Haroldiataenius griffini (Cartwright) 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 : 6-8

Haroldiataenius griffini (Cartwright) , comb. nov.

( Fig. 9 , 26 )

Ataenius griffini Cartwright 1974: 77-78 , fig. 24 e, g – Dellacasa 1988: 343 (catalogue); Riley and Wolfe 2003: 7, 16.

Figures 16-21. Haroldiataenius spp., epipharynx. 16) H. mariarum . 17) H. limbatus . 18) H. hintoni . 19) H. lucanus . 20) H. semipilosus . 21) H. saramari .

Diagnosis. Clypeal margin rounded to indistinctly angulate each side of middle; surface finely punctate. Coarse punctures of pronotum widely scattered, separated by 2 or more times their diameter. Basal marginal line of pronotum not wide, narrowed near sides, narrower than coarse pronotal punctures, filled with unordered rugose sculpturing. Lateral margin of pronotum with short fringe of setae. Lateral margin of elytron lacking distinct setae. Haroldiataenius griffini occurs in southern Texas, USA.

Description. Length 3.5-3.7 mm. Dark reddish brown, shining ( Fig. 9 ). Clypeal margin finely reflexed, slightly angulate but not dentate each side of deep median emargination; genae right angled; surface of head smooth except for fine, not close, uniformly distributed punctures. Pronotum convex, lateral edge not distinctly crenate, marginal setae moderate in length; surface with mixed fine and scattered moderate punctures, the latter absent over median anterior third of disc; basal marginal line not wide, narrowed near sides, narrower than coarse pronotal punctures, filled with unordered rugose sculpturing. Elytron convex, striae fine, strial punctures widely separated, intervals with weakly crenulate margins; intervals convex, with some minute scattered punctures; lateral margin lacking distinct setae. Metasternum shining, finely punctate on disc; abdominal sternites finely fluted along sutures and punctate from side to side, punctures finer at middle; sternite 5 and eroded disc of pygidium with row of close, coarse punctures bearing long pale setae. All femora shining, smooth, without posterior lines; metatibia apically with short setae and strong, triangular accessory spine; basal tarsomere of metatarsus shorter than upper tibial spur and longer than next three tarsomeres combined. Male genitalia short, rounded apically ( Fig. 26 ).

Type data. Holotype (examined; male): “ Texas, San Patricio Co., US Hwy 77 [near] Tex. 9, 16. Aug. 1969, C.W. Griffin ”, “ Ataenius griffini O. L. Cartw. ”, No 71747 NMNH . Paratypes (4) same data as holotype, in NMNH.

Specimens examined (8). USA – (3 ex) Texas, Karnes Co., Ecleto Metz Ranch, 13.V.1997, J. E. Wappes ( PESC, WBWC); (3 ex) Texas, Kenedy Co., Kenedy Ranch, Jaboncillos Pasture, sand dune area, 26 o 58’38"N ,

97 o 40’59"W, 6-20.IV.2001, E. G. Riley & W. Godwin, Berlese sifted debris/sand ( TAMU); (1 ex) Texas, Kenedy Co., Kenedy Ranch, Jaboncillos Pasture , sand dune area, 26 o 58’38"N, 97 o 40’59"W, 6-20.IV.2001, W. Godwin & E. G. Riley, pit-fall trap ( TAMU); (1 ex) Texas, San Patricio Co., Welder Wildlife Refuge , 19.V.1993, Wm. Godwin, sifting Atta texana nest surface 3cm ( TAMU) .

Remarks. Haroldiataenius griffini is most similar to H. convexus , but differs from that species by the sparser pronotal punctation, the reduce lateral elytral fringe of setae, the more evenly rounded clypeal margin, and the less convex elytral intervals. The male genitalia of both species are similar in shape.

Specimens were found in an unknown animal burrow (probably armadillo) and under cow dung. Others were associated with sandy soils and leafcutter ant nests. The only conclusion on the habits of H. griffini is that it appears to prefer sandy soils.

Figures

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

Figures 22-28. Haroldiataenius spp., male genitalia. 22) H. mariarum. 23) H. limbatus. 24) H. hintoni. 25) H. lucanus. 26) H. griffini. 27) H. saramari. 28) H. semipilosus.