Synopsis of the pelidnotine scarabs (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) and annotated catalog of the species and subspecies Author Moore, Matthew R. Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida Building 1881 Natural Drive Area, Steinmetz Hall, Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611 - 0620, USA Author Jameson, Mary L. Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University 1845 Fairmount, Box 26, Wichita, KS 67260 - 0026, USA maryliz.jameson@gmail.com Author Garner, Beulah H. Natural History Museum, Insects Division, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London SW 7 5 BD, UK Author Audibert, Cedric Musee des Confluences, Centre de Conservation et d'Etude des Collections, 13 A Rue Bancel, F- 69007 Lyon, France Author Smith, Andrew B. T. Research Division, Canadian Museum of Nature, P. O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K 1 P 6 P 4, Canada Author Seidel, Matthias text ZooKeys 2017 2017-04-06 666 1 349 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.666.9191 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.666.9191 1313-2970-666-1 B3C377E8BBB14F328AECA2C22D1E625A C43EEB41A94B930FFE439D1FAD29FF9C 579453 Microogenius Gutierrez , 1951 Figs 41 , 42 , 43 Type species. Oogenius martinezi Gutierrez 1951 . Species. 4 species; length 10-13 mm. The classification and nomenclatural history of this genus are quite complicated due to two impediments: lack of robust circumscription of ruteline groups and access to literature. Historically, the genus Microogenius was considered a member of the subtribe Lasiocalina and closely related to Lasiocala Blanchard ( Martinez 1974 ) as well as a member of the subtribe Pelidnotina closely related to Eremophygus and Oogenius ( Ohaus 1934b ). Based on similarities, the two subtribes were combined ( Martinez 1974 ), but this publication was effectively lost until Soula (2006) noted Martinez's synonymy of Oogenius (Microogenius) and created the new genus Minilasiocala Soula. However, based on the Principle of Priority, Microogenius should be considered the valid name ( Moore and Jameson 2013 ). Similar problems circumscribing ruteline groups led Soula to initially consider the taxon a lasiocaline scarab ( Soula 2006 ) and later to consider it a pelidnotine scarab ( Soula 2011 ). Clearly, phylogenetic and revisionary research must examine relationships of the South American genera Microogenius , Oogenius , Eremophygus , and Lasiocala . Although the validity of the genus requires evaluation, a few characters can be used with caution for diagnosis: apex of labrum extends beyond clypeal apex and visible in dorsal view (shared with Eremophygus and Oogenius ); metatarsomere 4 at apex with 4-6 long setae that are subequal in length and thickness; mandible on external margin rounded (shared with Eremophygus ); pronotal basal bead complete (shared with Eremophygus ); terminal tergite of female rounded at apex (shared with Eremophygus ). As currently composed, species in the genus are distributed in the altiplano of Bolivia and Argentina. Larvae, natural history, and sister group relationships are not known.