Operclipygus prominens, 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 : 133-134

Operclipygus prominens sp. n. Figs 35 C–DMap 13

Type locality.

BRAZIL: Amapá: Serra do Navio [0°59'N, 52°00'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "BRASIL: Amapá, Serra do Navio 0°59'N, 52°00'W, Piège d’interception 1 –14.v.1991” / "Caterino/Tishechkin Exosternini Voucher EXO-00296" (UFPR). Paratypes (3): 2: same data as type (CHND, FMNH); FRENCH GUIANA: 1: Belvèdére de Saül, point de vue, 3°1'22"N, 53°12'34"W, 7.ii.2011, FIT, SEAG (CHND).

Other material.

BRAZIL: Pará: 1:IPEAN, Utinga, Belém, 1°27'S, 48°26'W, v.1985, FIT (CHND), 1: xii.1984, FIT (MSCC); 1: Tucuruí, 3°45'S, 49°40'W, 9-17.xii.1985, FIT (AKTC).

Diagnostic description.

Nearly indistinguishable from Operclipygus callifrons , except as follows; length: 1.25-1.37 mm, width: 0.97-1.06 mm; body distinctly smaller, slightly more elongate and dorsally convex; anterior submarginal pronotal striae with sides recurved posterad between one-third to one-half pronotal length; lateral submarginal striae strongly abbreviated posteriorly, nearly absent in one of the paratypes; elytra with ground punctation rather conspicuous; coarse punctures of propygidium very sparse, separated by 2 × their diameters or more, absent from fairly broad basal band; pygidium with coarse punctures slightly smaller and sparser than in Operclipygus callifrons , marginal pygidial sulcus fine, deep. Male genitalia more or less indistinguishable from those of Operclipygus subterraneus (see Figs 36 F–H), though aedeagus smaller in overall size, slightly more narrowed to base.

Remarks.

The small size, strongly reduced lateral submarginal pronotal stria (Fig. 35C), unusually coarse elytral ground punctation, and prominent antennal bossae will help distinguish this species from its relatives. The specimens from Pará (south side of the Amazon) differ slightly in frontal appearance and in propygidial punctation, and are excluded from the type series.

Etymology.

The name of this species refers to the relatively prominent frontal corners.