Rhinaspis Perty, 1833, 1830

Katovich, Kerry, 2008, A generic-level phylogenetic review of the Macrodactylini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), Insecta Mundi 2008 (23), pp. 1-78 : 61-62

Rhinaspis Perty, 1833

( Figure 156-160 )

Rhinaspis Perty, 1833: 46 . Type species Rhinaspis schranki Perty, 1833 (a junior synonym of Rhinaspis aenea [Billberg]), by monotypy.

Taxonomic Notes

The following generic diagnosis is based on a single dissected male specimen of R. aenea , the senior synonym of the generic type species. Specimens were authoritatively identified by Burmeister, Arrow, and Moser, and confirmed by the author with the original description. The type species was not located during this study.

Generic diagnosis

This genus is characterized by its elongate body and often large size; clypeus in dorsal view with anterior margin straight, in males, narrowed, produced forward, lateral margins deeply indented; prementum quadrate, in ventral profile raised in posterior 3/4, transverse ridge present, medially with a distinct suture, labrum in frontal view broadly ovate, deeply grooved, directed vertically.

Generic redescription

Measurements: Prothorax at widest point 10.0 mm, elytra at widest point 11.2 mm, length 24.0 mm.

Color and vestiture: Body bronze, venter bronze, vestiture consisting of fine yellow setae.

Head: Clypeus not coplanar with frons, clypeus in dorsal view with anterior margin straight, in males, narrowed, produced forward, lateral margins deeply indented ( Fig. 158 ); frons angled 60 o; labrum in frontal view broadly ovate, deeply grooved, directed vertically ( Fig. 159 ), labrum not coplanar with clypeus; labium with prementum quadrate, in ventral profile raised in posterior 3/4, transverse ridge present, medially with a distinct suture ( Fig. 160 ); mandibles in dorsal view rectangular, scissorial area bluntly produced, well sclerotized, weakly bidentate, molar area bluntly produced, well sclerotized; maxillary palpi with apical segment ovate, apex obtuse, distally with a sensory spot; antennae with 10 antennomeres, antennomeres 8-10 forming the club, club equal to length of antennomeres 3-6 combined.

Prothorax: Pronotum oblong, transverse, widest medially, anterior angle obtuse, lateral margin convex, posterior angle acute, posterior margin weakly convex, medially lobed; prothoracic leg with coxa transverse; tibia bidentate, ventral margin with spur in distal 3/4; pretarsus with claws divergent, equal in length, both claws broadly split, upper lobe longer than lower lobe, broad, lower lobe narrow on individual claw.

Mesothorax: Scutellum cordate; elytra longer than wide, widest in posterior 1/4, in lateral profile, epipleuron flattened, produced outward, in dorsal view elytra flattened, three weak striae present, intervals shallowly punctured, punctures with small yellow setae, anterior and posterior umbones prominent; pretarsus similar to prothoracic pretarsus.

Metathorax: Metathoracic leg with coxa contiguous; femur narrowly ovate, widest in proximal 1/3; tibia narrowly figure-8 shaped, narrow proximally, widest medially, narrowing in distal 1/4, posteroventral margin with pair of long, stout spurs, anterior spur slightly shorter than posterior spur, arising above tarsal articulation joint, posterior spur arising at same level as tarsal articulation joint, posterior margin with deep, U-shaped groove; pretarsus with claws similar to those of prothoracic and mesothoracic legs.

Abdomen: Ventrites 2-4 subequal in length, 5 th ventrite (= propygidium), 2X length of 4 th ventrite, ventrite and sternite of 5 th abdominal segment not separated by a complete suture, spiracle located posterolaterally; 6 th ventrite narrow, 1/3 length of 5 th ventrite length; pygidium tear-shaped, wider than long, posterior margin rounded.

Diversity and Geographic Distribution

Rhinaspis comprises 10 species, all known only from Brazil or Argentina. There is no key to species

available.

Figures

Figure 156-160. Rhinaspis aenea (Billberg) (male). 156) Dorsal habitus.157) Left lateral view. 158) Clypeus and head, dorsal view. 159) Labrum and clypeus, frontal view. 160) Prementum, ligula and labial palpi, ventral view.