Aphanocephalus pallidipennis Lea 1921
Creators: name: Szawaryn, Karol
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Discolomatidae
Aphanocephalus
Aphanocephalus pallidipennis

description: Aphanocephalus pallidipennis Lea, 1921a
(Figs 8G–L, 13A–C, 15D)
Aphanocephalus pallidipennis Lea, 1921a: 369.
Aphanocephalus poropterus Lea, 1922: 306. New synonym.
Material examined. Type material.
Lectotype and paralectotype (here designated). QUEENSLAND: " pallidipennis Lea, TYPE Cairns / 19905 Aphanocephalus pallidipennis Lea Queensland [black ink, handwritten] TYPE [red ink, handwritten]/ SAMA Database No. 25-036291 ". There are two specimens mounted on the same card, the left one with “TY” handwritten beneath it, is here designated as the lectotype, the right one is a paralectotype.
Type of A. poropterus. Holotype, QUEENSLAND: " poropterus Lea, TYPE Cairns / I.11797, Aphanocephalus poropterus Lea, Queensland [black ink, handwritten] TYPE [red ink handwritten]/ SAMA Database No. 25-036293" (SAMA).
Other material. QUEENSLAND: Mt. Father Clancy, 9km S. Millaa Millaa, N. Qld. 6 Dec 1988, 1000m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (25, QMB); Sluice Ck, 9km WSW Millaa Millaa, N. Qld. 5 Dec 1988, 1150m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (3, QMB; 4, MIZ); Lamb Range, 19km SE Mareeba, N. Qld. 11 Dec 1988, 1200m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (12, QMB), same data but 3 Dec 1988 (6, QMB); Lamb Head, 10km W Edmonton, N. Qld. 10 Dec 1989, 1200m, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (1, QMB); NE QLD. Emerald Ck Lamb Range, 11 Oct 1982, 950m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (1, QMB); NEQ: 17 02'S 145 40'E Lambs Head (East End) 29 Nov 1993, 1180m, Monteith & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / trees & logs (1, QMB); Curtain Fig, 2km SW Yungaburra, N.Qld. 8 Dec 1988, 700m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (6, QMB); Curtain Fig Tower, Yungaburra, N.Qld. 25 Dec 1989, 750m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, logs (4, QMB); NE QLD. Devils Thumb area 10km NW Mossman 10 Oct 1982, 1000-1180m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (2, QMB), same data but 9-10 Oct (5, QMB); Kirrama Range, N.E.QLD. Douglas Ck Rd., 850m, 10-12 Dec 1986, Monteith, Thompson & Hamlet, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (6, QMB); same data but Mt. Hosie summit, 930m, 11 Dec 1986 (5, QMB); NEQ, Kirrama Range via Kennedy, 500m, 2 Oct 1980, G.B. Monteith, Pyrethrum, Rainforest (2, QMB); Chujeba Peak Summit, 7km SW. Redlynch, N.Q., 14 Dec 1989, 750m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (6, QMB), same data but 15 Dec (10, QMB); NEQ: 17 17'S 145 58'E Graham Range, 550m, 8-9 Dec 1995, 1180m, Monteith, Thompson & Cook, Pyrethrum logs (5, QMB); Malanda Falls, N.Qld. 9 Dec 1989, 750m, Monteith, Thompson, Janetzki, Pyrethrum, logs & trees (16, QMB); Malanda Falls, N.Qld. 31 Dec 1989, 750m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, logs & trees (2, QMB); Wongabel SF, 5km S. Atherton, N.Qld. 5 Dec 1988, 800m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (8, QMB); NEQ: 17 36'S 145 42'E Maalan Rd. 2km S of Palmerston Hwy, 750m, 18 May 1995, 1180m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum dead tree (7, QMB); Boonjie, 13 km ESE of Malanda, N.Qld. 8 Dec 1988, 700m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (8, QMB); Crater Nat. Park 950m, Atherton Tbld, NK QLD, 28 Dec 1990, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum logs (2, QMB); NE.Q. 16 22'S 145 13E 7km N. Mt. Spurgeon (Camp 2), 17-19 Oct 1991, 1250m, Monteith & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / trees & logs (13, QMB); 2km Se Mt Spurgeon via Mt. Carbine, N. Qld. 20 Dec 1988, 1100m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (6, QMB); NEQ, Lake Eacham, 750m, 9 Dec 1989 - 14 Jan 1990, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pitfall 7 intercept (2, QMB); NEQ: 17 41'S 145 32'E Vine Ck Rd., 1100m, 24 Nov 1994, 1180m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum trees & logs (6, QMB); NEQ: 17 42'S 145 31'E Charmillin Ck, 940m, 1 Dec 1997, 1180m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum trees & logs (5, QMB); NE QLD, Douglas Ck, Lamb Range, 12 Oct 1982, 900m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (2, QMB); NE QLD, Mt Edith 12 Oct 1982, 1000-1100m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (1, QMB); Downey Creek, 25km, SE Millaa Millaa, N.Qld., 7 Dec 1988, 400m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (2, QMB; 4, MIZ); NEQ: 17 03'S 145 41'E Upper Isley Ck., 750m, 29 Nov 1993, 1180m, Monteith & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (1, QMB), same data by 30 Nov (1, QMB); AUST: QLD: NE, Isley Hills, 1 Dec 1993, G. Monteith & H. Janetzki / QM berlesate 866 17 03'S 145 42'E, Rainforest, 1050m, sieved litter & moss (3, QMB); Mt Finnigan Summit via Helenvile, N. Qld 3-5 Dec 1990, 1050m, Monteith, Sheridan, Roberts & Thompson, Pyrethrum (1, QMB); NE QLD 3.5 km W of Cape Tribulation (Site 7) 2 Oct 1982, 6180m, Monteith, Yeates & Thompson, Pyrethrum knockdown, RF (2, QMB); NEQ: 16°03'S 145°25'E Mt Halcyon 870m, 23 Nov 1993, Monteith & Janetzki Pyrethrum / trees & logs (5, QMB); Upper Boulder Creek, 11km N Tully, N. Qld., 5 Dec 1989, 1000m, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / logs & trees (4, QMB); Mt Formartine South 10km W. Kuranda, N. Qld., 23 Nov 1990, 700m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum / trees & logs (4, QMB); Tully R. Xing. 10km S. Koombooloomba Dam. N.Q., 8 Dec 1989, 750m, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pyrethrum logs & trees (4, MIZ), same data but 4-5 Jan 1990 (7, QMB), same data but 4 Jan 1990 (4, QMB); Carbine Tableland, N.Qld., Pauls Luck, 28 Nov 1990, 1100m, Monteith & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / trees & logs (3, QMB), same data but 29 Nov (2, QMB); Charmillin Ck Xing, 10km S. Ravenshoe N.Qld., 8 Dec 1990, 950m, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pyrethrum logs & trees (8, QMB); Gadgarra Rd., 700m, 5km E. Lake Eacham, N.Q., 9 Dec 1990, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pyrethrum logs & trees (10, QMB); Gadgarra State Rd., 10km E. Lake Eacham, N.Q., 9-31 Dec 1989, 700m, Monteith, Thompson & Janetzki, Pitfal & flight intercept (1, QMB); Davies Ck. Road, 750m, 20km SE Mareeba N.Q., 17 Dec 1989, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum logs & trees (5, QMB); Malanda Falls N. Qld., 31 Dec 1989, 750m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, site 6 (4, QMB); Mossman Bluff Road, 10km W Mossman, N.Q. 18 Dec 1988, 1300m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum, trees & logs (1, QMB), same data but 17 Dec, 1200 m (2, QMB), same data but 1-16 Jan 1989, site3, pitfall (1, QMB); Mt Bartle Frere, N. Qld., West Slope, 1300m, 27 Dec 1989, Monteith, Pyrethrum, tree bases (1, QMB); Hugh Nelson Ra, 2.5km S. of Crater N.P., N. Qld., 5 Dec 1988, 1100m, Monteith & Thompson, Pyrethrum logs & trees (2, QMB); NEQ: 17°31'S 145°33'E Mt Hugh Nelson, 1140m, SE shoulder, 7 Feb 1999, G.B. Monteith, rainforest, Pyrethrum / trees, 2170 (7, QMB); NEQ 17°32'S 145°33'E Mt Fisher (Kjellber Rd), 17 May 1995, 1100m, G.B. Monteith, Pyrethrum, logs & trees (5, QMB), same data but 18 May 1995 (7, QMB); NEQ: 17°33'S 145°33'E Mt Fisher, 1/ 2km NW, 8 Feb 1999, G.B. Monteith, 1280m, Pyrethrum / trees & logs, rainforest, 2174 (11, QMB); Mt Fisher, 1050-1100m, 7km SW Millaa Millaa, N.Q. 27-29Apr 1982, Monteith, Yeates & Cook, Pyrethrum knockdown (10, QMB), same data but 5 May 1983 (8, QMB); Mt Lewis Rd. end, 10km N. Mt Lewis, 25 Nov 1990, 1100m, Monteith, Sheridan & Thompson, Pyrethrum, logs (3, QMB), same data but 18 Dec 1989 (6, QMB); NEQ: 16°31'S 145°16'E Mt Lewis Rd 29km from Hwy, 1210m, 1670, 29 Nov 1997, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum on trees (5, QMB); NEQ: 17°26'S 145°42'E Hughes Rd, Topaz, 650m, 4 Dec 1993, Monteith & Janetzki, Pyrethrum / trees & logs (9, QMB); NEQ: 17°54'S 145°41'E Mt Kooroomool, summit, 7km S, 4 Dec 1998, 1050m, G.B. Monteith, Pyrethrum, trees & logs, 2011 (4, QMB); NEQ: 18°39'S 145°52'E Wallman Falls Road Junction, 650m, 5 Feb 1996, 1050m, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum, trees (5, QMB); N. Qld. 16.58S 145.44E, Whitfield Range, 500m, 26 Aug 1991, G. Monteith & H. Janetzki, Pyrethrum knockdown (3, QMB); Shiptons Flat, N. Qld., 5 Dec 1990, 240m, Monteith, Thompson, Cook, Sheridan & Roberts (4, QMB); Bellenden Ker Range, N.Q. 1km S. of Cable Tower 3, 1054m, 17 Oct - Nov 5 1981 500m EARTHWATCH/QLD. MUSEUM Pyrethrum knockdown (1, QMB), same data but Cable Tower 6, Oct 17-Nov 5 1981, 500m (13, ANIC); NEQ: 17°16'S 145°51'E Bellenden Ker, 1994 crash sites, 1 Dec 1998, G. Monteith, Pyrethrum / trees, 1992 (4, QMB); NE QLD: Emmagen Creek, 16.02.18 S 145.27.24 E, Alt 10m, 17.03.98 brushing, coll. Simon Grove (15, ANIC); 15km W Tully Qld. 18-II-91, G. Dickinson, pitfall (2, ANIC); Mt. Finnigan S1, QLD, 30km S of Cooktown, 400m, 1 July 1982, S. & J. Peck SBP56/ litter and fungi, rainforest (1, ANIC); 17.03S 144.37E 2km N by E Mt. TipTree QLD 800m, 1 Apr. 1984, A. Calder & T. Weir (1, ANIC); QLD 29km SE of Mareeba, c 1100m, 14/ 15 Dec 1982, J.T. Boyen coll. (1, ANIC); Tully Falls SF QLD, 4 Oct 1978, A. Walford-Huggins (1, ANIC); Lake Eacham NP N.QLD, 760m, 23 July 1982, S. & J. Peck SBP85/ rainforest, log and fungi litter (1, ANIC).
Type locality. Queensland, Cairns.
Distribution. Northern Queensland.
Diagnosis. With its color pattern with paler o-, s- and o-shaped maculae on brown to dark brown elytra, A. pallidipennis is a very distinctive species among Australian species of Aphanocephalus, but also all other congeners. Teneral forms with paler elytral background but frequently with maculae visible. Entirely pale variants can be distinguished after male genitalia examination.
Redescription. Length: 1.49–2.00 mm, width: 1.07–1.62 mm. Body elongate oval about 1.2–1.4 times as long as wide (Figs 1C, 8G, I–L), moderately convex in lateral view (Fig. 8H). Body outline appear polygonal as elytral pores slightly protrude from the body outline (Fig. 8I). Pronotum and elytra covered with long, sparse setae, much denser on pronotum, on elytra, frequently forming a wavy pattern. Most typical form (Figs 5F, 8G, L) has head brown, disc of pronotum dark brown with sides paler brown or yellow, elytra brown to dark brown with yellow markings, two o-shaped circles (single on humeral and single on hind area) and a s-shaped macula in discal area of elytron; ventral side brown, hypomera and epipleura rufous, antenna, mouthparts and legs yellow. That basic pattern may vary in size of paler area on the pronotum, and shape of elytral maculae, for example s-shaped macula can be reduced or fused with humeral macula, hind o-shaped macula can be entirely yellow without central brown spot. Moreover, teneral specimens are entirely pale yellow without or with just a shaded macula.
Pronotum covered with punctae of single size (Fig. 1F)). Lateral margins of pronotum bordered, anterior margin without bordering line. Elytra covered with punctae in two sizes (Fig. 1L), uniformly intermixed. Pronotum and elytra broadly explanate laterally, margins well visible throughout. Lateral sides of elytra sub-parallel, with irregular row of larger punctures slightly depressed along lateral margin of elytra, without pseudopores, pores slightly protruding from the elytral outline, especially in the posterior part, giving somehow polygonal shape. Epipleuron with shallow sub-marginal furrow.
Mentum without lateral carinae. Labial palps separated by narrow carina. Prosternum with notosternal carinae absent (Fig. 2E); prosternal process with lateral carinae absent. Metaventrite slightly longer than ventrite 1. Ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined. Ventrite 1 entirely covered with large punctae; ventrites 2–5 covered with punctae of two sizes, coarser at base forming a single or double row, and smaller on the rest of surface.
Male genitalia. Tegmen in inner view with sides sub-parallel at base then broadly rounded, in apical half tapering toward broadly rounded apex (Fig. 13C); in lateral view broad at base, pointed at apex, outer margin rounded, inner margin sinusoidal in middle, narrowing toward apex (Fig. 13B). Penis long, broadening toward apex, outer margin broadly rounded, inner margin slightly rounded (Fig. 13A); gonopore longer than its width, apex of gonopore extending beyond apex of penis, apically truncate, outer margin broadly rounded (Fig. 13A).
Female genitalia. Coxites narrow, elongate. Sperm duct diverging apically from bursa copulatrix, spermatheca with vermiform basal part and bulbous apical part (Fig. 15D), apical part with slightly larger diameter than basal part.
Remarks. Lea (1921a) described A. pallidipennis from Queensland based on specimens from two localities, Cairns and Little Mulgrave River, however, he did not designate a holotype. Two specimens mounted on the same card from Cairns with the label "TYPE" are deposited in the SAMA collection. The left one with the handwritten "TY" beneath it, is here designated as the lectotype to fix the taxonomic status of this species.
In the original description of A. pallidipennis Lea (1921a), it was written: “The size and shape are much as those of A. poropterus, but the elytra are reddish and with much less conspicuous punctures; the curious undulations of the clothing, to certain extent, suggest the basal markings of that species”. This suggests that even for Lea, the external appearance of both species seemed to be very similar. After examining the type material of both species, I believe that the holotype of A. poropterus Lea, 1922 is a dark, fully matured form, and A. pallidipennis Lea, 1921a is a teneral/pale form of the same species. The same general body shape, with angulate lateral margins of the elytra, subparallel elytral margins, and the same shape of male and female genitalia, support this synonymy. In my analysis of rich materials from various localities, I frequently found both forms (dark and pale) collected from the exact same localities (although the pale form was rarer), which further convinces me that both belong to the same species.
That was the most frequently collected species among Australian species of Aphanocephalus. It is worth mentioning that the rich material I have examined for this species (although collected from a relatively small area around Cairns) shows considerable variability in size and color pattern among the specimens examined. This includes variation in the intensity of the background elytral coloration, the contrasting maculation on the elytra, body shape (more rounded or more parallel-sided), the size of punctae on the metaventrite and abdominal ventrites, and slight differences in the shape and proportions of the male genitalia (e.g., the degree of roundness of the apex of the penis guide and slight differences in the shape of the basal part of the penis). These variations may suggest that this could be a complex of cryptic species. However, it is impossible to separate them based solely on morphological characters, as even between species within this species group, the male genitalia are almost identical in shape. Further molecular studies would be necessary to address this question.
description: Published as part of Szawaryn, Karol, 2025, Revision of the Australian species of Aphanocephalus Wollaston (Coleoptera: Discolomatidae), pp. 401-440 in Zootaxa 5632 (3) on pages 426-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/15372416