Cotyclytus parumnotatus ( Zajciw, 1963 )

Botero, Juan Pablo & Santos-Silva, Antonio, 2022, New species, synonymy, new records, and taxonomic notes in American Cerambycidae (Coleoptera), Insecta Mundi 2022 (931), pp. 1-22 : 2-5

Cotyclytus parumnotatus ( Zajciw, 1963) , revalidated

( Fig. 1–4 )

Neoclytus parumnotatus Zajciw 1963: 176 ; Di Iorio 1995: 339 (syn.); Julio et al. 2000: 19 (holotype); Monné and Monné 2016: 10 (holotype).

Remarks. Di Iorio (1995) synonymized Neoclytus parumnotatus with N. stillatus , and reported: “All the material from Argentina presents reddish integument, while the specimen from Bolivia is black except for its legs, antennae, labrum, and mandibles; on the other hand the bands of pronotum and elytra are similar in specimens from both countries. Colour differences are probably related with altitude (higher elevations corresponding to Bolivia), and the diurnal habits of Neoclytus species. This phenomenon also occurs in various Hymenoptera with similar distributions and habits (Fritz, pers. com.). Dark coloured integuments of Hymenoptera from high altitudes can absorb larger quantities of infrared radiation, thus activating the inset in a shorter time.” However, there are problems with the statement regarding integumental color. Although the only specimen from Bolivia examined by Di Iorio was from a location at 1020 m, at least two places he listed in Argentina correspond to high altitudes (Villa Nougués, 1276 m; Siambón, 1313 m). Furthermore, the holotype of N. parumnotatus was collected from a site at about 508 m altitude, and there are paratypes collected in places with much higher altitude: Villa Nougués and Villa Padre Monti (1020 m). Moreover, the holotype of N. stillatus was collected at about 252 m, which is not a high altitude, and is less elevated than the type locality of N. parumnotatus . We examined seven specimens from Bolivia, all of them collected at 400 or 450 m, and all of them agreeing with the holotype of N. stillatus . Furthermore, we have 4 specimens from Argentina, agreeing with the holotype of N. parumnotatus : 2 collected at 1638 m (Tucumán), and 2 collected at 1041 m (Catamarca). Accordingly, the arguments by Di Iorio (1994) to justify the synonymy are not valid.

We agree that the elytral maculae in both species are identical or nearly so ( Fig. 1, 5 ). However, there are features of the prothorax allowing separating them: prothorax with dense yellow pubescent maculae dorsally, laterally, and ventrally in the specimens of C. stillatus ( Fig. 5–8 ) from Bolivia (absent in the specimens of C. parumnotatus ( Fig. 1–4 ) from Argentina); sides of the prothorax without crenulae centrally in the specimens of C. stillatus ( Fig. 7–8 ) from Bolivia (present in the specimens of C. parumnotatus ( Fig. 3–4 ) from Argentina); sides of the central longitudinal row of tubercles on the pronotum not or slightly longitudinally depressed in the specimens of C. stillatus ( Fig. 7–8 ) from Bolivia (distinctly depressed in the specimens of C. parumnotatus ( Fig. 3–4 ) from Argentina); sides of the pronotum with longitudinal row of small tubercles inconspicuous or nearly so in the specimens of C. stillatus ( Fig. 7–8 ) from Bolivia (very distinct in the specimens of C. parumnotatus ( Fig. 3–4 ) from Argentina).

As we did not find intermediate forms between the two species from Bolivia and Argentina, we believe that C. stillatus and C. parumnotatus are two closely related but different species. Therefore, we are revalidating C. parumnotatus . In addition to the specimens of C. stillatus listed below, a further 17 specimens from Bolivia, belonging to the LGBC, RFMC, SWLC, and FWSC collections, were examined by the collections’ owners, who confirmed that they all have all the holotype characters and do not agree with the specimens from Argentina. These specimens are from places in Bolivia below and above 1000 m elevation (from about 500 m to almost 1800 m).

The holotype and the paratypes (3 males and 3 females) were destroyed during the fire in 2018 at the MNRJ. As C. parumnotatus is similar to C. stillatus , we consider it essential to designate a neotype for future comparisons. The neotype ( Fig. 1–4 ) has the following labels:

1. Red (printed): Neotype / Neoclytus / parumnotatus / Zajciw, 1963 (added by us);

2. White (printed): ARGENTINA. Tucuman Prov. / 14 km S Tafi del Valle / ME Irwin: FD Parker / 1638 m ;

26°57.10′S, 65°39.63′W / 23–15.X.03 Malaise;

3. White (printed): Cotyclytus / parumnotatus / Zajciw, 1963 / S.-Silva and Botero det. 2021 (added by us).

Formerly, all the specimens of C. parumnotatus we examined belonged to the James E. Wappes collection (now deposited at FSCA). Kindly, Paul Skelley (FSCA) allowed the neotype to be deposited in the MNRJ.

Material examined. Cotyclytus parumnotatus – ARGENTINA, TUCUMÁN: 14 km S Tafi del Valle , 1638 m, 26°57.10′S, 65°39.63′W, neotype male, 1 male, 23–25.X.2003, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker leg. ( MNRJ, formerly FSCA) . CATAMARCA: 9 km N La Merced , 1041 m, 28°06.43′S, 65°36.96′W, damp ravine with vegetation, 2 females, 24.X–12.XI.2003, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker leg. ( FSCA; MZSP) .

Cotyclytus stillatus – BOLIVIA, COCHABAMBA: Region Chaparé , 400 m, 1 male, III.1948, no collector indicated, former Diringshofen ( MZSP) ; 1 male, V.1949, no collector indicated, former Diringshofen ( MZSP) ; 1 male, X.1950, Zischka leg. ( MZSP) ; 2 males, V.1957, no collector indicated, former Diringshofen ( MZSP) ; 450 m, 1 male, XI.1953, Prosen leg. ( MZSP) . LA PAZ: Uyapi, Guanay , 1 female, X–XI.1992, no collector indicated ( MZSP) .

HESPEROPHANINI Mulsant, 1839

Figures

Figures 1–8. Cotyclytus spp. 1–4) Cotyclytus parumnotatus (Zajciw, 1963), neotype male: 1) Dorsal habitus; 2) Ventral habitus; 3) Head and pronotum, frontal view; 4) Head and pronotum, oblique view. 5–8) Cotyclytus stillatus (Aurivillius, 1909), male from Bolivia: 5) Dorsal habitus; 6) Ventral habitus; 7) Head and pronotum, frontal view; 8) Head and pronotum, oblique view.