Cymatodera bellamyi Rifkind, 2014

Rifkind, Jacques, 2014, A New Species ofCymatoderaGray (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Tillinae) from Southern Mexico, The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (1), pp. 69-72 : 69-72

Cymatodera bellamyi Rifkind , new species ( Figs. 1–5 )

Type Specimens. Holotype male: México, Oaxaca, 27 km NNE Sta. María Ecatepec, Hwy. 190, N 16°23.071′ W 95°47.688′, 860 m, 17–vii– 2003, C. L. Bellamy, CLB 843, misc. beating . Holotype deposited in CSCA . Paratypes: 3, same data as holotype except R. L. Westcott, coll.; 1, MEXICO, OAXACA, 17.3 km NE Sta. María Ecatepec, 16°23′N, 95°47′W, 1–vii–1996, beating, C. L. Bellamy, coll.; 2, 2.1 mi. NW Totolapan, July 11–17, 1981, Bogar, Schaffner, Friedlander; 2, Km 50, Carr. Mitla / el Camarón, 1050 msnm, 12–07–2000, A. Ibarra, C. Mayorga, E. Barrera; 1, 6.5 km S. Santiago Dominguillo, Trampa de Luz , 19–07–09, Col. A. Burke; 1, 5 km SE de el Camarón, 3400 msnm, N 16 32 72, O 95 58 78, 1–vii–1996, E. Barrera, H. Brailovsky . Paratypes are deposited in CNIN, KSUC, WFBM , and JNRC.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar in habitus to Cymatodera grossa Gorham from Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico, the Guatemalan species Cymatodera parallela Gorham , and Cymatodera sinuosa Burke , recently described from Honduras and El Salvador. Males of C. bellamyi can be reliably distinguished from these species based on the unique shape of the pygidium ( Figs. 2–4 ) and aedeagus ( Figs. 4–5 ). Among the aforementioned, only C. bellamyi has the sixth abdominal ventrite elongate (longer than broad) with a

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4) Pygidium, ventrolateral view showing upturned, sagittate apex of phallus; 5) Aedeagus, dorsal view.

well-defined median longitudinal carina extending from the anterior to the posterior margin ( Fig. 3 ). The phallus is sagittate and upturned at its apex ( Figs. 4–5 ). The shape of the sixth abdominal ventrite recalls to some extent that of Cymatodera serena Barr and Cymatodera neomexicana Knull , but these allopatric species are otherwise very different. Females of the new species are somewhat more difficult to distinguish from congeners in the absence of associated males. From C. sinuosa , they can be separated by virtue of their fully winged condition ( C. sinuosa is brachypterous) and by the shape of the sixth abdominal ventrite (arcuate apically in C. bellamyi ; shallowly emarginate in C. sinuosa ); from C. grossa and C. parallela , they can be most clearly separated by differences in elytral pattern: C. bellamyi has the median pale fascia sinuate (pale fascia oblique in C. grossa ) and rather sharply defined against the piceous integumental ground color (paler areas more amorphous and less contrasted in C. parallela ).

Description (Holotype). Length: 13.0 mm. Color: Integument dark reddish brown, except apices of maxillary palpi, antennae and tarsi paler; elytra with three sets of pale testaceous markings as in Fig. 1 , only the middle pair attaining the lateral margins. Head: Eyes moderate in size; antennae elongate; antennomeres subserrate: antennomere 2 about 3/4 the length of antennomere 3; antennomere 11 about as long as antennomere 10, rounded at apex; surface rather closely, finely but shallowly punctate, moderately densely but inconspicuously set with fine, mostly reclinate, pale testaceous setae. Pronotum: Subflattened on disk above; moderately densely punctulate, transversely rugulose, vested as on head but with the addition of several erect, more elongate and more robust setae. Elytra: Elongate (a little less than 3X as long as broad), broadest at about posterior 1/3; anterior margin feebly sinuate, sides weakly sinuate posterior to humeri, then very gradually divergent to approximately posterior 1/3, from where they arcuately converge to almost conjointly rounded, dehiscent apices; surface for the most part coarsely, rather densely, and very deeply punctate; punctures arranged in striae, each puncture nearly cribrate on anterior 1/3, larger but shallower at middle, then becoming fine and irregularly spaced at posterior 1/5; vestiture rather sparse, composed of mostly suberect, testaceous setae of moderate length. Metasternum: Densely, shallowly asperate– rugulose, tubercles obsolete, carinae lacking; surface densely set with erect, pale golden setae of moderate length. Abdomen: Visible ventrites 1–5 densely, shallowly, granulate–punctate, moderately densely but inconspicuously clothed with fine, suberect, pale golden setae; posterior margins of ventrites 1–4 membranous; ventrite 5 ( Fig. 3 ) with posterior margin sinuate laterally, deeply, arcuately emarginate at middle; ventrite 6 ( Figs. 3– 4 ) much longer than broad, sides divergent posteriorly, ventrolateral margin carinate, extending to and circumscribing and defining rounded, slightly declinate posterior angles; middle of posterior margin broadly triangularly emarginate; surface of ventrite 6 rather coarsely asperate, raised at middle where it bears a dis- tinct longitudinal carina that extends from anterior nearly to posterior margins; tergite 5 with posterior margin sinuate laterally, arcuately emarginate at middle; tergite 6 ( Fig. 2 ) narrower than ventrite 6, sides broadly arcuate, hind margin shallowly, arcuately emarginate. Aedeagus: Apex of phallus upturned, sagittate ( Figs. 3–5 ).

Variation. Females have abdominal ventrite 5 with the sides oblique and the posterior margin simply emarginate at middle; tergite 6 and ventrite 6 rounded posteriorly, with tergite 6 slightly surpassing ventrite 6 apically; the metasternum lacks the asperate surface of the male’ s.

Relationships. Affinity of the new species may be with several (as yet undescribed) Cymatodera species wherein the male metasternum is rather flattened and its surface notably asperate or scabrous, presumably a modification for copulation.

Etymology. The specific epithet honors my friend and colleague, the late Charles L. Bellamy, one of the world’ s foremost authorities on the Buprestidae . For many years, Chuck generously sent me specimens of many uncommon and several previously unknown clerid species that he collected during his various trips to Mexico. Among these are the holotype and one paratype of the species described herein, and I take some consolation in knowing that Chuck was aware this new species would bear his patronym.

Distribution. Known from Oaxaca, Mexico, with most specimens collected southwest of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Biology. Specimens were collected in July at light trap and by beating.

Figures

Figs. 1–5. Cymatodera bellamyi, holotype male. 1) Habitus; 2) Pygidium, dorsal view; 3) Pygidium, ventral view;