Nicaragua: Matagalpa Dept.: 6 km N Matagalpa, Selva Negra, 12°9'54"N, 85°4'36"W, 1300 m, montane forest, beating, 19–22.V.2002, R. Anderson (5, CMN).

Syntype (1 female, SDEI): Nov. Gren. [green label script] / Coll. Kraatz [white label, printed] / erythrurus [green label, script] / Syntypus [red label, printed] / Syntype ♀, Cyrtothorax erythrurus Kraatz, 1858, det A. Brunke 2013 [red printed label].

Country unknown: “Nova Grenada” [handwritten label], erythrurus Kr. [handwritten label], “R. I. Sc. N. B.”, “17.479", “Coll. et det. A. Fauvel” (1 female, IRSNB).

Kraatz (1858) described B. erythrurus based on an unknown number of specimens from “Nova Grenada” [= Panama + Colombia]. Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014) were able to examine one female syntype from the Kraatz collection (SDEI) and redescribed the species based on this and several other, more recently collected single female specimens from medium elevations (1300–1350 m) in southern Puntarenas, Costa Rica and adjacent Chiriquí, Panama. However, the non-syntype females differed from the syntype in coloration, with the former group possessing a bluish forebody and brassy-green elytra (Fig. 1A), and the latter a brassy-green forebody and bluish elytra (Fig. 1B). The legs of the syntype also appeared darker and less clearly bicolored than the non-syntypes and most species of the genus (Fig. 1B), though this was thought to be due to age or discoloration from a killing agent (Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014). The above specimen from IRSNB (Fig. 1C), also collected from “Nova Grenada”, corresponds closely with the syntype in coloration, including the faintly but clearly bicolored legs with a paler area in the basal third of the femur. This raises the possibility that B. erythrurus was originally described from present-day Colombia rather than Panama and may not be conspecific with the specimens previously examined from Central America. This hypothesis is further supported by an image taken by D. Hoyos Velasquez of a live specimen from La Tebaida, Quindío, Colombia (mid-elevation, northern Andes), matching the coloration of specimens from “Nova Grenada” and posted on various social media websites (e.g., https://www.facebook.com/groups/491915904153407/posts/2464208683590776). This image represents the first definitive evidence of the Buphthalmus group in South America. A more accurate species concept for B. erythrurus is badly needed but will not be possible without the study of male specimens from both Central and South America.

Figure 1. 

A–C habitus of Bolitogyrus erythrurus (Kraatz) A non-type, Panama B syntype, “Nova Grenada” C non-type, “Nova Grenada” D, E pronotum, lateral view D B. viridescens Brunke E B. pseudostrigifrons Brunke F antenna of B. nigropolitoides Brunke. Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B); 0.5 mm (D–F).

Although the specimen from IRSNB is quite old and collected from “Nova Grenada”, it is not considered to be a syntype of Cyrtothorax erythrurus as the labels are different from that of the syntype deposited in the Kraatz collection (Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014).

Mexico: Veracruz: “Jalappa” [= Xalapa] (1, NMPC).

Only two distant localities were previously known for this species: Chapulhuacán (Hidalgo) and Córdoba (Veracruz) (Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014).

Guatemala: Suchitepéquez: Volcán Atitlán, Ref. El Quetzal, 1670 m, 14.55067, –91.19235, 3–6.VI.2015, Z.H. Falin & F. Carrillo, ex. FIT [flight intercept trap], cloud forest (1 male, SEMC).

The above specimen perfectly corresponds to B. salvini morphotype I of Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014): forebody with greenish metallic reflections, disc of head without impunctate area, frontal impression weak, basal segments of abdomen reddish, apex of abdomen pale, parameral arms with dense peg setae. The only other known specimens of morphotype I are the male and female types from El Zapote, Guatemala, also in the Sierra Madre mountain range. The close morphological consistency of the non-type male with the type series suggests that the concept of B. salvini should be restricted to morphotype I alone. However, formal changes, including the possible description of new species corresponding to morphotypes II and III, should wait until the unknown male of morphotype II is studied.

Tlanchinol, 43 km SW Huejutla de Reyes, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Holotype (male, CNC): Mex: Hdgo., Tlanchinol, 43 km SW Huejutla, 14.VI.–4.VIII.1983, S.&J. Peck, 1500 m, cloud forest FIT [typed label] / Bolitogyrus pseudostrigifrons Brunke, des. Brunke, 2021 [red label].

Paratypes (4, CNC; 1 UAEH): same data as holotype (2 males, 2 females, CNC); Hidalgo: Zacualtipán, Camino a Sto. Domingo [trail to Santo Domingo], 20°38'00.7"N, 98°34'00.5"W, 1830 m, Bosque mixto? o mesofilo? [=mixed? or cloud forest?] pert. [=disturbed], en troncos podridos [in rotten logs], 16.VIII.2003, J. Asiain y J. Márquez (1 male, UAEH).

The species epithet refers to the similarity to its sister species, B. strigifrons (Wendeler).

Within the Strigifrons group (for diagnosis, see Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014)): strigulose sculpture of elytra present but restricted to small lateral patch; posterior protuberances of head not creating expansive impunctate areas; abdominal tergite VI (but not VII) with disc impunctate medially. Bolitogyrus pseudostrigifrons is most similar to B. strigifrons but can be easily recognized externally by the lack of an impunctate medial area on tergite VII and the strigulose sculpture on the elytra limited to a lateral patch. The paramere is also markedly different (Fig. 2F), with the overall shape expanded subapically and with disorganized, marginal rows of peg setae that are often doubled; it is also shorter than the median lobe, while it is longer in B. strigifrons. Additionally, the apex of the median lobe in ventral view is broader and less strongly convergent (Fig. 2D).

Figure 2. 

Male genitalia A, C, E Bolitogyrus strigifrons (Wendeler) B, D, F B. pseudostrigifrons Brunke G, I B. nigropolitus Smetana H, J B. nigropolitoides A, B, G, H median lobe in lateral and C, D ventral view. E, F, I, J inner face of paramere, apex. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–D, G, H); 0.1 mm (E, F, I, J).

Measurements ♂ (n = 4): HW/HL 1.54–1.60; PW/PL 1.42–1.56; EW/EL 1.20–1.35; PW/HW 1.11–1.13; ESut/PL 0.82–0.90; forebody length 3.26–3.58 mm.

Measurements ♀ (n = 2): HW/HL 1.50–1.55; PW/PL 1.46–1.50; EW/EL 1.32–1.44; PW/HW 1.10; ESut/PL 0.82–0.88; forebody length 3.26–3.37 mm.

As in the description of B. strigifrons given by Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014) except: head distinctly more transverse (B. strigifrons, HW/HL = 1.38); elytra with strigose microsculpture confined to lateral patch; tergite VII without clear impunctate medial area; aedeagus with paramere distinctly shorter than median lobe; median lobe in ventral view broader, less strongly convergent to apex (Fig. 2D); median lobe in lateral view with apex slightly swollen, knob-like (Fig. 2B); paramere spoon-shaped, apical part broadest subapically, with marginal row of peg setae disorganized and with several setae in row doubled (Fig. 2F), parameral setae thicker and longer.

This species is known from two rather close localities in Hidalgo, Mexico.

Specimens were collected in cloud forests (1500–1830 m), using an FIT and from a rotten log.

In Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014), the only non-type specimen of B. strigifrons available (male from Hidalgo, listed as a paratype above) had the tip of the paramere missing. Although there were some external differences with the holotype that were noted, a conservative approach was taken, and they were treated as conspecific. A newly available series of specimens from Hidalgo (CNC), in good condition, revealed that two species are involved that differ both externally and in male genitalia. This is the species figured in Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014) as B. strigifrons (fig. 6F, 13E).

Holotype, examined for Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014), images used for comparison.

Within the Strigifrons group (for diagnosis, see Brunke and Solodovnikov (2014)): strigulose sculpture of elytra present and more expansive, not restricted to small lateral patch; posterior protuberances of head not creating expansive impunctate areas; abdominal tergites VI–VII with disc impunctate medially. Bolitogyrus strigifrons is most similar to B. pseudostrigifrons but can be easily recognized externally by the impunctate medial area on tergite VII and the more expansive strigulose sculpture on the elytra. The paramere is also markedly different (Fig. 2E), with the overall shape evenly narrowed to the apex and with simple, organized marginal rows of peg setae; it is also longer than the median lobe. Additionally, the median lobe in ventral view is more strongly convergent to a narrower apex (Fig. 2C)

In its revised sense, B. strigifrons is known only from the holotype male, collected from an imprecise locality in Veracruz state, Mexico (“Jalapa”).

At the moment, sister species B. pseudostrigifrons (Hidalgo) and B. strigifrons (Veracruz) appear to be broadly allopatric but more collecting is needed in Veracruz and Puebla states at medium elevations to verify this.

Mexico: Veracruz: “Jalapa”, Georg Heine (1 female, NMPC); Aguita Fria, 1.3 km SWW of Rancho Viejo (W of Xalapa), 19°31.3'N, 96°59.5'W, 1510 m, 9.IX.2016, Alvarado, Arriaga, Fikáček and Seidel lgt., sifting of thin layer of leaf litter, sparse riverside forest with emergent, large Platanus and dense understory (1 female, NHMD).

Bolitogyrus viridescens was previously known only from a single imprecise locality: ~9 km E Teziutlán. Although this locality was listed as from Puebla state on the labels of the type series (Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014), 9 km E of Teziutlán must be just over the border in neighboring Veracruz state. Based on the detailed record from Aguita Fria, B. viridescens is probably sympatric with B. strigifrons, and both are recorded from the general area around the city of Xalapa.

Guatemala: Suchitepéqez: Volcan Atitlán, Ref. El Quetzal, 1670 m, 14.55067, −91.19235, 6–10.VI.2015, Z.H. Falin & F. Carrillo, ex. FIT, cloud forest (1, SEMC); same except 10–13.VI.2015 (2, SEMC); same except 13–16.VI.2015 (1, SEMC).

The above material, more than doubling the number of known specimens, was collected by FIT very close to the locality of one paratype and indicate that this species readily disperses through flight.

Vietnam: Lai Châu: Hoàng Liên Nat. Pk., Tram Ton Pass

22.348, 103.775, 1948 m, subtropical forest, fungusy wood, beating, 23.VI.2017, R. Schuh (1 male, 1 female, CNC).

Newly recorded from Vietnam and known elsewhere from southern Yunnan, China and northern Laos. The above specimens fill in a distribution gap between the southern Chinese and Laos localities. Bolitogyrus confusus may also occur in northern Thailand. The specimens were collected by beating wooden trail posts that had weathered, cracked, and become fungusy in the constant humidity.

China: Yunnan: 1.8 km W Zizi vill., 2.VII.2016, 25°44.7'N, 98°33.6'E, 2005 m, from large dead tree stumps, J. Hajek and J. Ruzicka (1 female, NMPC).

Although this specimen is a single female, the transverse antennomeres and its locality west of the Salween River (“Nujiang” in China) allow for a determination to B. huanghaoi. The specimen represents only the third record for this species, just west (~13 km) of the type locality. Another single female is known from just over the border in Myanmar (Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014).

China: Yunnan: Gaoligong mts, 2200–2500 m, 24.57, 98.45, 8–16.V.1995, O. Semela (5, cShi).

The female paratype of sister species B. electus, collected from Gaoligongshan, was considered of doubtful identity by Brunke (2017) based on it being a western outlier from the main distribution of that species. A series of males and females from the same locality indicate that this female paratype is really B. uncus and that these two species are probably separated allopatrically by the Salween River valley (“Nujiang” in China).

Phia Oac National Park, Cao Bang, Vietnam.

Holotype (male, CNC): Vietnam, Cao Bang, Phia Oac Nat. Park, summit rd., behind upper FIT, 22°36'21.60"N, 105°52'19.20"E, 1600 m, mat. secondary forest, fogging standing dead tree w/ orange fungus, 7–17.V.2019, A. Brunke & H. Schillhammer, CNC1898850 [typed label] / Bolitogyrus nigropolitoides Brunke, des. Brunke, 2021 [red label]

The species epithet refers to the similar species B. nigropolitus from Sichuan, China.

Within the Electus group (for diagnosis, see Brunke and Solodovnikov 2014): abdomen entirely dark; head without deeply impressed punctures; lateral face of hind tibia bicolored, distal half distinctly paler than darkened part of hind femur; antennomere 5 subquadrate, 6 distinctly transverse (Fig. 1F); paramere slightly longer than median lobe, in ventral view median lobe not visible; paramere with apical part broadly rounded to apex (Fig. 2J); median lobe in lateral view with smaller subapical expansion (Fig. 2H).

Measurements ♂ (n = 1): HW/HL 1.30; PW/PL 1.17; EW/EL 1.12; ESut/PL 0.85; PW/HW 1.09; forebody length 4.5 mm.

Very similar to Bolitogyrus nigropolitus (Fig. 2G, 2I) except: antennae shorter, antennomere 5 subquadrate, 6 distinctly transverse (Fig. 1F); pronotum slightly less transverse; elytral slightly longer; paramere slightly longer than median lobe, in ventral view median lobe not visible with paramere in situ; paramere with apical part broadly rounded to narrower apex (Fig. 2J); median lobe in lateral view with subapical expansion much smaller (Fig. 2H).

This species is known only from Phia Oac National Park in northern Vietnam, though it likely occurs at similar elevations in neighboring Yunnan, China and elsewhere in northern Vietnam east of the Red River.

The holotype was pyrethrin-fogged from a dead standing tree, bearing orange-fungal fruiting bodies.

Indonesia: Sumatra: Aceh, G. Leuser Nat. Pk., Ketambe Res. Sta., 3°41'N, 97°39'E, primary rainforest, malaise trap, 350 m, XII.1989, IIS 89001B, D.C. Darling, 1 female (ROM).

The above single female specimen is similar to B. proximus but could also represent an undescribed species. The genus is newly reported from the island of Sumatra, where it is undoubtedly diverse but extremely poorly sampled.

Vietnam: Hoa Bihn: “Tonkin”, de Cooman (1, NMPC).

China: Guangdong: Nanling Nat. Reserve, Dadongshan, 18–21.IV.2013, border of mixed forest, 24°56.0'N, 112°42.9'E, 690 m, J. Hajek and J. Ruzicka (1, NMPC); Guangxi: Longsheng Hot Spring, forested river valley, wet rocks, 25°53.6'N, 110°12.4'E, 360 m, 11–14.IV.2013, M. Fikacek, J.Hajek, J. Ruzicka (2, NMPC).

This species is newly reported from Guangxi, indicating that it is probably very broadly distributed in the low forested hills of southeastern China. The specimens from wet rocks in a forested river valley probably dropped when disturbed from overhanging coarse woody debris.

Laos: Hua Phan: 20°13'9–19"N, 103°59'54–104°0'3"E, 1480–1510 m, Phou Pane Mt. [= Mt. Phu Phan], 22.IV.–14.V.2008, Vit. Kuban (3, NMPC).

Nepal: Prov. No. 1: Khandbari, Arun Valley, at Num bridge, 1050 m, 22.IV.1984, Smetana and Löbl (1 male, cSmet).

Bolitogyrus himalayicus is here newly reported from Nepal. The above specimen is substantially larger than the holotype and was collected at a higher elevation (200 m versus 1000 m), but its aedeagal morphology corresponds perfectly. This specimen also represents the only record of the genus from Nepal and was previously reported by Smetana (1988) under the name B. vulneratus. The couplets from the key in Brunke (2017) should be modified as follows: