A comprehensive guide to the Argentinian case-bearer beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Camptosomata)
Author
Agrain, Federico A.
Author
Chamorro, Maria Lourdes
Author
Cabrera, Nora
Author
Sassi, Davide
Author
Roig-Junent, Sergio
text
ZooKeys
2017
677
11
88
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.677.10778
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.677.10778
1313-2970-677-11
1C3D9A997A4C443FB228CEA383A2D72F
Lexiphanes Gistel, 1848
Fig. 22
Lexiphanes
Gistel, 1848: 123;
Balsbaugh 1966
: 660.
= Monachus
Chevrolat 1836
(not
Kaup 1829
, not Flemming 1822).
= Monachulus
Leng 1918
.
Type species.
Cryptocephalus saponatus
Fabricius [=
Lexiphanes saponatus
(Fabricius)], designated by
Balsbaugh (1966
: 660).
Figure 22.
Lexiphanes consimilis
(Suffrian) (2), left: habitus (dorsal view), right: habitus (lateral view).
Diagnosis.
Lexiphanes
may be most commonly confused with
Stegnocephala
and less so with
Cryptocephalus
. Both genera in
Monachulina
have shorter antennae (rarely surpassing half of entire body length) with antennomeres anteriorly expanded (less so in
Lexiphanes
). Also, the intercoxal prosternal process is wide and bilobed with small lateral projections and the anterior margin of intercoxal prosternal process uniformly concave (
Chamorro-Lacayo and Konstantinov 2004
).
Lexiphanes
can be distinguished from
Stegnocephala
by the more uniform rounded shape of the pronotum, which lacks basolateral depressions. The prothoracic anterior opening in
Lexiphanes
has a circumference, best viewed anteriorly, with the dorsal and ventral margins on the similar vertical plane (in lateral view). In general,
Stegnocephala
is larger, more robust, and colorful than
Lexiphanes
.
Distribution.
This genus is restricted to the New World, from
Mexico
to Argentina with over 100 species. 11 of which are present in Argentina.
Remarks.
Balsbaugh (1966)
revised the North American species of this genus. The limits of the subtribe, genera, and species need revision. Information is lacking for Central and South American species that are known only from their original descriptions in the 19th century. The presence of denticles on the posterior margin of pronotum is shared with
Cryptocephalina
, therefore
Monachulina
may not be a natural group, and may be a synonym of
Cryptocephalina
. This hypothesis remains to be tested.
Argentinian species checklist.
1.
Lexiphanes anthracinus
(Burmeister, 1877) (Patagonia, RNO).
2.
Lexiphanes biplagiatus
(Boheman, 1858) (BAS, CTS).
3.
Lexiphanes coenobita
(Suffrian, 1863) (TUC).
4.
Lexiphanes consimilis
(Suffrian, 1863) (BAS).
5.
Lexiphanes ebeninus
(Burmeister, 1877) (SCZ).
6
.
Lexiphanes flavifrons
(Burmeister, 1877) (Patagonia, SCZ).
7.
Lexiphanes granarius
(Suffrian, 1863) (Argentina).
8.
Lexiphanes modestus
(Boheman, 1858) (Argentina).
9.
Lexiphanes nigritulus
(Boheman, 1858) (BAS).
10.
Lexiphanes ornatipennis
(Jacoby, 1908) (TUC).
11.
Lexiphanes saucius
(Burmeister, 1877) (BAS).