A revision of the neotropical genus Anahi Martínez (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) with the description of two new species

Revisión del género neotropical Anahi Martínez (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) con la descripción de dos nuevas especies

SYSTEMATICS, MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY

A revision of the neotropical genus Anahi Martínez (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) with the description of two new species

Revisión del género neotropical Anahi Martínez (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) con la descripción de dos nuevas especies

Federico Ocampo^I; Eider Ruiz-Manzanos^II

^ISystematics Research Collections, W 436 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0541, USA, [e-mail]

^IILab. Entomología, Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas, CRICYT, CC 507, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina, [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

The southern Neotropical genus Anahi Martínez is comprehensively revised and now includes three species: A. dentata Ocampo & Ruiz-Manzanos new species, A. guaraniticus Martínez, and A. oblivia Ocampo & Ruiz-Manzanos new species. The new species extend the distribution of the genus from Paraguay and Bolivia to Argentina. A. guaraniticus is redescribed and the characters that define the genus are extended to include A. dentata and A. oblivia. Descriptions, diagnosis illustrations, distribution maps and a key to all species of the genus are provided. The biogeography of the genus and its systematic placement within Melolonthinae are here discussed.

Key words: New taxon, systematics, key, species distribution

RESUMEN

El género Anahi Martínez del sur del Neotrópico es comprensivamente revisado y ahora contiene tres especies: A. dentata Ocampo & Ruiz- Manzanos especie nueva, A. guaraniticus Martínez y A. oblivia Ocampo & Ruiz-Manzanos especie nueva. Las nuevas especies extienden la distribución del género de Paraguay y Bolivia a Argentina. A. guaraniticus es redescripta y se amplían los caracteres que definen el género para incluir A. dentata y A. oblivia. Se proveen descripciones, ilustraciones diagnósticas, mapas de distribución y una clave para todas las especies del género. La biogeografía del género y su posición sistemática entre los Melolonthinae son tratados en este artículo.

Palabras-clave: Nuevo taxon, clasificación, clave, distribución

The tribe Pachydemini includes 116 genera and near 530 species worldwide (Evans 2003, Smith & Evans 2005, Lacroix 2006). They are distributed in all major biogeographic regions except India and Australia. In the Neotropics, the group is represented by 18 genera and approximately 30 species; although the group is more diverse and new taxa are permanently discovered (Ocampo & Smith in press, Ruiz-Manzanos & Ocampo 2006). Neotropical Pachydemini are mainly distributed in the Monte, Chacoan, Central Chile, and Patagonian biogeographical provinces. Among the Melolonthinae, the taxonomy of the tribe Pachydemini is particularly difficult (Sanmartín & Martín-Piera 2003). In most cases, genera are recognized by characters of male external morphology and on the basis of very few specimens. Females are difficult to collect and are known for only a few species and many genera present strong sexual dimorphism.

About 80% of the Neotropical genera of Pachydemini are monotypic and most of them have been created to accommodate a single species based on one autapomorphy (Sanmartín & Martín-Piera 2003). The genus Anahi was described for a single species, A. guaraniticus Martínez. Martínez (1958) placed Anahi in the tribe Pachydemini based on character states that this genus shares with some of the Neotropical Pachydemini: reduced mouth parts, antennal club with more than three segments, and strong sexual dimorphism (presumed in Anahi). In the generic diagnosis, Martínez (1958) indicates that Anahi is close to Castanochilus Ohaus. The genus Anahi can be placed next to other Neotropical Pachydemini genera, but preliminary phylogenetic analysis using molecular data, indicate that the tribe, as it is currently recognized, is polyphyletic and its classification needs to be revised. As a result of an ongoing monographic revision of the Neotropical Pachydemini conducted by Ruiz-Manzanos & Ocampo, two new species of the genus Anahi Martínez were found and are described here.

The purpose of this paper is to revise the genus Anahi, describe two new species, and discuss what is known about its distribution.

Materials and Methods

Specimens examined. The results of this study were based on specimens from the following institutions, curators are indicated between parentheses. The collections and their acronyms are as follows.

CMNC: Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada (R. S. Anderson, F. Génier)

FCOC: Federico Carlos Ocampo Collection. Mendoza, Argentina

IADIZA: Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, Mendoza, Argentina (A. Marvaldi)

IMLA: Fundación e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina (M. V. Colomo)

UNSM: University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA (B. Ratcliffe, M. L. Jameson)

USNM: United States National Museum, Washington D.C., USA (D. Furth)

Definition of taxonomic characters and character examination. Internal and external morphological characters formed the basis of this work. Specimens were examined using a dissecting microscope (6.5 to 40 X) and fiber-optic lights. For measurements, we used an ocular micrometer. Internal sclerotized structures were dissected by relaxing the specimen in hot water. Heavily sclerotized parts were soaked in a dilute solution (about 15%) of potassium hydroxide and neutralized in a dilute solution (about 15%) of acetic acid. Genitalia was studied and card-mounted or placed in a glycerin-filled vial beneath the specimen.

The following standards were used for characters:

Body length. Measured from the apex of the clypeus to the apex of the elytra.

Puncture density. Defined as dense if punctures are nearly confluent to less than two puncture diameters apart, moderately dense if punctures are between two to six puncture diameters apart, and sparse if punctures are separated by more than six puncture diameters.

Length of setae. Defined as minute if less than 0.20 mm, short if between 0.20-0.50 mm, and long if between 0.50-1.00 mm.

Type of setae. Defined as hair-like if slender and erect, thickened if slightly thick and erect or partially decumbent, and spine-like if broad and thick. Setae are subject to wear and may be abraded.

Color. Described based on specimens that are viewed with magnification and illumination.

Species concept. The phylogenetic species concept (Wheeler & Platnick 2000) was used to diagnose species: "species are the smallest aggregation of populations diagnosable by a unique combination of characters." Within species, there is intra-specific variation, but constancy of combined characters indicates that individuals are part of the same species lineage.

Genus Anahi Martínez, 1958

(Figs. 1-17)

Anahi Martínez, 1958: 102. Original description

Anahi Martínez, 1975: 244. Key to genera of new world Pachydemini, catalogue

Anahi Evans, 2003: 218. Catalogue

Type species Anahi guaraniticus Martínez, 1958 (original designation)

Description. Based on males only. Head (Figs. 2-5): Eye canthus well developed with anterior margin strongly reflexed (Fig. 2). Frontoclypeal suture obsolete. Clypeus broadly rounded punctate, margin strongly reflexed. Labrum conical, approximately as long as wide at base, not visible beyond clypeal margin. Labium well developed as a cylindrical process, approximately as long as labrum, labial palpus absent. Mandibles and maxillae reduced, maxillary pals 4-segmented. Eyes well developed, visible in dorsal view. Antennae with 10 antennomeres, antennal club with seven antennomeres (Fig. 6). Pronotum (Figs. 1-5): Convex, transverse. Marginal bead present; anterior margin slightly concave, without membrane. Lateral and posterior margins rounded; anterior angles obtuse, posterior angles broadly rounded. Elytra (Figs. 1-4): Convex, elongate, subparallel, completely covering dorsal surface of abdomen. Elytra lacking striae. Venter: one ventrite exposed medially, six ventrites exposed laterally. Propygidium well developed; pygidium 1.10 times longer than wide, convex; pygidial apex strongly recumbent toward metacoxae. Legs (Figs. 1-4, 7-10): Protibiae with three teeth, protibial spur slightly curved. Meso- and metatibiae with two transverse carinae. Meso- and metatibial spurs subcontiguous, both set below tarsal articulation. Metatibial tarsal insertion with notch. Metatibial medial spur on tarsal notch, metatarsus folds between metatibial spurs. Tarsi longer than tibiae. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsomeres 2-4 subequal in length, tarsomeres 5 longer than 1-4 individually; all tarsomeres with apical setae (Figs. 8-10). Tarsal claws simple, symmetrical. Male genitalia (Figs. 10-16): parameres, symmetrical, elongate.

Diagnosis. This genus is distinguished from other genera of New World Pachydemini by the following combination of characters: frontoclypeal suture obsolete; labrum conical, as long as wide at base, not visible beyond clypeal margin; mandibles obsolete; antennae with 10 antennomeres, antennal club with seven antennomeres; one ventrite exposed medially; protibiae with three teeth; protibial spur slightly curved; meso- and metatibiae with two transverse carinae and tarsal claws simple.

Distribution (Fig. 17). The genus Anahi is known from Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. In his generic and species descriptions, Martínez (1958) did not mention the presence of Anahi in Argentina, although he had one specimen available as it is deduced from the specimen label.

Natural history. Nothing is known about the biology and life cycle of any of the Anahi species.

Biogeography. The genus Anahi is endemic to the Chaco biogeographic province of the Chacoan subregion (sensu Morrone 2006). The Chaco province comprises southern Bolivia, western Paraguay, southern Brazil, and northcentral Argentina. Cladistic biogeographic analyses based on beetles (Curculionidae) and plant taxa showed that the Chaco is related to the Monte province in Argentina (Morrone 1993, 2006) an hypothesis also supported by Pachydemini genera, i.e. Acylochilus Ohaus, Burmeisteriellus Berg, and Pentacorina Moser. Annual precipitation in the Chaco biogeographic province ranges from 750 mm in the East and 500 mm in the West (Ragonese & Castiglione 1970). The vegetation in the Chaco is characterized by a xeric forest of "quebracho colorado" [Schinopsis spp. (Anacardiaceae)], "algarrobo" [Prosopis spp. (Mimosaceae)], and "chañar" [Geoffroea decorticans (Fabaceae)] (Prado 1993).

Classification. Based on morphological evidence we place the genus Anahi close to Acylochilus Ohaus, Burmeisteriellus Berg, Castanochilus Ohaus, Lichniops Gutiérrez, Lichniopsoides Martínez, and Parapetiia Martínez. Anahi shares with the above genera the following characters: reduced mouthparts (labrum, labium, mandibles, lacinia, and galea), maxillary palps well developed; pronotal anterior margin without membrane; male pygidial apex recumbent toward metacoxae; meso- and metatibial spurs subcontiguous, both set below tarsal articulation; metatibial tarsal insertion with notch, metatibial medial spur on tarsal notch, and metatarsus folds between metatibial spurs.

Preliminary molecular phylogenetic analyses (unpublished) indicate that the Neotropical Pachydemini do not constitute a natural group. No obvious synapomorphy was found between Anahi and other genera listed in this section and the nominotipical genus Pachydema Castelnau and they probably will need to be transferred to a different Melolonthinae tribe or they may constitute a unique tribe within the melolonthines, these hypotheses are being investigated by Ruiz-Manzanos & Ocampo (in prep).

Key to Species of Anahi

1. Mesotibial apex with well developed, ventral, acute process (Fig. 8), frons and clypeus black..................................................A. oblivia Ocampo & Ruiz-Manzanos sp. nov.

1’. Mesotibial apex without ventral, acute process, frons and clypeus brown or yellowish brown.....................................2

2. Males parameres with well developed lateral tooth (Figs. 15-16).........A. dentata Ocampo & Ruiz-Manzanos sp. nov.

2’. Males parameres simple, without lateral tooth (Figs. 11-12) .........................................................A. guaraniticus Martínez

Anahi guaraniticus Martínez, 1958

(Figs. 1, 2, 5, 7, 9-12, 17)

Anahi guaraniticus Martínez, 1958: 106. Original description

Anahi guaraniticus Martínez, 1975: 244. Catalogue

Anahi guaraniticus Evans, 2003: 218. Catalogue

Type material. Holotype male at MACN labeled: "PARAGUAY / D° BOQUERON / CHACO / Mcal. Estigarribia / Coll. Martínez / Nov. 950"; "Anahi / guaraniticus / gen. et sp. n. / MARTINEZ-DET.1957"; "HOLOTIPO". Three male paratypes at CMNC labeled as holotype except: "PARATYPE"; "PARATIPO"; "CMNEN / 2004- 0173"

Other material studied. Three specimens at FCOC, and USNM

Type locality. Paraguay, Boquerón, Fortín Mariscal Estigarribia (Martínez 1958)

Description. Male (n = 6). Length 6.60-8.00 mm, width 3.10-3.60 mm. Head black on margins and eye canthus, brown on frons and clypeal disc; pronotum black; elytra light brown to transparent on disc, dark brown-black near margins and elytral suture; venter and legs brown. Body surface shiny. Head (Figs. 2, 5): surface slightly convex, rugose on frons at base and rugopunctate to densely punctate on clypeus, punctures moderate in size, setose, setae short. Interocular width 1.20-1.50 mm. Eye canthus well developed, with anterior margin strongly reflexed (Fig. 5). Frontoclypeal suture obsolete. Clypeal margin broadly rounded, strongly reflexed. Clypeal ventral surface setose, setae long. Labrum conical, wider at base than long, with margin setose, setae long. Mandibles obsolete. Maxillae reduced, maxillary palps with four palpomeres; palpomere one short, curved; palpomere 2 three times as long as 1, conical; palpomere 3 0.5 time as long as 2; palpomere 4 cylindrical, as long as 2-3 combined, with longitudinal grove on outer margin at base, apex truncate, membranous. Antennae with 10 antennomeres; antennomere 1 robust, claviform; antennomere 2 with anterior-conical process well developed; antennomere 3 monoliform; antennal club with seven antennomeres, antennomeres glabrous, 1.80 times as long as antennomeres 1-3 combined, wider at distal third (Fig. 6). Pronotum (Figs. 1, 2, 5): convex, transverse. Surface punctate, glabrous; punctures moderately large, dense on sides and apical half, moderately dense on base at middle. Marginal bead present in all margins; anterior margin concave, lateral and posterior margins rounded. Anterior angles obtuse, posterior angles broadly rounded. Scutellum (Fig. 1): surface shiny, glabrous, apex slightly acute. Elytra (Figs. 1, 2): convex, elongate, subparallel; surface shiny. Elytra without striae, disc smooth; areas near basal, lateral, posterior margins and near suture punctate; punctures small to moderately large. Lateral margin setose, setae moderately long. Venter: sparsely to densely setose (metasternum glabrous at middle), setae long, white, hair-like. Ventritus, pygidium, and propygidium setose, setae moderately dense, long, hair-like. Pygidial surface slightly rugose. Legs (Figs. 1, 2, 7, 9, 10): procoxae large, setose, setae long. Profemur with surface setose, with anterior-ventral fringe of setae, setae long. Meso-, metafemorae surface sparsely punctate, setose, setae hair-like to spine-like. Metafemur robust with anterior margin broadly rounded. Protibiae with three teeth; surface setose, setae long with fringes of setae on dorsal and ventral surface. Meso- and metatibiae with two transverse carinae; carinae with 5-15 spine-like setae. Mesotibial apex transverse, truncate, with small, dorsal sub-acute process; margin with 15-22 spine-like setae. Mesotibial spurs sub-contiguous. Metatibiae strongly conical (Fig. 9), with apex truncate; margin without setae. Metatibial ventro-apical surface with tuft of thin, long setae. Metatibial spurs sub-contiguous; inner spur on small notch; notch surface covered with dense, minute setae, dorsally with tuft of spine-like setae (Fig. 10). Protarsi with tarsomere 1 slightly curved, with outer surface flat; tarsomeres 2 to 4 progressively long; tarsomere 5 1.30 times longer than 3-4 combined. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsomeres with thick, apical setae; setae short on protarsomeres, long on meso-, and metatarsomeres. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsal claws simple (not toothed), curved, gracile, symmetrical. Genitalia (Figs. 11-12): parameres simple, symmetrical, curved.

Female. Unknown.

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from all other species in the genus Anahi by the following combination of characters: antennomere 3 monoliform; antennal club wider at distal third; pygidial surface slightly rugose; meso- and metatibial apex with small, dorsal, sub-acute process and males parameres without tooth at middle. The male genitalia is also diagnostic (Figs. 11-12).

Distribution (Fig. 17). Paraguay

Locality data. PARAGUAY: Boquerón: Mariscal Estigarribia (3), Nueva Asunción (1), Parque Nacional Teniente Enciso (2).

Temporal distribution. March (3), November (3)

Remarks. When Martínez (1958) described A. guaraniticus, he based the description on five specimens from the type locality in Paraguay. In 1960, Martínez collected more specimens of this genus in Parapetí, Bolivia and identified this material as A. guaraniticus. In Martínez (1975) catalogue of the Neotropical Pachydemini, he listed A. guaraniticus from Paraguay and Bolivia, but further studies indicated that the Bolivian material corresponds to a new species described herein. As eluded from above, the Bolivian record for A. guaraniticus is no longer considered valid.

Anahi dentata Ocampo & Ruiz - Manzanos sp. nov.

(Figs. 3, 15, 16, 17)

Type material. Holotype male at CMNC labeled: "BOLIVIA / D° Santa Cruz / Provincia Cordillera / PARAPETI / Coll. Martínez / Ene: 960" "Anahi / dentata / Ocampo and / Ruiz Manzanos / HOLOTYPE" (red label, handwritten). Two male paratypes at CMNC and FCOC labeled as holotype except: "Anahi / dentata / Ocampo and / Ruiz Manzanos / PARATYPE" (yellow label, handwritten).

Type locality. Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Parapetí

Description. Holotype. Male. Length 8.00 mm, width 4.00 mm. Head black on margins and apex of eye canthus, brown on frons and clypeal disc; pronotum black; elytra brown on disc, slightly transparent, dark brown-black near margins and elytral suture; venter and legs brown. Surface shiny. Head (Fig. 3): surface slightly convex, rugose on frons at base and rugopunctate to densely punctate on clypeus, punctures moderate in size (0.03-0.08 mm), setose, setae short to large. Interocular width 1.40 mm. Eye canthus well developed, with anterior margin strongly reflexed. Frontoclypeal suture obsolete. Clypeal margin broadly rounded, strongly reflexed. Clypeal ventral surface setose, setae long. Labrum conical, longer than wide at base, with margin setose, setae long. Mandibles obsolete. Maxillae reduced, maxillary palps with four palpomeres; palpomere 1 short, curved; palpomere 2 three times as long as 1, conical; palpomere 3 0.5 time as long as 2; palpomere 4 cylindrical, as long as 2-3 combined, with longitudinal grove on outer margin at base, apex truncate, membranous. Antennae with 10 antennomeres; antennomere 1 robust, claviform; antennomere 2 with anterior-conical process well developed; antennomere 3 conical; antennal club with seven antennomeres, antennomeres glabrous, 1.96 times longer than antennomeres 1-3 combined, wider at middle. Pronotum (Fig. 3): convex, transverse. Surface punctate, glabrous; punctures moderately large, dense on sides and apical half, moderately dense on base at middle. Marginal bead present in all margins; anterior margin concave; lateral and posterior margins rounded. Anterior angles obtuse, posterior angles broadly rounded. Scutellum (Fig. 3): surface shiny, glabrous, apex slightly acute. Elytra (Fig. 3): convex, elongate, subparallel; surface shiny. Elytra without striae, disc smooth; areas near basal, lateral, and posterior margins and near suture punctate; punctures small to moderately large. Lateral margin setose, setae moderately long to short. Venter: sparsely to densely setose (metasternum glabrous at middle), setae long, white, hair-like. Ventritus, pygidium, and propygidium setose, setae moderately dense, long, hair-like. Pygidial surface slightly rugose. Legs (Fig. 3): procoxae large, setose, setae long. Profemur with surface setose, with anterior-ventral fringe of setae, setae long. Meso-, and metafemorae surface sparsely punctate, setose, setae hair-like to spine-like. Metafemur robust with anterior margin broadly rounded. Protibiae with three teeth. Surface setose, setae long with fringes of setae on dorsal and ventral surface. Meso- and metatibiae with two transverse carinae; carinae with 5-15 spine-like setae (some setae missing). Mesotibial apex transverse, truncate, with small dorsal sub-acute process; margin with 15-22 spine-like setae (some setae missing). Mesotibial spurs sub-contiguous. Metatibiae strongly conical, with apex truncate; margin without setae. Metatibial ventro-apical surface with tuft of thin, long setae. Metatibial spurs sub-contiguous; inner spur on small notch; notch surface covered with dense, minute setae, dorsally with tuft of spine-like setae. Protarsi with tarsomere 1 slightly curved, with outer surface flat; tarsomeres 2 to 4 progressively long; tarsomere 5 as long as 3-4 combined. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsomeres with thick, apical setae; setae short on protarsomeres, long on meso- and metatarsomeres. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsal claws simple, curved, gracile, symmetrical. Genitalia (Figs. 15-16): parameres simple, symmetrical, curved, with outer, acute tooth at middle.

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from all other species in the genus Anahi by the following combination of characters: antennomere 3 conical; antennal club wider at middle; pygidium slightly rugose; mesotibial apex with small, dorsal, sub-acute process; and male parameres with acute tooth at middle. The male genitalia is also diagnostic (Figs. 15-16).

Distribution. (Fig. 17). Bolivia

Locality data. BOLIVIA. Santa Cruz: Parapetí (3)

Temporal distribution. January (3)

Etymology. We name this species ‘dentata’ (from the Latin dentis = tooth) in reference to the tooth present on the external margin of the male parameres.

Remarks. Variation: Size, length 8.50-9.50 mm, width 4.00-4.30 mm. Paratypes do not differ significantly from the holotype.

Anahi oblivia Ocampo & Ruiz - Manzanos sp. nov.

(Figs. 4, 8, 13, 14, 17)

Type material. Holotype male at IMLA labeled: "ARGENTINA: / Tucumán / Dpto. Cruz Alta / La Soledad / (Cañete) 8.VII.1966 / Coll. E. Bucher"; "EHB 232"; "Anahi oblivia / Ocampo and Ruiz Manzanos / HOLOTYPE" (red label, handwritten). One male paratype at FCOC labeled: "Cordoba / Sorine (?) / leg."; "Anahi / similis / typo i lit. / sp. n. / A. Martinez-det. 1957"; "Anahi oblivia / Ocampo and Ruiz Manzanos / PARATYPE" (yellow label, handwritten).

Type locality. Argentina, Tucumán, Cruz Alta, Cañete

Description. Holotype. Male. Length 8.30 mm, width 4.30 mm. Head black; pronotum black; elytra brown on disc, slightly transparent, dark brown-black near margins and elytral suture; venter and legs dark brown. Surface shiny. Head (Fig. 4): surface slightly convex, rugose on frons at base and rugopunctate to densely punctate on clypeus, punctures moderate in size (0.03-0.08 mm), setose, setae short to large. Interocular width 1.60 mm. Eye canthus well developed, with anterior margin strongly reflexed (Fig. 4). Frontoclypeal suture obsolete. Clypeal margin broadly rounded, strongly reflexed. Clypeal ventral surface setose, setae long. Labrum conical, wider at base than long, with margin setose, setae long. Mandibles obsolete. Maxillae reduced, maxillary palps with four palpomeres; one palpomere short, curved; palpomere 2 three times as long as 1, conical; palpomere 3 0.5 time as long as 2; palpomere 4 cylindrical, as long as 2-3 combined, with longitudinal grove on outer margin at base, apex truncate, membranous. Antennae with 10 antennomeres; antennomere 1 robust, claviform; antennomere 2 with anterior-conical process well developed; antennomere 3 conical; antennal club 7-segmented, segments glabrous, 2.10 times longer than antennomeres 1-3 combined, wider at middle. Pronotum (Fig. 4): convex, transverse. Surface punctate, glabrous; punctures moderately large, dense on sides and apical half, moderately dense on base at middle. Marginal bead present in all margins; anterior margin concave; lateral and posterior margins rounded. Anterior angles obtuse, posterior angles broadly rounded. Scutellum (Fig. 4): surface shiny, glabrous, apex slightly acute. Elytra (Fig. 4): convex, elongate, subparallel. Surface shiny. Elytra without striae, disc smooth, areas near basal, lateral, posterior margins and near suture punctate; punctures small to moderately large (0.03-0.08 mm). Lateral margin setose, setae moderately long to short. Venter: sparsely to densely setose (metasternum glabrous at middle), setae long, white, hair-like. Ventritus, pygidium, and propygidium setose, setae moderately dense, long, hair-like. Pygidial surface punctate, punctures small. Legs (Fig. 4): procoxae large, setose, setae long. Profemur with surface setose, with anterior-ventral fringe of setae, setae long. Meso- metafemorae surface sparsely punctate, setose, setae hair-like to spine-like. Metafemur robust with anterior margin broadly rounded. Protibiae with three teeth. Surface setose, setae long with fringes of setae on dorsal and ventral surface. Meso- and metatibiae with two transverse carinae; carinae with 5-15 spine-like setae. Mesotibial apex transverse, truncate, with well developed, ventral, acute process (Fig. 8); margin with 20-25 spine-like setae. Mesotibial spurs sub-contiguous. Metatibiae strongly conical, with apex truncate; margin without setae. Metatibial ventro-apical surface with tuft of thin, long setae. Metatibial spurs sub-contiguous; inner spur on small notch; notch surface covered with dense, minute setae, dorsally with tuft of spine-like setae. Protarsi with tarsomere 1 slightly curved, with outer surface flat; tarsomeres 2 to 4 progressively long; tarsomere 5 1.10 times longer than 3-4 combined. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsomeres with thick, apical setae; setae short on protarsomeres, long on meso- and metatarsomeres. Pro-, meso-, and metatarsal claws simple, curved, gracile, symmetrical. Genitalia (Figs. 13, 14): parameres simple, symmetrical, curved.

Female. Unknown

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from all other species in the genus Anahi by the following combination of characters: antennomere 3 conical; antennal club 2.10 times longer than antennomeres 1-3 combined, wider at middle; pygidial surface punctate, punctures small; mesotibial apex with well developed, ventral, acute process and male parameres without tooth at middle. The male genitalia is also diagnostic (Figs. 13-14).

Distribution (Fig. 17). Argentina

Locality data. ARGENTINA. Tucumán: Cañete (1); Córdoba (no more data) (1).

Temporal distribution. July (1)

Etymology. From the Latin ‘oblivius’ in reference to the fact that, although Martínez recognized this as a new species in 1957 (according to specimen label), he did not describe or mention it when he described the genus in 1958, and it remained forgotten in his collection until now.

Remarks. Variation. Size, length 9.60 mm, width 4.40 mm. The paratype does not differ significantly from the holotype.

Acknowledgments

We thank Henry Howden, Bob Anderson (Canadian Museum of Nature), Virginia Colomo (Instituto Miguel Lillo), and Sergio Roig (IADIZA) for making material available for this research. Eider Ruiz-Manzanos wants to express her gratitude to José Manuel Ruiz, Rosa Manzanos, and Julio de Liras for their support. This project was supported in part by an NSF/PEET grant (DEB-0118669) to Mary Liz Jameson and Brett Ratcliffe, by a NSF Biotic Surveys and Inventory grant (DEB 0342189) to Andrew Smith and Federico Ocampo, by a NSF-DBI grant (0500767) to Mary Liz Jameson and Federico Ocampo, and by a BBVA (Fundación Banco Bilbao Vizcaya) grant to Jorge M. Lobo and Sergio Roig-Juñent.

Received 19/I/07. Accepted 05/V/07.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  29 Nov 2007
• Date of issue
  Oct 2007

History

• Accepted
  05 May 2007
• Received
  19 Jan 2007