Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain, 2006

Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain, 2006: 406.

Type material (8 specimens). Holotype, male: “Naranjo, VI.43. COSTA RICA / Typus / Field Mus. Nat. Hist. 1966 A. Bierig Colln. Acc. Z–13812 / Sterculia flagellum Big. / flagellum / Holotype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 200.” (FMNH). Paratypes: “ Costa Rica: Puntarenas Prov. Altamira Biol. Sta., 510–1600 m. 09°01.76’N, 83°00.49’W, 5.VI.2004. J. S. Ashe, Z. Falin, I. Hinojosa, Ex: tree fall litter CR1AFH04 111 / Paratype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 2006 ” (SEMC, ɗ, Ψ; CC-UAEH, Ψ); idem, except: “ 7.VI.2004, CR1AFH04 145 / Paratype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 2006 ” (SEMC, ɗ); “ Costa Rica: Puntarenas Prov. Las Cruces Biol. Sta., 1330 m. 08°47.14’N, 82° 57.58’W 28.V.2004, J. S. Ashe, Z. Falin, I. Hinijosa, Ex: tree fall litter CR1AFH04019 / Paratype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 2006 ” (SEMC, ɗ); “ ECUADOR / R.I.Sc.N.B. 17.679 Coll. et. det. A. Fauvel / Paratype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 2006 ” (IRSNB, Ψ); “ VENEZUELA: Aragua Rancho Grande Biol. Stn. 10°21’0”N, 67°41’0”W, 1200–1300 m. 13 May 1998; J. Ashe, R. Brooks, R. Hanley. VEN1ABH98 0 16 ex: tree fall litter / Paratype Plochionocerus marquezi Asiain 2006 ” (SEMC, ɗ).

Diagnosis. Total length 13.5–16.6 mm; metallic blue or green with violet elytra; head elongate, tapering posteriad, 1.44–1.51 times as long as wide, moderately wider than pronotum (1.02–1.13 times), dorsal surface convex, ventral surface flat (Fig. 14), with very dense, expanded, umbilicate punctures (> 30 in each half of head), arranged in “v” (similar to Fig. 53); apical antennomere in males conspicuously oblong (length/width: 1.68–1.85), but shorter than antennomeres 9+10 combined (0.89–0.92 times; Fig. 27); anterior margin of labrum with pair of central, pointed, big teeth (Fig. 34); mandibles with basal external channel (Fig. 63); apical labial palpomere elongate, slightly truncated at apex (Fig. 45); pronotum 1.57–1.73 times as long as wide, shorter than elytra (0.79–0.84 times their length), with two slightly visible depressed areas in posterior third; pronotal hypomeron with fine and scarce setae in anterior third (at level of procoxae); prosternum slightly oblong (length/width: 1.00–1.11), with fine and dispersed setae in anterior region; aedeagus elongate, length 1.40–1.68 mm, with parameres long (0.58–0.59 times as long as median lobe), apical area of median lobe 0.41 times as long as the total length of median lobe, and internal sac not visible (Fig. 85).

Variation. In addition to the length and color, the posterior half of the lateral margins of the pronotum can be straight or slightly curved and the sixth visible abdominal sternite of males has more setae than the female.

Comparative notes. This species was recently described by Asiain (2006). It is similar to P. gracilis; the main differences are discussed in the Comparative notes of that species.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Ecuador (Asiain 2006).