Pujoliclerus bilineatus Opitz, 2014

Opitz, Weston, 2014, Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Checkered Beetle GenusPujoliclerusPic (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Peloniinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (4), pp. 727-756 : 727-756

Pujoliclerus bilineatus Opitz , new species ( Figs. 23 , 51 , 77 , 95 , 123 )

Holotype. ♂. BRAZIL, Pirapora , Minas Gerais, XI-1975, M. Alvarenga ( FSCA).

Diagnosis. This species is distinguishable from the superficially similar P. wappesi by the small subseriate punctures on the elytral disc.

Description. Size: Length 8.0 mm; width 2.5 mm. Form: As in Fig. 95 . Integument: Cranium and most of pronotum yellow-brown, pronotum infuscated at base; elytra mostly yellow-brown, disc and epipleural margin with faint yellow line; femora mostly yellow, profemur infuscated distally; tibiae light brown; pterothorax and abdomen brown. Head: Eyes wider than frons (24:14); funicular antennomeres moderately expanded, 6 th antennomere not large ( Fig. 23 ). Thorax: Pronotum transverse (55:48), lateral tubercle very prominent ( Fig. 51 ); epipleural fold gradually narrowed to elytral apex, asetiferous punctures prominent to elytral apex. Abdomen: Tegminal lobes and phallic apex as in Fig. 77 .

Natural History. The holotype was collected during November.

Distribution. Known only from Brazil ( Fig. 123 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet stems from bilineata, a Latin name that refers to the two yellow lines on each elytron.

Pujoliclerus calceatus ( Chevrolat, 1843) ( Figs. 24 , 52 , 78 , 96 , 123 )

Enoplium calceatum Chevrolat, 1843: 37 . Lectotype, gender unknown, here designated (MNHN). Brazil and my lectotype label. Chevrolat does not indicate in his description whether his nominal species is based on more than one specimen. Therefore, I invoke Recommendation 73F of the ICZN and designate a lectotype for his nominal species.

Schenkling 1907: 313 ( Pseudichnea ); Corporaal 1950: 272 ( Pseudichnea ).

Pseudichnea varicollis Schenkling, 1906: 310 . Jatahy ( Brazil). New synonymy. Corporaal 1950: 272 ( Pseudichnea ). Two syntypes, one from Goiás ( Brazil), the other from Paraguay. The characteristics upon which this nominal species is based fall within the range of variation of P. calceatus . The latter species is based on a specimen that exhibits one of several color forms of the species, an observation that is expressed by the name of its synonym. The primary types of both nominal species were examined.

Diagnosis. The arenose condition of the elytral interstitial spaces will distinguish the members of this species from superficially similar specimens of P. wappesi .

Description. Size: Length 6.0 mm; width 2.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 96 . Integument: Head mostly reddish brown, lower frons and epicranium narrowly black, antenna black; pronotum mostly reddish brown, black at disc and lower sides; elytral disc mostly reddish brown, apical region and sutural margin brown, epipleural margin brown near humerus; femora mostly yellow, infuscated distally, tibiae brown; pterothorax, and abdomen black. Head: Eyes as wide as frons (13:13); funicular antennomeres considerably expanded, 6 th antennomere not acuminate, capitulum particularly long ( Fig. 24 ). Thorax: Pronotum quadrate (50:50), lateral tubercle moderately prominent ( Fig. 52 ); asetiferous punctures widespread on elytral disc, interstitial spaces arenose, epipleural fold wide, gradually diminishing to elytral apex. Abdomen: Tegminal lobes and phallic apex as in Fig. 78 .

Variation. Size: Length 6.0– 7.5 mm; width 2.0– 2.2 mm. The elytra may be entirely black.

Natural History. Specimens were collected during October and November.

Distribution. In addition to the type specimen, I have examined 24 specimens from the following localities ( Fig. 123 ): BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: 4 km N. Bermejo, 11-17-XII-2012, Wappes & Skillman. BRAZIL: Chapada; Rio de Janeiro. Specimens are deposited in CMNH, JEWC, and WOPC.

Notes. The above description is based on a homotype housed in WOPC.

Figures

Figs. 21–38. Pujoliclerus species, antennae. 21) P. helvinus; 22) P. maracayensis; 23) P. bilineatus; 24) P. calceatus; 25) P. corumba; 26) P. ovatus; 27) P. wappesi; 28) P. amplus; 29) P. flavoapicalus; 30) P. gilvus; 31) P. hermani; 32) P. alajuela; 33) P. orellana; 34) P. megacavus; 35) P. oxinus; 36) P. alboordinus; 37) P. apolegmus; 38) P. catarina.

Figs. 48–61. Pujoliclerus species, pronota. 48) P. helvinus; 49) P. maracayensis; 50) P. modestus; 51) P. bilineatus; 52) P. calceatus; 53) P. corumba; 54) P. flavolimbatus; 55) P. ovatus; 56) P. wappesi; 57) P. amplus; 58) P. flavoapicalus; 59) P. gilvus; 60) P. hermani; 61) P. orellana.

Figs. 76–91. Pujoliclerus species, aedeagi. 76) P. helvinus; 77) P. bilineatus; 78) P. calceatus; 79) P. corumba; 80) P. flavolimbatus; 81) P. ovatus (tegmen only); 82) P. wappesi; 83) P. gilvus; 84) P. hermani; 85) P. casselorum; 86) P. catarina (phallus only); 87) P. argus; 88) P. aspigalbus; 89) P. flora; 90) P. posticalis; 91) P. pallidus.

Figs. 92–97. Pujoliclerus species, habitus. 92) P. helvinus; 93) P. maracayensis; 94) P. modestus; 95) P. bilineatus;

Fig. 123. Geographic distribution of six Pujoliclerus species.