Lepilius chisosensis Anderson, 2012

Anderson, Robert S., 2012, The Genus Lepilius Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Conotrachelini) in North America, with Description of a New Species, Lepilius chisosensis Anderson, from Big Bend National Park, Texas, U. S. A., The Coleopterists Bulletin 66 (1), pp. 67-69 : 67-69

Lepilius chisosensis Anderson , new species ( Figs. 1–9 )

Description. Length, male, 1.8–2.4 mm; female,

1.9–2.3 mm. Width, male, 1.0– 1.4 mm; female,

1.1–1.4 mm. Vestiture of body of intermixed pale to medium brown recumbent scales; no obvious contrasting pattern of maculations. Eyes small, widely separated by about 1.3X width of an eye; frons between eyes with moderately dense, suberect clavate scales. Pronotum slightly wider than long, with recurved, subappressed, anteriorly directed scales. Elytra with each interval with row of short, suberect, clavate, apically rounded scales. Tibia robust, greatest width almost as wide as width of apex of femora, densely covered with intermixed suberect scales and fine setae. Lateral portion of meso- and metasterna, and venter of abdomen with moderately dense, elongate-narrow scales. Aedeagus short, robust, slightly ventrally arcuate; length of body about 1.5X width; apex broadly truncate with 3 large setae per side situated on apical margin; internal sac with no evident sclerotization.

Diagnosis. Lepilius chisosensis is distinguished from the only other described species in the genus, L. pulchellus , by the pattern of surface vestiture, robust tibia, and form of the male genitalia.

Geographic Distribution. Texas (Brewster County, Big Bend National Park). My specimens were collected at the end of Pine Canyon in maple leaf litter around the base of the intermittent waterfall (approximate coordinates are 29.267° N 103.253° W). Leaf litter sampling at the Window and Cattail Falls in the park did not produce any specimens of this species .

Natural History. Adults were collected from extractions of forest leaf litter using Berlese funnels taken at an elevation of 1,600–1,850 m.

Etymology. This species is named after the Chisos Mountains, the mountain range that constitutes the higher elevations in Big Bend National Park.

Material Examined. Holotype ♂ (CMNC): TEXAS: Brewster Co. Big Bend National Park, Pine Canyon, 1615 m, 6. IX.1988, R. Anderson, berlese hardwood litter. HOLOTYPE ♂ Lepilius chisosensis sp. nov. R.S. Anderson. Aedeagus

extracted. Paratypes: 38 ♂♂, 16 ♀♀ same data as holotype. 1♂, 1♀ Pine Canyon, 1830 m, 9.VIII. 1975, S.B. Peck, ex. berlese (#312) oak/maple litter, SP 1975-311 (BMNH, CMNC, CWOB, FMNH, TAMU, UNAM, USNM).

Figures

Figs. 1–2. Lepilius chisosensis, female. 1) Lateral view; 2) Dorsal view.

Figs. 3–5. Lepilius chisosensis, female. 3) Dorsal view; 4) Ventral view; 5) Lateral view.