Coprophanaeus (Metallophanaeus) pessoai ( Pereira, 1949 )

Edmonds, W. D. & Zidek, J., 2010, A taxonomic review of the neotropical genus Coprophanaeus Olsoufieff, 1924 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae), Insecta Mundi 2010 (129), pp. 1-111 : 36

Coprophanaeus (Metallophanaeus) pessoai ( Pereira, 1949)

Fig. 53, 55, 58 , 85-89

Phanaeus pessoai Pereira, 1949: 226

Coprophanaeus pessoai (Pereira) (recomb. Edmonds 1972: 841)

Type. Holotype male, Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo.

Diagnosis. General – Paraocular areas (genae) densely rugose, strongly raised in front of eye ( Fig. 61 ), carina adjacent to eye largely obliterated by strong rugosity. Posteromedian portion of pronotum ( Fig. 53 ) strongly and densely punctate, lacking distinct granules or ridges (sculpturing stronger in females); posterior angle normal, basal fossae small, incorporated into inner ends of distinct sulcus paralleling posterior margin. Salient anterior angle of metasternum acutely angled, sometimes almost conical ( Fig. 58 ). Ventral surface of protibia lateral to longitudinal carina mostly smooth, usually with single or double row of shallow, confluent punctures paralleling longitudinal carina (as in Fig. 51 , arrow). Striae (x5) weakly impressed, simple; bases of striae 1-4 impressed, not distinctly fossate. Elytral interstriae flat, transversely wrinkled ( Fig. 55 ). Pygidium with broad, shallow basal groove. Length 18-21 mm. Color bright metallic green, often with golden reflections.

Male ( Fig. 87-89 ) – Head with evenly tapering horn, base of horn abruptly swollen. Pronotum of large male with deep anteromedian concavity at summit bearing straight transverse ridge. Tips of parameres with strongly developed rounded, flat flanges.

Female ( Fig. 85-86 ) – Cephalic carina with prominent conical median tubercle. Pronotum with deep, oval anteromedian concavity, bearing strongly raised, trituberculate, quadrate process adjacent to anterior margin.

Specimens examined – 8.

Distribution. Chaco province ( Fig. 62 ).

Collection Records. ARGENTINA: Salta – Disto. San Martín ( Mar ) . BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz – Cordillera Prov., Puesto Salas ( Nov ) ; Palmar de las Islas, 19 o 25’S 60 o 32’W, 270 m ( Feb ) . PARAGUAY: Boquerón – Guachalla [Alto Río Pilcomayo] ( Oct ) ; Filadelfia (Colonia Fernheim). Chaco – Fortín Esmeralda .

Comments. The brilliant coloration of this rare denizen of the Chaco is stunning. According to Pereira (1949), references by Pessôa (1935) and Pessôa and Lane (1941) to C. horus are actually to this species.

Figures

Figure 62. Approximate geographic distribution of Coprophanaeus (Metallophanaeus) species.

Figure 50-61. Characters of the Coprophanaeus subgenus Metallophanaeus. 50) Ventral view of left protibia of C. saphirinus. 51) Same, C. pertyi. 52) Dorsal view of posterior portion of pronotum of C. thalassinus. 53) Same, C. pessoai. 54) Dorsal view of left elytron of C. punctatus. 55) Same, C. pessoai. 56) Posterior view of pygidium of C. horus. 57) Lateral view of metasternal angle of C. pertyi. 58) Same, C. pessoai. 59) Same, C. saphirinus. 60) Dorsal view of right side of head of C. horus. 61) Same, C. pessoai.

Figure 85-89. Coprophanaeus pessoai. 85-86) Female habitus. 87-88) Male habitus. 89) Aedeagus (dorsal view on left; lateral view on right).