Aphotaenius hamelae Skelley and Vaz-de-Mello, 2020

Aphotaenius hamelae Skelley and Vaz-de-Mello View in CoL , new species

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Figs. 12 View Figs , 41–43 View Figs

Diagnosis. Length 2.4–2.5 mm ( Figs. 41–43 View Figs ). This species is distinguished by the head lacking the band of coarse punctures posteriorly, all punctures fine, clypeal margin thin and strongly angulate on each side ( Fig. 12 View Figs ), pronotal punctures evenly distributed, metaventrite finely punctate, and elytral intervals evenly convex. It is known from Bolivia ( Santa Cruz, 2,000 m elevation)

Description. Body elongate, glossy, piceous black. Clypeal apex obtusely angulate on each side of wide but shallow median emargination, median edge between angles triangularly flattened upward, margin thin in antero-ventral view, genae small; clypeal surface alutaceous, finely punctate, vertex (posterior part of head) with punctures small, same size and density as on clypeus. Epipharynx not examined. Pronotum convex, posteriorly not lobed at middle, straight across width, without marginal line but with row of coarse punctures; side margin finely reflexed; surface with mixed fine and coarse punctures throughout, coarse punctures distinctly larger than those of elytral striae, coarse punctures lacking over lateral tumosity and near anterior margin. Elytra widest near middle, parallel-sided most of length, striae strongly punctate-crenate; discal intervals convex with scattered minute punctures, more strongly convex apically but not eroded over declivity. Ventral sclerites glossy, metaventrite smooth with widely scattered fine punctures; abdominal sternites coarsely fluted along sutures and finely punctate; disc of pygidium eroded without median longitudinal carina. Legs moderate in length, metafemur without posterior line, meso- and metatibiae with fine transverse ridges; basal metatarsomere equal in length to upper tibial spur and to next 3 tarsomeres combined. Genitalia not examined.

Material Examined. Holotype (gender undetermined) of Aphotaenius hamelae : “ BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz Dpt. / 4-5 km . N. Achira, Rd. to / Amboro PN , 6100ft. / S18° 080, W64° 430 / 16-SEPT-2012, Skelley, / Wappes, Bonaso, Hamel ”. Deposited in MNKM .

Paratype (n = 1): BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz: 4- 5 km. N. Achira, Rd. to Floripondo , MV+UV light, S18° 090, W63° 470, 6,350 ft. [ 1,935 m], 15-IX-2012, Skelley, Hamel ( 1 FSCA) .

Etymology. Named for the Bolivian scarab researcher, Caroli Hamel, who assisted on the expedition where the two known specimens were collected, for her significant contributions to our knowledge of the Bolivian dung beetle fauna.

Remarks. It is possible that A. hamelae appears to be a high elevation species. One specimen was collected at light, while the other was hand collected from cow dung.