Spilophorus (Prospilophorus) congoensis, Perissinotto & Garnier, 2025

Spilophorus (Prospilophorus) congoensis View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 4 View Fig , 5 View Fig , 15 View Fig )

Diagnosis. The two female specimens housed in the MRAC were previously confused with S. ( P.) aurifer , by virtue of their superficial similarity with the HT female of that species. Several new specimens have recently been discovered in private collections and these include also a few males, thereby allowing a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of their diagnostic characters. The new species is also very close to S. ( P.) holmi sp. nov. in size, distribution of tomentum and shape of clypeus. It differs, however, from that species in the arrangement of its tomentose spots (ornamented forms), by exhibiting an extremely narrow longitudinal carina on the pygidium, a longer and sharper protibial ventral tooth and a less straight mentum apical margin. The aedeagal parameres of the two species are also rather distinctive ( Figs 4 View Fig and 12 View Fig ).

Type series. HT ♂: Congo RPC [Congo-Brazzaville]: Kinkengue, Bouenza Reg., 05-1993. ( TGMF) . PTs, Cameroon: 1♀, Ebogo , 10.2010 ( PLPF) ; Congo-Brazzaville : 2♂, Malele , Kouilou, 08-1999 ( TGMF) ; 1♂ + 1♀, idem ( PLPF) ; 5♂ + 1♀, idem ( BLLF) ; 1♀, ibidem, 11- 1999, B. Le Ru leg. ( TGMF) ; 2♂, Mengo, Kouilou,

08-1999 ( BLLF); 1♀, Matakall, Pool, 02-1992 ( BLLF); 2♂ + 1♀, Voka, Pool, 10-1993 ( PLPF); 1♀, ibidem, 11- 1993 ( PLPF); 1♀, ibidem, 11-1977, Rec. G. Onoré (RM- CA-ENT-000049356);

Congo-Kinshasa: 1♀, Musée du Congo, Galli-Koku [Galikoko], Kasai, R. Carlier, Spilophoerus aurifer Westw. , det. E. Holm 07 (RMCA-ENT-000049358) ; 1♀, Coll. Mus. Congo, Mayidi, -1942; Rév. P. Van Eyen, R. Dét C 92, Spilophorus aurifer Westw. , det. E. Holm 07 (RM- CA-ENT-000049359) ; 1♀ ( 19.5 mm), Zaire, Katanga, Zilo, 3-1991, Ex Collection Dr Vincent Allard, received from Christophe Allard 21.II.2015 ( GBEG) .