Systematics and Phylogeny of the Genus Epectinaspis Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) and Description of a New Genus of Anomalini from Mexico

Abstract

The genus Epectinaspis Blanchard (Rutelinae: Anomalini) is revised and now includes nine species. Species in the genus occur from southern Mexico to northern Venezuela. One new species, E. bisyrica, is described. Five species names are considered synonyms: E. gracilipes Casey and E. nubicollis Casey are new synonyms of E. mexicana (Burmeister); E. quadripennis Casey and Zabacana brevinigrans Saylor (Melolonthinae) are new synonyms of E. moreletiana (Blanchard); and E. densicollis Casey is a new synonym of E. opacicollis Bates. Lectotype specimens are designated herein for the following species names: E. ambigens Bates, E. boucardi Nonfried, E. chalconota Bates, E. chelifera Bates, E. densicollis Casey, E. guatemalensis Ohaus, E. moreletiana (Blanchard), E. nubicollis, E. opacicollis Bates, E. pictipennis Bates, and E. quadripennis. A neotype was designated for E. mexicana (Burmeister). Phylogenetic analysis of Epectinaspis species was conducted, and relationships with other genera of Anomalini are discussed. The genus Epectinaspis was shown to be paraphyletic; one species belonged to an undescribed anomaline lineage. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the new genus Balanogonia (Rutelinae: Anomalini) is created. Epectinaspis freudei Frey is transferred to Balanogonia (becoming a new combination) and a new species, B. constricta, is described. Balanogonia is added to the generic key of New World Anomalini. Natural history, biogeography, and an illustrated key to species of Epectinaspis are included. Information about identification and distributional data of Epectinaspis are available at: http://www.museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/obj-epect.htm