Faargia gentilii ( Martínez, 1975 )

Mondaca, José, Fierro, Andrés & Rothmann, Sergio, 2019, Parochodaeus bituberculatus (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Ochodaeidae) and Faargia gentilii (Martínez) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), two species newly discovered in Chile, Zootaxa 4608 (1), pp. 187-190 : 188

Faargia gentilii ( Martínez, 1975) ( Fig. 2 )

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other Chilean tanyproctines (i.e., Chilenopilus Smith & Mondaca , Myloxena Berg , and Luispenaia Martínez ) by the black coloration on the head, pronotum, and legs and the elytra reddish brown ( Fig. 2A ). Dorsal surface covered with long and dense pubescence, tawny on head and pronotum; thorax ventrally with dense pubescence. Antennae long, with 9 antennomeres, club with 3 antennomeres. Protibia with 2 subacute, external teeth. Protibial and metatibial spurs absent ( Fig. 2A ). Protarsomere, mesotarsomere, and metatarsomere 5 with curved and dentate claw.

Examined material. 4 males at: Chile, La Araucanía, Lonquimay, Agua Enterrada , 38°35’34,40’’S - 71°00’14,60’’W, 1464 m, light trap, 26-iv-2018, P . Pulgar ( SAGC) .

Distribution. The native range of F. gentilii includes Argentina, in the provinces of Neuquén and Chubut ( Martínez 1975, 1982) ( Fig. 3 ). New country record: Chile, Araucanía, Malleco Province ( Fig. 3 ).

Habitat. Specimens of F. gentilii have been collected in a semi-arid steppe environment dominated by low-elevation thorny scrub composed of shrubs of the genera Adesmia , Berberis and Mulinum , as well as a grass cover ( Stipa and Poa ) typical of the Patagonian steppe. The main capture site is located east of the city of Lonquimay, 8.5 km from the border with Argentina. The distribution corresponds to the Patagonian subregion and Central Patagonian province in southern Argentina, from central Mendoza, widening through Neuquén, Río Negro, and Chubut, to northern Tierra del Fuego. In Chile, in addition to the more northerly passes in Araucanía this habitat is extensive in Aisén and Magallanes provinces ( Morrone 2001).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Faargia gentilii. A, Male, dorsal habitus; B, aedeagus dorsal view; C, aedeagus lateral view. Scale: 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. New records of Parochodaeus bituberculatus (white circles) and Faargia gentilii (yellow triangle) in Chile.