Ceratophila (Vovidesa) Tang, Skelley & Pérez-Farrera, 2018

Tang, William, Skelley, Paul & Pérez-Farrera, Miguel Angel, 2018, Ceratophila, a new genus of erotylid beetles (Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) inhabiting male cones of the cycad Ceratozamia (Cycadales: Zamiaceae), Zootaxa 4508 (2), pp. 151-178 : 168

Ceratophila (Vovidesa) Tang, Skelley & Pérez-Farrera , new subgenus

Type species. Ceratophila (Uovidesa) mixeorum , n. sp., here designated.

Adult diagnosis. The subgenus C. ( Vovidesa ) is distinguished from members of the nominal subgenus by the explanate pronotal surface near the lateral carina; lateral carina weakly thicker anteriorly, meso- and metatibia not triangularly dilated toward apex; and strong male dimorphism present on all legs.

Adult description. Length 3.54–4.90 mm, width 1.50–1.91mm. Mouthparts: submentum with long erect or reclining setae. Pronotum transverse, length/width ratio = 0.70–0.83; anterior margin near eyes moderately emarginate, anterior angles moderately projecting; surface near lateral carinae explanate, carinae in dorsal view not evenly arcuate with medial region parallel sided or slightly emarginate; carinae in lateral view weakly thickening anteriorly, anterior thickness <1.5× that at base; pronotal base with longitudinal groove extending anteriorly from lateral basal pore in margin. Elytra: in all populations color uniform without darkened punctation; most specimens with distinct fine setae on surface. Legs with protibial bearing distal lateral tooth only moderately developed, apical spinules of tooth reduced; metatibiae not triangularly dilated at apex which has fringe of long fine spinules. Male genitalia: median lobe and tegmen may or may not be compressed laterally, penile struts 1.93–2.41× longer than median lobe. Sexual dimorphism present; males with thickened femora and modified tibia of all legs, female legs narrow and unmodified. Males with broad, shallowly concave, medial portion of metaventrite.

Etymology. The subgenus is named in honor of Dr. Andrew P. Vovides for his work on the taxonomy, ecology, physiology and conservation of cycads in the New World. Gender feminine.

Remarks. This subgenus shows more striking sexual dimorphism than any other pharaxonothine known. Males have highly modified legs and other structures that differ from population to population. Females, lacking such modifications, are difficult to identify when not associated with males. Thus, males of this group are needed for species recognition and description. Females of this subgenus are known from localities not cited here, requiring more field work and male specimens before the identity of those populations can be determined.