Blepharidina Iannella & Biondi 2019, s. str.
Creators: name: Iannella, Paola D'Alessandro Mattia
name: Biondi, Maurizio
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2019
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Chrysomelidae
Blepharidina

description: Key to Blepharidina s. str. species
1. Anterior margin of pronotum at least three times wider medially than laterally (Fig. 20). Elytral margin homogenous in thickness, at most weakly enlarged in central third (Fig. 35)........................................................ 2
- Anterior margin of pronotum medially never more twice wider than laterally (Figs 21–25). Elytral margin not homogenous in thickness, thinner in basal fifth of elytra (Figs 34, 36), or very thin from base to basal fifth, and distinctly enlarged between basal fifth and half-length of elytra (Fig. 37)................................................................ 7
2. Elytral punctation almost confused (Fig. 19). Dorsal integument reddish-brown, with large, roundish yellow patches (Fig. 19).................................................................................................... 3
- Elytral punctation arranged in regular rows (Figs 2, 4, 6, 16). Dorsal integument different in color (Figs 2, 4, 6, 16)....... 4
3. Nine large yellow patches on each elytron, as well as a small one on the shoulder (Fig. 19). Elytra deeply and coarsely punctate. Pronotum with large yellow patches and elongate longitudinal furrows. Spermatheca as in Fig. 67. Male unknown........................................................................... Blepharidina rudeli (Weise) (Fig. 19)
- Eight large yellow patches on each elytron, as well as a small one on the shoulder. Elytra finely punctate. Pronotum sparsely stained with shorter longitudinal furrows. Diagnostic characters based on the original description (Weise 1912).................................................................................. Blepharidina sedecimguttata (Weise)
4. Elytra with fine black striae on mostly yellowish surface; interstriae distinctly carinate (Figs 4, 35). Aedeagus, in ventral view, evenly rounded laterally from basal part to apex (Fig. 41). Spermatheca with distinctly elongate, hook-shaped distal part and moderately globose basal part (Fig. 56).............................................. B. carinata (Bryant) (Fig. 4)
- Elytra with yellow patches on black or reddish-brown surface (Figs 2, 6, 16); interstriae flat or very weakly carinate. Aedeagus, in ventral view, not evenly rounded laterally for the whole length (Figs 39, 42, 52). Basal part of spermatheca more globose and/or distal part shorter (Figs 58, 63–64).............................................................. 5
5. Third and ninth elytral interstriae entirely yellow (Fig. 16); outermost interstria more distinctly carinate than others. Distal six or seven antennomeres blackened (Fig. 16). Aedeagus, in ventral view, weakly but regularly rounded laterally, with subtriangular apical part (Fig. 52). Spermatheca in Figs 63–64.................................. B. partita (Jacoby) (Fig. 16)
- Third and ninth elytral interstriae with yellow patches (Figs 2, 6); outermost interstria about as carinate as others. Distal six or seven antennomeres not blackened (Figs 2, 6). Aedeagus, in ventral view, subrectangular in apical part (Fig. 39) or distinctly narrower in apical fifth (Fig. 42).......................................................................... 6
6. Smaller size: LE+LP = 6.2 mm (in the only known specimen, male holotype). Upper interocular space wider than twice transversal width of eye. Aedeagus, in ventral view, with subrectangular apical part (Fig. 39). Female unknown.......................................................................................... B. bimbiensis (Bechyné) (Fig. 2)
- Larger size: LE+LP ± 7.8 mm. Upper interocular space narrower than twice transversal width of eye. Aedeagus, in ventral view, with subtriangular apex (Fig. 42). Spermatheca in Fig. 58............................ B. guttulata (Baly) (Fig. 6)
7. Anterior angles of pronotum distinctly bevelled (Fig. 32). Elytral margin very thin from base to basal fifth, and distinctly enlarged between basal fifth and half-length of elytra (Fig. 37). Aedeagus with closed and shortly divided basally ventral sulcus, slightly longer than half length of aedeagus (Figs 44, 48, 53)................................................ 8
- Anterior angles of pronotum anteriorly or laterally prominent, more or less pointed (Figs 26–31, 33). Elytral margin thinner in basal fifth of elytra (Fig. 34, 36). Aedeagus with ventral sulcus, if present, basally reaching basal part (Figs 38, 40, 43, 45–47, 49–51, 54).......................................................................................... 10
8. Elytra with brown or black striae on mostly yellow surface, generally with very sparse irregular brown patches (Fig. 8). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more slender, clearly narrower in apical third (Fig. 44). Spermatheca in Fig. 59................................................................................................ B. intermedia (Jacoby) (Fig. 8)
- Elytra with large and generally roundish yellow patches on dark brown surface (Figs 12, 17). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more thickset, not or very weakly narrower in apical third (Figs 48, 53)............................................... 9
9. Smaller size: LE+LP = 6.6 mm (in the only known specimen, male holotype). Elytral interstriae slightly but distinctly carinate (Fig. 12). Elytra with less regularly rounded yellow patches; punctures brownish (Fig. 12). Clypeus and labrum reddish. Aedeagus, in lateral view, straight, with shorter and straight basal part (Fig. 48)............... .. B. laesa (Kolbe) (Fig. 12)
- Larger size: LE+LP ± 8.3 mm. Elytral interstriae flat (Figs 17, 37). Elytra with more regularly rounded yellow patches; punctures colored as adjacent area (Figs 17, 37). Clypeus and labrum yellow. Aedeagus, in lateral view, slightly sinuate, with longer basal part ventrally oriented (Fig. 53). Spermatheca with piriform and very sclerotized basal part; ductus thick, with proximal part ventrally oriented (Fig. 65)...................................................... B. picta (Kolbe) (Fig. 17)
10. Anterior margin of pronotum medially distinctly thicker than laterally; anterior angles of pronotum clearly pointed (Figs 23, 25, 31). Aedeagus with densely longitudinally carinate dorsal surface (Figs 49, 51). Spermathecal ductus thin, with short distal part (Figs 60, 62).....................................................................................11
- Anterior margin of pronotum laterally about as thick as medially; anterior angles of pronotum more rounded (Figs 21, 22, 24). Aedeagus with not carinate dorsal surface, at most with some sparse carinae on dorsal ligula (Figs 38, 40, 43, 45–47, 50, 54). Spermathecal ductus thicker and/or with longer distal part (Figs 55, 57, 61, 66).................................... 12
11. Anterior margin of pronotum medially about twice wider than laterally (Fig. 25). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more thickset; in lateral view, apical third strongly bent dorsally (Fig. 51). Spermatheca (Fig. 62) with piriform, elongate basal part.................................................................................... B. ornaticollis (Jacoby) (Fig. 15) - Anterior margin of pronotum medially less than twice wider than laterally (Fig. 23). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more slender; in lateral view, apical fourth distinctly bent dorsally (Fig. 49). Spermatheca (Fig. 60) with thick, subcylindrical basal part.............................................................................. B. macarthuri (Bryant) (Fig. 13)
12. Elytra with narrow, rounded or elongate yellow patches on interstriae; elytral surface mostly blackish (Figs 7, 14). Aedeagus, in ventral view, slender, narrower in apical fourth, with laterally distinctly rounded apical part (Figs 43, 50)............. 13
- Elytra differently colored (Figs 1, 3, 5, 9–11, 18). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more thickset (Figs 38, 40, 45, 54), or not distinctly rounded in apical part (Figs 46–47)................................................................. 14
13. Pronotum with three lateral groups of punctures and a longitudinal short area of punctures medially (Fig. 24). Aedeagus, in ventral view, fusiform from base to subapical part; in lateral view, apical third clearly curved dorsally (Fig. 50). Spermatheca in Fig. 61................................................................ B. matabelelandensis sp. nov. (Fig. 14)
- Pronotum with two lateral groups of punctures and a longitudinal elongate area of punctures medially (Fig. 21). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more slender, tapered from base to subapical part; in lateral view, apical third slightly curved dorsally (Fig. 4 3). Female unknown.................................................................. B. himba sp. nov. (Fig. 7)
14. Larger size: LE+LP ± 6.9 mm. Elytral points smaller and/or sparser (Fig. 34). Interocular space wide at least twice transversal width of each eye.................................................................................... 15
- Smaller size: LE+LP <6.9 mm. Elytral points generally larger and/or closer each other (Fig. 36). Interocular space narrower than twice transversal width of each eye................................................................... 16
15. Lateral margin of pronotum almost straight, entirely visible in dorsal view. Pronotal surface with a complete medial, longitudinal stria of punctures touching both posterior and anterior margins (Fig. 5). Elytral surface with slightly larger points and more carinate lateral interstriae. Spermatheca with thinner and more elongate ductus, and very short distal part (Fig. 57). Male unknown..................................................................... B. delineata (Bryant) (Fig. 5)
- Lateral margin of pronotum weakly but distinctly sinuate (Fig. 27), not visible anteriorly in dorsal view. Pronotal surface with an incomplete medial, longitudinal stria of punctures touching both posterior and anterior margins (Fig. 27). Elytral surface with smaller points and almost flat lateral interstriae (Fig. 3). Spermatheca with slightly thicker and shorter ductus, and more elongate distal part (Fig. 55). Aedeagus in Fig. 40......................................... B. burtli (Bryant) (Fig. 3)
16. Margin of pronotum strongly sinuate in lateral view (Figs 26, 28, 30)........................................... 17
- Margin of pronotum weakly sinuate in lateral view (Figs 29, 33)............................................... 19
17. Smaller size: LE+LP = 4.8 mm (in the only known specimen, male holotype). Antero-lateral part of pronotum weakly oriented downward (Fig. 26), with visible anterior angles in dorsal view. Aedeagus, in lateral view, with apical third clearly bent dorsally (Fig. 38)............................................................... .. B. aliquantula sp. nov. (Fig. 1)
- Larger size: LE+LP ± 5.9 mm. Antero-lateral part of pronotum distinctly oriented downward, with hardly visible anterior angles in dorsal view (Figs 28, 30). Aedeagus, in lateral view, slightly curved dorsally (Figs 45, 47)................... 18
18. Antennomeres slender (Fig. 11). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more slender, clearly narrower in apical third; ventral sulcus more deeply impressed, about as wide as each lateral edge; dorsal ligula elongate and slightly carinate on surface (Fig. 47). Female unknown...................................................................... B. knighti (Bryant) (Fig. 11)
- Antennomeres thicker (Fig. 9). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more thickset, very weakly narrower in apical third; ventral sulcus less deeply impressed, wider than each of lateral edge; dorsal ligula short, not carinate on surface (Fig. 45). Female unknown........................................................................... B. kasigauensis sp. nov. (Fig. 9)
19. Antennomeres slender (Fig. 10). Elytral interstriae carinate (Fig. 29). Aedeagus, in ventral view, slender, distinctly narrower in apical third; in lateral view, straight but finely ventrally curved apex (Fig. 46). Female unknown...................................................................................................... B. kenyana sp. nov. (Fig. 10)
- Antennomeres thicker (Fig. 18). Elytral interstriae flat (Fig. 33). Aedeagus, in ventral view, more thickset, slightly narrower in apical third; in lateral view, aedeagus distinctly sinuate in distal half (Fig. 54). Spermatheca in Fig. 66................................................................................................. B. regalini sp. nov. (Fig. 18)
description: Published as part of Iannella, Paola D'Alessandro Mattia & Biondi, Maurizio, 2019, Revision of the Afrotropical flea beetle subgenus Blepharidina s. str. Bechyné (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in Zootaxa 4545 (1), DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4545.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/2618635