Lycoperdinella can be distinguished from other Neotropical Merophysiinae by the following combination of characters: antenna 10-segmented with 1-segmented club (Fig. 1g); antennal grooves on head absent or indistinct (Figs 5a, 6a); pronotum with lateral margins narrowly bordered and distinctly crenulate (Figs 5b, e, 6c); metaventrite without postcoxal lines (Fig. 1f); abdominal ventrite 1 without postcoxal lines (Figs 1j, 2d). Lycoperdinella is most similar to Rueckeria gen. n. and Holoparamecus but from Rueckeria it can be differentiated by the lateral margins of the pronotum being coarsely crenulate (at most weakly crenulate in Rueckeria), elytron with anterolateral corner with a hooked tooth (Figs 1g, 5e, 6d) (anterolateral corners of elytra simple in Rueckeria), postcoxal lines absent on abdominal ventrite 1 (postcoxal lines present in Rueckeria), shorter and stouter antennae (Fig. 1e), the body covered with much longer, suberect setae (Fig. 6d) (short setae in Rueckeria) and the hind wings present in one of two species. From Holoparamecus, Lycoperdinella can be separated by having lateral margins of the pronotum bordered (smooth in Holoparamecus), pronotum narrowest near base (Figs 5b, 6c) but not distinctly constricted basally as in Holoparamecus, antenna with 1-segmented club (2-segmented club present in Holoparamecus).

Length 1.3–1.4 mm. Body elongate, approx. 2.2 times longer than wide, weakly convex, approx. 3.3 times as long as high; shiny, smooth, covered with sparse and long pale setae. Color light brown.

Head (Figs 1e, 5a, 6a, b) deeply retracted in prothorax, slightly wider than long; sparsely and moderately densely punctate. Gular sutures subparallel, widely separated. Eyes very small, oval, coarsely faceted, composed of six or 36 facets (as based on the studied specimens). Antennal sockets concealed by sides of frons, not visible from above; antennal grooves absent. Antenna comparatively short (Figs 1e, 5c), almost reaching base of pronotum, composed of ten antennomeres with club formed by terminal antennomere which is large, inflated, subtriangular, truncate apically. Frontoclypeal suture weakly arcuate (Fig. 6a). Clypeus transverse, flat, convergent anteriorly. Labrum (Fig. 1a) subquadrate, with rounded anterolateral corners, truncate apically, with submembranous apex, punctate, covered with sparse, long setae; tormae with mesal arms recurved posteriorly; labral rods absent. Mandible (Fig. 1c) with two apical teeth, and with four smaller subapical teeth getting subsequently smaller posteriorly; prostheca covered with digitiform setae on anterior third getting thinner and shorter toward posterior 2/3; mola large, sclerotized; submola small, membranous. Maxilla (Fig. 1b) with palpomere 1 and 3 very short; palpomere 2 large and swollen, almost twice as long as palpomere 3; terminal palpomere approx. 1.5 times as long as 2 and 3 palpomeres combined, narrow, tapering, apex obliquely truncate to weakly rounded; galea moderately broad, twice as broad as lacinia, with long, broad, apical spine-like setae; lacinia elongate, with spine-like setae on apical half. Labium (Fig. 1d) with palpomere 1 very small; palpomere 2 largest, oval, inflated; terminal palpomere transverse, truncate at apex. Mentum subquadrate, with produced anterior angles; finely punctate, glabrous. Prementum subquadrate, sclerotized, with apically expanded membranous ligula. Tentorium (Fig. 1e) with anterior arms fused medially and widely divergent anteriorly; corpotentorium absent.

Prothorax. Pronotum (Figs 5b, e, 6c) weakly transverse, widest at anterior 1/4 to 1/3 then roundly narrowing basally; pronotal surface finely and sparsely punctate; lateral edges moderately widely bordered, strongly crenulate; anterior margin curved with slightly projected, rounded angles; posterior angles almost right-angled. Pronotal disc weakly convex. Pronotal base with an impression composed of two longitudinal sharply defined sulci, slightly convergent anteriorly, almost reaching apical fourth, and a pair of deep transverse linear depressions/sulci. Anterior transverse sulcus flanked by one small deep fovea on each side; area between transverse sulci convex; basal sulcus not reaching lateral sulci, with or without large foveate punctures. Prosternal process (Figs 5f, 6e) broad, approx. as wide as coxal diameter, with raised margins; extending posteriorly beyond front coxae. Procoxa circular in outline, its cavity externally open behind, internally closed; trochantin concealed (Figs 5f, 6e).

Meso- and metathorax. Mesonotum sclerotized; scutellar shield small, strongly transverse, widely rounded apically, partially covered by base of pronotum. Mesoventrite (Fig. 1f) carinate at middle; intercoxal process moderately elongate, rather broadly separates mesocoxae (slightly narrower or slightly wider than coxal diameter) reaching half of their length. Mesoventrite (Figs 1f, 5f, 6e) fused with mesanepisternum (trace of suture visible). Mesocoxa weakly oval in outline, its cavity narrowly closed outwardly by sterna; trochantin concealed. Meso-metaventral junction of straight-line type, without internal knobs. Elytron (Figs 4a, c, 6d) elongate, convex, irregularly and moderately finely punctate, with a hooked tooth on anterolateral corner, epipleuron narrow, incomplete at apex. Sutural stria sharply defined, complete, widest at mid length, then weakly converging towards elytral apex. Metaventrite (Fig. 1f) transverse, twice as long as mesoventrite, weakly convex; with postcoxal longitudinal ridges nearly reaching anterior 2/5; anterior margin rather thick; discrimen very short. Metanotum (Fig. 1h) sclerotized. Metacoxae transversely oval, widely separated. Metendosternite with very short stalk and moderately widely separated anterior tendons. Hind wings absent or present and well developed, longer than elytra, with anal, medial and radial fields elongate and narrow, apical field enlarged; margins surrounded with long hairs.

Legs. Trochanter moderately elongate (Fig. 1i); trochantero-femoral attachment oblique. Femur widest near middle of its length, more than twice as wide as tibia, sparsely setose; tibia and tarsus covered with long, dense setae. Tibia narrow, straight or slightly bent inwards, continuously weakly widened distally or with abruptly wider part at distal third, without apical spurs. Tarsal formula 3-3-3 in both sexes (Fig. 5d): tarsomere 1 approx. 1.5 times longer than 2; tarsomere 3 slightly longer than remaining tarsomeres combined. Claws simple. Empodium very small.

Abdomen (Figs 1j, 5g, 6f) with five freely articulated ventrites; ventrite 1 slightly longer than three following ventrites together, without postcoxal lines; ventrites 2–4 almost equal in length; ventrite 5 long, acuminate, nearly as long as ventrites 3–4 together.

Male not known.

Female genitalia (Figs 2e, 3d, e). Ovipositor weakly sclerotized, with coxites elongate; styli vestigial, placed apically. Spermatheca moderately large, submembranous, more or less distinctly two-chambered with at least one chamber rounded; sperm duct moderately long, slender; accessory gland small membranous, elongate or oval.

Central and South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala (Fig. 21).

Lycoperdinella subcaeca is similar to L. boliviensis in its body shape, color and vestiture, however L. subcaeca can be separated from that species by having the pronotum more elongate (0.80 times as long as broad), eyes reduced to six facets only (in both type specimens studied), mentum somewhat pentagonal (sharply produced anteriorly in the middle of apical margin), the abdominal ventrite 1 longer than the mesoventrite and the hind wings absent.

Length 1.39 mm, width 0.66 mm, height 0.47 mm; body elongate-oval, moderately convex, 2.11 times as long as wide, 2.96 times as long as high (Figs 2a–c, 4a, b). Surfaces shiny; sparsely covered with long, decumbent, golden setae. Color homogeneously reddish brown.

Head with interocular distance 0.83 times as wide as head including eyes. Eyes very small, composed of six facets (Fig. 5a). Antenna rather short and slender (Fig. 5c), 0.83 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape 1.52 times longer than wide, 1.09 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.88 times longer than wide; antennomere 3, 1.50 times longer than wide, 0.66 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 4–8 getting very gradually shorter and wider towards antennomere 9, which is 0.98 times wider than long and 0.64 times as long as pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.03 times as long at longer margin than pedicel, its longest margin 1.30 times longer than shorter lateral one and 1.18 times as long as apical margin; apical margin truncate. Mentum subquadrate with lateral margins weakly rounded and anterior margin sharply produced anteriorly at mid-line (Fig. 5a).

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 5b), 0.80 times as long as wide, 1.50 times wider than head, 1.06 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at about anterior third, weakly convex; front angles very weakly produced, rounded, lateral margins almost rounded in anterior third, then converging to posterior angles, comparatively widely bordered with edges distinctly crenulate; hind angles weakly obtuse, rounded at tips. Posterior half of disc with a vaguely defined triangular impression. Longitudinal sulci distinctly convergent anteriorly, extending from base to almost half length of pronotum; well defined transverse sulcus connecting deep pores and weakly marked basal transverse depression provided with large punctures (Fig. 5e); area between transverse sulci/depressions weakly convex; posterior margin weakly lobed at mid-line. Prosternal process widely separates front coxae, widest at mid length.

Elytra 0.94 mm long, 1.42 times longer than wide; 2.19 times as long as and 1.22 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously distinctly converging to rounded apex; with hooked tooth present anterolateral corner. Hind wings absent.

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, strongly widened at apical half. Tibiae narrow, straight, continuously widened towards their apices. Metatibia very narrow, 0.34 times as long as elytra. Metatarsus moderately long, 0.6 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen (Figs 2d, 5g) with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and as long as three following ventrites combined. Ventrite 5 arcuate at apex.

Female genitalia (Fig. 2e) with narrow coxites rounded at their apices; spermatheca distinctly two-chambered, chambers rounded; accessory gland small, elongate.

Male unknown.

Lectotype of Lycoperdinella subcaeca Champion, female, GUATEMALA, “Livingston, 65, Guat./ H.S. Barber Collector/ U.S. Nat. Mus. 1913–253, det. Champion/ Lycoperdinella subcaeca Ch./ Co-type” (BMNH). Paralectotype of Lycoperdinella subcaeca Champion, Guatemala, “Livingston, 65, Guat./ Barber & Schwarz Coll./ Type no. 21530, USNM/ Lycoperdinella subcaeca Ch., type” (USNM) [examined on photos].

Central America: Guatemala (Fig. 21).

This species was listed by Shockley et al. (2009a) as present also in Costa Rica. However, due to a lack of any specimens accessible for examination from this country during our extensive study, a question mark is added in the distribution map for this species in Costa Rica.

Champion (1913) clearly indicated that his original description of L. subcaeca was based on two specimens from Guatemala. One left in ‘U.S. Nat. Mus.’ and the second specimen was ‘presented to the British Museum’. As the lectotype we have chosen and designated a specimen available for direct study (borrowed to WT from the NHM). The syntype from USNM, examined on photos becomes a paralectotype.

The name of this species is derived from the country of origin of the holotype.

Lycoperdinella boliviensis closely resembles L. subcaeca in its overall body shape, color and vestiture, but can be separated from L. subcaeca by having the pronotum more transverse (0.68–0.70 times as long as broad), eyes composed of 36 facets (based on studied specimens), mentum subrectangular with its anterior margin weakly arcuate, and the abdominal ventrite 1 shorter than the mesoventrite, and by the presence of well-developed hind wings.

Length 1.30–1.40 mm, width 0.60 mm, height 0.43 mm; body elongate-oval, moderately convex, 2.25 times as long as wide, 2.85 times as long as high (Fig. 3a–c). Surfaces shiny; sparsely covered with long, decumbent, golden setae. Color homogeneously reddish brown.

Head with interocular distance 0.75 times as wide as head including eyes (Fig. 6a, b). Eyes small, composed of 36 facets. Antenna rather short and slender (Fig. 1e), 0.72 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape 1.33 times longer than wide, 1.15 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.15 times longer than wide; third antennomere 1.15 times longer than wide, 0.65 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 4–8 getting very gradually shorter and wider towards antennomere 9 which is 1.28 times wider than long and 0.6 times as long as pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.30 times as long at longer margin than pedicel, its longest margin 1.16 times longer than shorter lateral one, and 1.16 as long as apical margin, apical margin truncate. Mentum subquadrate, with lateral margins weakly rounded and anterior margin slightly arcuate (Fig. 6b).

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 6c), 0.68–0.70 times as long as wide, 1.53–1.57 times wider than head, about 1.05 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at about mid length, weakly convex; front angles weakly produced, rounded, lateral margins almost continuously rounded, subparallel to weakly sinuate in basal fifth, comparatively widely bordered with edges distinctly crenulate; hind angles right-angled to weakly obtuse, rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc with a vaguely defined longitudinal impression. Longitudinal lateral sulci distinctly convergent anteriorly, reaching anteriorly beyond half-length of pronotum; well defined transversal sulcus connecting deep pores; area between transverse sulcus and basal, shallow depression/sulcus weakly convex, with a guitar-shaped shallow, median depression; posterior margin distinctly lobed at mid-line. Prosternal process widely separates front coxae, widest at mid length (Fig. 6e).

Elytra 0.82–0.88 mm long, 1.38–1.45 times longer than wide; 2.60–2.70 times as long as and 1.25 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously distinctly converging to rounded apex; with hooked tooth present at anterolateral corner. Punctation composed of small setiferous punctures, and sparse larger, shallow foveate punctures (Fig. 6d). Hind wings well developed, 1.3 times longer than elytra.

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, strongly widened at apical half. Tibiae narrow, straight, continuously widened towards their apices. Metatibiae very narrow, 0.35 times as long as elytra. Metatarsus moderately long, 0.55 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and as long as three following ventrites combined (Fig. 6f). Ventrite 5 arcuate at apex.

Female genitalia with long, narrow coxites, emarginate at their apices, styli indistinct; spermatheca with one chamber rounded and second irregularly long oval; sperm duct moderately long, accessory gland elongate oval (Fig. 3d, e).

Male unknown.

Holotype, female, BOLIVIA, “BOLIVIA: Cochabamba Dept. Est. Biol. Sacta, Univ Mayor S. Simeon. 17°06.48', 64°46.94', 300 m; rainforest FIT; 16/27-XII-2005; s. & J. Peck 05-47” (MNKM). Paratypes, BOLIVIA, same data as holotype (3 females: FSCA; 1: MIZ; 1: NMPC): BRAZIL, “Brazil: Manaus, AM. INPA/ Smithsonian Res. 2°25'S, 59°50'W, R. Didham. III.1994/ Leaf litter, Winkler method, Terra firmé fst./ BMNH(E), 2003-84/ 900. 2/ Main series in INPA, Manaus Brazil/ Lycoperdinella sp./ 0426 [pink label] (1 female: BMNH); “Brazil: Manaus, AM. INPA/ Smithsonian Res. 2°25'S, 59°50'W, R. Didham. III.1994/ Leaf litter, Winkler method, Terra firmé fst./ BMNH(E), 2003-84/ 320. 1 (1 female: BMNH); same but 770. 5 (1 female: MIZ).

South America: Bolivia (Cochabamba), Brazil (Manaus) (Fig. 21).

Robertson et al. (2015) included in their molecular analysis one specimen from Bolivia, Santa Cruz province, identified as Lycoperdinella subcaeca. However, we have studied pictures of the disarticulated voucher and concluded that it certainly does not belong to that species. Most likely it is a member of L. boliviensis n. sp.

Fragments of phragmospores (Fig. 3d) found in the gut content of one Bolivian specimen of L. boliviensis suggest that this species probably feeds on Ascomycetes fungi.

Rueckeria inecol sp. n.

This genus is dedicated to Dr. Wolfgang Rücker, German coleopterist, who has devoted many years of his life to the study of merophysiine beetles.

Gender feminine.

Rueckeria can be easily distinguished from other Neotropical Merophysiinae by the following combination of characters: antenna 10-segmented with 1-segmented club (Fig. 7e); antennal grooves on head absent or indistinct (Figs 16a, 17a, 18a, 19b, 20a); pronotum with lateral margins narrowly bordered and weakly crenulate (Figs 16c, 17b, 18e, 19b, d, 20b, c); metaventrite without postcoxal lines (Fig. 7f); abdominal ventrite 1 with arcuate, closed postcoxal lines (Figs 7k, 12g, 16f, 17f, 18g, 19g); hind wings absent. Rueckeria is most similar to Lycoperdinella and Holoparamecus but from Lycoperdinella it can be differentiated by the lateral margins of the pronotum at most weakly crenulate (coarsely crenulate in Lycoperdinella), elytra with anterolateral corners simple (Figs 16d, 17d) (with hooked tooth on each elytron in Lycoperdinella), postcoxal lines present on abdominal ventrite 1 (postcoxal lines absent in Lycoperdinella), longer and more slender antennae, the body covered with much shorter setae (long setae in Lycoperdinella) and the hind wings always absent. From Holoparamecus, Rueckeria can be separated by having lateral margins of the pronotum bordered (smooth in Holoparamecus), pronotum narrower near base but not distinctly constricted basally as in Holoparamecus, antenna with 1-segmented club (2-segmented club present in Holoparamecus) and postcoxal lines present on abdominal ventrite 1 (postcoxal lines absent in Holoparamecus).

Length 1.3–2.2 mm. Body elongate, approx. 2.0 times longer than wide, weakly convex, 2.8–3.3 times as long as high; shiny, smooth, covered with sparse and short pale setae. Color light brown to black.

Head (Fig. 7e) deeply retracted in prothorax (Fig. 15b), slightly wider than long; sparsely and moderately densely punctate. Gular sutures subparallel, widely separated. Eyes very small, oval, coarsely faceted, composed of 16–18 facets (Fig. 18a). Antennal sockets concealed by sides of frons, not visible from above; antennal grooves absent. Antenna moderately long (Figs 7e, 18c, 19c), surpassing base of pronotum, composed of 10 antennomeres with club formed by terminal antennomere which is large, inflated, subtriagular, obliquely truncate at apex. Frontoclypeal suture weakly arcuate (Fig. 7e). Clypeus transverse, flat, convergent anteriorly. Labrum (Fig. 7a) subquadrate, with rounded anterolateral corners, truncate apically, with submembranous apex, punctate, covered with sparse, long setae; tormae with mesal arms recurved posteriorly; labral rods absent. Mandible (Fig. 7c) with two apical teeth and with four smaller subapical teeth getting subsequently smaller posteriorly; prostheca covered with digitiform setae on anterior third getting thiner and shorter toward posterior 2/3; mola large, sclerotized; submola small, membranous. Maxilla (Fig. 7b) with palpomere 1 and 3 very short; palpomere 2 large and swollen, approx. twice as long as palpomere 3; terminal palpomere 1.5 times as long as 2 and 3 palpomeres combined, narrow, tapering, apex obliquely truncate to weakly rounded; galea moderately broad, twice as broad as lacinia, with long, broad, apical spine-like setae; lacina elongate, with spine-like setae on apical half. Labium (Fig. 7d) with palpomere 1 very small; palpomere 2 largest, oval, inflated; terminal palpomere subquadrate, truncate at apex. Mentum subquadrate (Figs 16b, 17a, 18a, 19b, 20a), with produced anterior angles; finely punctate, glabrous. Prementum subquadrate, sclerotized, with apically expanded, membranous ligula. Tentorium (Fig. 7e) with anterior arms fused medially and widely divergent anteriorly; corpotentorium absent.

Prothorax. Pronotum (Figs 16c, 17b, 18b, 19e, 20b) weakly transverse, widest at anterior 1/4; pronotal surface finely and sparsely punctate; lateral edges narrowly bordered, weakly crenulate, arcuately widening at anterior 1/4, and almost parallel at basal 1/4; anterior margin curved with slightly projected rounded angles; posterior angles almost right-angled. Pronotal disc weakly convex. Pronotal base with an impression composed of two longitudinal sharply defined, slightly convergent sulci reaching almost anterior third, and a pair of deep transverse depressions/sulci. Anterior transverse sulcus flanked by one small deep fovea on each side, fovea sometimes absent (Fig. 20c); area between transverse sulci convex, basal sulcus not reaching lateral sulci, provided with large, shallow foveate punctures. Prosternal process (Figs 16e, 17e) broad, approx. as wide as coxal diameter, with raised margins; extending posteriorly beyond front coxae. Procoxa circular in outline its cavity externally open behind, internally closed; trochantin concealed.

Meso- and metathorax. Mesonotum (Fig. 7h) sclerotized; scutellar shield small, strongly transverse, widely rounded apically, partially covered by base of pronotum. Mesoventrite (Figs 7f, 16e, 17e) carinate at middle; intercoxal process moderately elongate, rather broadly separates mesocoxae (slightly narrower than coxal diameter) reaching half of its length. Mesoventrite fused with mesanepisternum (trace of suture visible). Mesocoxe weakly oval in outline, its cavity narrowly closed outwardly by sterna; trochantin concealed. Meso-metaventral junction of straight-line type, without internal knobs. Elytron elongate, convex, irregularly and moderately finely punctate (Fig. 18e), border at anterolateral corner without teeth (Figs 16d, 17d); epipleuron narrow, incomplete at apex. Sutural stria sharply defined (Fig. 18e), complete, widest at mid length, then weakly converging towards elytral apex. Metaventrite (Figs 7f, 16e, 18f, 20d) transverse, twice as long as mesoventrite, weakly convex; anterior margin thick, with postcoxal longitudinal ridges reaching between anterior 1/3 to 2/5; discrimen very short. Metacoxae transversely oval, widely separated. Metendosternite with very short stalk and moderately widely separated anterior tendons. Hind wing absent.

Legs. Trochanter moderately elongate (Fig. 7j); trochanterofemoral attachment oblique. Femur widest near middle of its length, more than twice as wide as tibia, sparsely setose; tibia and tarsus covered with long, dense setae. Tibia narrow, straight or slightly bent inwards, continuously weakly widened distally or with abrupt wider part at distal third, without apical spurs. Tarsal formula 3-3-3 in both sexes (Fig. 17d): tarsomere 1, 1.5 times longer than 2; tarsomere 3 slightly longer than remaining tarsomeres combined. Claws simple. Empodium very small.

Abdomen (Figs 7k, 12g, 16f, 17f, 18g, 19g) with five freely articulated ventrites; ventrite 1 slightly longer than three following ventrites together, with arcuate, complete postcoxal lines; ventrites 2–4 almost equal in length; ventrite 5 long, acuminate, approx. as long or shorter than ventrites 3–4 together.

Aedeagus (Figs 8d–f, 9d–f, 10d–f, 11d–f, 12d–f) resting on its side when retracted. Median lobe stout, with basal 2/3 strongly to weakly curved. Tegmen large, slightly shorter to 1.5 times longer than median lobe; parameres fused; tegminal strut absent or present.

Female genitalia (Figs 8g, 9g, 10g, 11g). Ovipositor weakly sclerotized, with coxites elongate; styli well developed or vestigial, placed apically. Spermatheca moderately large, elongate oval, submembranous; sperm duct moderately long, slender, membranous with short part connected to spermatheca sclerotized; accessory gland small membranous, elongate.

Mexico: Hidalgo, Querétaro, Veracruz (Fig. 21).

The name of the new species is dedicated to our colleagues in INECOL (The Institute of Ecology, Xalapa, Mexico), institution where the project within most specimens of this species were collected was held. Noun in apposition.

Rueckeria inecol is similar to R. skelleyi and R. ocelotl spp. n., by having the body completely brown and the abdominal ventrite 1 with irregularly rounded postcoxal lines (Fig. 16f). However, it can be distinguished by the basal pronotal pores present (Fig. 16c) (not perforated in R. skelleyi), mentum subquadrate (Fig. 16b) and pronotal lateral margins nearly smooth (Fig. 16c) (mentum subhexagonal and pronotal margins weakly crenulate in R. ocelotl), and by the features of the aedeagus (Fig. 8d–f), with the tegmen about as long as the median lobe, with the sides parallel, and the median lobe widening apically.

Length 1.90–2.17 mm, width 1.00–1.05 mm, height 0.62–0.67 mm; body elongate-oval, weakly convex, 2.07–2.34 times as long as wide, 3.32–3.36 time as long as high (Figs 8a–c, 13a, b). Surfaces shiny; sparsely covered with short, decumbent golden setae. Color reddish brown with yellowish brown antennae and legs. Head with interocular distance 0.77 times as wide as head including eyes (Fig. 16a, b). Eyes small, composed of 16 facets. Antenna moderately long and slender (Fig. 7e), 0.86 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape as long as wide, 1.7 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.8 times longer than wide; antennomeres 3–5, each 1.42 times as long as wide, 0.7 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 6–8, 1.2 times as long as wide and 0.5 times as long as pedicel; antennomere 9, 1.33 times as long as wide, 0.55 times as long as pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.2 times longer at longer margin than pedicel, longer margin 1.28 times as long as lateral one, apical margin concave. Mentum subquadrate, with straight anterior margin (Fig. 16b).

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 16c), 0.75–0.80 times as long as wide, 1.55 times as wide as head, 1.05–1.06 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at anterior fourth, convex at mid length; front angles rounded, weakly produced, margins slightly sinuate, narrowing at basal third; lateral margins narrowly bordered, edges nearly smooth; hind angles right-angled to weakly obtuse, rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc without impressions. Longitudinal, lateral sulci weakly convergent, almost reaching anterior 2/5; basal lateral pores present, connected by deep, faintly defined transversal sulcus, posterior transverse sulcus (near posterior margin) provided with foveate punctures; area between transverse sulci convex. Prosternal process moderately widely separates front coxae (Fig. 16e), weakly widening posteriad, its apical width 0.85 times length of procoxae.

Elytra 1.25–1.32 mm long, 1.24–1.28 times as long as wide; 2.37–2.50 times as long and 1.44–1.53 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth, then continuously strongly converging to rounded apex. Punctation composed of widely spaced small setiferous punctures and slightly larger, shallow foveate punctures (Fig. 16d). Metaventrite with postcoxal longitudinal ridges reaching shortly before anterior 2/5 (Fig. 16e).

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, then strongly widened at apical half. Tibiae moderately narrow, continuously widening to apex. Metatibia very narrow, continuously widening apically, 0.31–0.36 times as long as elytra; metatarsus long, 0.66 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and almost as long as three following ventrites combined (Figs 7k, 16f); postcoxal lines on ventrite 1 irregularly rounded, reaching about 1/3 length of ventrite.

Male genital segment with sternite emarginate apically and acuminately rounded at its base (Fig. 7g). Tegmen large, parallel sided, approx. as long as median lobe; tegminal strut short. Median lobe cylindrical, distinctly curved at base, weakly narrowing apically, with apex gently rounded (Fig. 8d–f).

Female genitalia with narrow coxites, with moderately large styli bearing two apical setae; spermatheca elongate (Fig. 8g).

Holotype male, MEXICO, “Mexico: Veracruz Trucha Feliz, 1 km SW of Rancho Viejo (W of Xalapa) 19°31.1'N 96°59.1'W; 1445 m 9.ix.2016; Alvarado, Arriaga, Fikáček & Seidel lgt. 2016-MX15 / sifting of accummulations of leaf litter in small pieces of riverside forest” (NMPC).)Paratypes, “MEXICO: Veracruz, Coatepec, Reserva La Cortadura, 12 km NW Coatepec town. 1900-2000 m fragmented cloud forest. Sifted leaf litter, Berlese funnel. 20.VI.2012. F. Alvarado & R. Madrigal” (1 male: IEXA; 1 male: CNIN; 1 female: IEXA); “Mexico: Veracruz. Tlalnehuayocan, Rio Pixquiac, Fragmented cloud forest, 1522 m, 19°32'49"N 96°59'52"W, 5.V.2013, Leg. E. Arriaga, F. Alvarado & R. Madrigal.” (1 female: MIZ).

Mexico: Veracruz (Fig. 21).

GenBank accession number: MG676234

The name of this new species is dedicated to our coleopterist colleagues in the National Collection of Insects in UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) whose mascot is the puma, the pan-American felid.

Rueckeria puma is most similar to R. nigrileonis by its small size, black body with yellow legs, antennae, and mouth parts (Fig. 11a–c); however, it can be distinguished by the pronotum more narrowed at base (1.20 times as wide at widest part than at base), abdominal postcoxal lines irregularly rounded and deeper reaching about half length of the ventrite 1 (Fig. 18g), and the aedeagus with the tegmen longer than the median lobe with the apex acuminate and the median lobe strongly widened at base and curved (Fig. 11d–f).

Length 1.15–1.60 mm, width 0.72–0.54 mm, height 0.41 mm; body moderately elongate-oval, moderately convex, 2.2–2.1 times as long as wide, 3.1–3.0 times as long as high (Figs 11a–c, 14c, d) . Surfaces shiny, sparsely covered with very short, decumbent, golden setae. Color mainly black with ventral surfaces infuscate yellow, clypeus reddish brown, and mouth-parts and legs yellowish.

Head with interocular distance 0.8 times as wide as head including eyes (Fig. 19a). Eyes small, composed of 18 facets. Antenna moderately long and slender (Fig. 19c), 0.85 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape 1.30 times longer than wide, as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.55 times longer than wide; third antennomere 1.58 times longer than wide, subequal in length with pedicel; antennomeres 4–8 getting gradually shorter and wider towards antennomere 9 which is as long as wide and 0.5 times longer than pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.5 times as long at longer margin as pedicel, its longer margin 1.22 times longer than lateral one and 1.4 times longer than apical margin, apical margin truncate. Mentum rectangular (Fig. 19b), weakly produced anteriorly in middle of apical margin.

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 19e), 0.78 times as long as wide, 1.38 times wider than head, approx. 1.2 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at anterior fourth, strongly convex in mid length; front angles rounded, weakly produced, margins slightly sinuate, narrowing at basal third, narrowly bordered with edges very weakly crenulate; hind angles right-angled to weakly obtuse, rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc without impressions. Longitudinal sulci weakly convergent, reaching nearly anterior 2/5 of pronotum; basal lateral pores present, connected by deep, faintly defined transversal sulcus; posterior transverse sulcus provided with large foveate punctures, area between transverse sulci convex, weakly depressed at mid-line; posterior margin weakly lobed at mid-line. Prosternal process widely separates front coxae (Fig. 19f), widest at mid length.

Elytra 0.88–0.97 mm long, 1.30–1.38 times longer than wide; 2.30–2.38 times as long as and 1.38–1.42 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously strongly converging to rounded apex. Punctation composed of small setiferous punctures, each accompanied posteriorly by 2–3 slightly larger shallow foveate punctures. Metaventrite with postcoxal longitudinal ridges extending slightly beyond anterior 2/5 (Fig. 19f).

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, strongly widened at apical half. Pro- and mesotibiae very narrow, protibiae weakly sinuate, slightly widened towards apex. Metatibia very narrow, almost straight, continuously widening apically, more accentuated at apical fifth, slightly bent inwards in apical 2/3, 0.39–0.40 times as long as elytra. Metatarsus long, 0.65 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and as long as three following ventrites combined (Fig. 19g); postcoxal lines on ventrite 1 reaching about half length of ventrite, weakly irregularly rounded. Ventrite 5 rounded apically.

Male genital segment with sternite emarginate apically, and acuminately rounded at its base. Tegmen large, sinuate in lateral view, with rugose and distinctly acuminate apex. Median lobe short, strongly widened at base, markedly curved, continuously strongly narrowing to acute apex. Tegminal strut absent (Fig. 11d–f).

Female genitalia (Fig. 11g) with moderately broad coxites, and with large, elongate styli bearing two apical setae; spermatheca oval.

Holotype, male, MEXICO, “MEXICO: Hidalgo La Mojonera 4.8 km SE Zacualtipan, upper part of Fagus forest; 20°37.9'N 98°37.0'W; 2010 m; 13-16.ix.2016; Arriaga, Cortés, Fikáček & Seidel lgt. 2016-MX22 / sifting of large accummulations of leaf litter in relictual Fagus forest with intermixed Magnolia and tree ferns, with sparse to dense understory and many (partly rotten) fungi and logs” (CNIN). Paratype. “MEXICO: Hidalgo La Mojonera 4.4 km SE Zacualtipan, lower part of Fagus forest; 20°38.0'N 98°37.1'W; 1940 m; 14-16.ix.2016; Cortés, Fikáček & Seidel lgt. 2016-MX24 / sifting of large accumulations of leaf litter in Fagus forest above the small stream” (1 female: NMPC).

Mexico: Hidalgo (Fig. 21)

GenBank accession number: MG676232

This new species is dedicated to our coleopterist colleagues in the entomological collection of the University of Guadalajara, whose mascot is a black lion. The name is derived from Latin “niger” (black) and “leo” (lion).

Rueckeria nigrileonis is most similar to R. puma by its small size and black body with legs, antennae and mouth parts yellow (Fig. 9a–c). However it can be distinguished by the pronotum being less narrowed at base (1.05 times wider at widest part than at base) (Fig. 17b), abdominal postcoxal lines regularly rounded, shallower, reaching about 1/3 length of ventrite 1, and the aedeagus with the tegmen longer than the median lobe with apex rounded and the median lobe moderately widened at base and curved (Fig. 9d–f).

Length 1.29–1.37 mm, width 0.67–0.71 mm, height 0.5 mm; body moderately elongate-oval, moderately convex, 1.92–1.95 times as long as wide, 2.80 –2.95 times as long as high (Figs 9a–c, 14a, b). Surfaces shiny, sparsely covered with very short, decumbent, golden setae. Color mainly black with ventral surfaces infuscate yellow, clypeus reddish brown and mouth parts and legs yellowish.

Head with interocular distance 0.8 times as wide as head including eyes. Eyes small, composed of 18 facets. Antenna moderately long and slender, 0.85 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape 1.33 times longer than wide, 1.33 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.36 times longer than wide; third antennomere 1.66 times longer than wide, equal in length with pedicel; antennomeres 4–8 getting gradually shorter and wider towards antennomere 9 which is as long as wide and 0.7 times longer than pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.25 times as long at longer margin as pedicel, its longer margin 1.45 times longer than lateral one and 1.05 as long as apical margin, apical margin truncate. Mentum subquadrate, weakly produced anteriorly in middle of anterior margin (Fig. 17a).

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 17b), 0.75–0.80 times as long as wide, 1.41 times wider than head, 1.05 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at anterior fourth, strongly convex in mid length; front angles rounded, weakly produced; lateral margins slightly sinuate, narrowing at basal third, narrowly bordered with edges very weakly crenulate; hind angles right-angled to weakly obtuse, rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc without impressions. Longitudinal sulci weakly convergent, reaching nearly half length of pronotum; basal lateral pores present, connected by deep, faintly defined transversal sulcus; posterior transverse sulcus provided with large foveate punctures, area between transverse sulci convex, weakly depressed at mid-line; posterior margin weakly lobed at mid-line. Prosternal process widely separates front coxae, widest at mid length (Fig. 17e).

Elytra 0.80–0.88 mm long, 1.18–1.24 times longer than wide; 2.10–2.20 times as long and 1.31–1.38 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously strongly converging to rounded apex. Punctation composed of small setiferous punctures, each accompanied posteriorly by 2–3 slightly larger shallow foveate punctures (Fig. 17c).

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, strongly widened at apical half. Pro- and mesotibiae very narrow, slightly curved inwards, parallel sided along basal 2/3, then widened towards apex. Metatibia very narrow, almost straight, continuously widening apically, more accentuated at apical fifth, 0.38–0.42 times as long as elytra. Metatarsus long, 0.68 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and as long as three following ventrites combined (Fig. 17f); postcoxal lines on ventrite 1 weakly asymmetrically rounded, complete. Ventrite 5 rounded at apex.

Male genital segment with sternite emarginate apically, and acuminately rounded at its base. Tegmen large, slightly curved in lateral view, with rugouse apex. Median lobe short, markedly curved, continuously strongly narrowing to acute apex. Tegminal strut absent (Fig. 9d–f).

Female genitalia with moderately broad coxites with two apical setae, styli vestigial; spermatheca large, subreniform (Fig. 9g).

Holotype, male, MEXICO “Mexico: Veracruz. Tlalnehuayocan, Río Pixquiac, Fragmented cloud forest, 1522 m 19°32'4.9"N 96°59'52"W, Sifted leaf litter, 5.V.2013. Leg. E. Arriaga, F. Alvarado & R. Madrigal (NMPC). Paratypes, “Mexico: Veracruz Trucha Feliz, 1 km SW of Rancho Viejo (W of Xalapa) 19°31.1'N 96°59.1'W; 1445 m 9.ix.2016; Alvarado, Arriaga, Fikáček & Seidel lgt. 2016-MX15 / sifting of accumulations of leaf litter in small pieces of riverside forest” (1 male: CZUG); “Mexico: Veracruz, Coatepec, Reserva La Cortadura, 12 km NV Coatepec town, 1900-2000 m, Fragmented cloud forest, Sifted leaf litter, Winkler extractor, 20.VI. 2012, F. Alvarado & R. Madrigal” (1 female: MIZ); “MEXICO: Veracruz, San Andrés Tlalnehuayocan, 19°31'00.0"N, 97°00'25.4"W. 1500 m. Fragmented cloud forest. Sifted leaf litter, Winkler extractor. 13.VI.2012. Leg. F. Alvarado & R. Madrigal” (1 male: IEXA).

Mexico: Veracruz (Fig. 21).

The name of the new species is dedicated to our colleague Dr. Paul Skelley, the curator of the entomology collection in FSCA, where the holotype of this species was found during a visit of EA-V and WT in this collection.

Rueckeria skelleyi is similar to R. inecol and R. ocelotl spp. n, by the body completely brown and the abdominal ventrite 1 with irregularly rounded postcoxal lines. However it can be distinguished by the basal lateral pores not perforated as in the other species (Fig. 20c), mentum subrectangular and pronotal lateral margins smooth (Fig. 20c) (mentum subhexagonal and pronotal margins weakly crenulate in R. ocelotl), and by the features of the aedeagus (Fig. 12d–f): tegmen markedly longer than the median lobe which is widened at base and provided with an additional acute process ventrally.

Length 1.50 mm, width 0.64 mm, height 0.43 mm; body elongate-oval, weakly convex, 2.35 times as long as wide, 3.32–3.50 times as long as high (Figs 12a–c, 13c, d). Surfaces shiny, sparsely covered by short, decumbent golden setae. Color reddish brown with yellowish brown antennae and legs.

Head with interocular distance 0.80 times as wide as the head including eyes. Eyes small, composed of approximately 16 facets. Antenna moderately long and slender, 0.75 times as long as the head and pronotum combined; scape 1.20 times as long as wide, 1.16 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 1.5 times longer than wide; third antennomere 1.8 times as long as wide, 0.83 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 4–7, 1.4 times as long as wide and 0.5 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 8–9 as long as wide, 0.7 times as long as pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 3.0 times longer at longer margin than pedicel, longer margin 1.32 times longer than lateral one, apical margin truncate. Mentum subquadrate, very weakly produced anteriorly in middle of anterior margin (Fig. 20a).

Pronotum weakly transverse (Fig. 20a), 0.76 times as long as wide, 1.4 times as wide as head, 1.07 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at anterior fourth, rather convex at mid length; front angles rounded, weakly produced, margins slightly sinuate, narrowing at basal third; margins narrowly bordered, weakly crenulate; hind angles right-angled (Fig. 20c), rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc without impressions. Longitudinal sulci weakly convergent, almost reaching apical 2/5; basal lateral pores not perforated (Fig. 20c), just present as shallow depressions conected by moderately deep, faintly defined transversal sulcus, posterior transverse sulcus shallow provided with large foveate punctures; area between transverse sulci convex. Prosternal process moderately widely separates front coxae, weakly widening posteriad, its apical width 0.75 times the length of procoxae (Fig. 20d).

Elytra 0.85 mm long, 1.40 times as long as wide; 2.43 times as long and 1.34 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously strongly converging to rounded apex. Punctation composed of small setiferous punctures and dispersed, slightly larger, shallow foveate punctures.

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, then strongly widened at apical half. Tibiae moderately narrow, continuously widening to apex. Metatibia very narrow, straight, continuously widening apically, 0.31–0.36 times as long as elytra; metatarsus very long, 0.66 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and almost as long as three following ventrites combined; postcoxal lines on ventrite 1 reaching about half length of ventrite, irregularly rounded. Ventrite 5 arcuate apically.

Male genital segment with sternite rounded apically, basal margin acuminately rounded. Tegmen large, distinctly longer than median lobe, parallel sided, weakly curved in lateral view, apex rounded; tegminal strut indistinct. Median lobe widened and with additional acute ventral process near base, then strongly narrowing to markedly acute apex (Fig. 12d–f).

Female unknown.

Holotype, male, MEXICO, “MEXICO: Querétaro; Mpio: San Joaquin, Campo Alegre, 20°54'47"N, 99°34'35"W, 8-15-DEC-2013, 2480 m, P. Skelley, P. Kovarik, R. Jones, surface dung pitfall” (FSCA).

Mexico: Querétaro (Fig. 21).

GenBank accession number: MG676233

The name is derived from the Nahuatl word for jaguar, inspired by the rosette-like pattern that can be seen on the elytra under certain type of light, caused probably by different densities of the chitin. A noun in apposition.

Rueckeria ocelotl is similar to R. inecol and R. skelleyi spp. n, by the body completely brown and the abdominal ventrite 1 with irregularly rounded postcoxal lines (Fig. 18g). However, it can be distinguished by the pronotum with basal lateral pores present (not perforated in R. skelleyi), mentum subhexagonal (Fig. 18a) and pronotal lateral margins weakly crenulate (mentum subrectangular and pronotal margins smooth in R. inecol) and by the features of the aedeagus: tegmen distinctly shorter than median lobe, widened apically, median lobe subparallel-sided with moderately acuminate apex (Fig. 10d–f).

Length 2.00–2.15 mm, width 0.80–0.85 mm, height 0.62–0.67 mm; body elongate-oval, weakly convex, 2.35–2.50 times as long as wide, 3.32–3.36 time as long as high (Figs 10a–c, 15a, b). Surfaces shiny; sparsely covered with short, decumbent golden setae. Color reddish-brown with yellowish brown antenna and legs.

Head with interocular distance 0.75 times as wide as head including eyes. Eyes small, composed of approximately 16 facets (Fig. 18a). Antenna moderately long and slender (Fig. 18c), 0.78 times as long as head and pronotum combined; scape as long as wide, 0.8 times as long as pedicel; pedicel 2.0 times longer than wide; third antennomere 2.3 times as long as wide, 0.7 times as long as pedicel, antennomeres 4–5, 1.8 times as long as wide, 0.6 times as long as pedicel; antennomeres 6–8, 1.5 times as long as wide and 0.5 times as long as the pedicel; ninth antennomere 1.6 times as long as wide, 0.5 times as long as pedicel; terminal antennomere inflated, asymmetrical, 2.4 times longer at longer margin than pedicel, longer margin 1.4 times longer than lateral one, apical margin concave.

Pronotum weakly transverse, 0.77–0.80 times as long as wide (Fig. 18b), 1.51 times as wide as head, 1.09–1.14 times wider at widest part than at base, widest at anterior fourth, rather convex at mid length; front angles rounded, not conspicuously produced, margins slightly sinuate at anterior half, continuously narrowing to base; narrowly bordered, edges weakly crenulate (Fig. 18d); hind angles right-angled, rounded at tips. Anterior half of disc without impressions. Longitudinal sulci convergent, reaching apical 2/5; basal lateral pores present, connected by deep, faintly defined transversal sulcus, with additional posterior, transverse sulcus provided with large foveate punctures; area between transverse sulci convex. Prosternal process moderately widely separates front coxae, weakly widening posteriad, its apical width 0.85 times the length of procoxae. Mentum subhexagonal, with lateral margins angulate at mid-length, anterior margin straight (Fig. 18a).

Elytra 1.15–1.18 mm long, 1.38–1.43 times as long as wide; 2.25–2.30 times as long as and 1.26–1.30 times as wide as pronotum; widest at basal fourth then continuously strongly converging to rounded apex. Punctation composed of small setiferous punctures and widely spaced, slightly larger, shallow foveate punctures (Fig. 18e).

Legs moderately long. Femora very narrow at base, then strongly widened at apical half. Tibiae moderately narrow, straight sided, continuously widening to apex. Metatibia very narrow, straight, continuous widening apically, 0.35–0.37 times as long as elytra; metatarsus 0.66 times as long as metatibia.

Abdomen with ventrite 1 slightly shorter than metaventrite and almost as long as three following ventrites combined; postcoxal lines on ventrite 1 shallow, nearly reaching 2/5 length of ventrite, irregularly rounded.

Male genital segment with sternite emarginate apically, and strongly acuminate at its base. Tegmen shorter than median lobe, narrower at basal third, then widening towards apex, with long setae on apical margin. Median lobe cylindrical, weakly curved in lateral view, narrowing near moderately acuminate apex (Fig. 10d–f).

Female genitalia with moderately broad coxites and with styli vestigial (Fig. 10g); spermatheca not studied.

Holotype, male, MEXICO: “MEXICO: Hidalgo La Mojonera 4.8 km SE Zacualtipan, upper part of Fagus forest; 20°37.9'N 98°37.0'W; 2010 m; 13-16.ix.2016; Arriaga, Cortés, Fikáček & Seidel lgt. 2016-MX22 / sifting of large accumulations of leaf litter in relictual Fagus forest with intermixed Magnolia and tree ferns, with sparse to dense understory and many (partly rotten) fungi and logs” (NMPC); Paratypes, same data: (1 male: CZUG; 1 female: MIZ).