Rainforest understory beetles of the Neotropics, Mizotrechus Bates 1872, a generic synopsis with descriptions of new species from Central America and northern South America (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Perigonini)

Abstract Information on the single previously described species, Mizotrechus novemstriatus Bates 1872 (type locality: Brazil – Amazonas, Tefé), is updated and 17 new species for the genus from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyane are described. The species records in the literature and on determined specimens in some collections of Mizotrechus novemstriatus Bates from Central America are not that species; currently, Mizotrechus novemstriatus is known only from its type locality in Amazonian Brazil. For the new species described, their known general distributions are as follows: Mizotrechus batesi sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus bellorum sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus brulei sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus belevedere sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus costaricensis sp. n. (Costa Rica), Mizotrechus dalensi sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus edithpiafae sp. n. (provenance unknown), Mizotrechus fortunensis sp. n. (Panamá), Mizotrechus gorgona. sp. n. (Colombia), Mizotrechus grossus sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus jefe sp. n. (Panamá), Mizotrechus marielaforetae sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus minutus sp. n. (Guyane), Mizotrechus neblinensis sp. n. (Guyane, Venezuela), Mizotrechus poirieri sp. n. (Guyane), and Mizotrechus woldai sp. n. (Panamá). Long-term use of flight intercept traps in Guyane provided so many new species that apparently the use of FITs is the way to collect adults of this taxon, previously known from very few specimens. Many more species of this genus can be expected to be discovered throughout the Neotropics; the present contribution is a preliminary synopsis with identification key and adult images of all known species. Likely numerous species are yet to be discovered throughout tropical climes.


Introduction
proposed the genus Mizotrechus for several species including, Mizotrechus novemstriatus Bates 1872. The other species were later transferred by him (Bates, 1883) to Perigona Laporte de Castelnau 1835. Thus, Mizotrechus has been thought to be monobasic since Bates' action in 1883. Bates (1883) also regarded a specimen from Chontales, Nicaragua collected by Janson to be the same species he described from Ega (now Tefé), Brazil. Careful study reported herein of male genitalia and body proportions indicates Bates' determination to be incorrect. Now that many new species have emerged from Guyane (French Guiana and "Cayenne" of earlier authors) and Central American collections and I have been able to study Bates' Ega type, I regard all Central American specimens identified as Mizotrechus novemstriatus Bates to be misidentifications. Given the uniformity of shape and color of species in this genus (Figs 1-18) and the previous paucity of specimens to study, it is understandable that mistakes could have been made. With the incredible new collections from Guyane, some species in ample series, it is time to set this genus on the road to a better understanding; that is the purpose of this paper which is predictably just the beginning.

Methods and specimens
Methods and species concepts follow those previously described (Erwin and Kavanaugh 1981;Kavanaugh and Erwin 1991). The species validation and diagnosis format follows as closely as possible that suggested in Erwin and Johnson (2000). Measurements of length (ABL, SBL) and width (TW) follow those of Ball (1972) and Kavanaugh (1979): ABL (apparent body length), measured from apex of labrum to apex of longer elytron (in adults of this genus, the abdomen often protrudes beyond the elytral apex, thus the ABL often is much larger that the SBL; SBL (standardized body length), equals the sum of the lengths of the head (measured from apex of clypeus to a point on midline at level of the posterior edge of compound eyes); PL (pronotum length) is measured from apical to basal margin along midline; LE (elytron length) is measured from apex of scutellum to apex of the longer elytron; and TW (total width) measured across both elytra at their widest point with suture closed. Attributes of the elytron include the basic elytral structure occurring between the elytral intervals that frequently has been expressed as a "stria," or "row of punctures," etc. I refer to this structure as an interneur (Erwin 1974). Attributes of the abdominal ventral sterna are referred to using the numbering system generally accepted in Carabid studies, i.e., the sternum divided medially by the hind coxae is sternum II (the first being hidden) and the last visible is sternum VII (Liu et al., 2011). In describing attributes of the male genitalia, the proximal end of the median lobe has traditionally been referred to as the "basal bulb" in studies of Carabidae. However, in many more basal groups, the proximal end is not a scleritized bulb as it is in most higher groups such as the Lebiini. In my revision of the genus Pericompsus (Erwin, 1974), I encountered the same problem with the term "stria" for features of the elytra. The result was the use of the term "interneur" to apply to the attribute lying between intervals. Through use of this term, one could describe the feature as interneur striate, punctate, striatiopunctate, etc. The same holds true for the proximal end of the median lobe. In Snodgrass (1935), the term "phallobase" is used, and I have adopted it here. So, by extension, in Carabidae we can say phallobase hooded (Lebiini), phallobase of two parallel sclerotized struts (basal trechines and Andinodontis), phallobase of two uneven struts (Bembidion), etc. Kavanaugh (pers. comm.) points out that with struts there is still a connecting membrane surrounding the struts forming a "bulb." Included in this study are a total of 56 specimens: ten from the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (NMNH) in my charge, 41 specimens received from SEAG (Société Entomologique Antilles-Guyane) in Guyane, a single specimen from INBIO collected in Costa Rica and sent to me by Angel Solis, and a single specimen from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (UASM) collected in Colom-bia and sent to me by George E. Ball. Also studied were the lectotype of Mizotrechus novemstriatus Bates from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris (MHNP, Azadeh Taghavian, Collection Manager) along with an unidentified specimen determined by Bates simply as "Mizotrechus/G er Bates," and the specimen from Nicaragua that Bates identified incorrectly came from the Natural History Museum in London (BMNH, Beulah Garner, Collection Manager).
The habitus images of the adult beetles portray most of the character states referred to in the key provided. Illustrations of male genitalia are standard for descriptive taxonomy of carabid beetles in both preparation and aspects presented, as is the presentation of the female genitalia. The habitus images of the adults were made with a Visionary DigitalTM high resolution imaging system rendered using Photoshop to become "Digital Photo-illustrations." Figure captions include an ADP number, which is a unique identification number for the specimen that was illustrated or imaged and links the specimen and associated illustrations and/or images to additional information in electronic databases at the NMNH. Representative specimens will be transferred to Guyane when they have a museum in which to keep them secure.
Geographical data are presented for species based on all known specimens available at the time of manuscript preparation, including those in the literature. Georeferences have been determined from locality information provided on specimen labels; only those exact georeferences reported in decimal degrees that are provided on the label are placed in quotes, otherwise I have estimated these as closely as possible from places, mileage, etc., listed on the label and searched with Google Earth. Latitude and longitude are reported in decimal degrees. Distribution maps are provided for the species (Figs 39-41). Here, vernacular names in English are proposed, as common names are becoming increasingly needed in conservation and/or agricultural and forestry applications. These names are based on criteria set forth in Erwin (2011b) and applied in Erwin (2011a).
Proposed English vernacular name. Trough beetles. An attribute of adults of the Tribe Perigonini is the peculiar setiferous trough-like margin at the latero-apical por-tion of the elytron. While Bates' use of "mizo" as part of the genus name is unclear, I found that the French translation of the Japanese word, mizo, is ditch or pit in English. Perhaps Bates (who published much on Japanese beetles) was referring to the long marginal setiferous "trough" near the apex of the elytron.
Distribution. Presently known from Central and (northern) South America and here predicted to be found throughout the Amazon Basin and possibly north into México.
Habitat. Tropical rainforest, dry forest, and cloud forest possibly in leaf litter, or more likely subcortical (under loose bark). I suggest that these beetles are subcortical based on their coloration, robust exoskeleton, markedly expanded distal antennomeres, prolonged sharp mandibles, serrate or undulating humerus in some species, and somewhat depressed form. Some of these attributes are found in the adults of genera Pachyteles, Holmalomorpha, Catapiesis, Inpa, and Morion, among others, whose adult members are known to be subcortical inhabitants for part of their life history.
References. Bates (1872Bates ( , 1883 Diagnostic combination. Differing in adult attributes from those of its probable adelphotaxon, Perigona Laporte de Castelnau 1835 and from Diploharpus Chaudoir 1850 by the following: 1) adult Mizotrechus possess markedly expanded distal antennomeres (neither adults of Perigona nor Diploharpus adults have such); 2) both male and female Mizotrechus adults have the foreleg femur modified in some manner (except M. batesi, sp. n.) such as dentate, serrate, swollen or ridged (lacking in adults of both Perigona and Diploharpus); 3) adult Mizotrechus lack discal setae of the elytra (present in Perigona at apex of interneur 5 and in Diploharpus at middle and apical third in interneur 3); 4) adult Mizotrechus have umbilicate setae at apical third off-set and surrounded by a dense patch of short setae (both Perigona and Diploharpus have the umbilicate setae in-line and with few if any short setae); 5) adult Mizotrechus have a dense patch of setae in the apical trough of the elytron (neither Perigona nor Diploharpus have such a patch, although some species have a few setae); 6) sternum III of both sexes of Mizotrechus species have a short row of reclinate setae medially set between two narrowly spaced ambulatory setae (neither adults of Perigona nor Diploharpus nor a new genus (Erwin, in prep) have such).
Distribution. Lowland tropical rainforests in Central and northern South America, as well as midland cloud and dry forests in Central America.
Included species. The species list below, as well as arrangement of descriptions that follow is ordered alphabetically. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "batesi" is an eponym, based on the family name of Henry Walter Bates, whose eleven years of collecting beetles in South America capturing adults of many new species, and genera such as this, would qualify him for the Hall of Fame of beetle collectors and describers, if there was such a Hall.

Mizotrechus batesi
Proposed English vernacular name. Bates' trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and small sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose and punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum quadrate with lateral margin shallowly emarginate just anterior to hind angle; base densely punctulate. Elytra narrow and elongate, about the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed interneurs, intervals flat; margin behind humerus shallowly serrulate. Foreleg femur with slightly produced ridge on postero-ventral margin.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. The adult holotype was active in November, at the end of the dry season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "bellorum" is an eponym, based on the family name of Ross and Joyce Bell, with a special thanks for a career that brought light to the rhysodine clade of very interesting beetles with colors and tough cuticle also found in adults of Mizotrechus species.

Mizotrechus bellorum
Proposed English vernacular name. Bells' trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and medium sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons at sides with evident rugae, punctulate. Occiput at sides with evident rugae, punctulate. Pronotum nearly quadrate, narrowed behind, with straight margins to hind angle, hind angle dentate, tooth small; base sparsely rugulose. Elytra broad and short, much wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with only interneurs 1-3 moderately engraved, 4-8 evident yet shallowly impressed, more so toward margin, not punctate; margin behind humerus uneven, yet not serrate. Foreleg femur subdentate at the base of postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 2, 25). Size: See Appendix 1. Medium sized for the genus, ABL = 6.9 mm, SBL = 5.87 mm, TW = 2.55 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum, and legs shiny, elytra slightly duller due to shallowly engraved slightly stretched microsculpture. Head: Labrum quadrate and apico-medially emarginate. Eye large, moderately convex. Gena moderately short, straight. Frons, occiput and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Narrow, quadrate, narrowed slightly toward base, margins not emarginate before hind angle, angle dentate, tooth small, margin moder-ately explanate except wider at hind angle; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron moderately convex, disk flat, intervals flat, interneurs not punctate, apex moderately oblique and straight, sutural apex narrowly rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in male; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 20) with a small obtuse tooth at basal third of postero-ventral margin; posterior trochanter narrowly acute at apex, about half the length of the femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of male with narrow and dense patch of decumbent setae. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 25) elongate and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex a losp. n.tulate distal end less bent ventrad than in M. dalensi and thicker in cross section, moderately curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex straight then evenly curved to apex; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, not crested, opening more or less 30 degrees off axis with that of shaft. Parameres large, left a half longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Unknown.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in September, near the end of the dry season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "belvedere" is a singular Latinized masculine noun in apposition, based on the name of the area in which these beetles are found.

Mizotrechus belvedere
Proposed English vernacular name. Belvédère trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and moderately large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose above and behind eye in an arc and moderately punctulate. Occiput moderately punctulate. Pronotum longer than wide with lateral margins moderately explanate and basally notched; base moderately microrugose. Elytra moderately broad and short, apex prolonged, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 5 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex; margin behind humerus rough, intervals between microsetae blunt. Foreleg femur with slightly produced postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 3,26). Size: See Appendix 1. Moderately small for genus, ABL = 7.2 mm, SBL = 6.14 mm, TW = 2.48 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum and legs shiny, elytra matte. Head: Labrum quadrate, apico-medially slightly V-notched. Eye moderately large and convex. Gena with very slight bulge. Frons, occiput and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Moderately narrow, narrowed slightly toward base, margin moderately explanate, wider before hind angle; surface punctulate, punctures moderately dense, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron barely convex, intervals nearly flat, interneurs with well-impressed irregularly-spaced punctulate, apex slightly obliquely prolonged and slightly rounded at extreme sutural apex. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in male; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 23) with slightly produced ridge along postero-ventral margin, not dentate, without short dorsal ridge at base of longer ridge; posterior trochanter tapered to rounded point in male, length half that of femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous, densely so medially on II and III; sternum III of male with short dense patch of decumbent setae medially set between two ambulatory setae; sternum VII shallowly and medially notched in male. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 26) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex a short blunt distal end that is less prominent than in M. brulei, slightly curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex evenly curved; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, opening more or less 20 degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Unknown.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. The holotype was active in February, the rainy season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "brulei" is an eponym, based on the family name of Stephané Brule, whose team in Guyane has been collecting beetles using Flight Intercept Traps and capturing adults of many new species, such as this one.

Mizotrechus brulei
Proposed English vernacular name. Brule's trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and small sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose only at extreme anterior angles and punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum quadrate with lateral margins basally shallowly emarginate; base moderately microrugose. Elytra moderately narrow and elongate, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed interneurs, intervals not convex; margin behind humerus moderately serrulate. Foreleg femur with slight swelling near the base on the postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 4,27). Size: See Appendix 1. Moderately small for genus, ABL = 6.0-6.8 mm, SBL = 5.53-6.41 mm, TW = 2.03-2.22 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum and legs shiny. Head: Labrum quadrate, apico-medially barely emarginate. Eye small, moderately convex. Gena long, straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Broad, narrowed slightly toward base, margin beaded, not explanate except at hind angle; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron barely convex, intervals nearly flat, interneurs striate, not punctate, apex slightly oblique and slightly rounded, sutural apex narrowly truncate. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in both sexes; foreleg femur ( Fig.  23) with slightly produced ridge along postero-ventral margin, not dentate, without short dorsal ridge at base of longer ridge; posterior trochanter tapered to acute point in male, acuminate in female, length half that of femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of male with narrow and dense patch of decumbent setae; sternum VII medially notched in male, slightly emarginated in female. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 27) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex short, blunt, distal end more prominent than in M. belvedere, slightly curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex evenly curved; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, opening more or less in line with axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Not investigated; however, it is likely similar to that illustrated on Plate 11. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult specimens were collected in flight intercept traps in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in April and September, in both the rainy and dry seasons. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from three lowland localities in Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "chontalesensis" is a Latinized noun in apposition, based on the name of the area in which these beetles are found.

Mizotrechus chontalesensis
Proposed English vernacular name. Chontales trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and moderately large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons and occiput quite smooth, without regular rugae; micropunctation widespread and hardly evident. Pronotum longer than wide with lateral margins narrowly explanate and basally shallowly emarginate with sharp, not denticulate, hind angles; base smooth, without regular microrugosity. Elytra moderately broad and short, apices not prolonged, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and each with 8 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex; margins behind humeri rough, intervals between microsetae blunt. Foreleg femur with slightly produced ridge on postero-ventral margin.
Way of life. Unknown. Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the dry tropical forested lowlands of Nicaragua. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "costaricensis" is a Latinized noun in apposition, based on a geographic name formed from "Costa Rica," the country in which an adult of this species has been found, and the Latin suffix "-ensis," meaning of, or from that place.

Mizotrechus costaricensis
Proposed English vernacular name. Costa Rica trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons and occiput shallowly rugose above and behind eye in an arc asp. n.rsely and finely punctulate. Pronotum subcordiform with lateral margins moderately explanate and basally emarginate before right hind angles; base shallowly and regularly microrugose. Elytra moderately narrow and short, apex prolonged, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 5 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex; margin behind humerus rough, intervals between microsetae blunt. Foreleg femur with markedly serrate postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 6, 28). Size: See Appendix 1. Large for genus, ABL = 8.4 mm, SBL = 6.88 mm, TW = 2.88 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum and legs shiny, elytra matte. Head: Labrum quadrate, apico-medially slightly produced. Eye moderately small and convex. Gena straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Moderately narrow, narrowed slightly toward base, margin narrowly explanate, wider before hind angle; surface sparsely punctulate, punctures very fine, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron barely convex, intervals nearly flat, 5 interneurs with well-impressed irregularly spaced punctures, apex not prolonged, slightly rounded at extreme sutural apex. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in male; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 24) with markedly serrate postero-ventral margin, not dentate; posterior trochanter tapered to acute point in male, length half that of femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous, densely so medially on II and III; sternum III of male with short row of decumbent setae medially set between two ambulatory setae; sternum VII shallowly and medially notched in male. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 28) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex with a very short and narrow distal end, slightly rounded in lateral aspect, more twisted laterally than in M. fortunensis, ventral margin proximal to apex straight then briefly curved to apex; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, opening more or less 30 degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a twice longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Unknown.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The holotype was collected in an aerial net. Adults are active in early July, the area's dry season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known only from the type locality in premontane rainforests of Costa Rica. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "dalensi" is an eponym, based on the family name of P.H. Dalens, whose team in Guyane has been collecting beetles using Flight Intercept Traps and capturing adults of many new species, such as this one.

Mizotrechus dalensi
Proposed English vernacular name. Dalens' trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and medium sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose and punctulate. Occiput shallowly rugose at sides and punctulate. Pronotum quadrate with lateral margins basally straight to slightly toothed hind angle; base moderately rugose. Elytra broad and moderately short, much wider than width of pronotum across anterior third, and with two well-impressed interneurs, the remainder shallower toward margin; margins behind humeri not serrulate. Foreleg femur dentate basally on postero-ventral margin.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adults at four localities were collected in flight intercept traps in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in March and November, in both the rainy and dry seasons.
Other Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known from five localities in the lowland and midland rainforests of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "edithpiafae" is an eponym, based on the full name of Edith Piaf, the famous French singer, 19 December 1915-11 October 1963, whose voice had an incredible range of diversity, as is that found in the carabid species richness of Guyane, and who sang a variety of "torch songs", and here I play on the word "torch", the same word that applies to what is used to ignite the trees of the unique tropical rainforests of South America, an Armageddon in our own times.

Mizotrechus edithpiafae
Proposed English vernacular name. Piaf 's trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and large sized for the genus as it is presently understood. Adults with darkly infuscate integument, elytra slightly paler, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture black. Frons and occiput smooth above and behind eye asp. n.rsely and finely punctulate. Pronotum quadrate and highly convex with lateral margins narrowly explanate and basally straight before slightly denticulate hind angles; base shallowly and regularly microrugose. Elytra very broad and short, apex not prolonged, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex; margin behind humerus rough, intervals between microsetae blunt. Foreleg femur with markedly dentate ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 8, 22). Size: See Appendix 1. Large for genus, ABL = 8.4 mm, SBL = 7.16 mm, TW = 2.94 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum, and legs shiny, elytra slightly matte. Head: Labrum quadrate, apico-medially moderately v-notched. Eye moderately small and convex. Gena straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Broad, barely narrowed toward base, margin narrowly explanate, wider before hind angle; surface sparsely punctulate, punctures very fine, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron barely convex, intervals nearly flat, 8 interneurs with well-impressed irregularlyspaced punctures, apex not prolonged, slightly rounded at extreme sutural apex. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in male; foreleg femur ( Fig. 22) ridged along the posterio-ventral margin and markedly produced at middle of ridge ; posterior trochanter tapered to rounded point in male, length half that of femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous, densely so medially on II and III; sternum III of male with short dense row of decumbent setae medially set between two ambulatory setae; sternum VII shallowly and medially notched in male. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 30) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex with a moderately long narrow distal end, slightly curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex evenly curved, ventral margin proximal to apex straight; endophallus (everted) with complexly folded tracheal fields and a narrow sclerotized rod; phallobase not fully hooded, opening 20 degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "fortunensis" is a Latinized noun in apposition, based on a geographic name formed from "Fortuna" (Panamá) the place in which adults of this species have been found, and the Latin suffix "-ensis," meaning of, or from that place.
Proposed English vernacular name. Fortuna trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons smooth, not or barely rugose near eye, surface punctulate. Occiput smooth, punctulate. Pronotum quadrate with lateral margins basally shallowly emarginated, hind angles slightly toothed; base densely microrugose. Elytra broad and short, much broader than width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 3 well-impressed interneurs, others shallower toward margin; margins behind humeri shallowly serrulate. Foreleg femur serrate on postero-ventral margin.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The six adults were collected at UV light trap in premontane forest understory. Adults are active in May, July, and August, in the rainy and early dry seasons.
Other Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the premontane forested midlands of Panamá. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "gorgona" is a Latinized noun in apposition and is the name of the island off Colombia where these beetles are found.

Diagnosis.
With the attributes of the genus as described above and moderately large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose above and behind eye in an arc, not extended on occiput, and moderately punctulate. Occiput moderately punctulate. Pronotum longer than wide with lateral margins narrowly explanate and basally with sharp, not denticulate, hind angles; base smooth, without regular microrugose. Elytra moderately narrow and elongate, apex prolonged, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 7 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex; margins behind humeri serrate, intervals between microsetae dentate. Foreleg femur with markedly serrate postero-ventral margin.
Way of life. The type specimen was collected in a Malaise trap in the rainforest understory at the type locality. Adults are active in late June, or early July during the "relatively" dry season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known only from the type locality on an island off the Pacific coast of Colombia. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "grossus" is a Latin adjective that adequately describes this species with large robust adults.

Mizotrechus grossus
Proposed English vernacular name. Gross trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and very large sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have dark castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons shallowly rugose at sides and overall punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum cordiform with lateral margins straight to well-developed hind angle which is dentate; base densely microrugose. Elytra broad and short, moderately wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 3 well-impressed interneurs, outer interneurs more shallow toward margin; margins behind humeri uneven, but not evidently serrulate. Foreleg femur dentate on postero-ventral margin near base.
Description. (Figs 11, 32, Plate 12). Size: See Appendix 1. Large for genus, ABL = 8.1-8.9 mm, SBL = 7.07-7.71 mm, TW = 2.72-3.26 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum and legs shiny; elytron shiny but with evident shallow and slightly stretched microsculpture. Head: Labrum quadrate and medially emarginate. Eye moderately large, moderately convex. Gena moderately long, straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Broadly cordiform, narrowed moderately toward base, margin narrowly explanate, more broadly near base, hind angle dentate; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous, microsculpture nearly effaced. Pterothorax: Elytron moderately convex, intervals flat, interneurs striate, not punctate, apex oblique and straight, sutural apex narrowly rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in both sexes; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 20) markedly dentate on postero-ventral margin at basal third; trochanter acute in both sexes, about half the length of the femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of male with narrow and dense patch of decumbent setae. Defense gland system (Plate 12) with two very large, medially slightly concave, bean-shaped pygidial gland reservoirs, each with a markedly long and narrow annulated collecting canal connected to the efferent duct near the base of the gland. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 32) elongate and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex with a losp. n.tulate distal end slightly more bent ventrad than in M. poirieri, moderately curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex straight then evenly curved to apex; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded and slightly crested, opening more or less 40 degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Not investigated; however, it is likely similar to that illustrated on Plate 11. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The type series was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory at four locations in Guyane. Adults are active in March, April, June, August, October, November, and December, during both the rainy and dry seasons.
Other Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known from six localities in the lowlands and midlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "jefe" is a place name, based on the area where the type specimen was collected.

Mizotrechus jefe
Proposed English vernacular name. Jefe trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and moderately small sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons with rugae nearly effaced, punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum narrowly cordiform with lateral margins shallowly emarginated; base rugulose. Elytra narrow and short, slightly wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed interneurs; margins behind humeri moderately serrulate. Foreleg femur with slightly produced ridge on postero-ventral margin.
Prothorax: Moderately narrow, narrowed slightly toward base, margin narrowly explanate throughout, hind angle about right, not dentate; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron slightly convex, disk flat, intervals flat, interneurs striate, not punctate, apex moderately oblique and straight, sutural apex narrowly rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in female. Legs: Normal in female; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 21) with slightly produced, short, slightly arcuate ridge on postero-ventral margin at basal forth, not dentate; trochanter narrowly rounded. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of female with median patch of setae that is more dense than elsewhere. Male genitalia: Unknown. Female genitalia: Not investigated; however, it is likely similar to that illustrated on Plate 11. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected along a road in the cloud forest understory. Adults are active in May, during the rainy season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the midlands of Panamá. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "marielaforetae" is an eponym, based on the full stage name of Marie Laforêt, the famous French actress and singer, 5 October 1939 -present, whose voice has a range of diversity like that found in the carabid species richness of Guyane, and who sang a variety of "torch songs", and here I play on the word "torch", the same word that applies to that being used to ignite the forests of the unique tropical rainforests of South America, an Armageddon in our own times.
Description. (Figs 13, 30). Size: See Appendix 1. Moderately small sized for the genus, ABL = 5.9 mm, SBL = 5.12 mm, TW = 2.18 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum, and legs shiny, elytra duller due to shallowly engraved slightly stretched microsculpture. Head: Labrum quadrate and apico-medially emarginate. Eye large, moderately convex. Gena moderately long, straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Narrow, quadrate, narrowed moderately toward base, margins straight before hind angle, angle dentate, tooth small, margin moderately explanate except wider at hind angle; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron moderately convex, intervals flat, proximal interneurs not punctate, distal interneurs somewhat punctate, apex moderately oblique and straight, sutural apex narrowly rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in male; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 23) with slightly produced ridge on postero-ventral margin, not dentate; posterior trochanter narrowly rounded at apex, about half the length of the femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of male with narrow and dense patch of decumbent setae. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 30) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex with a short narrowly rounded distal end, ventral margin proximal to apex straight, then abruptly curved to apex; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, opening more or less 40 degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Unknown.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in November, at the end of the dry season.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "minutus" is a Latin adjective that adequately describes this species with very small adults.

Mizotrechus minutus
Proposed English vernacular name. Minute trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and very small sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons with rugae nearly effaced, punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum quadrate with lateral margins shallowly emarginated; base nearly smooth. Elytra broad and short, slightly wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed punctate interneurs; margins behind humeri not serrulate.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in December, at the end of the dry season. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from two localities in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "neblinensis" is a Latinized noun in apposition, based on a geographic name formed from Pico de Neblina, a tipui on the border of Venezuela and Brazil, the area in which adults of this species have been found, and the Latin suffix "-ensis," meaning of, or from that place.
Proposed English vernacular name. Tipui trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and medium sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons with nearly effaced rugae, punctulate. Occiput punctulate. Pronotum nearly quadrate with lateral margins straight to hind angle, hind angle a very small tooth; base densely rugulose. Elytra broad and short, slightly wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 6 evident shallowly impressed interneurs, 7-8 nearly effaced; margins behind humeri moderately serrulate. Foreleg femur with markedly developed and produced ridge on postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Figs 15, 35). Size: See Appendix 1. Medium sized for the genus, ABL = 6.4-6.9 mm, SBL = 5.54-6.12 mm, TW = 2.25-2.46 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum, elytra and legs shiny, microsculpture absent. Head: Labrum quadrate and apico-medially emarginate. Eye large, moderately convex. Gena moderately long, straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Broad, narrowed slightly toward base, margin narrowly explanate except wider at hind angle, hind angle a very small tooth; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron moderately convex, disk flat, intervals flat, interneurs striato-punctate, punctures small, shallow, apex oblique and straight, sutural apex narrowly rounded. Metasternum sparsely setiferous in male. Legs: Normal in both sexes; foreleg femur (as in Fig. 22) ridged along the posterio-ventral margin and markedly produced at middle of ridge; posterior trochanter narrowly rounded at apex, about half the length of the femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous; sternum IV of female with denser patch of setae at midline. Male genitalia: Median lobe (Fig. 35) short and robust with ostium moderately elongate, over half the length of the median lobe; apex a short blunt distal end, slightly curved in lateral aspect, ventral margin proximal to apex evenly arched and barely curved to apex; endophallus with complexly folded tracheal fields; phallobase hooded, opening more or less five degrees off axis of shaft. Parameres large, left a third longer than the right, both broadly rounded, asetose. Female genitalia: Not investigated; however, it is likely similar to that illustrated on Plate 11. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in February, in the rainy season.
Other Geographic distribution. (Figs 40, 41). This species is currently known from lowland localities, one each in Guyane and Venezuela. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "novemstriatus" is descriptive Latin, meaning 9-lined and referring to the elytral interneurs, including the scutellar striole.

Mizotrechus novemstriatus
Proposed English vernacular name. Nine-lined trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and moderate sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons smooth, scattered rugulae not organized, moderately punctulate. Occiput smooth, moderately punctulate. Pronotum subcordiform with lateral margins narrowly explanate and basally with sharp, not denticulate, hind angles; base with regular rugulae. Elytra broad and short, wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with 8 well-impressed irregularly punctulate interneurs, intervals not convex, apex not prolonged, margins behind humeri rough, intervals between microsetae blunt. Foreleg femur with evident ridge on postero-ventral margin.
Description. (Fig. 16). Size: See Appendix 1. Moderate sized for genus, ABL = 7.2 mm, SBL = 6.05 mm, TW = 2.48 mm. Color: see diagnosis, above. Luster: Head, pronotum, elytra, and legs shiny. Head: Labrum quadrate, apico-medially v-notched. Eye small and moderately convex. Gena straight. Frons, occiput, and gena glabrous. Prothorax: Moderately broad, narrowed slightly toward base, margin narrowly explanate, slightly wider before hind angle; surface punctulate, punctures widespread, very fine, glabrous. Pterothorax: Elytron barely convex, intervals nearly flat, all interneurs with well-impressed irregularly-spaced punctulate, apex not prolonged, slightly rounded at extreme sutural apex. Legs: Normal in female; foreleg fe-mur (as in Fig. 22) ridged along the postero-ventral margin and markedly produced at middle of ridge; posterior trochanter tapered to rounded point in female, length half that of femur. Abdomen: Abdominal sterna moderately setiferous, densely medially on II and III; sternum VII barely medially notched in female. Male genitalia: Unknown. Female genitalia: Not investigated; however, it is likely similar to that illustrated on Plate 11. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. Unknown. Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 41). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Brazil. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "poirieri" is an eponym, based on the family name of E. Poirieri, whose team in Guyane has been collecting beetles using Flight Intercept Traps and capturing adults of many new species, such as this one.

Mizotrechus poirieri
Proposed English vernacular name. Poirier's trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and medium sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons with evident rugae, punctulate. Occiput with evident rugae, punctulate. Pronotum nearly quadrate with lateral margins slightly emarginate to hind angle, hind angle about right, not dentate; base sparsely rugulose. Elytra broad and short, much wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with only interneur 1 deeply engraved, 2-8 evident yet shallowly impressed, not punctate; margins behind humeri entire. Foreleg femur with slightly produced swelling on postero-ventral margin.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a flight intercept trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in November, at the end of the dry season.
Other specimens examined. None.
Geographic distribution. (Fig. 40). This species is currently known only from the type locality in the lowlands of Guyane. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "woldai" is an eponym, based on the family name of H. Wolda, long time scientist with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panamá, whose persistent light trapping produced many new and interesting species, such as one adult of this new species.

Mizotrechus woldai
Proposed English vernacular name. Wolda's trough beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus as described above and medium sized for the genus as it is presently understood; adults have castaneous integument, except anterior parts of mandible, baso-lateral corner of labrum, and clypeal suture piceous. Frons with evident rugae, punctulate. Occiput without rugae, punctulate. Pronotum nearly quadrate with lateral margins slightly emarginate to hind angle, hind angle dentate, tooth small; base sparsely rugulose. Elytra broad and short, slightly wider than the width of pronotum across anterior third, and with only interneurs 8 deeply engraved, not punctate; margins behind humeri serrate.
Way of life. The adult holotype was collected in a ground level UV light trap in the rainforest understory. Adults are active in May during the heavy rainy season in Panamá.
Other specimens examined. None. Geographic distribution. (Fig. 39). This species is currently known from a single lowland locality in Panamá.
Note. Considering the hundreds of specimens of carabids collected by Wolda in a series of suspended light traps from canopy level to ground level, it is curious that no other specimens of this species were collected (see M. fortunensis above, where many specimens were collected by Wolda at light traps).

Discussion
For 108 years, adults of Mizotrechus Bates 1872 have flown "under the radar," so to speak. Then, along came the FITs (Flight Intercept Traps) used by the SEAG group in Guyane. Since collection of the unique holotype of M. novemstriatus Bates from Ega (now Tefé), Brazil, and a misidentified (by Bates) specimen collected by Janson in Nicaragua, this genus has remained an enigma and rarely collected. All the very few specimens that have resided in collections have been determined as M. novemstriatus Bates, because the genus was thought to be monobasic. The synopsis presented in this paper is an opening salvo, only. There is no question that the use of FITs, in the rest of the Oronoco and Amazon Basins and in Middle America, will produce many new spe-cies in addition to those described herein. The type locality of the type species is south of the Amazon River; and this suggests that there may be many more species residing on the Brazilian Shield, just as there are on the Guyana Shield, as revealed by this study.
With the increase in our knowledge from two specimens to 56 specimens and from one species to 18 species, this poorly known genus now has become recognized as a likely dominate subcortical (or leaf litter?) inhabitant of the Neotropics. The Tribe Perigonini is little known overall and has never been a group seriously studied in the Western Hemisphere. It is very likely that the other two described genera, Perigona Laporte de Castelnau 1835 and Diploharpus Chaudoir 1850, and a third as yet undescribed genus (Erwin, in prep) will also be replete with new species, as is Mizotrechus, once they are studied. For example, Diploharpus is now known to have 13 described species assigned to it throughout its entire range from México south to Bolivia and Brazil. In the Guyane FIT samples alone, I have sorted out 27 morphospecies of Diploharpus.
While writing descriptions and creating the key, it became apparent that certain specific attributes have begun to form biogeographic patterns. The serrate humerus is found in the Central America/Colombia species and one Guyane species, and the serrate femur in the same species in Central America/Colombia only; the dentate femora only in the Guyane species. When more species are discovered and documented/described, this genus has the potential of contributing to a better understanding of the biogeography of the Central American/northern South American connections.
As I have documented with my fogging assemblages, a novel collecting technique opens new and exciting faunal components to scientific investigation and knowledge. Unfortunately, the opening of new taxonomic vistas with these new collecting techniques, and discovery of the new and/or rare species found, comes at a time when taxonomists themselves are becoming rare (Pearson et al. 2010;Cardosa et al. 2011). While these authors provide some solutions, the question remains: Will those solutions be enough and in time, while biodiversity is still here, to help us fully grasp what global species richness means (Erwin et al. 2005)?