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| Pharaxonotha cerradensis
Skelley & Segalla, 2019
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Abstract
Pharaxonotha cerradensis, new species (Coleoptera: Erotylidae), is described from Bolivia and Brazil. It belongs in a complex of species from Mexico and Central America that radiated on host cycads of the genus Zamia L. (Cycadales: Zamiaceae) and is associated with Zamia boliviana (Brongniart) A. DC. (Cycadales: Zamiaceae). Pharaxonotha cerradensis is compared with other species of Pharaxonotha Reitter.
Keywords: Neotropical, Cerrado, Cucujoidea, Pharaxonothinae, host plants, Coleoptera
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| FIGURES 1–6. Pharaxonotha cerradensis new species, paratype [BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz, Portrerillos del Guenda, 40 km. NW Santa Cruz de la Sierra, ...]: 1) dorsal habitus; 2) ventral habitus; 3) lateral habitus; 4) head and prothorax, ventral view. Antenna: 5) P. cerradensis; 6) Pharaxonotha sp. (nr. P. confusa Pakaluk) [Costa Rica: Osa Peninsula, ex Zamia fairchildiana].
Figures 5–6 to same scale.
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| FIGURES 11–12. Zamia boliviana plants. 11) Female plant with seeds in development. 12) Male plant, a) fresh strobili, b) same, close-up showing Pharaxonotha cerradensis new species on host. |
Pharaxonotha cerradensis Skelley and Segalla, new species
Diagnosis. Pharaxonotha cerradensis can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the pronotal
anterior angles being rounded, antennomeres VII and VIII each with width = length, pronotal and elytral setae short
and not reaching next puncture, protibia narrowly triangular with a distinct apical lateral tooth, and pronotal disc
with distinct sulcus at base on each side. Pharaxonotha cerradensis is readily distinguished from all other species
of Pharaxonotha by its enlarged antennomere XI, 1.6× longer than antennomere X. In addition, this is the only
member of the genus known to occur in central South America on the host cycad Zamia boliviana.
Etymology. The host cycad of this beetle occurs in the biome known as the Cerrado in Brazil and Savanna in
Bolivia. The species epithet cerrad-ensis means “of the Cerrado”.
Paul E. Skelley and Rosane Segalla. 2019. A New Species of Pharaxonotha Reitter (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) from central South America. Zootaxa. 4590(1); 184–190. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4590.1.9
