list); Herman, 2001b: 3003 (catalog); Chani-Posse, 2004: 232 (list); Chani-Posse de Maus, 2009: 38 (syn.)

Diagnosis. Philonthus bonariensis may be identified by the antennal segments 4 elongate and 5 quadrate, the last segment of labial palpi 2 times as long as the second, and the tergum 10 with 5 to 6 apical setae in both sexes. It differs from other southern South American species of Philonthus by the median lobe with a small tooth on the face adjacent to paramere, and the paramere elongate with 6–8 peg setae forming two short lateral rows at apex.

Redescription. Length of the body 5.0– 6.8 mm. Coloration. Head castaneous- brunneous to black; thorax castaneous brunneous to brunneous, elytra castaneous-brunneous to castaneous-piceous with medial and apical margins testaceo brunneus to brunneus or uniformly coloured (brunneous to testaceo-brunneus); abdominal segments castaneous-piceous with apical margins castaneous brunneous; antennae castaneouspiceous to castaneous-brunneous, palpi and legs brunneous.

Head about as long as wide to slightly wider than long (HW/HL= 1.2–0.9) (Fig. 2) and at basal third as wide as distal third in both sexes, moderately narrower than pronotum (HW/PW= 0.85–0.80); dorsal surface coarsely and moderately punctate, with three to four postocular punctures and three to four epicranial punctures; distance separating medial interocular punctures on frons about twice as large as distance separating medial punctures from lateral punctures; infraorbital ridge present, extending not far beyond postgenal ridge. Eyes about as long as to slightly longer than temples (EL/TL= 1.15–1.00) seen from above (Fig. 2). Antennae with segment 1 as long as segments 2 and 3 combined, segments 2 and 3 subequal in length, segments 4 elongate, 5 subquadrate, 6–10 transverse (Fig. 9). Maxillary palpus with segment 2 not swollen, no more than twice as long as its maximum width; last segment fusiform, about twice longer than segment 3 (Fig. 2). Submentum about 1.5 times as long as mentum. Labial palpus with last segment twice as long as preceding segment. Neck more than 0.5 times as wide as head at widest point (NW/HW= 0.7).

Pronotum about as long as wide (PW/PL= 1.04–0.94), distinctly narrowed anteriad; dorsal surface of pronotum with two rows of punctures, each with four punctures. Hypomeron not visible in lateral view. Basisternum with medial longitudinal carina moderately developed, bulbous. Metasternum with circummesocoxal ridge broadly rounded medially. Elytra at sides moderately to distinctly longer than pronotum at midline (EtL/PL=1.4–1.2), distinctly longer than elytra along suture (EtL/Etl= 1.8–1.6); transverse distance between punctures about as large as to distinctly smaller than diameters of punctures. Both front and middle tarsi as long as front and middle tibiae; first segment of hind tarsus moderately longer than segments 2 and 3 combined, and about as long as last segment (S1/S5= 1.15–1.00). Abdominal terga distinctly punctuate at basal area, distance separating punctures distinctly smaller than diameters of punctures; terga 2 and 3 with elevated area between basal lines punctuate, posterior basal line straight medially. Male sternum 7 with apical margin straight. Tergum 8 in both sexes with posterior margin arcuate.

Male genitalia. Sternum 8 deeply emarginate medio-apically. Tergum 10 emarginate medio-apically ( Fig. 32), with two long subapical macrosetae and 5–6 apical setae. Sternum 9 with moderate triangular emargination apically and basal portion asymmetrical, two long subapical macrosetae and three apical setae at each side ( Fig. 31). Aedeagus with median lobe gradually narrowed from base of paramere, with a single tooth on face adjacent to paramere; apex of median lobe subacute to acute (in dorsal view) and simple in its apical fourth (in lateral view); paramere elongate and entire, stick-like, reaching two thirds of median lobe length, with two lateral rows of sensory peg setae joined at apex ( Fig. 33–35). Internal sac with distinctly sclerotized structures ( Fig. 35).

Female genitalia. Tergum 10 similar to that of male. Second gonocoxite with 2–5 strong setae along its outer margin and two long apical setae, without stylus ( Fig. 36).

Geographical distribution. P. bonariensis is a Neotropical species. In southern South America it is particularly widespread in Argentina. It also occurs in Uruguay (Montevideo). Chile (Curicó), Brazil (Nova Teutonia) and Paraguay (Asunción) are new records ( Fig. 146).

FIGURES 1–11. 1–6. Head (dorsal view): P. bicoloristylus (1); P. bonariensis (2); P. cribriventris (3); P. pallipes (4); P. rectangulus (5); P. ruficauda (6). Figs. 7–8. Head (ventral view): P. rectangulus (7); P. ruficauda (8). Figs. 9–11. Head and pronotum (dorsal view): P. bonariensis (9); P. aeruginosus (10); P. lynchi (11). Abbreviations: D, distance separating medial interocular punctures; d, distance separating medial punctures from lateral punctures; GS, posterior arms of gular sutures; Dp, dorsal rows of punctures.

Bionomics. Philonthus bonariensis is a very common species in cow droppings in northwestern Argentina in open and wooded habitats (Chani-Posse 2004). According to information on labels, it was also found in litter near rivers and streams, and under rocks. Frank (1982) also cites this species as parasitized by Laboulbeniales (Fungi, Ascomycetes).

Type material. Lectotype of Philonthus bonariensis , ♂, with labels: “ Buenos Aires / XII.98. III.99 / Silvestri”, “ bonariensis Brh n. sp / det. Bernhauer”, “ bonariensis Brnh / Typus”, “Chicago NHMus. / M. Bernhauer Collection”, “ Lectotype Philonthus bonariensis Bernhauer, 1909 / Des. Chani-Posse de Maus 2008 ” ( FMNH).

Lectotype of Philonthus catamarcanus , ♀, with labels: “Rep. Argentina / Prov. Catamarca / 19.11.1912 / C. Bruch”, “ catamarcanus Bernh. / Typus”, “Chicago NHMus. / Bernhauer Collection”, “ Lectotype Philonthus catamarcanus Bernhauer, 1916 / Des. Chani-Posse de Maus 2008 ” ( FMNH). Paralectotype: ♀, with labels: “ San Luis / 190”, “C. Bruch”, “ catamarcanus det. Bernh. / Cotypus”, “Chicago NHMus. / M. Bernhauer Collection”, “ Paralectotype Philonthus catamarcanus Bernhauer, 1916 / Des. Chani-Posse de Maus 2008 ” ( FMNH).

Lectotype of Philonthus weiseri , ♂, with labels: “Rep. Argentina / Jujuy / C. Bruch”, “Cueva Iturbe / 3700 m 10.XI.919 / lg. Weiser”, “ weiseri Bernh / Typus”, “Chicago NHMus. / M. Bernhauer Collection”, “ Lectotype Philonthus weiseri Bernhauer, 1921 / Des. Chani-Posse de Maus 2008 ” ( FMNH). Paralectotypes: ♂, ♀, with labels: “Rep. Argentina / Jujuy / C. Bruch”, “Cueva Iturbe / 3700 m 10.XI.919 / lg. Weiser”, “ weiseri Bernh / Coypus”, “Chicago NHMus. / M. Bernhauer Collection”, “ Paralectotype Philonthus weiseri Bernhauer, 1921 / Des. Chani-Posse de Maus 2008 ” ( FMNH).

Additional material: 304 specimens (11 ♂, 19 ♀, 274 unsexed)

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires: Chascomús, Nov.19, 1971, Lee Herman, 708, 11 specimen ( AMNH); Delta Parana de las Palmas, XI-1939, 1 specimen ( MLPA); Hurlingham, I.1956, 1 ♀ ( FMNH); Isla Martín Garcia, 1939, M. J. Viana, Philonthus hepaticus Er. , 2 specimens ( FMNH), 2 specimens ( MLPA)/ XII. 1939, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Collection, Acc. Z. 13812, 1 ♀ ( FMNH); La Plata, XII.1937 / 1939, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Collection, Acc. Z. 13812, 1 ♂, 4 ♀ ( FMNH); Rio Santiago, X.19. Weiser, 2 specimens ( NMPC); Lobos, I-1932, 1 specimen ( MLPA); Punta Lara, Nov.17, 1971, L. Herman, 704, 2 specimens ( AMNH); Rio Matanza, 1.ii–1.iv.1952, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 3 ♂, 3 ♀, 2 specimens ( FMNH); Tigre, 6-1938, M. J. Viana, Philonthus hepaticus Bernh. / in Bernhauer handwriting " bonariensis det. Bernhauer"/ 73, Philonthus bonariensis Bernh., Metatipo , in green card "171"/138, Philonthus hepaticus Er., Chicago NH Mus. M. Bernhauer Collection, 3 specimens ( FMNH), 2 specimens ( MLPA); 10.II.1905, C. Bruch, 1 specimen ( NMPC); 15.X.1908, C. Bruch, 3 specimens pinned together with additional label “ Philonthus hepaticus Er. (NMPC) . Catamarca: 19/ 24.II.1912, C. Bruch, in green card " Typus ", Philonthus catamarcensis Bernh. / in green card "Cotypus", Philonthus catamarcensis Bernh. / in Bernhauer handwriting " hepaticus Er. "/ Philonthus hepaticus Er. , det./ catamarcanus Bernh., Bernhauer, Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 2 specimens ( FMNH), 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 6 specimens ( MACN), 7 specimens ( MLPA); San Jose, XI/9/ 1995, L. Herman, 2100m, 26° 50'S, 66° 02'W, 1 specimen ( AMNH); 8 km W. Londres, November 7, 1995, Lee Herman, 1480m, 27° 41'S, 67° 12'W, 1 specimen ( AMNH); Richter, 410/418/ 2934, Philonthus catamarcensis Bernh. , 7 specimens ( MLPA); 189, C. Bruch, Philonthus catamarcensis Brnh. , 3 specimens ( NMPC). Córdoba: Cordoba, Manfredi, 15-1-1975 / 13-11-1974 / 27-2-1975 / 12-VIII-1971 / 24-II-1972, Brewer, 7 specimens ( CEUNC); C. Bruch, in green card "Cotypus", Philonthus catamarcensis Bernh. / catamarcanus Brnh. / Philonthus hepaticus Er. , 20.953/ in Bernhauer handwriting " catamarcanus det. Bernhauer", Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 2 ♀ ( FMNH), 7 specimens ( MACN); Alta Gracia, La Granja, C. Bruch, 1 specimen ( CEUNC), 3 specimens ( MACN); 5km E V. d. Totoral, XII-12-2000, L. Herman, 500m, 30° 44' 09''S, 63° 58' 33''W, 3087, 8 specimens ( AMNH). Entre Ríos: Concordia, 19/XI/ 1998, M. Chani Posse, 1 ♀ ( IMLA); Parana, 21.II.1938, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Collection, Acc. Z. 13812, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ ( FMNH). Jujuy: Cueva Iturbe, 10.XI.919, Weiser, 3700m, Philonthus weiseri Bernh. , 2 specimens ( MACN), 1 specimen ( MLPA); 1 specimen ( MLPA); Hornadita, 3400m, in green " Typus " Philonthus weiseri Bernhauer 1921 , in Bernhauer handwriting Philonthus weiseri, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Collection, Acc. Z. 13812, 1 ♂ ( FMNH), 2 specimens ( MACN), 1 specimen ( MLPA); Termas de Reyes, December 27, 1971, Lee Herman, 43 specimens ( AMNH); 8km N Calilegua, XI/12/1995, L. Herman, Leaf litter near stream, 1 specimen ( AMNH). La Rioja: 1 specimen ( MLPA); 3km Olta, Quebrada Vallecito, XII-14-2000, L. Herman, 670 m, 30° 33' 59''S, 66° 17' 04''W, under rocks, 3089, 2 specimens ( AMNH); Patquia, xii– i. 1932 –1933, Brit. Mus. 1933 187, in Bernhauer handwriting " catamarcanus Bernhauer det.", Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 1 ♂ ( FMNH); 1km SW San Blas, Rio de los Sauces, Dec. 4, 1971, Lee Herman, 10 specimens ( AMNH); S.E. Villa Union at Km. Marker 525., Dec. 2, 1971, Lee Herman, 1600m, 1 specimen ( AMNH). Mendoza: Alvarez Condarco, III-79, Sergio Roig, 5 specimens ( IADIZA); Ciudad, Zoologico, V-VI-97, S. Roig, G. Debandi, 7 specimens ( IADIZA); El Challao, Julio 1977 /8-I-85, Sergio Roig, 2 specimens ( IADIZA); Lavalle, El Retamo/Telteca, 13-XII-79/ 15/XII/97-16/II/98, A. Roig y E. Maury/ S. Roig, 3 specimens ( IADIZA); Lujan, Perdriel, 28/12/96, G. Debandi, 2 specimens ( IADIZA); Sta. Rosa, 2km N. A. Villanueva, 19/V/98, S. Roig, 1 specimen ( IADIZA); Tupungato, Pampa La Carrera, 12/X/ 98, S. Roig, 1 specimen ( IADIZA). Misiones: 190, C. Bruch, Philonthus hepaticus Er. , in Bernhauer determ.in Bernhauer handwriting " hepaticus Er. ", 1 specimen ( MLPA). Río Negro: Lago Pellegrini, 11-16- 1972, L. Herman, 2 specimens ( AMNH); Rio Colorado, 30.11.1909, Weiser, in green " Typus ", Philonthus weiseri Bernhauer 1921 , 1 specimen ( MACN); Rio Colorado, 1 specimen ( MLPA); Villa Regina, Feb 14 1972, L. Herman, 2 specimens ( AMNH). Salta: Candelaria, VII. 1933, 1 specimen ( MLPA); 10km. NW Cafayate, Dec. 17, 1971, Lee Herman, 1 specimen ( AMNH). San Juan: Astica, 13-IV-79, Sergio Roig, 4 specimens ( IADIZA); Ruta 40, 20km S. Huaco, 18/V/98, S. Roig, 1 specimen ( IADIZA); Paso del Agua negra, 18-II-78, Sergio Roig, 3000m, 1 specimen ( IADIZA); 9km E Difunta Correa, 15/IV/98, S. Roig, 1 specimen ( IADIZA). San Luis: Q. de Lopez, 7km SE S. FcoMdeOro, 4-XII-00, S. Roig, 1 specimen ( IADIZA); 7km, N Trapiche, XII-6-2000, L. Herman, 1060m, 33° 06' 03''S, 66° 03' 39''W, litter near river, 21 specimen ( AMNH); Irideus, Quebrada del Tala, XII-8-2000, L. Herman, 1100m, 32° 39' 01''S, 64° 57' 23''W, litter in moist narrow quebrada, 2 specimens ( AMNH); Potreros de los Funes, XII-2-2000, L. Herman, 916m, 33° 14' 15''S, 66° 14' 20''W, litter near stream, 6 specimens ( AMNH); Renca, Rio Conlara, XII-8-2000, L. Herman, 760m, 32° 46' 21''S, 65° 22' 04''W, litter near river, 8 specimens ( AMNH); Villa de la Quebrada, XII- 3-2000, L. Herman, 970m, 33° 01' 02''S, 66° 17' 14''W, litter near stream, 2 specimens ( AMNH). Santa Fe: Five Lilles, 25.X.33, Bruch, Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 1 specimen ( FMNH); Rosario, 1917, Weiser, 1 specimen ( NMPC). Tucumán: Anfama, VII. 1933, 8, in Bernhauer handwriting " cribriventris det. Bernhauer Bosq. Don. Bruch", Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 1 specimen ( FMNH); Sierra de Aconquija, Philonthus hepaticus Er. Det. Saiz 1970 , 1 ♀ (C.Saiz). Tafi Viejo, El Cadillal, 5-I-1999, M. Chani Posse, 6 specimens ( IMLA); Concepcion, Dec. 5, 1971, Lee Herman, in label "Catamarca", sic, 4 specimens ( AMNH). BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutonia, XII.1953, Fritz Plaumann Leg./ Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Collection, Acc. Z. 13812, 3 ♂, 3 ♀, 17 specimens ( FMNH). CHILE: Curicó: Los Niches, km 10, 1–16 jul 2006, female, bajo corteza álamo, 2 specimens (Col. J. E. Barriga). PARAGUAY: Asunción: January–March, B. Podtiaguin, 1 specimen ( AMNH). URUGUAY: Montevideo: Peñarol, 12.XI.1906 / 13.XI.1906 / 21.XI.1906 / 20.XI.1904 / 10.I.1933 / 15.XI.1904 / 10.V.1931, J. Tremoleras, 499, 36/ Philonthus bonariensis Bernh., M. Bernhauer determ. / Philonthus hepaticus Er., M. Bernhauer determ./ in Bernhauer handwriting " bonariensis det. Bernhauer", Chicago NHMus Bernhauer Collection, 5 specimens ( FMNH), 1 specimen ( MACN), 8 specimens ( MLPA).