Dysmerus genaspinosus Thomas, 2009

Thomas, Michael C., 2009, A review of the genus Dysmerus Casey (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (74), pp. 1-30 : 13

Dysmerus genaspinosus Thomas , new species

Fig. 11 , 23 , 35 , 43, Map 3

Diagnosis. Individuals can be distinguished from other members

of the genus by a combination of the following character states: the

distinct dorsal pubescence, scape with a bifurcate ventral process

( Fig. 23 ), and the curious genal spine (Fig. 43) distinguish the male

of this species from all other known species. The female is un-

known.

Description. Holotype male, in MAIC (to be deposited in MIZA),

with label data as follows: “ VENEZUELA: Bolivar nr. Icabaru,

110km SW Sta. Elena de Uairen 04 JULY 1987, 490m at light

M.A. Ivie”.

Body elongate, parallel-sided, convex; length, 1.56 mm.

Head 2.00X wider than long; punctures longitudinally ellipti-

cal, smaller than an eye facet, separated by 0.50 or more diameters

(mostly 1 or more), sparse medially, denser laterally and basally;

each subtending a long, pale seta; surface between punctures smooth

and shining; clypeus prolonged, comprising 0.27 of total length of

head measured along midline from front of eyes to front of head Figure 43. Dysmerus genaspinosus capsule, shallowly emarginate, sides not strongly reflexed; angle Thomas, n. sp., oblique view of holoabove antennal insertion right, strongly elevated; a laterally di- type showing genal spine.

rected, horizontal spine is located just anterior to eye on gena

(Fig.43); antennal scape large, length equal to 0.60 length of head; from dorsal view roughly triangular in shape, with a dark tubercle about 0.25 length of scape behind apex; in lateral view with a ventrally directed acutely bifurcate process ( Fig. 23 ); pedicel small, quadrate; antennomeres III-VIII quadrate, about equal in length; antennomeres IX-X broader and longer; XI longer than X; eye moderately, evenly convex, about 0.40 length of head.

Pronotum as long as wide; surface sculpture and pubescence as for head; roughly rectangular in shape, broadest at apex, thence narrowing slightly to base; width across anterior angles 1.10X width across posterior angles; sides steeply descending from sublateral line to margin; anterior angles right, not produced; posterior angles right, not produced.

Elytra 1.87X longer than combined width; parallel-sided for basal half, then gradually converging; all three cells visible, lateral margin of third cell slightly more prominent than others but scarcely carinate; sides laterally perpendicular to margin.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 35 .

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the unique genal spine exhibited by the holotype and only known specimen.

Distribution. Venezuela (Map 3).

Figures

Figure 10-12. Head and pronotum of males of Dysmerus: 10) D. curvicornis Thomas, n. sp.; 11) D. genaspinsosus Thomas, n. sp.; 12) D. hamaticornis Thomas, n. sp.

Figure 22-27. Oblique view of head and antennal scape of males of Dysmerus: 22) D. boliviensis Thomas, n. sp.; 23) D. genaspinosus Thomas, n. sp.; 24) D. hamaticornis Thomas, n. sp.; 25) D. mexicanus Thomas, n. sp.; 26) D. monstrosus Thomas, n. sp.; 27) D. rondoniensis Thomas, n. sp.

Figure 35-37. Male genitalia of species of Dysmerus: 35) D. genaspinosus Thomas, n. sp.; 36) D. hamaticornis Thomas, n. sp.; 37) D. impolitus Thomas, n. sp.