Corresponding author: Shawn M. Clark (
Academic editor: A. Konstantinov
Viswajyothi K, Clark SM (2020)
Over the last half century, the prevailing classification of the chrysomelid subfamily
In the present study, we follow a middle-of-road approach, provisionally accepting the combining of
Following
Phylogenetic studies do not entirely support the above classification, even at the level of tribe (
In anticipation of the eventual publication of a key to the New World genera of
Strange morphological modifications are common in the chrysomelid subfamily
All specimens studied were adults. Genitalia extractions and preservation largely followed the methodology described by
Specimens are deposited in the
This genus is easily recognized by the remarkable male characters. The front femora are enormously enlarged (Figs
Using the key to genera by
Body narrow, oblong (Fig.
The name of this new genus honors K. D. Prathapan, renowned chrysomelid systematist and advisor to the senior author. The enormous front femora of the males are comparable to the strong personality and scientific prowess of Dr Prathapan. The genus name should be treated as a masculine noun.
This genus clearly belongs in the galerucine section Diabroticites (
This new genus currently includes a single species. However, future investigation may prove that
Body narrow, oblong, 5.1 mm long, 1.6 mm wide (Fig.
Median lobe of aedeagus (dorsal aspect) broad in distal tenth, shallowly incised at distal tenth, gradually narrowing from behind incisure to near mid-length (at mid-length, 0.6 times maximum width), slightly broadening from mid-length towards base; apex truncate in dorsal aspect, with small, median, knob-like projection (Fig.
The body varies from 4.8 to 5.6 mm long. The head may be almost entirely pale, with only a small brown marking on the posteromedial area of the vertex. This varies to an almost entirely black head, with only parts of the antennal calli and anterofrontal region pale. In some specimens, the region below the eyes and the antennal fossae are pale, while the frontal ridge and anterofrontal ridge are brownish black. In others, the frontal ridge is pale, the antennal calli and the entire area beyond the eyes and antennal fossae are brown, while the rest of the head is black. In some specimens, the dorsal surface of basal antennomere is distally or entirely brown. Rather than entirely pale, the pronotum may have a brownish black, irregularly shaped macula (Fig.
Although lacking the odd modifications of the legs, females are much like males. The antennomere length ratios are 1.0, 0.6, 1.0, 1.5, 1.1, 1.1, 1.0, 0.8, 0.8, 0.8, and 1.0. The length to width ratios are 2.5, 2.3, 3.0, 5.5, 4.3, 4.3, 3.8, 3.0, 3.0, 3.0, and 3.8. The female pronotum is almost evenly convex, but, upon close examination, two semicircular, very shallow depressions are noticeable, one on either side of the meson, near the mid-length of the disc. The front trochanter lacks a spine; the front femora are not unusually enlarged, but instead are more slender than the hind femora and only slightly broader than the middle femora; the pro- and metatibiae are similar to those of the middle legs; and the hind femora are not abnormally enlarged. Tiny tibial spurs are present on all legs (on only the middle legs of males). In the front legs of females, the basitarsus is slightly longer than and about as wide as the second tarsomere. In the middle legs, the basitarsus is 1.5 times longer than and the same width as the second tarsomere. The tarsal setation is the same in all three pairs of legs, the basitarsi of the front and middle legs are lacking adhesive pads. The posterior margin of last ventrite is entire (Fig.
The bursa copulatrix is adorned with a carina and sclerotized patches (Fig.
“Ecuador:GuayasProv. \ Salanguillo 90 m. \ 19 FEB 1987 \ K. A. Johnson colr.” [
Same data as holotype (4 females,
The species epithet,
This species occurs in a seasonally dry forest, near sea level, near the Pacific coast of Ecuador (Fig.
Area in Ecuador, near type locality of
In addition to the remarkable modifications of the male front legs, the male genitalia are also extraordinary, with fin-like structures on both the median lobe and tegmen. Before the soft tissues were removed, the basal portion of the aedeagus was heavily surrounded by muscle tissue, somewhat similar to the condition found in the subfamilies
We thank R. Wills Flowers for supplying the photograph of the area near the type locality. We appreciate the support of the Kerala Agricultural University and Brigham Young University. We are especially grateful to the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship Program that provided funding to the senior author while visiting in the United States.