New steps for Miller’s (2005) key to Vatellus species
Replace the first two steps of the key as here below
1. Anterior clypeal margin anteriorly produced into distinct rim; body dorsoventrally flattened; elytra smooth and shiny between
punctures or with very fine shagrination as on pronotum..................................................... 1a 1`. Anterior clypeal margin not or only weakly produced into rim; body variable, but many species not dorsoventrally flattened;
elytra of most species with surface microreticulation in various forms, or a few species or specimens smooth and shiny
between punctures.....................................................................................6 1a. Anteromedial process of metaventrito not ventrally produced; dorsal surface of pronotum without distinct pattern of shagrina-
tion and punctation....................................................................................2 1a`Anteromedial process of metaventrito of most species ventrally produced into distinct tumidity; dorsal surface of pronotum
usually with fine shagrination between punctures except for smooth, shiny, impunctate area medially on each side of midline
................................................................................................... 2a 2. Ventral surface of dorsal margin of orifice of speleum bilobed with a cavity that receives a corresponding longitudinal, carinate
prominence on the dorsal surface of the ventral margin, dorsal lobe of orifice extremely thick and with an apical, posteriorly
directed; speleum without an enlargement in the middle of its length; males without a well-developed mesotibial tuft of setae
..................................................................................... V. ventralis (Sharp) 2`. Ventral surface of dorsal margin of orifice of speleum almost shallow and ronded, without cavity or carina; speleum with an
enlargement in the middle of its length; males with a well-developed mesotibial tuft................. .. V. caissara sp. nov.
2a. Size very large, TL = 6.6–7.2 mm; speleum abruptly narrowed at the apex; male with two setae tufts on mesotrocanther........................................................................................ V. yanomami sp. nov. 2a`. Size generally smaller, TL <6.6 mm; speleum not abruptly narrowed at the apex; male with one setae tuft on mesotrocanther.................................................................................................... 3