Phalangogonia, BURMEISTER, 1844, BURMEISTER, 1844

Smith, Andrew B. T., 2021, Two New Species of Phalangogonia Burmeister, 1844 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 75 (1), pp. 259-265 : 264-265

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PHALANGOGONIA

(modified from Smith 2003; Smith and Morón 2003)

1. Pygidial disc appearing smooth, without noticeable microsculpturing (some scattered punctures and setae present); mesometaventral process robust, declivous (sloping away) with respect to venter .................................. 2

1 ʹ. Pygidial disc shagreened, roughened, or granular; mesometaventral process weak to robust, apex parallel with respect to venter ............ 3

2. Male parameres with distinct dorsomedial keel, apices with strong tooth (Smith and Morón 2003: figs. 2E–F); Puebla, Oaxaca, and Veracruz, Mexico............................... Phalangogonia lacordairei Bates, 1888

2 ʹ. Male parameres with poorly defined dorsomedial keel, apices with weak tooth (Smith and Morón 2003: figs. 2A–B); eastern Guatemala to northwestern Honduras........ ........ Phalangogonia dispar Ohaus, 1925

3. Eyes small, almost flush with side of head in dorsal view ( Fig. 4 ) ............................ 4

3 ʹ. Eyes bulbous, distinctly protruding from side of head in dorsal view ( Fig. 15 ) ............ 6

4. Mesometaventral process a nub that barely protrudes past mesocoxae ( Fig. 3 ) ............ ......... Phalangogonia azaharensis Smith , new species

4 ʹ. Mesometaventral process robust, extending to or surpassing base of procoxae .......... 5

5. Pronotum with sparse, scattered punctures; clypeus with surface mainly glabrous (sometimes with sparse, scattered setae); southern Mexico to Guatemala................................ ..... Phalangogonia obesa Burmeister, 1844

5 ʹ. Pronotum with dense, sometimes confluent punctures; clypeus with surface uniformly setose; El Salvador................................ ...... Phalangogonia punctata Franz, 1955

6. Mesometaventral process surpassing base of procoxae ........................................... 7

6 ʹ. Mesometaventral process not reaching base of procoxae ( Fig. 9 ) ............................ 9

7. Dorsal color tan with prominent black markings on head, pronotum, and elytra; Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica........................... ........ Phalangogonia hawksi Smith, 2003

7 ʹ. Dorsal surface with uniform coloration.... ...................................................... 8

8. Dorsal color mostly pale green; Oaxaca, Mexico ……… Phalangogonia jamesonae Smith and Moron, 2003

8 ʹ. Dorsal color tan or light to dark yellowish brown (sometimes creamy white when alive); Honduras to Panama.............................. ....... Phalangogonia sperata Sharp, 1878

9. Head dorsally glabrous; pygidium brown to black, granulate; length 18–24 mm; Quezaltenango, Guatemala........................... .......... Phalangogonia parilis Bates, 1888

9 ʹ. Head dorsally setose; pygidium tan, not granulate but with obvious microsculpturing; length 23–31 mm ................................. 10

10. Eyes moderately bulbous ( Fig. 15 ), apex of male parameres parallel with tapered tip; western Guatemala............................. ........... Phalangogonia monzoni Smith , new species

10 ʹ. Eyes distinctly bulbous, apex of male parameres diamond shaped (lateral angles) with tapered tip; Oaxaca to Chiapas, Mexico... ............ Phalangogonia ratcliffei Smith and Moron, 2003

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Phalangogonia azaharensis, new species, holotype female. 1) Dorsal habitus; 2) Oblique habitus; 3) Ventral habitus; 4) Head and pronotum, dorsal view; 5) Head and pronotum, lateral view; 6) Pygidium.

Figs. 13–15. Phalangogonia monzoni, new species. 13) Holotype parameres, dorsal view; 14) Holotype parameres, lateral view; 15) Male paratype head and pronotum, dorsal view.

Figs. 7–12. Phalangogonia monzoni, new species, holotype male. 7) Dorsal habitus; 8) Oblique habitus; 9) Ventral habitus; 10) Head and pronotum, dorsal view; 11) Head and pronotum, lateral view; 12) Pygidium.