Hovadelium discoidale Ardoin, 1961

Schawaller, Wolfgang, 2013, Revision of the genera Hovadelium Ardoin and Mimolaena Ardoin (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Laenini) from Madagascar, with remarks on tribal assignment 1, ZooKeys 326, pp. 55-67 : 60

Hovadelium discoidale Ardoin, 1961 Fig. 5

Reexamined type-material.

“Madagascar” (without detailed data), collection Oberthuer, male holotype MNHN.

Remarks.

The type specimen has a quite unique character, namely the head with a deep groove ventral of the eyes (Fig. 5). Ardoin (1961) assumed that this might be a sexualdimorph character of males within the genus. However, in all the plenty herein presented males and females of other species of Hovadelium , such a groove is not present. Thus, this structure (of unknown biological function) is considered as not generic but just as specific for Hovadelium discoidale . Unfortunately, an exact type locality is unknown.

Diagnostic characters.

Body length 4.2 mm (not 5.0 mm as given by Ardoin 1961). Head with a deep groove ventral of the eyes (Fig. 5). Pronotum subquadrate, widest somewhat behind the middle, with marked anterior and rounded posterior angles, surface slightly convex, with fine and sparse punctation, between punctation slightly shagreened. Elytra with punctural rows in striae, intervals convex, shining and without tubercles, interval 7 at base near shoulders with a longer seta. Aedeagus not examined herein (because of the fragility of the type).