Leptorhyparus brasiliensis Minkina, 2020

Skelley, Paul E., 2021, A new species of Leptorhyparus Howden, 2003 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Rhyparini) in amber from the Dominican Republic, with comments on extant species, Insecta Mundi 2021 (892), pp. 1-7 : 2-3

Leptorhyparus brasiliensis Minkina, 2020

Figures 1, 4, 6–8 (see also Minkina 2020)

Leptorhyparus brasiliensis Minkina 2020: 34 .

Diagnosis. Leptorhyparus brasiliensis is readily distinguished from the other members of the genus by the smaller body (length 1.98–2.60 mm); head lacking distinct tufts of setae; sides of clypeus distinctly sinuate before genae; pronotum having a long groove in the interval on the outside margin of the costa that reaches the anterior fovea, distinctly separating the paramedian and discolateral costae ( Fig. 1 ); pronotum having a small anterior lobe of the discolateral costa; elytra with postdiscal bulbs reduced; elytra with caudal bulbs small and not distinctly visible in ventral view ( Fig. 4 ); median impression of metaventrite widening posteriorly; epipharynx transverse with deeply emarginate anterior margin ( Fig. 6 ); male genitalia with phallobase tubular ( Fig. 7–8 ); parameres 1/3 length of phallobase, symmetrical broadly rounded in caudal view; and it occurs widely in South America east of the Andes.

Variation. Howden (2003) noted some variation in L. gilli , and similar, subtle variation is seen in the small series available for L. brasiliensis . Variation was seen in the size and distinctness of dorsal and ventral punctation. Some of this apparent variability is related to the amount of encrustation over the structure. Although not all were dissected, it appears the Brazilian specimens are all female, while the French Guiana specimens are all male. The Brazilian specimens are slightly larger than those from French Guiana.

Material examined. (7) Label data: BRAZIL: Rondônia: 62 km SW Ariquemes, near Fazenda Rancho Grande , 27-IV-1992, U. Schmitz, black light trap (1 FSCA) ; same locality, 3–15-XII-1996, J. E. Eger, black light trap (1

CEMT); same locality, 4–16-XI-1997, J. E. Eger, black light trap (1 FSCA). ECUADOR: Orellana: Yasuni Research Station , 0.6745°S, 76.397°W, Sante trap, 2m, lower jar, 12–16-VII-2008, LASAM Team (1 CSCA). FRENCH GUIANA: Kaw: Camp Amazone, Kaw Mtn., 6–10-III- 2016, 307m, J. B. Heppner (1 CMNC; 3 FSCA) .

Figures

Figures 1–8. Leptorhyparus characters. 1–3) Head and pronotum.1) L. brasiliensis. 2) L. gilli. 3) L. peruanus. 4–5) Elytra and pygidium, caudal view. 4) L. brasiliensis, 5) L. peruanus. 6–8) Body parts of L. brasiliensis, from French Guiana. 6) Epipharynx. 7) Male genitalia, caudal view. 8) Male genitalia, lateral view.