Phrynocepha pseudocapitata Gilbert, 2011

Gilbert, Arthur J., 2011, A review and clarification of the alticine genera Hemiphrynus Horn 1889 and Phrynocepha Baly 1861 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Insecta Mundi 2011 (200), pp. 1-57 : 48-49

Phrynocepha pseudocapitata Gilbert sp. nov.

( Fig. 9-10 , 52 , 60 , 78 )

Type Specimens. Holotype (male) and allotype (female): MEXICO. CHIAPAS: Hwy 195 4.5 km N Ixtapa, 3,000’, 24 May 1987, D. A. Rider, E. G. and T. J. Riley . Holotype and allotype deposited in the collection of Texas A&M University.

Paratypes (44 males and 49 females) – same data as holotype (6) [ AJGC], (2) [ AMNH], (4) [ BMNH], (4) [ CASC], (72) [ EGRC], (2) [ MCZC], (2) [ USNM] ; El Chorreadero, mv + bl, 26 June 1990, R. Turnbow (1) [ RHTC] .

Description. Male (holotype). Body length 6.47 mm; width at elytral humeri 2.76 mm; form elongate. Elytra bluish-black; head, pronotum, mesosternum, legs yellow-orange. Head elongate, with curved carina ventrally extending from behind eye to front edge of postclypeus ( Fig. 9 ), appearing “jowl-like;” genal length 1.76x longer than maximum length of eye; vertex shining, impunctate; postclypeus with prefrontal ridge shallowly, broadly emarginate; an acute, elevated frontal carina extends between antennal fossae, curving upward before descending to front edge of postclypeus; anteclypeus entire, same color as labrum; labrum orange, rounded, with six long, evenly spaced setae; antennal fossae separated by distance slightly less than width of antennal fossa (fossal width measured from inside edges); frontal tubercles flat, distinct, separated by coronal suture; area in front of antennal fossa with sunken appearance, bordered by acute lateral carina extending from eye to front edge of postclypeus; frontogenal suture indistinct; interocular distance 1.80x wider than width of both eyes combined; eyes nearly round, very small relative to head; antennae stout, 0.75x length of body; antennomeres 1-3 orange; 4-11 dark brown; antennomere 3 longest; antennomere 2 shortest; antennomere 4 longer than 5-11; antennomeres 5-11 subequal in length. Pronotum dull, smooth, reticulate, not obviously punctate; lateral margins tapering to apex, widest behind middle; basolateral projections small, obtuse; anterolateral projections rectangular, with corners rounded, not strongly projected; basal depression poorly defined. Scutellum dark brown, triangular, impunctate. Elytra distinctly reticulate, irregularly and inconspicuously punctate; humeral costa not obvious; humeral depression indistinct. Prosternal intercoxal process elevated ventrally over plane of prosternum and even with plane of tip of procoxae, narrowly, distinctly separating coxae, rising to a small wedge-shaped knob midway between procoxae. Procoxae globose. Procoxal cavities open. Mesosternum orange. Legs orange; tarsi orange-brown, darker than femora or tibiae; pro- and mesofemora enlarged; tarsomere 1 of protarsi enlarged, heartshaped, wider than tarsomere 3; tarsomere 1 of mesotarsi enlarged, more elongate than tarsomere 1 of protarsi, but still wider than tarsomere 3 of mesotarsi; tarsomere 1 of metatarsi enlarged, more elongate than tarsomere 1 of pro- or mesotarsi, wider than tarsomere 3 of metatarsi; all tibiae stout, sulcate, expanded apically, with distinct central longitudinal carina. Abdomen dark brown, shiny, impunctate, sparsely pubescent; fifth ventrite broadly emarginate with small, central, orange convexity. Aedeagus slightly, evenly arched; basal piece about 20% of total length ( Fig. 60 ); ventral end slightly widened, with no distinct tip ( Fig. 71 ).

Female (allotype). Similar to holotype, differing in the following characters: size slightly smaller (length 6.29 mm; width 2.70 mm); tarsomere 1 not broadly enlarged on pro- or mesotarsi; fifth ventrite not modified; each elytron with short, distinct humeral costa and 3-4 additional vague costae (light and angles must be right to observe the costae); “jowl” less pronounced laterally (in frontal view the margin of the “jowl” in the male is visible which gives the male a broader head than the female below the eyes); all tibiae similar, slender, gradually expanded apically.

Variation. Male: length 5.65 – 7.47 mm; width at humeri 2.09 – 3.18 mm. Female: length 5.47 – 7.18 mm; width 2.29 – 3.13 mm. The stout or slender appearance of the antennae, as represented by the fourth antennomere (length to width ratio), varies. In the specimens selected, the ratio of the fourth antennomere of the male is stout, approximately 2.5x longer than wide, while in the female the ratio of the fourth antennomere is even more stout, approximately 2.2x longer than wide. In the female, the number and degree of additional elytral costae varies among individuals.

Remarks. The only obvious external difference between this species and P. capitata is the smooth, lightly punctured pronotum ( Fig. 52 ) and the distinct carina on the metatibiae. See “Remarks” for P. capitata and other species.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. All of the specimens were collected at 3,000 feet elevation.

Host. Unknown.

Etymology. Named for its very close likeness to P. capitata .

Specimens Examined. See “ Type Specimens.”

Figures

Figures 5-10. Male heads (fgs = frontogenal suture, jl = jowl, lc = lateral carina). 5) Hemiphrynus intermedius, lateral view. 6) H. intermedius, frontal view. 7) Phrynocepha deyrollei, lateral view. 8) P. deyrollei, frontal view. 9) P. pseudocapitata, lateral view. 10) P. pseudocapitata, frontal view.

Figures 51-54. Pronota of Phrynocepha. 51) P. marciae. 52) P. pseudocapitata. 53) P. pueblae. 54) P. punctulata.

Figures 60-63. Aedeagi, lateral view. 60) Phrynocepha pseudocapitata. 61) P. pueblae. 62) P. pulchella. 63) P. punctulata.

Figures 78-79. Distribution of Phrynocepha in Mexico.

Figures 64-71. Tips of aedeagi, ventral view. 64) Phrynocepha capitata. 65) P. deyrollei. 66) P. kendrae. 67) P. marciae. 68) P. pueblae. 69) P. pulchella. 70) P. punctulata. 71) P. pseudocapitata.