Aulonodera, CHAMPION, 1918

Damaška, Albert František, Konstantinov, Alexander & Fikáček, Martin, 2022, Multiple origins of moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): molecular phylogeny, overview of genera and a new genus from Africa, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196, pp. 647-676 : 671

AULONODERA CHAMPION, 1918

Type species: Aulonodera darwini Champion, 1918 .

Synonymy: No generic synonyms.

Phylogenetic position: Uncertain phylogenetic position outside the major recognized clades. Our Bayesian analysis found Aulonodera to form an unresolved clade with the Manturine–Leptophysine and Aphthonine– Chabrine clades.

Diversity and distribution: The only known species, Aulonodera darwini , is endemic in Chile, where it is known from Chiloe Island and from Arauco and Concepción provinces.

Revisions: Aulonodera was redescribed and revised recently by Jerez & Bocaz (2006).

Morphological characteristics: Body 1.0– 1.7 mm long, elongate. Head with strongly developed antennal calli. Pronotum yellowish, rounded, long, convex, with a strong, antebasal, transverse impression formed by a distinct deep furrow without punctures. Lateral margin of pronotum forming distinct ‘ear-like’ edges. Elytra convex and shining, strongly produced laterally, elytral margin and pleura are not visible from dorsal view and epipleuron not visible even from lateral view. Each elytron with a distinct elevated ridge on elytral suture margin and on basal margin of elytra. Wings absent. Metatarsomere I elongate. Aedeagus short, parallel-sided. Spermatheca simple, spermathecal duct without coils.

Ecology: Only a few specimens have ever been collected (the oldest specimen series was collected by Charles Darwin during his trip on HMS Beagle). Recently examined specimens were collected in Nothofagus Blume forests using pitfall traps, and it is proposed that this genus inhabits leaf litter. Nadein (2013a) proposes that the genus feeds on Nothofagus in his catalogue, which is not supported by any further data.

Remarks: Aulonodera is somewhat similar to the Neotropical moss-inhabiting Stevenaltica , from which it is diagnosed above.