Platyparadonus, A New Circum-Caribbean Genus Of Sand-Associated Negastriinae (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Author
Etzler, Frank E.
Author
Ivie, Michael A.
text
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
2019
2019-02-11
121
1
15
25
journal article
10.4289/0013-8797.121.1.15
eecc0eab-145e-4e3a-bab2-533c76466860
3733353
Platyparadonus beckeri
Etzler and
Ivie,
new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:
7A979C50- E2D8-4775-9DE9-6A65F365DBA5
(Figs: 4, 23, 28–29)
Diagnosis.—A generally smaller size, <
3mm
, a nearly uniform amber color, with the legs and antennae not contrasting with the body, and an aedeagus that is straight and half the length of the abdomen, will readily separate this species from
P
.
marleyi
.
Description.—Amber, head and pronotum darker amber, legs and antennae not contrasting with body. Length
2.3mm
. Antennomeres 3–10 about 1.5X longer than wide, apical and basal portions concolorous. Aedeagus (
Figs 28–29
) ca.
0.5mm
long, straight, basal struts of median lobe nearly reaching base of parameres.
Etymology.— The specific name is in honor of the late Dr. Edward Coulton Becker (
1923–2008
), to recognize his important contributions to the study of
Elateridae
and his early recognition of these species as belonging to a distinct genus.
Specimens examined.—
2.
Holotype
:
Colombia
:
Magd. Parque
,
Tayrona
,
21mi
E
.
Sta. Marta
,
V–15–1973
,
Howden and Campbell
(
male
,
CNCI
).
Paratype
:
Same
data as
holotype
(1,
CNCI
).
Field notes.— Both specimens were collected on a hot, overcast day, either in the afternoon or early evening at a blacklight (1:30–8PM) (
Howden 1973
). The collecting locality was a heavily cut-over area along the coast with coconut palms, so it appears that disturbed habitat does not necessarily affect this species. Satellite photographs of the locality show a prevalence of wrack on the beach immediately adjacent to the coconut groves. This suggests that this species may also be found under beach wrack, similar to
P
.
marleyi
.