Ikaros polygonos Chatzimanolis & Brunke 2021, gen. et sp. nov.

Ikaros polygonos gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D7581C8A-2D3A-4D1A-977B-F82E03BD07A7

Figs 2C, 5

Ikaros polygonos gen. et sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species in this genus by the presence of an arch-like carina on terga 3–5 (absent in the other two species); the stark polygon-shaped microsculpture on the dorsal surface of the head, thorax and elytra (absent in the other two species) and the long crownlike macrosetae (macrosetae at least twice as long as antennomeres) on the antennomeres (macrosetae much smaller in the other two species).

The specific epithet is derived from the Greek word ‘πολύγωνος’ (‘polygon’) and refers to the stark polygon-shaped microsculpture of the head, thorax and elytra. It is treated here as a noun in apposition.

Holotype (here designated) VENEZUELA • ♂; “ Venezuela, Merida, Tabay, 7 km E. La Mucuy Station, Sierra Nevada Natl. Park, 2300–2700 m, 8°37′44″N 71°2′26″W, 24.v.1998, R. Anderson, VEN1A98 036B. ex: upper montane forest litter / SM0114364 [barcode label] / HOLOTYPE Ikaros polygonos Chatzimanolis and Brunke, des. Chatzimanolis and Brunke 2020”; MIZA.

Forebody length 5.2 mm long. Coloration of body reddish brown, with head and pronotum having undertones of metallic green-brown. Head transverse, HW/HL ratio = 1.16. Epicranium with numerous large punctures, except impunctate centre; punctures not contiguous, distance between punctures typically width of 1–2 punctures; with stark polygon-shaped microsculpture. Labial palpus with palpomere 3 widest before apex. Antennomeres with crown-like macrosetae at least twice as long as antennomeres. Pronotum longer than wide, PW/PL ratio = 0.9; surface of pronotum with a median impunctate area as wide as 2–3 punctures; with 4–5 rows of punctures in addition to rows flanking impunctate centre; with stark polygon-shaped microsculpture. Elytra shorter than pronotum, EL/PL ratio = 0.8. Elytra with large, deep contiguous punctures and dense polygon-shaped microsculpture. Abdominal terga 3–5 with archlike carina. Male secondary sexual structures with shallow emargination on sternum 7; with shadow, small U-shaped emargination on sternum 8; borders of emargination on sternum 7 and 8 appearing ‘shaved’ (with no setae), but less so than in I. apteros gen. et sp. nov. Aedeagus as in Fig. 5; in dorsal view paramere slightly longer than median lobe; paramere broad, converging to broad, rounded tip; in lateral view paramere narrower apically. Median lobe in dorsal view becoming narrow to small apex; in lateral view median lobe concave, becoming narrower near curved apex, without subapical tooth.

Known only from the type locality in Sierra Nevada National Park in Venezuela (Fig. 6).

The holotype is currently in the collection of SEMC but due to the collecting permit requirements (R. Anderson pers. com.), it will be transferred to the MIZA collection in the near future.