Manodactylus Moser 1919

(Figure 125-129)

Manodactylus Moser, 1919: 43. Type species Manodactylus gaujoni Moser, 1919, by monotypy.

Taxonomic Notes

The following generic diagnosis is based on a single dissected syntype of the type species, M. gaujoni (ZMHB).

Generic diagnosis

This monotypic genus closely resembles Macrodactylus, but is characterized by its black, glabrous color and the cordate pronotum, widest medially.

Generic redescription

Measurements: Prothorax at widest point 3.0 mm, elytra at widest point 3.6 mm, length 8.7 mm.

Color and vestiture: Body black, glabrous, lacking vestiture.

Head: Clypeus coplanar with frons; angled at 30 o; labrum in frontal view narrowly ovate, weakly emarginate; labrum coplanar with clypeus; labium with prementum elongate, ventral surface with a deep medial groove (Fig. 127); mandibles in dorsal view triangular, scissorial area rounded, membranous, molar area weakly produced adorally, well sclerotized; maxillary palpi missing; antennae with 9 antennomeres, antennomeres 7-9 forming the elongate club, club length equal to antennomeres 3-6 combined.

Prothorax: Pronotum cordiform, widest medially, anterior angle obtuse, lateral margin strongly convex, posterior angle obtuse, posterior margin weakly convex (Fig. 128); prothoracic leg with coxa elongate; tibia weakly dentate; pretarsus with claws not divergent, equal in length, both claws narrowly split, upper lobe narrow, longer than lower lobe, lower lobe broad on individual claw; pretarsus similar to prothoracic pretarsus.

Mesothorax: Scutellum subtriangular; elytra longer than wide, width uniform, in lateral profile epipleuron narrow, rounded, dorsal surface with five weak striae, anterior umbone moderately produced, posterior umbone absent.

Metathorax: Metathoracic leg with coxae narrowly separated; femur narrowly ovate, narrow proximally, width uniform; tibia clavate, narrow proximally, widest in distal 1/4, posteroventral margin lined with short and long setae, lacking spurs, posterior margin lacking a U-shaped groove; pretarsus with claws similar to claws of prothoracic and mesothoracic claws.

Abdomen: Ventrites 2-4 equal in length, margins deflexed dorsally, 4 th ventrite equal to 1/4 length of 5 th ventrite, 5 th ventrite (= propygidium) 4X length of 4 th ventrite length, posterior 1/3 membrane-like, distinctly margined giving the appearance of a separate ventrite, membrane-like region deflexed ventrally, ventrite and sternite of 5 th abdominal segment separated with a partial suture, spiracle placed medially at anterior of suture, 6 th ventrite triangular, length equal to 5 th ventrite length, posterior 1/2 membranous; propygidium broadly subtriangular, slightly wider than long, posterior margin rounded (Fig. 129).

Diversity and Geographic Distribution

Manodactylus is monotypic, with M. gaujoni known only from Ecuador.