Haroldiataenius convexus (Robinson) Stebnicka & Skelley, 2009

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, A revision of the genus Haroldiataenius Chalumeau (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (62), pp. 1-16 : 8-9

Haroldiataenius convexus (Robinson) , comb. nov.

( Fig. 10-11 )

Ataenius convexus Robinson 1940: 149 – Cartwright 1974: 42-44, fig. 24 f, h; Dellacasa 1988: 114 (catalogue); Riley and Wolfe 2003: 7.

Diagnosis. Clypeal margin weakly angulate each side of middle; surface finely punctate. Pronotal coarse punctures large, deep, generally separated by less than their diameter. Basal marginal line of pronotum wide medially to lateral angles, wider than coarse pronotal punctures, filled with longitudinally arranged sculpturing. Lateral margins of pronotum and elytron fringed with distinct, short setae. Haroldiataenius convexus is only known from a few localities in southern Texas, USA.

Description. Length 3.2-4.2 mm ( Cartwright 1974). Dark reddish brown, shining ( Fig. 11 ). Clypeal margin finely reflexed, slightly angulate but not dentate each side of deep median emargination; genae right angled; surface of head smooth except for fine, not close, uniformly distributed punctures. Pronotum convex, lateral margin very weakly crenate, marginal setae moderate in length; surface punctures fine over anterior fourth at middle; coarse and irregularly spaced punctures on sides and along base, generally separated by less than their own diameter; basal marginal line wide medially to lateral angles, wider than coarse pronotal punctures, filled with longitudinally arrange sculpturing. Elytron convex; humeral lamella bidentate; striae fine, strial punctures widely separated, intervals with weakly crenulate margins; intervals strongly convex, with median row of minute punctures; lateral and apical elytral margin noticeably fimbriate. Metasternal disc alutaceous, finely punctate on disc, intercoxal carina fine; abdominal sternites finely fluted along sutures with minute, scattered punctures at sides; sternite 5 and eroded disc of pygidium with row of close, coarse punctures bearing long pale setae. All femora shining, smooth, without posterior line, mesofemur with a single, strong marginal seta at middle; metatibia apically with short setae and strong, triangular accessory spine; basal tarsomere of metatarsus slightly shorter than upper tibial spur and longer than next three tarsomeres combined. Male genitalia similar to those of H. griffini (as in Fig. 26 ).

Type data. Holotype (examined, sex not determined): “ Hidalgo, VIII. Tex.”, “from coll. of Chas. Schaeffer”, “ Property of Mark Robinson ”, “ M. Robinson Collection 1959”, “ TYPE No 65614 USNM ”, in NMNH . Paratypes (2, not examined) same data as holotype, in NMNH.

Specimens examined (1). USA – (1 ex) TEXAS: Cameron Co., 13.5 mi. E. Browsnville [sic] on hwy. 4, Ebony Loma, IX-2-1995, E. Riley-201, Berlese moist ebony litter ( EGRC).

Remark. Specimens of this species were found in wood rats (probably Neotoma micropus micropus Baird ), armadillo burrows ( Cartwright 1974), and ebony litter.

Cartwright (1974) reported studying additional Texas specimens from Big Bend National Park, Corpus Christi, and San Diego. None of these specimens were available for study, as Cartwright did not state where specifically they were deposited. Cartwright (1974) stated that the largest specimens he studied were from Big Bend National Park. It is possible that these Big Bend specimens are actually the new species described below, and that H. convexus and the new species are geographically separated, restricted to different zoogeographic regions of Texas.

Figures

Figures 8-11. Haroldiataenius spp., lateral habitus. 8) H. semipilosus. 9) H. griffini. 10) H. buvexus, paratype. 11) H. convexus, holotype.

Figures 22-28. Haroldiataenius spp., male genitalia. 22) H. mariarum. 23) H. limbatus. 24) H. hintoni. 25) H. lucanus. 26) H. griffini. 27) H. saramari. 28) H. semipilosus.