Epimetopus lacordairei Orchymont, 1933

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 16

Epimetopus lacordairei Orchymont, 1933

Figs. 10 (habitus), 14 (aedeagus), 127 (map)

Epimetopus lacordairei Orchymont, 1933: 288 .

Type Material. Holotype (male, greatly disarticulated): Brazil: "Matto Grosso, Corumba" ( ISNB).

New collection records: Bolivia: Beni, Ilha Flores, Rio Itenez , 13° 2' S, 62° 43' W, 7 viii 1964, J. Bouseman & J. Lussenhop (5 MCZ) ; Paraguay: Dep. Concepcion, Arroyo Toro Paso , 23° 51' S, 56° 46' W, 25 x 2002, U. Drechsel (5 NMW) ; Arroyo Toro Paso, Unterlauf (contrib. Rio Apa ), seepage, 23° 51' S, 56° 46' W, 24 x 2002, U. Drechsel (102 NMW) ; Stillwasser des Arroyo Toro Paso, Seitenam ( Uferschlamm ), 23° 51' S, 56° 46' W, 25 x 2002, U. Drechsel (8 NMW) .

Differential diagnosis. Differentiated from all members of the Costatus group, except E. trilobus , by the trilobed apical margin of the pronotal hood ( Figs. 10, 32). The aedeagus of E. lacordairei ( Fig. 14), with an apically deeply bifid median lobe, differs markedly from all other members of the genus. The aedeagus of E. trilobus ( Fig. 36) probably represents a preliminary stage in the evolution of the extreme condition seen in E. lacordairei . This view is supported by the fact that both species have a tri-lobed pronotal apex—the only species now known to have that condition.

Distribution. Currently known from Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay ( Fig. 127).