Iontoclerus Opitz, 1997

Opitz, Weston, 2008, Classification, natural history, and evolution of Epiphloeinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part VII. The genera Hapsidopteris Opitz, Iontoclerus Opitz, Katamyurus Opitz, Megatrachys Opitz, Opitzia Nemésio, Pennasolis Opitz, new genus, Pericales Opitz, new genus, Pteroferus Opitz, new genus, and Turbophloeus Opitz, new genus, Zootaxa 1754, pp. 1-40 : 8-10

Iontoclerus Opitz

Type species: Enoplium humerale Klug, 1842: 373 . By original designation.

Diagnosis: There are three known epiphloeine species in which specimens have 10 antennomeres, two metatarsal pulvilli, elytral punctations that are very small and profusely distributed, and the elytral disc densely vested with very short decumbent setae. Two of these species belong to Iontoclerus , the third species belongs to the exclusively West Indian genus Pericales , whose specimens may be conveniently distinguished from those of Iontoclerus by having the basal segment of the antennal club much shorter than the combined length of the funicular antennomeres (compare figures 11 and 100).

MAP 2. Distribution of Katamyurus albopaniculus , Megatrachys bibara , Hapsidopteris diastenus , Opitzia chiapas , M. paniculus , K. paxillus . and M. truncatia .

Description: Size: Length 6.0–9.0.mm; width 2.0–3.0 mm. Form: Oblong subrectangulate, elytral outer margin slightly widened at middle; elytra about three times longer than wide, posterolateral margin gradually curved towards elytral apex. Vestiture: Body profusely vested with short setae, elytral primary (1º) setae very short, secondary (2º) setae usually pale and very densely distributed. Head (figs. 5, 6): Cranium finely punctate; gular sutures converging, gular pads well developed (fig. 6); eyes (fig. 28) very bulgy, finely faceted, ocular notch more angular than rounded; antenna (fig. 11) inserted at lower angle of eye incision, comprised of 10 antennomeres, loosely clubbed, scape as long as combined length of pedicel and funicular antennomeres, scape curvate, funicular antennomeres (figs. 11, 27) becoming increasingly more serrate from antennomere three to seven, 8 th and 9 th antennomeres triangular, 10 th antennomere oval; labrum (fig. 13) deeply incised; tormal processes horizontal and not welded; mandible (fig. 12) robust, dentes well developed, mandibular penicillus well developed; maxillary (fig. 14) and labial (fig. 20) terminal palpomeres digitiform, laterolacinia present; frons not very wide; gular sutures strongly converging; gular pads very small. Thorax: Pronotum (figs. 7, 8) transverse, lateral tubercle not evident, disc finely punctate, pronotal arch not prominent, anterior margin slightly sinuous, posterior margin transverse, anterior transverse depression not well developed, disc of pronotum proper with shallow elevations and shallow depressions with discal trichobothria (fig. 30); trich of lateral pronotal trichobothrium particularly long (fig. 29); pronotal projection (fig. 7) slightly extended to middle; lateral carina not extended to anterior margin of pronotum and posteriorly confluent with pronotal bead; procoxal cavities open; interprocoxal process linear (fig. 7), not laterally expanded distally; metendosternite (fig. 19) without furcal lamina; elytra oblong subrectangulate, epipleural margins slightly expanded at middle, then gradually converging towards sutural margin, epipleuron extended to elytral distal four-fifths, 2º setae profusely distributed on elytral disc (fig. 32), 1º setae sparsely distributed on elytral disc, punctations very small and profusely distributed on elytral disc; metathoracic wing as in figure 21; mesoscutellum (fig. 25) oval; tibial spur formula 0-1-1, tarsal pulvilli formula 3-3-2, anterior margin of tibia spinous (fig. 31); tarsal claws with large basal denticle. Abdomen: Narrows to posterior, six visible sterna; pygidium transverse, sixth visible sternum incised distally in males, not incised in females. Male Genitalia: Aedeagus (fig. 16) tubular; phallobasic rod present, linear, phallic plates broad; spicular fork as in figure 15. Alimentary Canal (fig. 26): Proventriculus well developed; ventricular crypts poorly developed; four cryptonephridial malpighian tubules. Male Mesodermal Reproductive Organs (fig. 9): Two pairs of accessory glands; testis comprised of about 40–50 follicles. Female Mesodermal Reproductive Organs (fig. 10): Spermathecal capsule not heavily sclerotized; spermathecal gland attached to subapex of spermatheca capsule; bursa copulatrix saccular.

Distribution: This South American genus ranges from French Guiana to northern Argentina.

Evolutionary relationships: The following character states establish a sister group relationship between Iontoclerus Opitz and the West Indian genus Pericales , n. gen.: funicular antennomeres serrate, elytral punctations minute, and elytral disc very densely vested with short 2º setae.