Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852 )

Sassi, Davide, 2023, Revision of the Griburius scutellaris (Fabricius, 1801) species group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae), Zootaxa 5315 (6), pp. 501-548 : 507-513

Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852)

( Figs 1b ; 2 ; 12a )

Scolochrus albilabris Suffrian, 1852: 111 (original description); Suffrian, 1858: 388 (taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1880: 59 (taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1889: 124 (taxonomic notes).

Griburius albilabris: Clavareau, 1913: 88 (catalogue, newly combined); Blackwelder, 1946: 639 (catalogue); Ordóñez-Reséndiz & López-Pérez, 2021: 90 (catalogue).

Scolochrus suturalis Suffrian, 1852: 113 (original description); Suffrian, 1858: 389 (taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1880: 59, (as syn. of G. albilabris , taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1889: 124, (as syn. of G. albilabris , taxonomic notes).

Griburius suturalis: Clavareau, 1913: 88 (as syn. of G. albilabris , catalogue).

Griburius albilabris suturalis: Blackwelder, 1946: 639 (as subsp. of G. albilabris , catalogue). Syn. restored.

Blackwelder (1946) clearly lists and distinguishes between the names that he considers synonyms and those to which he attributes an infrasubspecific rank, using the abbreviation ‘a.’ in the latter case. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the abbreviation ‘v.’ used in the case of G. suturalis is intended to denote the subspecific rank. Being Blackwelder the last author, as far as I could ascertain, to cite this name, it is deemed necessary to formally reaffirm the synonymy already proposed by Jacoby (1880) to clarify the status of this name in the context of a taxonomic work.

Scolochrus zonatus Suffrian, 1852: 113 (original description); Suffrian, 1858: 389 (taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1880: 59 (taxonomic notes); Jacoby, 1889: 125 (as synonym of G. albilabris , taxonomic notes).

Griburius zonatus: Clavareau, 1913: 92 (as distinct species, catalogue); Ordóñez-Reséndiz & López-Pérez 2021 (as synonym of G. albilabris , catalogue).

Griburius albilabris zonatus: Blackwelder, 1946: 639 (as subsp. of G. albilabris , catalogue). Syn. restored.

At first Jacoby (1880) confirmed G. zonatus as a distinct taxon with respect to G. albilabris , but he changed his mind afterwards ( Jacoby, 1889) and treated it as an infrasubspecific entity. Clavareau (1913) ignored this last opinion and, again, reported G. zonatus as distinct species. In Blackwelder (1946) the taxon is reported as “var.” of G. albilabris . At last, in Ordóñez-Reséndiz & López-Pérez it is listed as synonym of G. albilabris . Even though the last reasoned opinion was Jacoby’s (Clavareau’s, Blackwelder’s and Ordóñez-Reséndiz & López-Pérez’s contributions being simple lists of species), a formal statement of restored synonymy is given here to clarify the status of this name in the context of a taxonomic work.

Types. Suffrian (1852) did not mention the number of the specimens available for the description of Griburius albilabris , but he reported he examined male and female specimens from Mexico provided “by Sturm and Thorey”. Both of these people were traders (Horn, 1935), so it is difficult to determine the repositoires of the original material. After a careful analysis of the collections visited, the only specimen available having a valid indication of belonging to the type series is a female at the BMNH, bearing a handwritten label by Suffrian. For this reason, this specimen is designated as lectotype of the species. LECTOTYPE (by present designation): ♀, pinned, // “ Mexico, B. C. albilabris . Mihi.” [white label, handwritten] // “ Scolochrus albilabris . (St) [Sturm?] Suffr.” [white label, handwritten] // “ Mexico Salle Coll.” [white label, printed] // “B.C.A., Col. VI,1. Scolochrus albilabris, Suffr. ” [white label, printed] // “Type” [white label, printed] // “ Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852) ( Scolochrus albilabris ) LECTOTYPUS D. Sassi des.” [red label, printed] // ( BMNH). Besides, five specimens in MLUH are probably part of the type series as well, but none of them bears, as the specimen in BMNH does, a handwritten Suffrian’s label or any other indisputable evidence of having been already part of the Suffrian collection before the description of the species. For this reason, although these specimens also include a pair of males, it was prudentially preferred not to choose the lectotype of the species among them. As a consequence, they were treated as simple paralectotypes: 2m 3♀, pinned, // “ albilabris St. m. Mexico.” [green label, handwritten] // “22285”, “22286”, “22287”, “30015”, “27642” [White labels, handwritten] // ( MLUH). All these specimens are labelled // “ Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852) ( Scolochrus albilabris ) PARALECTOTYPUS D. Sassi des.” [red label, printed] //.

Regarding Griburius zonatus , two female specimens housed in MNHUB match the information in the original description [“aus Mexico (von Oaxaca; Mus. Berol. Sommer”)] and can be considered as belonging to the type series, even though only one is labelled. The typification is made as follows, in order to stabilize the epithet. LECTOTYPE (by present designation): ♀, pinned, // “23997” [white label, printed] // “N. Suffr. Oajaca [sic] Sommer” [blue label, handwritten] // “ Griburius zonatus ( Suffrian, 1852) ( Scolochrus zonatus ) LECTOTYPUS D. Sassi des.” [red label, printed] // “ Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852) D. Sassi det. 2015” [white label, printed] // (MNHUB). The second specimen, devoid of previous labels, was labelled // “ Griburius zonatus ( Suffrian, 1852) ( Scolochrus zonatus ) PARALECTOTYPUS D. Sassi des.” [red label, printed] // “ Griburius albilabris ( Suffrian, 1852) D. Sassi det. 2015” [white label, printed] // (MNHUB). The label information for these two specimens matches the registration data from the old catalogue of the MNHUB (“23997 Metallactus zonatus Suffr. * 2. Oaxaca, Somm.”).

Unfortunately, it was not possible to locate specimens of the type series of Griburius suturalis . Therefore, the synonymy with G. albilabris is provisionally confirmed on the basis of previous studies ( Jacoby, 1880, 1889) and the information from the original description.

Type localities. G. albilabris : “ Mexico ”. G. suturalis : “ Mexico ”. G. zonatus : Oaxaca ( Mexico).

Additional material examined. COSTA RICA: “ Costa Rica ” 1920 & 1922 (2, MNHN) . Alajuela: 8 km S San Ramon 31.V.1980 (13, USNMNH & TAMU & FSCA) ; 6–8 W Atenas 1.VI.1980 (2, USNMNH & TAMU) . Cartago: Turrialba (1, NHMB) . Guanacaste: Bebedero Reimoser ((3, NMV); Palo Verde Sta. 29 km WSW Cañas 30.VI– 13.VII.1976 (10, TAMU) ; 30 km SE Cañas 27.VII.1990 (1, TAMU) ; Cañas 10.V.1991 (1, ERPC) ; Finca Jenny 31 km N Liberia VI.1989 (2, BMNH) ; La Pacifica nr Cañas 22–26.V.1984 (22, ERPC) ; 3–6 km NW Cañas La Pacifica 2.VI.1980 (1, FSCA); Las Cañas Reimoser (1, NMV); nr. Upala at km 25 24.V.1984 (2, ERPC); Lomas Barbudal Steward Ranch 14.VII.1989 (1, USNMNH); Lomas Barbudal Res . 13.VII.1989 (5, USNMNH); 14 km S Cañas 3– 9.VII.1988 & 7–10.X.1989 & 14–25.VII.1990 & 1–12.VIII.1990 & 2–4.IX.1990 & 23.VI–15.VIII.1991 (13, BYU); 4 mi NW Cañas on Lonchocarpus minimiflorus 7–9.VII.1966 (10, BYU); S Cañas Exp. Sta . 1–8.VIII.1988 (1, BYU); 3 km SE R. Naranjo 1–15.VI.1992 & 15–30.VI.1991 (2, BYU); 6 km E Guayabos 21.VI.1993 (1, MSNG); Tilarán Reimoser (4, NMV). Heredia: La Selva Biol. Sta. 3 km Pto Viejo 17.V.1990 (1, TAMU); 1 km S Pt. Vejo 4.VI.1984 (1, ERPC). Puntarenas : 4–6 km S Santa Elena 4–7.VI.1980 (3, FSCA & TAMU); San Lucas 7.VII.1934 (1, USNMNH). San José: San José (1, ZSM); San José 1160m 1929 (1, USNMNH); Escazú 2–13.V.1988 & 1– 10.VI.1988 & 1–17.VI.1988 & 3–16.VII.1988 & 25–29.VII.1988 (11, BYU); 4 km N Brazilito 5–10.VI.1989 (3, BYU); San Isidro bei S. José E. Reimoser (3, NMV). EL SALVADOR: “El Salvador” (2, MNHUB)¸ La Unión: La Unión 20.VI.1954 (2, USNMNH); Volcán de Conchagua 27.V.1958 (4, CNCI). San Salvador: San Salvador 7.VI.1958 (1, USNMNH); San Salvador 9.VI.1958 (1, CNCI). Sonsonate: Sonzacate 25.VI.1958 (1, CNCI). GUATEMALA: “ Guatemala ” (1, MNHN). Alta Verapaz: San Cristóbal 12.VIII.1978 (1, ZSM). Baja Verapaz: 19–24 km N Salama 25–31.V.1989 (1, FSCA). Chiquimula: 1 km E Ipale 12.VI.1991 (1, TAMU). Guatemala: Guatemala City 26.V.1964 (1, FSCA). Jutiapa: St. 4 mi E Jutiapa 26.VI.1979 (2, ERPC). Suchitepéquez: Finca Moka 11.VI.1967 (1, USNMNH); Patulul 10.VIII.1983 (1, ZSM). Zacapa: San Lorenzo Quarry Road 7 km N Sta Cruz UV light 17.VII.2008 (1, BYU); 12–14 km S Sn Lorenzo 3.VI.1989 (5, TAMU & FSCA). HONDURAS: “Honduras 1978” (2, USNMNH). Atlántida: Tela Jardin Lancetilla 11.VIII.1992 (1, FSCA); Lancetilla Botanical Garden 29.V.1993 (2, FSCA); La Ceiba 23–30.V.1978 (1, USNMNH). Colón: Trujillo 25.VII.1968 (3, FSCA). Comayagua: 3 km S Comayagua 20.V.1995 (1, FSCA). Cortés: El Agua Azul 30.V.1993 (1, FSCA); San Pedro su la Laguna Ticamaya 29.VI.1993 (1, FSCA). El Paraíso: Yuscaran 25.V.1993 (1, FSCA); Yuscaran , 2.VI.1993 & 14.VII.2001 (2, FSCA); 31.5 km W Danli 28.V.1995 (2, FSCA). Francisco Morazán: Zamorano 24.V.1993 & 23.V.2002 & 6.VI.1993 (4, FSCA); 5 km E Zamorano 2.VI.1993 (4, FSCA); Esc. Agr. Pan. Zamorano 2600 ’ 1.VII.1948 (3, USNMNH); San Antonio de Oriente El Zamorano 21.VI.1989 (1, FSCA); 14 mi S Talanga 2800 16.VI.1974 (1, ERPC); 25.5 km SSW Talanga 3.VI.1993 (1, FSCA); Cerro Uyuca 24.V.1993 (1, FSCA); San Antonio de Oriente Uyuca 25.V.1993 (1, FSCA); 30 km E Tegucicalpa 11.VI.1980 & 11.VI.1984 (2, FSCA); Tegucicalpa 30–31.VII.1979 (2, ERPC); Nr. Tegucicalpa 19.VI.1983 1, FSCA); 25 km E Teg [ucicalpa] 21 & 31.V.1980 (2, FSCA); 30 km E Teg [ucicalpa(?)] 30.V.1984 (1, FSCA). MEXICO: “ Mexico ” (4, USNMNH & NMV & NHMB & NHMP); “ Mexico ” D. Ghiliani (12, MSNG). CHIAPAS: “ Chiapas ” VI.1905 (1, USNMNH); Parque Nac. El Sumidero 6.VII.1986 & & 18.VI.1987 & 23.VI.1990 & 17.VI.1990 (5, FSCA & ERPC); Sumidero 4000 ft 8.VII.1955 (5, AMNH); Manos de Imploran Mirrador nr. Chicomen at light 27.VI.1987 (1, TAMU); 8 mi E Rizo de Oro Hwy 190 21–22.VI.1985 (6, FSCA); 1 mi E Cintalapa 22.VI.1985 (3, FSCA); 25 km S Cintalapa 5.VII.1989 (1, ERPC); 29 mi SW Cintalapa 7.VII.1971 (1, ERPC); 25 km SW Cintalapa 11.VII.1971 (1, TAMU); 45 km SW Cintalapa 2500’ 12.VIII.1967 (2, TAMU); 28 mi W Cintalapa 25.VI.1965 (1, TAMU); El Aguacero 22.VI.1990 (1, FSCA); Tuxtla Gutiérrez VIII.1959 (9, USNMNH); Tuxtla de Gut. [Gutiérrez] 26.VII.1987 (2, BYU); Tuxtla Gutiérrez 1800 ft 6–10.VII.1955 (8, AMNH); 33 mi W Tuxtla Gutiérrez 26.V.1983 (1, ERPC); 25 mi E Tuxtla Gutiérrez 22.VII.1964 (1, USNMNH); Cinco Cerros 8.VI.1989 (4, ERPC); La Sepultura 26.VII & 28.VII.1988 (1, ERPC & MSNG); Chorreadero 3.VII.1988 (1, ERPC); Aguacera 16 km W Ocozocautla 28.VI.1986 (2, USNMNH); Hwy 195 4.5 km N Ixtapa 3000’ mercury vapor and blacklight 24.V.1987 (9, ERPC); Quetzalapa 8.VIII.1979 (1, ERPC); Chiapas-Oaxaca border Hwy 190 10.VI.1990 (2, ERPC); Hwy 190 6–7 km SE La Trinitaria 1500m 19.VI.1991 (1, ERPC); 3 mi SE La Trinitaria 18–19.VI.1965 (1, TAMU); 2.3 mi W Las Cruces 13.VII.1962 (1, CNCI); Palenque 24.VI.1987 & 3.VIII.1988 (2, TAMU); 8.5 Km N Mapastepec 7.VII.1991 (1, TAMU); Microondas Villa Morelos 2.VI.1990 (4, TAMU); 1 mi SE Rio Hondo 22.VII.1974 (4, TAMU); Chicoasén Dam Area 10.IX.1988 (1, MSNG); 13 mi N Arrivaca 26.V.1983 (2, BYU). COLIMA: “ Colima ” (1, MNHUB); 2 mi SW Colima 1800’ 9.VIII.1982 (1, ERPC); 7 mi SSE Colima 9.VII.1984 (2, TAMU); 11.3 mi S Colima 20.VII.1984 3, FSCA); 12 mi E Colima 28.VII.1953 (1, AMNH); 11 mi E Colima 19.VII.1966 (1, TAMU); 16 km NW Colima 800m 19.VII.1989 (1, BYU); Tecolapa 21.VII.1953 (2, AMNH); 7 mi & 10 mi W Colima 2.VIII.1956 & 1.VIII.1954 (10, AMNH); Armeria 21.VII.1953 (3, AMNH); Tecolopa 31.VII.1954 (1, AMNH); 1–6 km E Minatitlán 11.VII.2006 (3, FSCA); 33 km N Manzanillo 11.VII.2006 (1, FSCA). DURANGO: Canelas (3, MNHUB). GUANAJUATO: “ Guanajuato ” (2, NHMP); San Miguel de Allende 12.VIII.1953 (1, AMNH). GUERRERO: Taxco 1800m 1. VI.1981 (1, MNHUB); 9.6 mi SE Taxco 10.VII.1992 (1, FSCA); 6 mi E Tixtla 16.VII.1984 (2, TAMU); 6 mi E Xochipala 3500’ 6.VII.1987 (3, TAMU); 6.2 mi SW Xochipala 13.VII.1985 (1, TAMU); 5.4 mi NE Xochipala 13.VII.1989 (1, TAMU); 8 mi S Iguala 22.VIII.1958 (1, CNCI); 8 mi N Iguala 23.VIII.1958 (1, CNCI); 10.3 mi S Iguala 23.VII.1981 (2, TAMU); 40 km S Iguala 1.VII.1992 (1, NHMB); 39 km W Iguala 18.IX.1989 (1, TAMU); 3 mi S Iguala 10.VII.1966 (1 TAMU); 15 mi S Iguala 10.VII.1966 (1, TAMU); 15 mi S Iguala 23.VII.1981 (2, TAMU); 32 mi S Iguala 12.VII.1966 (2, TAMU); 34.6 km SW Iguala 853m Acacia woodland 5.VII.1987 (1, TAMU); 11.2 mi N Iguala 4300’ 5.VII.1987 (1, TAMU); 49 mi S Iguala 12.VII.1966 (1, TAMU); 65 km S Iguala Nuevo Balsas 1500m 12.VI.1997 (2, MSNG); 2 mi E Ocotito 11.VII.1985 (1, TAMU); 2 mi N Cacahuamilpa 19.VII.1984 (1, TAMU); 2.1 mi NE Cacahuamilpa 4.VII.1987 (1, TAMU); 2.5 mi NE Cacahuamilpa 6.VII.1974 (11, TAMU); Chilpacingo 4000 ’ 19.VII.1962 (1, CNCI); 4 mi E Chilpancingo 15.VII.1984 (1, TAMU); 4 mi W Chilpancingo 15.VII.1984 (1 TAMU); 2 mi SE Tecpan de Galeana 14.VII.1966 (1, TAMU); 1 mi NE La Laguna 17.VII.1984 (1, TAMU); 32 mi SE Petatlan 14.VII.1984 (1, TAMU); Huitzuco 1.VIII.1988 (1, MMPC); Tepetlapa (1, MNHUB); Hwy 200 21 km & 41km & 51 km NE Ixtapa (3, TAMU & FSCA) ; Hwy 134 25 km & 55 km NE Villa de Zaragoza 14.VII.1985 (2, TAMU); Acahuizotla VI.1993 (1, DSPC); Mezcala 4-5000 ’ 18.VII.1962 (1, CNCI); 2 mi S Mezcala 18.VII.1957 (1, CNCI); 3 km S Mezcala 550m 16.VII.1992 (1, ERPC); Hwy 200 51 km NE Ixtapa 18–21.VII.1985 (1, ERPC); Hwy 134 34–36 km NE Jct 200 14–16.VII.1985 (1, USNMNH); Hwy 134 25 km & 55 km NE Villa de Zaragoza 14–16.VII.1985 (2, ERPC & USNMNH); 3 km S Xalitla 610m 1.VII & 16.VII & 17.VII.1992 (8, ERPC); 15 mi W Chichihualco 5000’ 15.VII.1984 (2, TAMU); Acapulco 10.VII.1936 (1, CNCI); Acapulco 26.V.1981 (1, MNHUB). JALISCO: Chamela Vic. ESTC UNAM 9–19.VII.1993 & 10.VIII.1982 (44, TAMU & FSCA & USNMNH & ERPC); Chamela Estcn UNAM 2–3.X.1992 (2, TAMU); Chamela 1–8.X.1985 (1, BYU); Chamela 26.IX.1985 (9, BYU); 6 km N Chamela 15–17.VII.2002 (1, BMNH); Mpio La Huerta Chamela Biol. Stat. UV light trap 26.VII.1996 (5, TAMU); 18 mi N Barro de Navidad 23.VIII.1976 (2, BYU); 8 km N J. Maria Pino Suarez 1.VIII.1991 (3, TAMU); 6.7 mi N Autlan top of Mind rd. 7.VII.1984 (3, TAMU); 5 km S Autlan 16.VII1990 (1, TAMU); 26 km S Autlan 9.VII.2006 (1, FSCA); 0.6 km N Rio Tomatlan hwy 200 1.VIII.1991 (2, TAMU); 7 km N Malacque 16–19.VII.1990 (1, USNMNH); La Quemada 27.VI.1954 (2, AMNH); 1 km E El Cumbre Tomatlan Rd. 26.VII.1993 (3, ERPC); 10 km NE Jalostotitlan 30.VII.1978 (5, TAMU); Unión de Tula 13.VII.1965 (1, TAMU); Vulkan Colima 1918 (34, ZSM); Vulkan Colima (4, NHMB); Barra de Navidad IX.1965 (1, USNMNH); El Tuito Arroyo El Tuito 618m 29.VII.2006 (1, BYU); Ocotes de Moya S Yahualica 1900m 30.VII.1991 (1, MNHUB). MEXICO CITY: San Jeronimo 11.VI.1946 (1, AMNH); Tacubaya (1, CNIABM). STATE OF MEXICO: Santo Tomás de los Plátanos 16.IX.1968 (1, USNMNH); Temascaltepec Bejucos 2000ft VII.1933 (2, BMNH); Tonatico 6.VII.1974 (1, TAMU). MICHOACÁN: 3 mi N Nueva Italia 8.VII.1985 (2, TAMU); 98 km S Nueva Italia 14–16.VII.2006 (9, BYU & FSCA); 28.5 mi S Nueva Italia 9.VII.1985 (2, TAMU); 4 km N Morelos de Infiernillo 15.VII.2006 (1, FSCA); 14.3 km S Uruapan 1370–1465m 29.VII.1988 (1, TAMU); 22 mi NE Arteaga 3000’ 31.VII.1988 (1, TAMU); Tuxpan 27.VII.1988 (2, MNHUB); Lake Pátzcuaro 8.VIII.1953 (1, AMNH). MORELOS: Cacahuamilpa 1495m 2.VII.1992 (5, NHMB); 2 mi N Cacahuamilpa 19.VII.1984 (1, TAMU); 3 mi W Yautepec 14–15.VI.1966 at blacklight (1, BYU); 7 mi SSW Yautepec 14.VII.1966 (3, BYU); Cuernavaca (1, MNHUB); Cuernavaca (3, NHMP); Cuernavaca VI.1945 (1, USNMNH); Cuernavaca (1, NHMB); Cuernavaca VII.1991 (1, JBPC); Cuernavaca 1500m 23.VI.1973 (1, USNMNH); Cuernavaca 5000ft 7.VII.1900 (1, USNMNH); 10 mi E Cuernavaca 8.VII.1974 & 30.VII.1976 (1, TAMU); 12 mi E Cuernavaca 4300’ 14.VIII.1954 (3, CNCI); Cañon de Lobos 19 km E Cuernavaca 1220 –1375 m 3.VII.1992 (1, ERPC); Cañon de Lobos 1300m 3.VII.1992 (4, NHMP); Cañon de Lobos 12 mi E Cuernavaca 14.VII.1995 (1, USNMNH); Tlaltizapán (2, MNHUB). NAYARIT: 2 km E Punta de Mita 30.VII.1991 & 22–27.VII.1993 (27, TAMU & ERPC); 15 mi SW Compostela 19.VII.1984 (3, FSCA); San Blas 5.VII.1972 (1, FSCA); Bord. Nayarit-Jalisco Puerto Vallarta 28.VIII.1998 (1, DSPC); 13 mi NW Ahuacatlán 25.VII.1959 (1, CNCI); Rosamorada 24.VII.1954 (5, AMNH); 26 mi N Rosamorada 27.VII.1964 (1, AMNH); Acaponeta 4.VIII.1953 (7, AMNH); Compostela 27. VII.1954 (2, AMNH); Tepic 2– 7.VIII.1947 (1, AMNH); 8 mi N Tepic 25.VII.1954 (1, AMNH); 20 mi N Tepic 5.VIII.1956 (2, AMNH); 44 mi NW Tepic 30.VIII.1971 (1, BYU); El Cora Tepic (2, MNHUB); 3 km WNW Jala 3800’ 24.VII.1993 (1, ERPC); Vol. Ceboruco 15–16.VII.1993 (2, ERPC); Jesús María VII.1955 (9, USNMNH). OAXACA; 10 mi NE Oaxaca 20. VI.1966 (1, BYU); 14 mi S Matias Romero 23.VII.1974 (1, TAMU); 8 mi N La Ventosa at light 22.VII.1973 (1, TAMU); 8 mi NE El Punto 18.VII.1985 (1, TAMU; 1.5 mi E Tapanatepec 7.VII.1971 (2, TAMU); 2 mi E Tapanatepec 18.VII.1973 (1, TAMU); 16 km E Tapanatepec 12.VI.2009 (3, BYU & FSCA); 5 mi Tapanatepec Hwy 190 21.VI.1985 (12, FSCA); 3 mi NW Huajuapan de Leon 7.VII.1992 (1, FSCA); Tehuantepec 12.VII.1955 (1, AMNH); Tehuant [epec] (1, BMNH); 7 mi W Tehuantepec 2.VII.1972 (1, FSCA); 13 km W Tehuantepec 100’ 11.VIII.1967 (1, TAMU); 11 mi W Tehuantepec 23.VII.1973 (2, TAMU); 1.5 km W Santo Domingo Tehuantepec 140m 13. VII.1992 (1, ERPC); Totolapan 1650m 11.VII.1992 ( NHMB) ; 2.1 mi NW Totolapan 21.VII.1974 (1, TAMU) ; Chivela 9.VII.1966 (1, USNMNH) ; 10.5 km WSW Salina Cruz 31m 14.VII.1992 (1, ERPC) ; Jalapa del Marques 24.VII.1974 (1, DSPC) ; 11.6 mi W Jalapa del Marques 12.VII.1971 (6, TAMU) ; 14 mi W Niltepec 7.VII.1971 (1, TAMU) ; 5 mi S Candelaria Loxicha 18–19.VII.1974 (1, TAMU) ; Mitla 24.V.1988 (1, MSNG) ; Monte Alban 1700m 10.VII.2000 (1, MSPC) . PUEBLA: 17.9 mi E & 2.5 mi W of I. de Matamoros 4.VII. & 5.VII.1992 (3, FSCA) ; 5 mi SE Izucar de Matamoros 20.VII.1984 (3, TAMU) ; 11.8 mi NW Izucar del Matamoros 13.VII.1974 (1, TAMU) ; I. de Matamoros-Cuautla Rd. Route 160 Km 129 24.VII.1997 (1, USNMNH) ; 32.4 mi SE Acatlan 2.VII.1992 (1, FSCA) ; Acatlan 4800ft 19.VII.1955 (10, AMNH) . SINALOA: Copala Mazatlan-Durango Hwy 19.VIII.1964 (3, TAMU) ; Mazatlan 22.VII.1957 (1, CNCI) ; Mazatlan 8.VIII.1970 (1, BYU) ; 5 mi & 18 mi N Mazatlan 18.VIII.1972 & 24– 30.VII.1964 & 5–7.VIII.1964 & 10.VIII.1963 (26, FSCA & USNMNH) ; 35 mi S Mazatlan 24.VII.1954 (1, AMNH) ; 46 mi NW Mazatlan 5.IX.1971 (1, BYU) ; 40 mi & 6 mi S Culiacan 22.VII. & 22.VII.1954 (1, AMNH) ; 20 mi SE Rosario 20.VIII.1964 (1, TAMU) ; 16 mi N Rosario 3.VIII.1953 (1, AMNH) ; 4.5 mi N Elota 17.VII.1984 (1, FSCA) ; 33 mi E Villa Union 24.VIII.1964 (1, CNCI) ; 6 mi & 21 mi & 27 mi & 30 mi & 33 mi E Villa Union 23.VII.1954 & 27.VII & 25.VII.1964 & (12, AMNH & CNCI) ; 20 mi E Concordia 800’ 5.VIII.1964 (1, CNCI) ; 12 mi SE Escuinapa 14.VIII.1965 (1, TAMU) . SONORA: Alamos 10.VIII.1952 (1, AMNH) ; 1 mi W Alamos 16.VII.1964 (1, TAMU) ; 5 m E Alamos 2.VIII.1973 (2, FSCA) ; 13 m SE Alamos 30.X.1972 (2, FSCA) ; Cuba nr Nuri 3.VII.2008 (1, FSCA) ; San Javier 4.VII.2008 (1, FSCA) ; Minas Nuevas 7.VIII.1952 (1, AMNH) . VERACRUZ: Tierra Blanca , 15.VIII.1962 (2, CNCI) ; Cordoba 22.X.1963 (1, USNMNH) . NICARAGUA: Carazo: Diriamba Finka 13 km SW 9–19.VI.2013 (1, JBPC) . Esteli: Ducuali 13.VI.1967 (1, USNMNH) . Granada: Las Plazuelas 19.V.2012 (3, ERPC) ; Domitila 18.V.2012 (4, ERPC) ; Domitila Wildlife Reserve tropical dry forest 9–14.VI.2007 (1, HNHMB) ; 122 km S Managua Hwy 2 W shore Lago de Nicaragua 4.VI.1973 (1, USNMNH) . León: El Pochote VI.1987 (1, FSCA) . South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region [RAAS]: El Prog. 2000’ Hwy 17 entr. to Mrzn. 29.V-Big Corn Island 2.VI.1989 (3, TAMU & USNMNH) ; Great Corn Isl. 21–28.I.1966 (1, AMNH) . VENEZUELA: BOLÍVAR Caicara del Orinoco 1929 (1, USNMNH) (The collection locality of the only studied specimen, reported on the label, is found to be very isolated compared to the overall confirmed distribution range, and might be due to a mistake, for this reason this record is questionable and needs further evidence).

Additional data from literature. MEXICO: Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Oaxaca ( Ordóñez-Reséndiz & López-Pérez, 2021); EL SALVADOR: San Salvador: El Rosario Cuscatlán ( Van Roie et al., 2019).

Distribution. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela (?). New for Costa Rica, El Salvador. The presence of the species in Venezuela needs confirmation.

Diagnosis. At first glance this species is similar to G. lecontii , but differs in having pronotal punctation finer and sparser, in upper lobes of the eyes well separated in males along the median line, in frons mostly black in females, with only a transversal yellow line between ocular canthi. Besides, the mid and posterior legs are usually partly yellow, and the shape of the aedeagal median lobe is completely different ( Figs 2 ; 8 ). Griburius purpurascens ( Suffrian, 1852) , not belonging to this species group, is also very similar but differs in pronotal punctuation fine and regularly distributed also on the central part of disc, in the upper lobes of the eyes basically touching in males along the median line. Additionally, in G. purpurascens almost aways in female, and often in males, the sides of pronotum are covered with a thick and evident whitish setosity. Griburius biverrucatus is also similar, but can easily be distinguished by the coarse and dense covering of punctures on pronotal surface.

Description of male. BL = 4.3–4.9 mm, BW = 2.7–3.0 mm, PL = 1.6–1.8 mm, PW = 2.4–2.8 mm. Interocular distance 2.0–2.3 % of BL.

Head ( Fig. 2d ) yellow with vertex, longitudinal stripe between upper lobes of eyes, antennal insertion and lower clypeal margin black. Labrum light yellow. Vertex matt, sparsely punctured with fine, recumbent, whitish setae. Surface of frontoclypeal area with coarse, well-impressed punctation and scattered setae. Mid-cranial suture barely detectable between upper lobes of eyes. Upper lobes of eyes close to each other along midline, but always separated by distinct strip of frons space. Ocular lines narrow, marked by row of punctures, strictly adhering to ocular rim. Ocular canthus large, not differentiated in punctation and setosity from remainder of frontoclypeal surface.Antennae ( Fig. 2m ) rather short with antennomeres 3–5 yellowish, bright, subcylindrical; antennomeres 6–11 brownish, dull, more flattened and more diffusedly setose.

Pronotum black with lateral margins and sides of anterior margin yellow. Sometimes pronotal yellow pattern missing or present and extended toward central part of pronotal disc. Pronotal shape roughly elliptical, moderately transverse, regularly convex. Lateral margins narrow, not visible from above, regularly curved so that maximum width nearly at middle. Surface moderately shiny with scattered, strongly variable punctation. Frequently punctures sparse and very fine to completely obliterated at middle of disc, but coarse and more impressed on sides and toward base. Sometimes punctation denser and irregularly sized. Posterolateral impressions well impressed, marked by rough punctures at bottom of depression. Pronotal posterior margin thickened along posterolateral impressions.

Scutellum yellow or black, subtriangular with apex truncated in almost straight line. Surface minutely and sparsely punctured, with scarce, very short setae.

Elytron yellow to light chestnut to reddish basally with large transverse black band from middle to apical clivus, extended from lateral margin to suture and protracted anteriorly along suture, at times reaching scutellar area. Humeral callus black. Sometimes basal margin black as well. Epipleuron yellow. At times elytron black with square yellow spot on humeral area or yellow with linear or elliptical black spot along suture. Elytral outline short with sides almost straight and convergent posteriorly. Lateral margins narrow, simultaneously visible from above only along posterior half. Elytral surface slightly flattened on disc, moderately shiny with strong, well-impressed punctation arranged in almost regular rows, distinct up to posterior clivus. Intervals flat. Postscutellar area slightly raised. Humeral callus prominent, impunctate. Epipleuron smooth, impunctate, with convex surface.

Pygidium yellow, at times with black margins and apical spot black; more rarely completely black. Surface matt, covered with close shallow punctures and appressed, pale setae.

Ventral parts of thorax totally black. Abdominal ventrites black with distal part of fifth ventrite largely bordered with yellow. Medial projection of first ventrite yellow as well. Hypomera, mesepimera and mesepisterna almost bare, shiny, with scattered punctures. Remainder of ventral surface of thorax matt, covered with thick, short, regularly distributed setae and fine, shallow punctures. Prosternal process large, with sides almost straight between anterior coxae, then weakly converging in large, round apex; surface anteriorly almost flat, then slightly concave toward apex, covered with well-impressed punctures and sparse, long, semi-erect setae. Legs mostly black, unevenly spotted with more or less extended yellow patches, tarsi brownish.

Median depression on fifth abdominal ventrite hardly detectable, evenly covered with short setae and small punctures as reminder of ventrite surface. Ventrite posterior margin straight. Median lobe of aedeagus ( Fig. 2g –k ) with apex terminated by well differentiated median denticle. In lateral view, apex directed slightly backward. Ventral outline marked with arcuate, median carina along apical half. Setose depressions large, shallow, barely delimited, with surface covered by small punctures and long arcuate setae.

Female. Habitus in Fig. 2a–b (LT). BL = 4.9–5.8 mm, BW = 3.2–3.9 mm, PL = 1.9–2.3 mm, PW = 2.8–3.5 mm. Interocular distance 8.6–10.2 % of BL.

In females, the eyes ( Fig. 2c ) are smaller and more separated along midline, and the head surface is covered with rather coarse punctation. The head is almost completely black, with a transverse yellow line, sometimes discontinuous, extended between the ocular canthi. This line, almost always detectable, is a remarkable diagnostic feature, being absent in some closely related species. Besides, the yellow marking on pronotum is less extended and the scutellum is usually black. The light colour is reduced on ventrites and the pygidium. However, outliers were detected sometimes in which the pronotum is yellow with two elliptical spots on sides, or elytron is yellow with black suture, a small black spot on humerus and further rounded black spot just behind middle. More rarely, the elytron is chestnut with an elliptical oblique spot just behind middle, not reaching both the suture and the lateral margin.

The fifth abdominal ventrite in females has a quite large, rounded and deep pit. The bottom of the pit is glabrous, matt, impunctate but covered by tiny wrinkles. The vasculum of the spermatheca ( Fig. 2n ) is scarcely pigmented, sickle-shaped with slightly swollen proximal lobe. The distal lobe is slender, slightly tapered with a rather blunt apex slightly bent downwards. The ampulla is not pigmented, short. The duct insertion on the ampulla is short, neither swollen nor pigmented. The sperm gland insertion is longer and slightly arcuate. The duct is uniform in size, robust, quite rigid, not coiled but with 2–3 turns near the vasculum, then almost straight. The insertion on the bursa copulatrix is simple, neither swollen nor pigmented.

Remarks. This species is widely distributed in Central America and shows a remarkable “plasticity” both in colour pattern and in some morphological traits such as body size and the punctation of pronotum. At present it was not possible to find any informative geographical pattern in such variability, which, on the contrary, seems to be quite randomly distributed. For this reason, the species was treated here as a single variable taxon.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Median lobe of aedeagus with everted endophallus. a: G. scutellaris, lateral view (Wiggins, Missouri); b: G. albilabris, lateral view (Nayarit, Mexico); c: G. decoratus, lateral view (Melinda, Belize); d: G. larvatus, lateral view (Big Pine Key, Florida); e: G. larvatus, dorsal view (Big Pine Key, Florida). as: anterior sclerite; ps: posterior sclerite; ds: dorsal side of median lobe. Dissections and photos thanks to the courtesy of M. Bollino (Lecce).

FIGURE 2. G. albilabris. a–b: habitus, dorsal and lateral view (LT); c: frontal view, female (LT); d: frontal view, male (Lake Pátzcuaro, Mexico); e–f: colour variations (e: male, Lake Pátzcuaro, Mexico; f: male, Mexico, no other data); g–k: median lobe of aedeagus in ventral (g), dorsal (h) and lateral (k) view [0.6 mm]; m: antenna [1.2 mm]; n: spermatheca [0.3 mm]. hd: setose depressions. Square brackets: length of scale segment.

FIGURE 8. G. lecontii. a–b: habitus, dorsal and lateral view (LT); c: frontal view, female (LT); d: frontal view, male (Hidalgo Co., Texas); e–f: colour variations (e: female, Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Texas; f: female, Dolan Falls, Texas); g–k: median lobe of aedeagus in ventral (g), dorsal (h) and lateral (k) view [0.6 mm]; m: antenna [1.2 mm]; n: spermatheca [0.4 mm]. hd: setose depressions. Square brackets: length of scale segment. Photos a, b and c thanks to the courtesy of Charles Farnum (MCZ).

FIGURE 12. Distribution maps for the Griburius scutellaris species-group. a: G. albilabris; b: G. biverrucatus; c: G. boucardi; d: G. decoratus; e: G. errans; f: G. larvatus. Black markings: data from specimens analyzed during the study. Red markings: data from the public database Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF.com).