Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida
Date of this Version
12-1-2023
Citation
Flowers RW. 2023. Aksakidion odontokeras (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae: Eumolpini), a new genus and species in an old collection from Paraguay. Insecta Mundi 1017: 1–5.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:65DABC23-2BF6-42D3-B445-AC2B9EDA66E8
Abstract
Aksakidion odontokeras, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae: Eumolpini), is described from four specimens in the Bowditch Collection at Harvard University. It is distinguished from all other genera in the Eumolpinae by an elongate, seta-bearing, tusk-like projection on the dorsal side of each mandible. Although locality data only mention Paraguay as the country of origin, information about the collector indicates it was collected in the late 19th century in the vicinity of Asunción.
During a recent visit to the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University (MCZ) to study type material of Neotropical Chrysomelidae, a short series of four highly unusual specimens was discovered among unidentified material in a tray of Lamprosphaerus Baly (subfamily Eumolpinae) in the Bowditch Collection of Chrysomelidae. The specimens appeared congeneric with species of Spintherophyta Lefèvre, except for a striking pair of anterior projections. On closer examination, these projections were found to be located on the dorsal surface of the mandibles, and to have numerous apparent sensory pits and setae. Along with the unique mandibles, a number of other characters were found that are not present in known Spintherophyta. Examination of the structure of the abdomen showed that all four specimens are males. These specimens are described below as a new genus and species.
Comments
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