Pristerophora Harold, 1869

Katovich, Kerry, 2008, A generic-level phylogenetic review of the Macrodactylini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), Insecta Mundi 2008 (23), pp. 1-78 : 59-61

Pristerophora Harold, 1869

( Figure 151-155 )

Pristerophora Harold, 1869b: 123 . Replacement name for Prionophora Solier, 1851: 101 . (Preoccupied name). Type species Prionophora picipennis Solier, 1851 , by monotypy.

Taxonomic Notes

The following generic diagnosis is based on two dissected specimens of the generic type species, P. picipennis (ZMHB) . Specimens were authoritatively identified by Moser and the author with the aid of the original description. The type was not located at ZMHB or the MNHC during this study .

Generic diagnosis

This genus is characterized by its elongate body, very small size; prementum rectangular, ventral surface flattened; pygidium subtriangular, posterior margin rounded.

Generic redescription

Measurements: Prothorax at widest point 2.3 mm, elytra at widest point 2.4 mm, length 5.7 mm.

Color and vestiture: Body dark brown, vestiture consisting of scattered white setae.

Head: Clypeus coplanar with frons, ( Fig. 153 ); frons angled at 30 o; labrum in frontal view, narrowly ovate, not emarginate, labrum coplanar with clypeus; labium with prementum rectangular, elongate, ventral surface flattened ( Fig. 154 ); mandibles in dorsal view rectangular, scissorial area reduced to a rounded, membrane, lined with setae, molar area weakly sclerotized, bluntly produced adorally; maxillary palpi with apical palpus conical, equal to length of segments 1-2 combined, apex acute; antennae with 9 antennomeres, antennomeres 7-9 forming the elongate club, lamellae thin, equal to length of antennomeres 3-6 combined.

Prothorax: Pronotum hexagonal, oblong, transverse, widest medially, anterior angle acute, lateral margin convex, posterior angle obtuse, posterior margin weakly convex ( Fig. 155 ); prothoracic leg with coxa elongate; tibia serrate in medial region, dentate, ventral margin with a long spur in the distal 1/4; pretarsus with claws divergent, equal in length, both claws narrowly split, upper lobe narrow, longer than lower lobe, lower lobe slightly broader on individual claw.

Mesothorax: Scutellum subtriangular; elytra longer than wide, width subequal over entire length, elytral epipleuron flattened, dorsal surface lacking striae, anterior umbone well developed, posterior umbone weak; pretarsus similar to prothoracic pretarsus.

Metathorax: Metathoracic leg with coxa widely separated; femur ovate, widest medially; tibia rectangular, narrow proximally, widest medially, posteroventral margin lacking spurs, posterior margin with a broad, deep U-shaped groove; pretarsus with claws similar to prothoracic and mesothoracic legs.

Abdomen: Ventrites 2-4 subequal in length, 5 th visible ventrite (= propygidium) equal to length of ventrites 2-4 combined, ventromedial surface transitioning to membranous posterior margin, ventrite and sternite of 5 th abdominal segment lacking a suture, spiracle placed medially, 6 th ventrite equal in length to 4 th ventrite; pygidium subtriangular, wider than long, posterior margin rounded ( Fig. 155 ).

Diversity and Geographic Distribution

Pristerophora comprises two species, both known only from Chile.

Figures

Figure 151-155. Pristerophora picipennis Solier. 151) Dorsal habitus. 152) Left lateral view. 153) Clypeus and head, dorsal view. 154) Prementum, ligula and labial palpi, ventral view. 155) Elytra, propygidium and pygidium, dorsal view.