Operclipygus validus, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 115-116

Operclipygus validus sp. n. Figs 32 D–GMap 10

Type locality.

PERU: Ucayali: km 205 of Tingo Maria-Pucallpa Road [9°8.2'S, 75°47.3'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "PERU: Ucayali Dept. Tingo Maria-Pucallpa Rd. Puente Chino, km 205, 1300m, 9°8'12"S,75°47'20"W, 11-14 OCT 1999; R.Brooks, PERU1B99 007A, ex: flight intercept trap"/ "SM0143737 KUNHM-ENT" (SEMC). Paratypes (4): PERU: Madre de Dios: 2: Manu National Park, Pan tiacolla Lodge, Alto Madre de Dios R., 12°39.3'S, 71°13.9'W, 420m, 14-19.xi.2007, FIT, D. Brzoska (SEMC, FMNH); 1: Reserva Cuzco Amazonico, 15km NE Pto. Maldonado, 12°33'S, 69°03'W, 200m, 22.vi.1989, FIT, J. Ashe & R. Leschen (SEMC), 1: 28.vi.1989, FIT, J. Ashe & R. Leschen (SEMC).

Other material.

ECUADOR, Sucumbíos: 1: Sacha Lodge, 0.5°S, 76.5°W, 270m, 14-24.v.1994, malaise trap, Hibbs (SEMC); PERU: Loreto: 1: 1.5km N Teniente Lopez, 2°35.66'S, 76°06.92'W, 210-240m, 20.vii.1993, FIT, R. Leschen (SEMC).

Diagnostic description.

This species is extremely similar to Operclipygus intermissus and Operclipygus variabilis , differing mainly in the following characters: length: 1.53-1.62 mm, width: 1.28-1.30 mm; frons always with central portion of frontal stria present, detached from sides; pronotal disk with fragments of lateral submarginal stria usually present in anterior corners; anterior stria recurved, usually complete, though rarely interrupted at median pronotal gland opening (as seen in holotype); elytra with 4th stria abbreviated basally, present in anterior one-half to two-thirds; pygidium rather wide and short, with the marginal sulcus comprising large, deep punctures, ground punctation as in Operclipygus variabilis . Male genitalia (Figs 32 D–G) as for group description, with the apices of S8 vertically oriented, curved to ventral apex, bearing 4 or 5 long apical setae, with very short submarginal sclerotization along upper, apical margins; T9 with apices obliquely subquadrate, widened to inner apical edges; T10 not divided; S9 narrow, with base only slightly widened, truncate, with shallow apical emargination; tegmen with sides straight, expanded toward broadly rounded apex.

Remarks.

This species is most confidently distinguished by its aedeagus, having a tegmen that broadens toward the apex (Fig. 32D), and which has secondary longitudinal keels on either side of the medioventral keel. Externally this species is generally separable from those others of the dubius group that lack most of the lateral submarginal pronotal stria by having a distinctly abbreviated 4th elytral stria. One specimen from Loreto, Peru exhibits a generally similar aedeagus, which is, however, even more extremely expanded toward apex. It has a more nearly complete 4th dorsal stria, and may constitute a distinct species. Unfortunately this specimen lacks a head and prothorax, and is tentatively considered to represent a variant of this species until additional material becomes available for study.

Etymology.

This species’ name means ‘strong’ or ‘active’, consistent with all specimens being caught in flight traps.