Parataenius derbesis (Solier)

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, Taxonomic redefinition of the genera Parataenius Balthasar and Pseudataenius Brown, with descriptions of three new species (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (66), pp. 1-18 : 6-7

Parataenius derbesis (Solier)

Figure 4 , 10 , 14

Aphodius derbesis Solier 1851: 72 . Euparia rubripes Boheman 1858: 51 – Chalumeau 1992: 191 (as synonym of P. derbesis ). Euparia cribricollis Burmeister 1877: 411 – Chalumeau 1992: 191 (as synonym of P. derbesis ). Ataenius laborator Harold 1869: 102 – Schmidt 1922: 439-440; Chalumeau 1992: 191 (as synonym of

derbesis ). Ataenius cribricollis – Schmidt 1908: 90; 1922: 123. Parataenius mirabilis Balthasar 1961: 121 – Chalumeau 1992: 191 (as synonym of P. derbesis ). Parataenius derbesis – Dellacasa 1988: 120 (catalogue); Chalumeau 1992: 191; Smith and Skelley 2007:

49, fig. 16, 18.

Diagnosis. Clypeal margin rounded each side of deep median emargination, surface up to median convexity with more or less coarse transverse rugulae. Pronotal posterior angles obtusely rounded, surface punctures fine, equal in size, evenly distributed, separated by about one their diameter. Abdominal sternites minutely fluted along sutures. Meso- and metatibiae moderately expanded apically; basal tarsomere of metatarsus arcuate, subequal in length to upper tibial spur.

Description. Length 4.5-5.0 mm. Body dark castaneous, shiny, elytra usually lighter than disc of pronotum ( Fig. 4 ). Clypeal margin slightly reflexed, rounded each side of deep median emargination, surface up to median convexity with more or less coarse transverse rugulae. Pronotal posterior angles obtusely rounded, lateral edge with short setae; surface punctures fine, equal in size, evenly distributed, separated by about one time their diameter ( Fig. 10 ). Elytra slightly arcuate, humeral denticles small; striae narrow and shallow, punctures inside fine, in some striae invisible; intervals flat, each with minute close punctures from base to apex. Ventral sclerites smooth, intercoxal carina obtuse; abdominal sternites minutely fluted along sutures with scattered, setigerous punctures, eroded disc of pygidium finely granular. Femur smooth with few setae; meso- and metatibia moderately expanded, metatibia at apex with short setae and slender spurs, upper spur arcuate; basal tarsomere of metatarsus arcuate, subequal in length to upper tibial spur and to 3 following tarsomeres combined. Male genitalia as in Fig. 14 .

Type material. Aphodius derbesis : Neotype ( Chile) designated by Chalumeau (1992), in IRSN. Euparia rubripes : lectotype (Buenos Aires) designated by Chalumeau (1992), in NHRS. Euparia cribricollis : holotype and allotype (Buenos Aires) revised by Chalumeau (1992), in MACN. Ataenius laborator : lectotype (Montevideo) designated by Cartwright (1973), in MNHN. Parataenius mirabilis : holotype ( Argentina, prov. Cordoba) in NMPC (coll. Balthasar).

Specimens examined. Name-bearing types of Aphodius derbesis , Euparia rubripes , Ataenius laborator , and Parataenius mirabilis and other specimens (114). Argentina – Prov. San Luis: 18 km S Arizona, 250 m, 18-23.I.1982, H.& A. Howden; Prov. Cordoba: St Vincente; Prov. Jujuy: Humahuaca ( CMNO); Prov. Mendoza: Reserva La Payunia, Valle del Saino, 36.07S, 68.48W, 1706 m, 6.I.2003. Brazil – (MS) Campo Grande, 3.VII.1995, F. Koller; Selviria, 13.X.1991, leg. Rodriguez, 30.V.1992, C. Flechtmann; Tres Lagoas, 2, 9.XI.1993, C. Flechtmann ( CFCB). Chile – Prov. Arica, Putre, II.1947, R. Gutierrez ( NMNH). Paraguay – Asuncion; San Bernardino ( SMTD). Uruguay – 90 km SW Artigas, Pampa del Lavalleja, 27-30.IX. 2001 (numerous specimens), Z. Linek ( ISEA, MSNP).

Remarks. Parataenius derbesis is externally similar to, and may be confused with, Ataenius lenkoi Petrovitz ( Stebnicka 2007 a, Fig. 96, 96a) but it differs from that species by the presence of clypeal rugulae, the pronotum with posterior angles obtuse, not truncate, and the metatibiae more expanded apically. Specimens examined were collected at black light traps and in pastures in cattle and guanaco droppings.

Distribution. Southern part of South America.

Figures

Figure 1-6. Parataenius spp., dorsal habitus. 1) P. selvae, holotype. 2) P. estero, holotype. 3) P. simulator. 4) P. derbesis. 5) P. brunneus. 6) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 7-12. Parataenius spp., anterolateral view of head and pronotum. 7) P. selvae, holotype. 8) P. estero, holotype. 9) P. simulator. 10) P. derbesis. 11) P. brunneus. 12) P. martinezi, holotype.

Figure 13-17. Parataenius spp., male genitalia. 13) P. simulator. 14) P. derbesis. 15) P. brunneus. 16) P. selvae. 17) P. martinezi.