Haroldiataenius buvexus, Stebnicka & Skelley, 2009

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, A revision of the genus Haroldiataenius Chalumeau (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (62), pp. 1-16 : 9-10

Haroldiataenius buvexus , new species

( Fig. 10 )

Diagnosis. Very similar to H. convexus , with short, distinct elytral fringe of setae and pronotal punctation. Haroldiataenius buvexus differs from H. convexus in its larger body size, darker coloration, less convex elytral intervals, and distinctly rounded clypeal margin each side of middle. Haroldiataenius buvexus is known from the Big Bend region of Texas, USA.

Description. Length 3.9-4.1 mm. Body dark brown to black, shining ( Fig. 10 ). Clypeal margin finely reflexed, distinctly rounded each side of deep median emargination; genae right angled; surface of head smooth except for fine, not close, uniformly distributed punctures. Pronotum convex, lateral margin very weakly crenate, marginal setae moderate in length; surface punctures fine over anterior fourth at middle, coarse and irregularly spaced on sides and along base. Elytra convex; humeral lamella bidentate; striae fine, strial punctures widely separated, intervals with margins weakly crenulate; intervals convex, with median row of minute punctures; lateral and apical elytral margin noticeably fimbriate. Metasternal disc alutaceous, finely punctate on disc, intercoxal carina fine; abdominal sternites finely fluted along sutures, surface with minute, scattered punctures, sides coarsely punctate; sternite 5 and eroded disc of pygidium with row of close, coarse punctures bearing long pale setae. All femora shining, smooth, without posterior line, mesofemur with single, strong marginal seta at middle; metatibia apically with short setae and strong, triangular accessory spine; basal tarsomere of metatarsus slightly shorter than upper tibial spur and longer than next three tarsomeres combined. Male unknown.

Type material. Holotype (female) “ Texas, Brewster Co, Big Bend Natl. Park, Buttrail [sic, should be Buttrill ] Springs , 13.VII.1991, R. Vogtsberger, yellow pan trap ”, “TAMU-ENTO X0006951 [bar code]”, in TAMU . Paratype (1 female): “ Texas, Presidio Co, BBRSNA, Colo. Cyn. Riv. Acc, 3. VI.1997, C. Wolfe & D. Marqua”, “TAMU-ENTO X0288914 [bar code]” in TAMU. The abbreviation for the locality on the paratype label stands for Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area, Colorado Canyon River Access, a point of access to the Rio Grande (pers. comm., E.G. Riley 2008)

Remarks. This species is very similar to H. convexus , differing primarily by characters in the key and above diagnosis. Haroldiataenius convexus , H. buvexus , and H. griffini form a closely related complex of rarely collected species. Thorough taxonomic assessment is difficult as we are hesitant to fully dissect the few available specimens. Also see remarks under H. convexus .

Etymology. The species name is based on the similarity with H. convexus , and being apparently larger in body size. The name is formed by joining the root ‘ bu -’ (Latin meaning large) and ‘ convexus ’; with an intentional abbreviation of spelling to make the name euphonic.

Figures

Figures 8-11. Haroldiataenius spp., lateral habitus. 8) H. semipilosus. 9) H. griffini. 10) H. buvexus, paratype. 11) H. convexus, holotype.