Epimetopus spatulus, Perkins, 2012

Perkins, Philip D., 2012, 3531, Zootaxa 3531, pp. 1-95 : 17-18

Epimetopus spatulus , new species

Figs. 16 (habitus), 20 (aedeagus), 130 (map)

Type Material. Holotype (male): Peru : Pantiacolla Lodge , Monk Saki Trail , Alto Madre de Dios River, at black light, elev. 400 m, 12° 39' S, 71° 13' W, 25 x 2000, R. Brooks ( PERU 1B00 098A) ( SEMC) . Paratypes: Peru: Madre de Dios, Hostel Erica (near Salvacion), elev. 550 m, 12° 53' S, 71° 14' W, 3–5 ix 1989, R. A. Faitoute et al. (2 USNM) .

Differential Diagnosis. The habitus of this species ( Fig. 16) is very similar to that of other members of the Costatus group; reliable determinations will be based on examination of the aedeagus. The aedeagus is very distinctive by virtue of the spatula-like shape of the median lobe, and its comparatively long length ( Fig 20). Also, the parameres are distinctively shaped.

Description. Size: holotype (length/width, mm): body (length from anterior margin of pronotum to elytral apices) 1.68/0.85; head (width) 0.43; pronotum 0.56/0.57; elytra 1.14/0.85. Habitus and sculpture as illustrated ( Fig. 16). Head black, dorsum red, venter and coxae dark brown. Eye with ca. 3–4 facets between canthus and posterior margin. Elytra with elongate granules linking punctures, non-carinate intervals with uneven surfaces. Metaventral depression large and moderately deep, with a very low midlongitudinal ridge anteriorly, ca. 11 granules along base.

Etymology. Named in reference to the spatula-like shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus.

Distribution. Currently known from Peru ( Fig. 130).