Abstract
A new genus (Chanealtica) with three new species (Chanealtica cuevas, Chanealtica ellimon, and Chanealtica maxi) from Bolivia is described and illustrated. It is compared with Aphthonoides Jacoby, 1885, Argopistes Motschulsky, 1860, Metroserrapha Bechyne, 1958, Psylliodes Berthold, 1827 and Psyllototus Nadein, 2010. Remarkably, based on the available characters, among all the flea beetles, Chanealtica is mostly similar to an extinct genus Psyllototus. A discussion of diversity and function of the hind leg in flea beetles is provided.
Highlights
As currently understood, flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) constitute a polyphyletic group most members of which are characterized by an enlarged metafemora with metafemoral spring inside and an ability to leap (Konstantinov 1994)
Many flea beetles of the subtribe Monoplatina have their metatarsi attached to the metatibia before its apex, but the distance from the place of the attachment to the apex is very short in Monoplatina compared to that of Aphthonoides, Argopistes, Chanealtica, Metroserrapha, Psylliodes, and Psyllototus
In female the ridge is absent, instead the last abdominal sternite forms a posteriorly directed lobe, which is common in males of many other flea beetle genera (e.g. Longitarsus Berthold)
Summary
Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) constitute a polyphyletic group (about 9900 valid species assigned to 577 valid genera) most members of which are characterized by an enlarged metafemora with metafemoral spring inside and an ability to leap (Konstantinov 1994). In Monoplatina flea beetles (47 valid genera and 583 species), the first metatarsomere is attached slightly away from the metatibial apex. Leaf beetles from only four extant genera (Aphthonoides Jacoby, 1885, Argopistes Motschulsky, 1860, Metroserrapha Bechyne, 1958, and Psylliodes Berthold, 1827) have their first metatarsomere attached to the metatibia at a significant distance from its apex.
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