Tarandocerus lycoides (SPINOLA), 1844

Opitz, Weston, 2015, Systematics of the checkered beetle subfamily Platynopterinae SPINOLA (Coleoptera Cleridae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 47 (2), pp. 1513-1572 : 1549-1550

Tarandocerus lycoides (SPINOLA), 1844

( Figs . 46-61a, 96b , 103-107 , 170 , 176 )

Platynoptera lycoides SPINOLA, 1844: 67 .

Lectotype. ♂. Here designated. CARTHAGÈNE ( Colombia) ( MNHN) .

New Combination. IMHOFF, 1956: plate 6, figure 32 (Enoplium). LACORDAIRE, 1857: 477 ( Platynoptera ). DESMAREST, 1852: plate 18, figure 3 ( Platynoptera ). KIRSCH, 1865: 93 ( Platynoptera ). SCHENKLING, 1903: 103 ( Platynoptera ); 1906: 311 ( Platynoptera ). HEYNE & TASCHENBERG, 1908: plate 26, fig. 24 ( Platynoptera ). JACOB, 1940: 216 ( Platynoptera ).

Platynoptera arcuatefasciata PIC, 1955a: 231 . New Synonymy. Rio Juntas ( Brazil), Garlepp. (MNHN).

Platynoptera basifasciata PIC, 1955a: 231 . New Synonymy. Rio Juntas ( Brazil), Garlepp. (MNHN).

Platynoptera boliviana PIC, 1955a: 232 . New Synonymy. Bolivia (MNHN).

Platynoptera breveapicalis PIC, 1950: 8 . New Synonymy. Argentina, Tucuman. (MNHN).

Platynoptera dilateapicalis PIC, 1955a: 231 . New Synonymy. Rio Juntas ( Brazil), Garlepp. (MNHN).

Platynoptera externenotata PIC, 1955a: 231 . New Synonymy. La Merced, Chanchamayo ( Peru), 1902. (MNHN).

Platynoptera mathani PIC, 1955b: 8 . New Synonymy. Colombia (MNHN)

Platynoptera pectoralis SCHENKLING, 1900: 401 . New Synonymy. GOYAS ( Brazil) (2 syntypes) (SDEI). SCHENKLING, 1903: 103; 1906: 311. CORPORAAL, 1950: 273.

Platynoptera peruviana PIC, 1950: 7 . New Synonymy. La Merced, Chanchamayo ( Peru), 1902 (3 Syntypes) (MNHN). CORPORAAL, 1950: 273.

Platynoptera simplex SCHENKLING, 1900: 402 . New Synonymy. GOYAS ( Brazil) (Holotype) (SDEI). CORPORAAL, 1950: 273. SCHENKLING, 1903: 103; 1906: 311.

Platynoptera suturalis SCHENKLING, 1898: 367 . New Synonymy. Bolivia (Holotype) (SDEI).

Platynoptera tucumanensis SCHENKLING, 1908: 703 . New Synonymy. Argentina, Prov. Tucuman, Tapia 600 m, C.A. Baer, 3-4 1903 (2 syntypes) (SDEI). SCHENKLING, 1903: 103; 1906: 311. CORPORAAL, 1950: 273. SOLERVICENS, 2008: 593.

Notes: The abundance of synonyms expresses the great variety of elytral color among the members of this species. The extent of widening of the elytra is also variable. But the male genitalic characteristics show that the variations in color and elytral form, the descriptive basis for the junior synonyms, fall within the morphologic range of Tarandocerus lycoides (Spinola) .

Paralectotypes: One specimen from Colombia (MNHN). In his description of this species SPINOLA (1844: 69) notes, in great detail, the variation in elytral color. This suggests that he had more than one specimen before him at the time the description was made. I, Ekis (now OPITZ) (1975: 51) did not find any specimens of Platynoptera lycoides in the Spinola collection. However, two specimens with a Spinola-type of label were found in the Paris Museum collection. I believe that these specimen formed part of the syntypic series examined by Spinola.

Diagnosis: The 8 spines on the anterior margin of the protibiae will distinguish the members of this species from the superficially similar specimens of Tarandocerus testaceiceps PIC ; which show no protibial spines.

Description: Size: Length 13.0 mm; width 6.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 170 . Color: Cranium mostly black, vertex with faintly visible narrow flavotestaceous line; pronotum mostly black, upper sides flavotestaceous; elytra bicolored, anterior half of disc flavotestaceous, posterior half dark blue. Head: Cranium transverse ( Figs. 48-50 ); antennomeres of antennal capitulum ( Figs. 46, 47 ) not as long as funicular antennomeres combined, antennomeres 9 and 10 with collateral branch; antennal carina very prominent; EW/FW 20/20. Thorax: Pronotal anterior margin not projected at middle ( Figs. 51, 52 ); side margin of disc slightly rounded at middle; PW/PL 65/65; elytra moderately flared; disc with 4 prominent discal carinae; EL/EW 290/70. Abdomen: Male sixth visible sternite and male pygidium broadly incised at distal margin; aedeagus as in Figs. 58-60.

Variation: Size: length 12.0-13.0 mm; width 5.0-5.0 mm. The morphological variations are as follows: proportion of black to flavotestaceous on the elytral disc, dark portions on the elytral disc black or bluish, width of the posterior half of the elytra.

Natural history: Specimens of this species have been collected throughout the year, at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1829 m.

Distribution ( Fig. 176 ): In addition to the types I examined 134 specimens. Colombia, Manizales; Valle de Cauca, 1898, M. de Mathan. Bolivia, Santa Cruz, 6- 6 km SSE Buena Vista, F & F Hotel, 20-31-V-2003, Robin Clarke ; idem, 4-5 km N Achira, Rd to Amboro , 21-22-X-2000, Morris & Wappes ; La Paz, Sud Yungas, 4 km W. of Chuluman, Rio Cordoriri , 25-V-1989, P. J. Clausen ; idem, 26-V- 1989, 1585 m, P. J. Clausen ; Santa Cruz, Agua Clara , 3-4 km NW, 12-X-2000, B.K. Dozier ; Cochabamba, Cochabamba, 69 km W Villa Tunari, 15-IX- 1992, 1829 m, E. Giesbert. Peru, La Merced, Chanchamayo, 1902 ; Paucartambo, J. Clermont. Venezuela, Distrito Federal, Pico de Avila , 29-VIII-1963, Carlos Bordon ; Caracas. Brazil, Nova Teutonia , X-1971, F. Plaumann ; Jatahy, Estado Goyas, 1895-1896, Ch. Pujol ; Goyaz, Rio Verde , 1908, G.A. Baer ; Mato Grosso, Rio Caraguatá , 11-1953, 21°48'S 52°27'W, Fritz Plaumann ; Vila Velha , 28-IX-1969 ; Et. De Sao Paulo val du Rio Pardo , XII-1998, E. Gounelle ; idem, Ilha Solteira , metropolitan area, 8-IV-1993, N.C. Noronha ; Rio Juntas , Garlepp ; Goyas. Argentina, Tablillas, Salta ; Missiones, Dos de Mayo , 10-I-1989, J. Foerster ; Chaco, X-1992, La Armonia ; Salta, Vespucio , 5-XII-1947 ; idem, 20 km N La Caldera, El Ucumar , 780 m, 31-I-1982, H. & A. Howden ; idem, Oran, km 27 Rio Arrayazal, Las Pavas , 1-6- X- 1979, 600 m, R. Golbach ; idem, Jujui , camino de cornisa, 11-III-1963, A. Willink ; idem, Cerro Perales , 17-I-1948 ; idem, Rio Juramento , IX-1961, A. Luna Reyens ; idem, La Caldera , 13-XI-1947, Duret ; Tucuman ; idem, Los Gόmez, III-1949, O. Budin ; idem, Alpachiri , VII-1946, R. Golbach ; idem, Taff Lacavera , 28-XI-1951, R. Golbach ; idem, Campamento Jacúlica , 22 km W Aguas Blancas, 15-VII-1971, C. Porter & L. Stange ; El Ucumara, Salta Ruta 9, 7-XII-1985. Paraguay, Lep. Pte. Hayes, Puerto Galileo, 25°04'S 57°52'W. Specimens are deposited in FSCA, IMLA, JEWC, MNHN, WFBM, and WOPC .

Figures

Figs 46-61a: Morphological organs of Tarandocerus lycoides. (46) Antenna, male; (47) Antenna, female; (48) Head, frontal view; (49) Head, ventral view; (50) Head, dorsal view; (51) Pronotum, ventral view; (52) Pronotum, dorsal view; (53) Metendosternite; (54) Labrum; (55) Mandible; (56) Labium; (57a) Maxilla; (57b) Spicular fork; (58) Tegmen, ventral view; (59) Tegmen, lateral view; (60) Phallus; (61a) Metathoracic wing.

Figs 93-96b: Morphological organs of Aspitonis alarutinis (93-95), Pilosirus brunnoi (96a), Tarandocerus lycoides (96b). (93) Antennal funicle; (94) Insipient trichobothrium on the pronotal disc; 95) Pronotal disc; (96a) Pronotal disc; (96b) Metatarsal ungues.

Figs 103-108: Morphological organs of Tarandocerus lycoides (103-107) and Plocamocera coactilis (108). (103) Head, frontal view; (104) Antennal capitulum; (105) Pronotal disc; (106) Antennal funicle; (107) Pronotal disc showing insipient trichobothrium; (108) Pronotal trichobothrium (8 bothrium, 9 trabiculae, 10 trich).

Figs 169-172: Habitus illustrations of (169) Tarandocerus auratus, holotype; 170) T. lycoides, lectotype; (171) T. mexicanus, holotype; (172) T. testaceiceps, lectotype.

Fig. 176: Geographic distribution of Tarandocerus lycoides.