Enoclerus silbermannii aeternitatis Rifkind

Rifkind, Jacques, 2012, New Central American and Mexican Enoclerus Gahan (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae): Part II, Zootaxa 3397, pp. 1-27 : 18-19

Enoclerus silbermannii aeternitatis Rifkind , n. subsp.

( Fig. 19 )

Type specimens. Holotype male: Costa Rica, San José Prov., 1.4–2.0 km W Universidad Para La Paz, 2800'–3000', 5–xii–1995, beating roadside plants ( Aphelandra scabra ), J. Rifkind, H. Lezama, colls. Holotype deposited in CSCA. Paratypes: 1, same data as holotype; COSTA RICA: 1, San José Prov., Universidad Para La Paz, Ciudad Colón, 800 m, 10 Nov., 1990, H. J. Lezama, coll.; 1 Cartago Prov., Turrialba, Heyne, Berlin–Wilm [no further data]; ALAJUELA PROV.: 1, Cariblanco area, June 1, 1980, J. E. Wappes, coll.; 1, Atenas, Schild & Burgdorf [no further data]; GUANACASTE PROV.; 1, Estación Santa Rosa, 300 m, 24 Feb. –7 Mar., 1995, M. A. Zumbado, L_N_313000_359800 #6091, INBIO CR1002, 324216; 1, P. N. Rincon de la Vieja, Est. Las Pailas, 800 m, 23 Set. a 12 Oct., 1992, C. Cano, L–N 306300, 388600, INBIO CR1000, 833309; 1, same data as previous except INBIO CR1000, 833358; 1, same data as previous except INBIO CR1000, 833307; 1, same data as previous except INBIO CR1000, 833342; 1, same data as previous except INBIO CR1000, 833308; 1, same data as previous except 24 Oct a 12 Nov, 1992, D. Garcia, INBIO CR1000, 977159; 1, same data as previous except INBIO CR1000, 977158; 1, same data as previous except 22 Nov a 11 Dic, 1992, INBIO CR1000, 828281; 1, same data as previous except C. Cano, coll., INBIO CR1000, 927085; 1, same data as previous except 15 Set. a 12 Nov., 1992, J. Sihezar, G. Rodriguez, colls., INBIO CR1000, 844053; 1, R. Gongora, 6 km NE de Queb. Grande de Liberia, 700 m, Feb. 1992, L–N 3197000, 376250; 1, Est. Maritza, 600 m, lado O. Vol. Orosí, Feb. 1992, F. Araya, L–N 326900, 373000, INBIO CR1000, 737467; 1, 3 km SE R. Naranjo, 15–30 April, 1993, F. D. Parker; 1, same data as previous except 11–18 Feb., 1993; PUNTARENAS PROV.: 4, 16 km S. Santa Elena, Dec. 23, 1985, E. Giesbert, coll.; 3, 6 km SE Santa Elena, vii–21–1990, F. Hovore, coll.; 3, same data as previous except vi–24–1989; 1, same data as previous except 18 May, 1984; 2, San Luis Valley, i–7–1989, F. T. Hovore, coll.; 1, 6 km S. Santa Elena, 1100 m, 15–viii–1987, H. & A. Howden; 1, San Luis Rd., 6 mi. E. Jct with Rd. to Guacimal, ca. 700 m, 27–vi–1997, J. Rifkind & H. Lezama, colls., beating; EL SALVADOR: 1, Ahuachapan Dept., Bosque El Imposible, vi–18–1979, R. D. Cave, colr.; 1, same data as previous except 15–vi–1979, on flowers of Casearia aculeata Jacq., No. 80–850.1. Paratypes are deposited in CSCA, FMNH, INBC, LACM, MUCR, WFBM, and JNRC.

Diagnosis. Can be distinguished from the nominotypical subspecies by the complete and broad internal separation of its median elytral fascia. In Enoclerus s. silbermannii (Chevrolat) the fascia is more or less transverse, or at most slightly constricted posteriorly at middle, and always complete internally to suture. In the new subspecies, the fascia is broadly interrupted internally (where it is rounded in contour) and usually somewhat narrowed laterally towards the epipleura, thus taking the form of two ovate maculae. Two specimens from Honduras exhibit a condition that could be interpreted as transitional between the nominate Mexican subspecies and the new subspecies, having the median fascia constricted at the suture both anteriorly and posteriorly, and somewhat infuscate at the sutural margin. These phenotypic differences may represent a north/south geographical cline, but since the Costa Rican and Salvadoran specimens only display the fully separated condition of the elytral fascia, I feel justified in assigning them subspecific status.

Description (Holotype). Length: 8.10 mm. Color: black; terminal 3 antennomeres and tarsi dark brown; each elytron with a large, yellowish ovoid macula at middle, complete to lateral margins, incomplete internally well before suture. Head: densely granulate–punctate, densely set with short, suberect, rust–colored setae. Pronotum: convex, about as broad as long, narrower than elytra at base; posterior slope precipitous; transverse impression mostly obscured by vestiture; surface densely granulate–punctate, rather thickly set with suberect rust–colored setae of moderate length, interspersed with a few longer, rust colored and black setae; middle of disk with a large, transverse, ovoid patch of densely arrayed, suberect, black setae. Elytra: elongate (ratio of length to width 7:4), widest posterior to middle; humeri pronounced; sides sinuate posterior to humeri, broadly, arcuately convergent posterior to middle; apices dehiscent; subbasal tumescences prominent, each crowned with a shining tubercle; surface deeply, coarsely and subconfluently reticulate–punctate anteriorly; punctures a little smaller and more separated at middle; posterior rather finely, shallowly granulate–punctate; vestiture as follows: base set with a thinly arrayed but distinct triangular patch of erect and subrecumbent pale setae of moderate length; pale maculae inconspicuously vested with short, suberect and longer, erect pale setae; posterior 1/4 densely covered with subrecumbent pale orange setae, interspersed with a few longer, erect setae of the same hue; other black integument inconspicuously but rather densely covered with mostly short, mostly suberect, black setae. Mesosternum: posterior median process strongly elevated. Metasternum: densely covered with rather long, cinereous pubescence; anterior median process elevated at apex. Abdomen: shining, sparsely pubescent, rather smooth; visible sternite 5 with hind margin slightly arcuately inflexed; visible sternite 6 small, with hind angles rounded, slightly inflexed at middle of posterior margin; visible tergite 6 surpassing sternite 6, sides oblique, hind margin feebly arcuately emarginate, bearing setal daggers. Legs: robust.

Variation. Size ranges from 7.70 mm to 11.75 mm. Some specimens have the elytral anterior orangish; one Salvadoran specimen has the elytral apices orange as well. The elytral posterior pubescence ranges from cinereous to pale orange, often with a narrow fringe of rusty setae at its anterior margin. The female has visible sternite 6 and visible tergite 6 with their hind margins conjointly rounded, and lacking setal daggers.

Etymology. The subspecific name is Latin for "eternity" or "permanence."

Distribution. Known from western El Salvador and northern and central Costa Rica.

Biology. This appears to be an upland species: most specimens were taken above 500 m elevation. One example was collected on flowers of Casearia aculeata Jacq. ; another was beaten from Aphelandra scabra (Vahl.) Sm. in bloom.

Figures

FIGURES 19 – 22. Habitus of: 19. Enoclerus silbermannii aeternitatis Rifkind, n. subsp. (holotype male). 20. Enoclerus albidulus Rifkind n. sp. (holotype male). 21. Enoclerus mcnallyi Rifkind n. sp., detail of anterior elytral markings. 22. Enoclerus toledoi Rifkind n. sp., lateral view of pronotum showing distinctive markings.