Aerenea sulcicollis

Figures 21–29

Aerenea sulcicollis Melzer, 1932: 219; Zikán & Zikán, 1944: 28 (distr.); Blackwelder, 1946: 602 (checklist); Zikán & Wygodzinsky, 1948: 46 (type); Baucke, 1957: 15; Buck, 1959: 599 (distr.); Breuning, 1961: 291 (cat.); 1980: 23.

Aerenea sulcicollis sulcicollis; Monné, 1980: 242; Monné, 2005b: 361 (cat.); Galileo & Martins, 2006: 250; Monné et al., 2010: 247 (distr.); Ferreira & Rocha, 2015: 369 (distr.); Nascimento et al., 2017: 358 (distr.); Monné et al., 2017: 63 (holotype); Monné & Monné, 2017: 239 (distr.); Monné, 2022b: 545 (cat.).

Aerenea subsulcicollis Breuning, 1948: 29; 1961: 291 (cat.); 1980: 23. Syn. nov.

Aerenea sulcicollis subsulcicollis; Monné, 1980: 244; 1994: 24 (cat.); Monné & Giesbert, 1994: 212 (checklist); Monné, 2005b: 361 (cat.); Monné & Hovore, 2006: 238 (checklist); Morvan & Roguet, 2013: 24 (distr.); Morvan & Roguet, 2013: 21 (distr.); Martins et al., 2014: 379 (distr.); Monné, 2022b: 545 (cat.).

Remarks. According to Breuning (1948) on A. subsulcicollis (translated): “Close to sulcicollis Melzer, from which it differs, apart from a smaller size, by the lateral spine of the pronotum noticeably shorter and by the elytra densely granulated on basal quarter and with small granules on entire surface.” Later, Breuning (1980) reported on A. subsulcicollis (translated): “Like sulcicollis Melz., but the lateral spine of the pronotum shorter, the elytra rather finely granulated at the basilar quarter and with small granules throughout.”

According to Monné (1980), who considered A. subsulcicollis as a subspecies of A. sulcicollis (translated): “It differs from the typical species: lateral tubercles of the prothorax stouter; median sulcus on the pronotum divergent backward; dark brown band on sides of the pronotum wider; and presence of transverse ocherous-brown band on the basal fifth of the elytra (not constant in all specimens), contrasting with the remaining surface;” and, “The size of the smallest specimens of A. sulcicollis agree with the measurements pointed out by Breuning [for A. subsulcicollis]; the lateral tubercles of the prothorax are stouter and not smaller, and the elytral granules are similar in both subspecies. Probably, Breuning compared subsulcicollis with a species other than the true sulcicollis.”

We agree with Monné (1980) that, apparently, the specimen or specimens identified by Breuning as A. sulcicollis belong to another species. However, we cannot see any difference regarding the shape of the lateral tubercles of the prothorax, or the basal pubescence of the elytra. In general, the specimens with smaller lateral tubercles of the prothorax, or rarely more acute apically, have the prothorax more elongate. However, this character is variable because one of the paratypes of A. sulcicollis, a female from the Brazilian state of S„o Paulo, which has the pronotal pubescence bands parallel-sided and the sulcus moderately well-marked, has the prothorax wider and the prothorax is as in the specimens of A. sulcicollis subsulcicollis sensu Monné. But, most importantly, the difference in the shape of the pronotal sulcus does not exist between the holotypes of the two species (see Bezark 2022; Figs. 21, 29). Accordingly, A. subsulcicollis is a junior synonym of A. sulcicollis, and not a different subspecies. Therefore, even if the concept of A. subsulcicollis sensu Monné (1980) was applied, in other words, a species with two subspecies, the second subspecies would need to be described with another name. However, no difference pointed out by Breuning (1948, 1980) and Monné (1980) allows separating the species into two subspecies. The size of the lateral tubercles of the prothorax is variable; the contrasting pubescence on the basal region of the elytra is always present, although sometimes not very distinct; and, most important, the pubescent band on the sides of the central sulcus is highly variable (Figs. 23–28): they may be entirely parallel-sided, parallel-sided and fused apically, fused basally and apically, and parallel-sided centrally, fused basally and divergent toward apex, or fused basally, divergent toward apex where they are subfused. Furthermore, the central sulcus may be present, well-marked, barely marked, or absent (in this case, often the region is tumid). Thus, we think that there is only a species with variable features, which, apparently, are not related to the geographical distribution.

Material examined (all from MZSP, except as indicated). BOLIVIA (new country record), Santa Cruz: Reserva Natural Potrerillo del Guendá, Snake farm, 17º40.26′S, 63º27.43′W, 400 m, 1 female, 6-9.X.2006, Wappes, Nearns & Eya leg. (FSCA). BRAZIL, Bahia: Vitória da Conquista, 1 female, 15.XI.1971, no collector indicated; Aracatu, Fazenda Lagoa do Tamburi, área de Caatinga arbórea, 14º30.295′S, 41º27.982′W, 1 male, 8-9.VI.2013, A.S. Ferreira leg. Mato Grosso do Sul: Três Lagoas, Fazenda Beija Flor, 6 males, 3 females, 15-30.V.1964, Exp. Depto. Zool. leg.; Fazenda Retiro de Telhas, 3 males, 1 female, 15-30.V.1964, Exp. Depto. Zool. leg.; Fazenda Dr. José Mendes, 1 female, 15.VI.1964, Exp. Depto. Zool. leg. Minas Gerais: Passa Quatro, Fazenda dos Campos, paratype male, 14.VI.1916, J.F. Zikán leg.; holotype male, 23.II.1916, J.F. Zikán leg.; Mar de Espanha, 1 female, 20.III.1969, Halik leg.; Serra do Caraça, 2 males, 24.II-3.III.1972, Expediç „o MZUSP leg.; Vila Monte Verde, 1 female, 20.III.1969, Halik leg.; 1 male, 18.IV.1970, Halik leg.; 1 male, 26.XII.1970, Halik leg. Rio de Janeiro: Parque Nacional Serra dos Órg„os, Teresópolis, 1700 m, 1 male, 18-22.IV.1947, Wigod. leg. São Paulo: Presidente Epítácio, paratype female, X.1926, Ohaus leg.; Barueri, 1 male, 24.VI.1961, K. Lenko leg.; 1 male, 23.VI.1966, K. Lenko leg.; Itú, Fazenda Pau d′Alho, 1 male, 1 female, 9.IX.1961, U. Martins leg.; 1 male, 8.X.1960, U. Martins leg. Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia, 27º11′S, 52º23′W, 300-500 m, 1 male, 1.V.1976, F. Plaumann leg.

Note: Monné (1980) recorded Mato Grosso as a Brazilian state where A. sulcicollis subsulcicollis occurs (Três Lagoas). This information was true at that time. However, Mato Grosso was divided into two states: Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Currently, Três Lagoas is located in Mato Grosso do Sul. As no other formal record has been reported for Mato Grosso, the species is formally excluded from this state.