Toxorhinus amarillo Anderson, 2023

Anderson, Robert S., 2023, A new species of Toxorhinus Lacordaire (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae; Rhynchophorini) from Ecuador, Zootaxa 5270 (2), pp. 337-342 : 338-342

Toxorhinus amarillo Anderson , new species

Figs 1–3 , 6–11

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4F121658-4A12-4AFD-9974-99D23AB78801

Description: Length of male (excluding rostrum and pygydium) 7.4 mm, of female 7.5 mm. Matte black except for bright yellow patches of concentrated micropilosity as follows: two broad lines along lateral margins of pronotum in basal 2/3, lines widest at base, tapering apically; in a pair of variably sized spots medially on elytra extended from intervals 1 to 3; ventrally on prosternum in a broad band in front of procoxae; and ventrolaterally on posterior 1/3 of metanepisternum and adjacent area of metasternum ( Figs 1–2 , 6–8 ). Rostrum moderately long, straight in male, denticulate dorsally ( Fig. 8 ), in female, longer, more-or-less straight towards base but apically strongly evenly curved ( Figs. 6–7 ); rostrum about as long as length pronotum and elytra combined in male, longer in female, smooth, cylindrical; apical portion wider, dorsoventrally flattened, spatulate (especially so in male) ( Fig. 9 ). Pronotum longer than wide, widest at about midlength; in lateral profile impressed subbasally. Prosternum, metasternum and abdominal ventrites 1–4 shining, impunctate except for some larger punctures laterally on abdominal ventrites, abdominal ventrite 5 directed ventrally, rounded at apex in male, apex produced posteriorly and narrowly subtruncate in female, with large, deep, dense punctures in both sexes; mesosternum with large, widely separated, shallow punctures. Elytra with striae very slightly impressed, indicated by a row of minute, shallow punctures; interstriae impunctate. Prothoracic legs with apical 3/5 of inner margin of tibia with a row of long, fine, wispy golden hairs in male ( Fig. 10 ), such hairs absent in female ( Fig. 6 ); metatibia of both sexes with similar but much denser row of long, fine, wispy, dense, golden hairs along apical 1/3 of inner margin, metatarsomeres 1 and 2 with similarly dense long, fine, wispy, golden hairs almost completely covering dorsal and lateral faces ( Figs 3 , 11 ); ventral surface of tarsomere 3 almost completely covered with pad of dense pilosity, dense pilosity limited to a small tuft at extreme apex of each of venter of tarsomeres 1 and 2. Male and female not dissected.

Specimens examined: Holotype male, labeled Ecuador: Cotopaxi, Biochoa Otonga , 2000m, -0.413910 - 78.998828, 22 Oct 2001, G. Onore ( QCAZ) . Paratype female, same data as holotype ( CMNC). Additional images were examined as follows (not paratypes): iNaturalist images by Thomas Shahan (https://www.inaturalist.org/ observations/69696722), male, at San Miguel de los Bancos , Pichincha ; Felipe Campos (https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/34407827), male, at Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas .

Differential diagnosis: The two previously described species of Toxorhinus are easily identified by their dorsal patterns of micropilosity ( Figs 4–5 ). Toxorhinus amarillo is separated from these two species not only by the patches of bright yellow micropilosity laterally on the pronotum and in a pair of central spots on the elytra but especially by the long, wispy, fine bright golden hairs on the metatarsus and the apical portion of the inner margin of the metatibiae ( Figs 3 , 11 ). These hairs on the metathoracic legs are present in both sexes.

Etymology: This species is named after the Spanish word for yellow, amarillo, drawing attention to the bright yellow micropilosity and golden hairs that adorn individuals of this species. It should be treated as a noun in apposition.

Natural history: Unfortunately, neither of the collected specimens have any information about natural history. Similarly, the iNaturalist photographs do not have any information other than the locality. It is interesting to note that all records of this species are within a 50 km radius. This contrasts with the other two species in the genus, which are more widespread.

Figures

FIGURES 1–3. Photographs of living male of Toxorhinus amarillo, San Miguel de los Bancos, Pichincha. 1, habitus, oblique view; 2, habitus, dorsal view; 3, metathoracic legs, dorsal view. Photographs taken by Thomas Shahan, used with permission.

FIGURES 6–7. Toxorhinus amarillo. 6, lateral habitus female paratype. 7, dorsal habitus female paratype.

FIGURES 8–11. Toxorhinus amarillo. 8, lateral habitus male holotype; 9, apex of rostrum male holotype; 10, prothoracic legs male holotype; 11, metathoracic legs female paratype.

FIGURES 4–5. 4, Toxorhinus banonii, oblique habitus; 5, T. grallarius, oblique habitus.