Rediscovery and Redescription of Cryptalaus cardoni (Candze, 1890) comb. nov. (Coleoptera: Elateridae) after a century with notes on other Cryptalaus hira species in India.

Abstract

After about 133 years, the click-beetle species Alaus cardoni Candze, 1890 is rediscovered from India. Its thorough examination revealed that this species should be transferred to the genus Cryptalaus hira, 1967. Therefore, we provide a redescription for Cryptalaus cardoni (Candze, 1890) comb. nov. and illustrate its male genitalia for the first time. We also add notes on a few other species of this genus, including a first-ever description of the male genitalia of Cryptalaus alveolatus Parekar & Patwardhan, 2021. Additionally, the following new combinations are proposed: Cryptalaus emarginatus (Punam, Vats & Saini, 1996) comb. nov., Cryptalaus furunculus (Sarkar, Saha & Raychaudhuri, 2016) comb. nov., Cryptalaus nigrimaculatus (Punam, Vats & Saini, 1996) comb. nov., Cryptalaus rotundoextremus (Vats & Kashyap, 1992) comb. nov., Cryptalaus truncatus (Punam, Vats & Saini, 1996) comb. nov. Further, Chalcolepis pannus Vats & Kashyap, 1992 syn. nov. is synonymized with Cryptalaus sordidus (Westwood, 1848). An updated key to Cryptalaus hira species in India is presented along with a checklist.