Dichotomius (Dichotomius) cotopaxi ( Guérin-Méneville, 1855 )

6. Dichotomius (Dichotomius) cotopaxi ( Guérin-Méneville, 1855) View in CoL species group

Diagnosis: This species group was revised by Arias-Buriticá and Vaz-de-Mello (2024a). The species of the D. cotopaxi species group is recognized by the following combination of characters: (1) Medium to large size (16–34 mm). (2) Males and females with calluses present on head, pronotum and elytra with corrugated appearence ( Fig. 13a, b View Figure 13 ). (3) Genas with acute and outgoing anterior angle ( Fig.13a View Figure 13 ). (4) Ventral clypeal process conical with truncate or bicuspid tip ( Fig. 13d View Figure 13 ). (5) Hypomere with anterior excavation (shallow in D. ribeiroi ) ( Fig. 13c View Figure 13 ). (6) Protibial spur not angled or slightly angled near the apex ( Fig. 13e View Figure 13 ). (7) Pronotum with anterior angles rounded and invagination in the posterior area of the lateral edge ( Fig.13a, b View Figure 13 ). (8) Elytra with conspicuous striae formed by deep dimples (except in D. cotopaxi where they are absent or smooth and conspicuous only near the base). (9) Basal region of the striae from the first to the fifth with a basal fovea ( Fig. 13a, b View Figure 13 ). (10) elytral interstriae surface with wrinkles that in some species give at corrugated aspect. (11) Pygidium with complete apical margin ( Fig. 13f View Figure 13 ). (12) Parameres subtriangular in lateral view ( Fig. 13g View Figure 13 ), with long setae at apical area ( Fig.13 View Figure 13 g-i). (13) Subgenital plate present evident in ventral view, being visible in dorsal view in the middle part of the left paramere ( Fig. 13i View Figure 13 ). (14) ME subquadrangular with two extensions and bristles on its surface ( Fig. 13m View Figure 13 ).

Composition: Five valid species: Dichotomius cotopaxi ( Guérin-Méneville, 1855) , D.germanchoi Arias-Buriticá and Vaz-de-Mello, 2024, D. luederwaldti Arias-Buriticá and Vaz-de-Mello, 2024, D. monstrosus ( Harold, 1875) , and D. ribeiroi ( Pereira, 1954) .

Geographic distribution: Pacific dominion (Cauca and Magdalena provinces), South Brazilian dominion (Yungas province), and South American transition zone (Desert, Puna and Páramo provinces) ( Fig.12b View Figure 12 ) .