Phrynidius Lacordaire, 1869

Noguera, Felipe A., Anderson, Robert & Santos-Silva, Antonio, 2025, Synopsis of Phrynidius Lacordaire (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Apomecynini): description of new species, new records, checklist and updated key to species, Zootaxa 5686 (3), pp. 301-338 : 302-304

Phrynidius Lacordaire, 1869

Phrynidius Lacordaire, 1869: 262 . Type species Moneilema inaequalis Say, 1835 (originally as “ inequalis ”), by monotypy. Note: Complete references can be obtained from Monné (2024) and Tavakilian & Chevillotte (2024).

Redescription. Small (4.5 mm) to medium size (12.0 mm). Head from slightly to distinctly retractile; frons transverse, convex; coarsely punctate, punctures variable in size, depth, and quantity. Eyes moderately coarsely faceted; upper eye lobes narrower than lower eye lobes, from slightly to distinctly inclined in relation to the axis of lower eye lobe; eye lobes from close to distant from each other, with or without ommatidia between them. Genae distinctly longer than lower eye lobes. Antennal tubercles from close to each other, somewhat V-shaped in frontal view, to distant from each other, at least somewhat U-shaped in frontal view. Antennae filiform, 11-segmented, from very short, not reaching middle of elytra, to moderately long, slightly surpassing elytral apex; without erect setae ventrally; scape slightly and gradually widened basally, then subcylindrical, variable in length; antennomere III from shorter to longer than scape; antennomere IV usually distinctly shorter than III; antennomeres V–XI distinctly shorter than IV. Maxillary palpomere IV and labial palpomere III fusiform, with narrowed apex in females; in males from subfusiform to fusiform, always with truncate apex (truncature from narrow to slightly wide, usually wider on maxillary palpomere IV). Prothorax from slightly longer than wide to slightly wider than long; narrowed apically, often slightly rounded on anterior 3/4. Pronotum with or without tubercles or gibbosities, often rugose; coarsely punctate, punctures variable in size, depth, and quantity. Sides of prothorax coarsely punctate, punctures variable in size, depth, and quantity, often rugose. Prosternum narrow centrally. Prosternal process variable in size, with narrowest area from about 0.2 times to about 0.8 times procoxal width. Procoxal cavities closed behind. Mesoventral process with widest area from about 0.3 times to 0.8 times mesocoxal width. Mesocoxal cavities closed laterally. Metaventrite very short. Elytra from ovoid to elongate, often strongly convex; humeral width from as wide as posterior region of prothorax to slightly wider; lateral area close to humerus from not to distinctly constricted; surface tuberculate, tubercles variable in size and quantity; epipleural margin from almost straight from base to apex to distinctly inclined posteriorly; surface often rugose, coarsely punctate, pubescent; with or without thick and short erect setae; elytral suture fused. Femora subclaviform. Protibiae with distinct spiniform projection ventrally in male, rarely absent, absent in females; mesotibiae with distinct spiniform projection ventrally in males, from shorter to longer than that in protibiae, present even when absent in protibiae, absent in females; mesotibiae sulcate dorsally near apex. Abdomen with ventrites longitudinally convex; ventrite 5 the longest and generally longer than ventrites 3–4 combined; in females, it is usually swollen on anterior region, with a weakly to strongly inclined apical third or fifth and, in some cases, with a longitudinal groove on center of basal third or half.

Remarks. The presence of a spiniform projection on the ventral apex of the pro- and mesotibiae has not been mentioned as a sexual dimorphism in Phrynidius . Breuning (1971) reported on the tibiae of some species (translated): “Mesotibiae with spine on the inner apex” in P. inaequalis ( Say, 1835) ; “tibiae without apical spine” in P. armatus Linsley, 1933 and P. asper Bates, 1885 ; and “Mesotibiae without apical spine” in P. echinus Bates, 1880 ; however, he did not note that this was a sexual feature. Another sexual dimorphism not reported in Phrynidius is the shape of the last segments of the palpi: truncate in males, subacute in females.

As the features used by Lacordaire (1869) to describe Phrynidius were based on a single species, it is evident that some of them are specific and not generic. However, some features reported by Breuning (1971) need to be discussed as follows:

– “Antennae moderately strong, shorter than the body, not or slightly fringed below.” Even considering the species known in 1971, the antennomeres III–XI are variable in width and may be distinctly slender as, for example, in P. echinoides Breuning, 1940 ( Figs 106–108 ). The antennae may also be slightly longer than the body, a feature not present in the species known in 1971. No species of Phrynidius has erect setae ventrally (“slightly fringed below”); in some species, there are a few very short and arched dark setae ventrally, which cannot be described as a fringe;

– “scape very long and slender.” The scape has variable length, even considering the species known in 1971 as, for example, proportionally short in P. inaequalis and distinctly longer in P. echinoides ;

– “Apical palpomeres short, very convex, rounded apically.” In fact, they are not short, especially in females, and cannot be described as rounded apically, even in females;

– “Antennal tubercles small, very close to each other and very salient.” In fact, they are not close to each other in some species, even considering the species known in 1971 (see P. inaequalis );

– “Eyes coarsely faceted, strongly emarginate, lower eye lobes small, transverse.” The eyes are distinctly divided in some species and the lower eye lobes are not transverse in any species;

– “humeri rounded.” In fact, they are usually not rounded.

Diversity. Herewith is a checklist of the species of Phrynidius , including the new species and new country record provided in this work:

1. Phrynidius armatus Linsley, 1933: 131 —described from Guatemala, Chimaltenango, Santa Ilena (probably, Santa Elena) and Chicavac. Currently, it is known from Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala, and Nicaragua;

2. Phrynidius asper Bates, 1885: 334 —described from Guatemala, Totonicapán. Currently, it is known from Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;

3. Phrynidius cristinae Gutiérrez, Toledo & Noguera, 2020: 47 —described from Mexico, Chiapas, Reserva El Triunfo. It remains known only from Mexico (Chiapas);

4. Phrynidius diminutus Gutiérrez, Toledo & Noguera, 2020: 49 —described from Mexico, Chiapas, San Cristobal, Reserva Hitepec. It remains known only from Mexico (Chiapas);

5. Phrynidius echinoides Breuning, 1940: 407 — Breuning (1940) described this species from Mexico (no further details). However, according to Gutiérrez et al. (2020): “ Phrynidius echinoides was described by Breuning (1940) from Mexico. However, this record is probably incorrect, since the type locality is “Cerro Zunil”, which is located in Guatemala and not in Mexico ( Selander and Vaurie 1962).” Therefore, this species is currently known only from Guatemala;

6. Phrynidius echinus Bates, 1880: 93 —described from Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, San Juan. Additionally, Bates (1880) provided other places: Sabo and Vera Paz. According to Selander & Vaurie (1962): “SABO = Sabob, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. Coffee plantation in the northeastern corner of Baja Verapaz about 6 km. east of Purulhá; 2900 feet; 15° 15’, 90° 09’;” and “VERA PAZ = Alta Verapaz or Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. Former large department now divided into two departments.” Currently, it is known from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama;

7. Phrynidius guatemalensis Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 469 —described from Guatemala, Baja Verapaz, Hotel Ranchitos del Quetzal. It remains known only from Guatemala (Baja Verapaz);

8. Phrynidius guifarroi Santos-Silva, Van Roie & Jocqué, 2021 —described from Honduras, Cortés, Cusuco National Park. Currently, it is known from Guatemala (Baja Verapaz) and Honduras (Cortés);

9. Phrynidius guisayotensis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, Ocotepeque, El Portillo and Reserva Biológica El Guisayote;

10. Phrynidius hondureno Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, (Santa Barbara, 13 km SE El Mochito) and Olancho ( Parque Nacional La Muralla ) and Cortés (4 km S Potrerillos and Merendón ) ;

11. Phrynidius inaequalis ( Say, 1835: 193) —described from Mexico (no further details). Currently, it is known from Mexico (Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz), and Honduras;

12. Phrynidius jonesi Gutiérrez, Toledo & Noguera, 2020: 51 —described from Mexico, Chiapas, Trinitaria, Cinco Lagos, Lagos de Montebello. Currently, it is known from Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala (Baja Verapaz);

13. Phrynidius murallaensis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, Olancho, Parque Nacional La Muralla, Sendero Pizote;

14. Phrynidius nayaritensis Heffern, Nascimento & Santos-Silva, 2018: 70 —described from Mexico, Nayarit, 20 km E Las Piedras. Currently, it is known from Mexico (Nayarit) and Honduras (Olancho);

15. Phrynidius oaxacanensis Noguera & Santos Silva, 2023: 467 —described from Mexico, Oaxaca , Hwy 175, 76 km NE Oaxaca and 3.7 mi. S Valle Nacional. It remains known only from Mexico (Oaxaca) ;

16. Phrynidius obrieni Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 460 —described from Honduras, Atlántida, Liberia (National Park Pico Bonito). It remains known only from Honduras (Atlántida);

17. Phrynidius palliapicalis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, Cortés (4 km S Potrerillos ) and Comayagua (9 km WSW Siguatepeque) ;

18. Phrynidius pallifemoralis Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 464 —described from Mexico, Oaxaca (3.7 miles S Valle Nacional ) and Hidalgo (Hwy 105, 2.4 mi N Thanchinol ) . It remains known only from Mexico (Oaxaca and Hidalgo) ;

19. Phrynidius poriferus Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 455 —described from Honduras, Atlántida ( Liberia [National Park Pico Bonito] and La Ceiba). It remains known from Honduras (Atlántida);

20. Phrynidius salvadorensis salvadorensis Franz, 1954: 220 —described from El Salvador, San Salvador, San Salvador. Currently, it is known from El Salvador and Honduras;

20a. Phrynidius salvadorensis montecristensis Franz, 1954: 221 —described from El Salvador, Santa Ana, Monte Cristo. Currently, it is known from El Salvador and Honduras;

21. Phrynidius sanctabarbaraensis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, Santa Barbara, 13 km SE El Mochito;

22. Phrynidius schusteri Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Guatemala, El Progreso, Sierra de las Minas, near Cerro Pinalón, Las Cabañas;

23. Phrynidius singularis Bates, 1880: 92 —described from Guatemala, Baja Verapaz, San Jerónimo. Currently, it is known from Mexico (Oaxaca), Guatemala (Baja Verapaz), and Honduras;

24. Phrynidius skillmani Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 458 —described from Guatemala, Izabal, Morales, Finca la Firmeza, Sierra de Caral. It remains known only Guatemala (Izabal);

25. Phrynidius stegosaurus Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Guatemala, Alta Verapaz ( Chelemhá Cloud Forest Reserve ) and El Progreso (Cerro Pinalón) ;

26. Phrynidius tigranensis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Honduras, Francisco Morazán, Parque Nacional La Tigra;

27. Phrynidius tuberculatus Gutiérrez, Toledo & Noguera, 2020: 53 —described from Mexico, Chiapas, Jaltenango, El Triunfo. It remains known from Mexico (Chiapas);

28. Phrynidius wibmeri Noguera & Santos-Silva, 2023: 462 —described from Mexico, Verapaz, Estación de Biología Los Tuxtlas. It remains known from Mexico (Veracruz);

29. Phrynidius zacapensis Noguera, Anderson & Santos-Silva , sp. nov., from Guatemala, Zacapa, Sierra de Las Minas, El Naranjo, S slope below San Lorenzo Mine.|

Figures

FIGURES 106–108. Phrynidius echinoides, holotype female: 106) Dorsal habitus; 107) Ventral habitus; 108) Lateral habitus.