Athrostictus punctatulus (Putzeys)

Rajab, Abubakarsidiq Makame, 2021, Indoor Radio Map localization WiFi fingerprint datasets, The Coleopterists Bulletin 75 (1), pp. 9-55 : 18-19

Athrostictus punctatulus (Putzeys) , combination validated

( Fig. 73 )

Selenophorus punctatulus Putzeys 1878a: 65 . Type locality: Mexico (Yucatan) . Types: MNHN.

Selenophorus perpolitus Casey 1884: 76 . Type locality: Texas. Types: USNM #47866.

Hemisopalus perpolitus ; Casey 1914: 136. Redescription; Texas (Brownsville and vicinity).

Descriptive Notes. Superficially resembling a shiny iridescent member the Selenophorus opalinus species group, but with dorsum entirely and densely covered by conspicuous non-setigerous punctules. Median lobe with dorsoapical plate narrow, straight, with a thin dorsal lip; ostium contains a small scaly protruding “burr”. Endophallus with 2 rows of densely packed spines and a longer third row of loosely packed spines that extend to ostium. ABL 7.5–9.0 mm.

Range. USA: AR, LA, MS, TX; Mexico.

Remarks. The transfer of this species to genus Athrostictus was attributed to “TLE” in Reichardt (1977: 428). The initials apparently refer to Terry L. Erwin, an authority on New World Caraboidea. However, Erwin (personal communication, 2016) did not recall having considered such a nomenclatural change in the past. It was retained in the genus Selenophorus by both Noonan (1985a) and Lorenz (2005), although the two authors did not study the relevant specimens. Ball and Bousquet (2000) accepted the combination Athrostictus punctatulus based on its elytra densely and evenly punctate but without associated setae. Bousquet (2012) established Selenophorus perpolitus Casey as a synonym and stated that the systematic position of A. punctatulus was not quite settled. Casey (1914) noted that Hemisopalus differed from Athrostictus by the lesser degree of punctation on the elytra without comparing the extent of setation. However, Noonan (1985a) stated that the most important diagnostic requirement for Athrostictus is that the elytra be entirely setose. We concur that the species names of Putzeys (1878a) and Casey (1884, 1914) are conspecific, and the elytra are described as densely covered with non-setigerous punctures. Placement of this species in Selenophorus would therefore appear to be natural.However, G. E. Ball and D. Shpeley believed that this species is a member of Athrostictus (personal communication, 2016). They cited close similarities to the dorsally-setose species Athrostictus paganus (Dejean) [= Athrostictus pubifer (Putzeys) ] known in the West Indies and South America. These two species are alike in habitus, in body size, and in iridescent elytra densely covered with punctules. The only apparent difference is that each dorsal punctule bears a conspicuous seta in A. paganus , but bears no such seta (even under high magnification) in A. punctatulus . Furthermore, the male genitalia are similar in phallic form and in the endophallus exhibiting rows of densely packed spines. The foregoing structural similarities provide sufficient evidence to retain the combination Athrostictus punctatulus . Unlike the 17 other known species of Athrostictus that are clearly hirsute, A. punctatulus has the distinction of being dorsally glabrous.

Figures

Figs. 72–75. Habitus images of Selenophorus and related genera, dorsal aspect: 72) S. maritimus; 73) Athrostictus punctatulus; 74) Discoderus discoderoides. 75) Sabal Palm Sanctuary, old-growth “core”.