Photinopygus viridipennis
Creators: name: Chatzimanolis, Stylianos
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Staphylinidae
Photinopygus
Photinopygus viridipennis

description: Photinopygus viridipennis (Sharp, 1876)
(Figs. 227–234)
Xanthopygus viridipennis Sharp, 1876: 428.
Xanthopygus flohri Sharp, 1884: 345. New synonymy.
Photinopygus viridipennis (Sharp); Chatzimanolis 2021: 91.
Photinopygus flohri (Sharp); Chatzimanolis 2021: 91.
Type material. Lectotype, here designated, male, with labels: “[White cardboard] ♁” / “Type” / “ Chontales Nicarag.” / “ Xanthopygus viridipennis ♁ Type D.S.” / “Lectotype Xanthopygus viridipennis des. Chatzimanolis 2022 ”. In the collection of NHMUK. Paralectotypes, here designated, with labels: “Syntype” / “ Chontales Nicaragua ” / “ Xanthopygus viridipennis, Sharp ” / “ Sharp coll 1905-313.”/ “Paralectotype Xanthopygus viridipennis des. Chatzimanolis 2022 ” (1 ♁, 1 ♀ NHMUK).
Type material for X. flohri. Lectotype, designated by Navarrete-Heredia (2004), male with labels: “[White cardboard] ♁ Xanthopygus flohri, Type, D. S, Mirador, Mexico, Ĥge” / “Type” / “Mirador [19.21°, -96.84°] Mexico Hoege” / “B.C.A Col. I. 2. Xanthopygus flohri, Sharp ” / “Sharp Coll. 1905-313” / “Lectotipo Xanthopygus flohri Sharp, 1884 des. J.L. Navarrete-Heredia 2003”. In the collection of NHMUK. Paralectotype, glued on the same cardboard label as the lectotype, with the same labels and “Paralectotipo Xanthopygus flohri Sharp, 1884 des. J.L. Navarrete-Heredia 2003”. There is a very large series of specimens labeled as syntypes in NHMUK and MFNB but Navarrete-Heredia (2004) chose not to designate those as paralectotypes. Label data for these specimens are listed below in the Additional Materials section.
Additional Materials. COSTA RICA: San José: Turrubares [9.75°, -84.50°], 300 m, A. Heyne leg., Bernhauer coll., FMNHINS3975369 (1 ♀ FMNH); COLOMBIA: Antioquia: Valparaíso [5.62°, -75.63°], 762m (1 ♀ CMNH); Magdalena: Río Frio [10.93°, -74.09°], Darlington leg. (2 ♁ MZC); Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Serranía Nueva Marta [11.01°, -74.02°], 1311 m, 24.v.1975, near water, J.A. Kochalka leg. (1 ♁ AMNH); unknown locality (1 ♁ SDEI); GUATEMALA: Guatemala: El Zapote [14.62°, -90.30°], Champion leg. (2 ♁ NHMUK); unknown department: unknown locality, Scheerpeltz coll. (1 ♁ NMW); unknown locality, Sharp coll. (1 ♁ NHMUK); HONDURAS: Cortés: Cofradía [15.53°, -88.17°], 5.viii.1977, L.B. & C.W. O’Brien, G.B. Marshall leg., FMNHINS3975522 (1 ♁ FMNH); MEXICO: Chiapas: El Chorreadeo, 8 km NE Chiapa de Corzo [16.75°, -92.97°], 650 m, 11.vi.1991, under bark and fungus, J.S. Ashe leg., SM0080042 (1 ♀ SEMC); Palenque Ruins [17.48°, -92.05°], 183 m, 22–23.vi.[19]69, W.R.M. Mason (1 ♀ CNC); same locality, 22.vi.1969, B.V. Peterson leg. (1 ♀ CNC); Parque El Aguacero, 16km W Ocozocoautla [16.76°, -93.52°], 24.vi.1989, H. Howden leg. (1 ♀ CNC); San José [16.25°, -92.14°], 305–457 m, v.1910, Psota coll., FMNHINS3989850, FMNHINS3989851 (1 ♁, 1 ♀ FMNH); same locality, v.1919, Blaisdell coll. (1 ♁ CAS); Sierra Morena [16.159°, -93.606°], 1360 m, 13.v.2008, mesophil forest, Malaise trap, LLAMA leg., SM0813309 (1 ♁ SEMC); Durango: unknown locality, (2 ♀ MFNB); Guerrero: Taxco [18.56°, -99.61°], 1494m, 8.viii.[19]54, SM0080044 (1 ♀ SEMC); Jalisco: Guadalajara [20.68°, - 103.35°], McConnell leg. (2 ♀ CMNH); same locality, Crawford leg. (1 ♀ CMNH); Mexico: Tejupilco [de Hidalgo] [18.91°, -100.15°], vi.1935, H.E. Hinton, R.L. Usinger leg., Blackwelder coll. (1 ♁ AMNH); Morelos: Cuernavaca [18.92°, -99.23°] (1 ♀ NMW); Yautepec [18.88°, -99.07°], Höge leg. (1 ♁ NHMUK); Oaxaca: unknown locality, Höge leg. (1 ♁ NHMUK); Sonora: San Bernardo, Rio Mayo [27.40°, -108.84°], 25.viii.[19]35, FMNHINS3989855 (1 ♀ FMNH); Sinaloa: La Capilla del Taxte [23.42°, -105.86°], 1250m, 27.vi.1977, J. Rawlins leg. (1 ♀ CMNH); Veracruz: Córdoba [18.89°, -96.94°], Salle leg. (2 ♁, 2 ♀ NHMUK); El Mirador [19.21°, -96.84°], Höge leg., Sharp coll. (8 ♁, 10 ♀ NHMUK); same locality, Höge leg., Sharp coll., FMNHINS3975368, FMNHINS3975366 (2 ♁, 1 ♀ FMNH); Fortín de las Flores [18.90°, -97.00°], 28.vi.1975, sifting, L.E. Watrous leg., FMNHINS3989853, FMNHINS3989854 (2 ♁ FMNH); Lake Catemaco [18.40°, -95.00°], 24–25.v.1969, H. Howden leg. (1 ♁ CNC); same locality, 8–16.viii.1960, H. Howden leg. (1 ♁ CNC); San Andrés Tuxtla [18.45°, -95.21°], Salle leg. (1 ♁ NHMUK); same locality (1 ♀ USNM); Xalapa-Enríquez [19.54°, -96.93°], Höge leg. (1 ♁, 1 ♀ NHMUK); Zongolica [18.67°, -97.00°], Fry coll., Bernhauer coll., FMNHINS3989847 (1 ♁ FMNH); unknown state: unknown locality, Flohr leg. (6 ♁, 7 ♀ NHMUK; 3 ♁, 7 ♀ MFNB); unknown locality, Hayne leg. (2 ♁ MFNB); unknown locality, Salle leg. (1 ♁ NHMUK); unknown locality, Fry coll., Bernhauer coll., FMNHINS3989848, FMNHINS3989846 (1 ♁, 1 ♀ FMNH); unknown locality, Stark leg. (1 ♁ MFNB); unknown locality, Kraatz coll. (5 ♁, 1 ♀ SDEI); NICARAGUA: Chontales: unknown locality, Janson leg., Sharp coll. (3 ♁, 2 ♀ NHMUK); same data and FMNHINS3975469, FMNHINS3975470 (2 ♁ FMNH); Granada: Res. Nat. Volcán Mombacho [11.842°, -86.012°], 375 m, 1.vi.2002, under fermenting guanacaste lumber, R. Brooks, Z. Falin, S. Chatzimanolis leg., SM0555367, SM0413223, SM0413222, SM0555369, SM0413221, SM0555368, SM0413220, SM0413219, SM0413218 (2 ♁, 6 ♀ SEMC; 1 ♁ UTCI); PANAMA: Chiriquí: Bugaba [8.48°, -82.62°], 244–457m, Champion leg., Sharp coll. (2 ♀ NHMUK; 1 ♁ MFNB); Volcán de Chiriquí [8.81°, -82.54°], 762–1219 m, Champion leg., Sharp coll. (10 ♁, 9 ♀ NHMUK); same locality, 762–1219 m, Champion leg., Sharp coll., FMNHINS3975471 (1 ♁ FMNH); same locality, 762–1219 m, Godman, Salvin coll. (1 ♀ MCZ); same locality, 610–914 m, Champion leg., Sharp coll. (2 ♁, 1 ♀ NHMUK; 1 ♁ AMNH; 1 ♁ USNM); Darién: Santa Fe [8.65°, -78.16°], iv.–v.[19]67, D.M. Delong, C.A. Triplehorn leg. FMNHINS3989905 (1 ♀ FMNH); Panamá: Barro Colorado Island [9.15°, -79.85°], 20–25.vi.1924, N. Banks leg. (5 ♁, 3 ♀ MCZ) 8km SW Gamboa [9.14°, -79.77°], 11.v.[19]84, H Stockwell leg., FMNHINS3989916 (1 ♁ FMNH); Panamá Oeste: [PN De Cerro Campana] Cerro Campana [8.71°, -79.95°], 884 m, 2.viii.1970, J.M. Campbell (1 ♀ CNC).
Diagnosis. Photinopygus viridipennis belongs in the concave pronotum species group. Among species of that group that have pronotum with dense punctation (i.e., with 5–9 organized rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line), antennomeres 4–5 longer than wide, and sternite 7 in males with porose structure, P. viridipennis can be recognized by the following combination of characters: sternite 8 in males with large but narrow V-shaped emargination posteriorly (Fig. 228), and aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view without subapical tooth (Fig. 231).
Description. Forebody (Fig. 227) length 5.5–6.9 mm. Color of head, pronotum and mesoscutellum dark brown to black; antennae orange; legs dark brown to black except protarsi dark orange (in some specimens meso-, metatarsi light brown); elytra metallic blue with green or purple overtones; abdomen dark brown to black except segments 7–8 (orange). Antenna (Fig. 230) with antennomere 3 without tomentose pubescence; antennomere 4 with tomentose pubescence; antennomeres 4–7 longer than wide; antennomeres 8–10 subquadrate. Head transverse; HW/HL ratio = 1.28–1.61. Posterior margin of head slightly extended posteriad on each side of neck. Head with medium-sized punctures, distance between punctures as wide as 1–2 punctures but punctures denser posteriorly. Left mandible with bicuspid tooth. Pronotum (Fig. 229) subquadrate; PW/PL ratio = 1.00–1.06. Lateral margins of pronotum in dorsal view posteriad of midpoint concave; pronotum with 7–8 dense rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line; distance between punctures as wide as 1–2 punctures but areas of pronotum without punctures. EL/PL ratio = 1.32–1.41. Elytra with dense punctation; distance between punctures as wide as 0–0.5 punctures. Metepisternum covered with punctures (impunctate area less than 1/3). Abdomen with tergites 3–4 setose; tergites 3–5 with curved carina (arch-like). In males, sternite 7 with large porose structure, sternite 7 with narrow deep emargination posteriorly; sternite 8 with large V-shaped emargination posteriorly (Fig. 228). Aedeagus as in Figs. 231–233; in dorsal view paramere expanding to rounded apex; paramere slightly shorter and narrower (except apically) than median lobe; in lateral view paramere becoming narrower near tip; paramere with peg setae as in Fig. 233. Median lobe in dorsal view converging to narrow pointed tip; in lateral view median lobe becoming much narrower; median lobe without subapical or apical tooth.
Distribution. Known from the Mesoamerican and Pacific biogeographic dominions. Distributed in the province of San José in Costa Rica, the departments of Antioquia and Magdalena in Colombia, the department of Guatemala in Guatemala, the department of Cortés in Honduras, the states of Chiapas, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico, Morelos, Oaxaca, Sonora, Sinaloa and Veracruz in Mexico, the department of Chontales and Granada in Nicaragua, and the provinces of Chiriquí, Darién, Panamá and Panamá Oeste in Panama. Map is shown in Fig. 234.
Habitat. Collected at low to mid elevation (183–1360m) with malaise traps, near water, under bark and fungus, and under fermenting guanacaste lumber.
Remarks. In some specimens, the pronotum appears slightly narrower than other species of Photinopygus with large porose structure on sternite 7, however, it is rather hard to quantify that narrowness. Likewise, because the pronotum appears slightly narrower than other species, one may incorrectly key P. viridipennis to couplet 17 instead of 20 (see key below); however, the presence of porose structure on sternite 7 and the large emargination on sternite 8 should confidently place this species on couplet 20.
Key to the species of Photinopygus
The key becomes progressively harder to use after couplet 12; after that point, all Photinopygus species look superficially similar with dark brown to black head and pronotum, and metallic blue (with overtones of green and purple) elytra. However, all Photinopygus species have rather distinct aedeagi, and dissected genitalia can greatly assist in the identification of the various species.
1. Tomentose pubescence absent on antennomere 3 (Fig. 82)..................................................... 2
- Tomentose pubescence present on antennomere 3.................................... P. corcovadoensis (Scheerpeltz)
2. Elytra with rainbow-like coloration, unique within Xanthopygina (Figs. 169, 220).................................. 3
- Elytra not as above.................................................................................... 4
3. Pronotum reddish-brown (Fig. 171); endophallus with single lobe (Fig. 174); in lateral view median lobe narrower apically and subapical tooth less pronounced (Fig. 173; compare with Fig. 224)............................. P. mirabilis (Erichson)
- Pronotum black (Fig. 222); endophallus with two lobes (Fig. 225); in lateral view median lobe wider apically and subapical tooth more pronounced (Fig. 224; compare with Fig. 173)..................... P. thafmasios Chatzimanolis, new species
4. Head and pronotum with metallic shiny purple coloration (Figs. 124, 126); left mandible with a single tooth (Fig. 124)................................................................................... P. haemorrhoidalis (Germar)
- Head and pronotum without metallic purple coloration (coloration dark brown to black); left mandible with a bicuspid tooth (Fig. 1)............................................................................................. 5
5. Elytra orange (Figs. 15, 109, 191)........................................................................ 6
- Elytra with metallic coloration, either blue, blue-green, blue-purple, golden-green, or vibrant green.................... 8
6. Mesoscutellum dark brown to black, different coloration than the elytra (Fig. 15); in males, median lobe in lateral view with an S-like curve near apex (Fig. 19)....................................... P. alloportokalis Chatzimanolis, new species
- Mesoscutellum orange, same coloration as elytra (Figs. 109, 191); in males, median lobe in lateral view with an apical hook-like structure (Figs. 113, 195)............................................................................ 7
7. In males, apical tip of paramere rounded in dorsal view (Figs. 114–115); only known from Bolivia ...................................................................................................... P. dimidiatus (Bernhauer)
- In males, apical tip of paramere emarginate in dorsal view (Figs. 196–197); known from Central America and Colombia ........................................................................................ P. rufipennis (Sharp)
8. Elytra with metallic golden-green coloration (Fig.56), unique among Photinopygus .................................................................................................... P. chryselytros Chatzimanolis new species
- Elytra with metallic blue, blue-green, blue-purple, or vibrant green coloration..................................... 9
9. Antennomere 4 quadrate (Figs. 213, 216); aedeagus as in Figs. 217–219.......................... P. tepidus (Erichson)
- Antennomere 4 longer than wide........................................................................ 10
10. Antennomere 5 quadrate or subquadrate (Figs. 7, 10, 71, 74); antennae (Figs. 10, 74) black or dark brown.............. 11
- Antennomere 5 longer than wide; antennae coloration varies.................................................. 12
11. Paramere much longer than median lobe in lateral view (Fig. 75); median lobe (in lateral view) with a subapical tooth (Fig. 75).............................................................................. P. chrysurus (Nordmann)
- Paramere shorter than median lobe in lateral view (Fig. 11); median lobe (in lateral view) with characteristic hook-like apical tooth (Fig. 11)........................................................ P. akrodontis Chatzimanolis, new species
12. Posteriad of midpoint, lateral margins of pronotum in dorsal view convex (Figs. 25, 42, 103, 133, 208); in males, sternite 7 without porose structure (e.g., Fig. 24); sternite 8 with emargination posteriorly having a ‘shaved’ (glabrous) margin (e.g., Fig. 41). Convex pronotum species group..................................................................... 13
- Posteriad of midpoint, lateral margins of pronotum in dorsal view concave (e.g., Fig. 200 or strongly convergent (e.g., Fig 179); in males sternite 7 with (e.g., Fig. 199) or without porose structure; sternite 8 with emargination posteriorly not having a ‘shaved’ (glabrous) margin (e.g., Fig. 199; except P. cotopaxi but lateral margins of pronotum not convex)............. 16
13. Tergite 5 with complete curved carina (arch-like) (Figs. 101, 131).............................................. 14
- Tergite 5 with curved carina (arch-like) only at lateral margins (Figs. 23, 40, 206)................................. 15
14. Antennomeres 8–10 transverse (Fig. 134); sternite 8 with small U-shaped emargination posteriorly (Fig. 132); aedeagus as in Figs. 135–137; paramere in dorsal view not as wide as the paramere of P. cyanipennis (compare Figs 136–137 with Figs. 106–107)............................................................................. P. hilaris (Erichson)
- Antennomeres 8–10 subquadrate (Fig. 104); sternite 8 with medium V-shaped emargination posteriorly (Fig. 102); aedeagus as in Figs. 105–107; paramere in dorsal view wider than the paramere of P. hilaris (compare Figs. 106–107 with Figs 136–137)................................................................................... P. cyanipennis (Sharp)
15. Aedeagus as in Figs. 27–29; in dorsal view paramere gradually converging to broad rounded apex; paramere longer and wider than median lobe; paramere with peg setae in multiple lateral rows as in Fig. 29; median lobe with small subapical tooth......................................................................................... P. apicalis (Sharp)
- Aedeagus as in Figs. 44–46; in dorsal view paramere almost parallel-sided, converging to pointed apex; paramere shorter and wider (apically) than median lobe; paramere with peg setae in multiple short lateral rows as in Fig. 46; median lobe with large subapical tooth....................................................................... P. calidus (Erichson)
- Aedeagus as in Figs. 210–212; in dorsal view paramere almost parallel-sided with rounded apex; paramere shorter and narrower than median lobe; paramere with lateral rows of peg setae as in Fig. 212; median lobe with small hook-like subapical tooth................................................................. P. schedonapicalis Chatzimanolis, new species
16. Posteriad of midpoint, lateral margins of pronotum strongly convergent; Figs. 33, 50, 118, 156, 179); pronotum with sparse punctation (i.e., with 3–5 loosely organized rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line); in males, sternite 7 without porose structure (e.g., Fig. 117). Narrow pronotum species group (in part)................................. 17
- Posteriad of midpoint, lateral margins of pronotum in dorsal view concave (i.e., margins initially decreasing in width from midpoint, before they start increasing in width near posterior margin), which results in pronotum appearing more rectangular (Figs. 66, 88, 96, 141, 148, 163, 186, 200, 229); pronotum with dense punctation (i.e., with 5–9 organized rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line); in males, sternite 7 with (e.g., Fig. 199) or without porose structure. Concave pronotum species group (in part)........................................................................ 20
17. Aedeagus with tip of paramere in dorsal view emarginate (Fig. 182–183); median lobe in lateral view with strong apical hook-like tooth but no lateral teeth (Fig. 181)...................................................... P. morosus (Sharp)
- Aedeagus with tip of paramere in dorsal view rounded (e.g., Fig. 36, 159); median lobe in lateral view with lateral teeth, and with or without hook-like apical tooth (e.g., Figs. 35, 158).................................................... 18
18. Aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view converging to hook-like structure (Figs. 35, 52, 120)...................... 19
- Aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view converging to a tip without hook-like structure (Fig. 158)....................................................................................... P. koptopeos Chatzimanolis, new species
19. Aedeagus as in Figs. 35–38; in dorsal view, paramere with broad rounded apex; paramere as long and as wide as median lobe. Median lobe in dorsal (slightly oblique; Fig. 38) view converging to hook-like structure, tip of hook-like structure with two well-separated apical peaks; in lateral view hook-like structure with two small lateral teeth.................................................................................................. P. assingi Chatzimanolis, new species
- Aedeagus as in Figs. 52–55; in dorsal view paramere slightly expanding just before apex; with broad rounded apex; paramere as long and as wide as median lobe. Median lobe in dorsal (slightly oblique; Fig. 55) view converging to hook-like structure, tip of hook-like structure barely divided into two tightly jointed apical peaks; in lateral view hook-like structure with two large lateral teeth.................................................................... P. chapareanus (Scheerpeltz)
- Aedeagus as in Figs. 120–123; in dorsal view, paramere slightly expanding just before apex; with rounded apex; paramere slightly shorter and as wide as median lobe. Median lobe in dorsal (slightly oblique; Fig. 123) view converging to hook-like structure, tip of hook-like structure fully divided into two tightly jointed apical peaks; in lateral view hook-like structure with two large lateral teeth................................................................... P. faustus (Erichson)
20. Sternite 7 in males without porose structure (Figs. 65, 87, 95); sternite 7 with broad shallow emargination posteriorly; sternite 8 in males with small (Fig. 87) or medium (Figs. 65, 95) U-shaped emargination posteriorly......................... 21
- Sternite 7 in males with porose structure (Figs. 140, 147, 162, 185, 199, 228); sternite 7 with narrow deep emargination posteriorly; sternite 8 in males with large, deep U-shaped (Figs. 140, 147, 162, 185, 199) or V-shaped (Fig. 228) emargination posteriorly.......................................................................................... 23
21. Only known from Cotopaxi province in Ecuador (Fig. 93); sternite 8 in males with small (Fig. 87) U-shaped emargination posteriorly; aedeagus as in Figs. 90–92 with peg setae distributed mainly medially (Fig. 92)................................................................................................ P. cotopaxi Chatzimanolis, new species
- Only known from southern Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay (Figs. 47, 93); sternite 8 in males with medium (Figs. 65, 95) U-shaped emargination posteriorly; aedeagi as in Figs. 68–70, 98–100, with peg setae distributed in lateral rows along the paramere border (Figs. 70, 100)......................................................................... 22
22. Antennomeres 8–10 subquadrate (Fig. 97); antennomeres 4–10 dark brown (color consistent among specimens); tip of paramere (Fig. 100) wider than in P. chrysopygus (Fig. 70)........................................... P. cyanelytrius (Perty)
- Antennomeres 8–10 transverse (Fig. 67); antennomeres 4–10 orange (color consistent among specimens); tip of paramere (Fig. 70) narrower than in P. cyanelytrius (Fig. 100)......................................... P. chrysopygus (Nordmann)
23. Sternite 8 in males with large deep U-shaped emargination posteriorly (Figs. 140, 147, 162, 185, 199); aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view with tiny (Fig. 188) or small subapical tooth (Figs. 143, 150, 165, 202).......................... 24
- Sternite 8 in males with large but narrower V-shaped emargination posteriorly (Fig. 228); aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view without subapical tooth (Fig. 231)................................................... P. viridipennis (Sharp)
24. Sternite 7 in males with narrow, deep and ‘shaved’ (appearing glabrous and ‘excavated’) emargination posteriorly (Fig. 185); aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view with tiny (Fig. 188) subapical tooth; antennomeres 8–10 transverse (Fig. 187); punctures on head and pronotum appearing deeper (Figs. 185–186) than the punctures seen on the species of the following couplets (Figs. 141, 148, 163, 200).................................................... P. punctatus (Bernhauer)
- Sternite 7 in males with narrow, deep but not ‘shaved’ (appearing glabrous and ‘excavated’) emargination posteriorly (Figs. 140, 147, 162, 199); aedeagus with median lobe in lateral view with small subapical tooth (Figs. 143, 150, 165, 202); antennomeres 8–10 subquadrate (Figs. 142, 149, 164, 201); punctures on head and pronotum (Figs. 141, 148, 163, 200) appearing shallower than the punctures seen on P. punctatus (Figs. 185–186)...................................................... 25
25. Aedeagus with paramere longer than median lobe (Figs. 202–203); in dorsal view paramere narrow throughout its length (Fig. 203) and with a pointed apex; peg setae (Fig. 204) sparser than in the species of the following couplet (Figs. 145, 152, 167).................................................................................. P. sapphirinus (Erichson)
- Aedeagus with paramere shorter (Figs. 165) or subequal to median lobe (Figs. 143, 150); in dorsal view paramere wider throughout its length (Fig. 144, 151, 166) and with a rounded apex; peg setae (Figs. 145, 152, 167) denser than in P. sapphirinus (Fig. 204).......................................................................................... 26
26. Aedeagus shorter than median lobe (Fig. 165); known only from Mexico (Fig. 168)..................................................................................................... P. mexicanus Chatzimanolis, new species
- Aedeagus subequal to median lobe (Figs. 143, 150); known from SouthAmerica, as far north as Peru and the state of Pernambuco in Brazil. (Fig. 138).................................................................................. 27
27. Pronotum with 8–9 dense rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line (Fig. 148); aedeagus with paramere in lateral view expanding before becoming narrower and concave near tip (Fig. 150); antennae with antennomeres 4–8 darker in color (coloration consistent among specimens)........................................ P. janthinipennis (Blanchard)
- Pronotum with 6–7 rows of punctures on each half beside median impunctate line (Fig. 141); aedeagus with paramere in lateral view almost parallel-sided; (Fig. 143); antennae with uniform orange color (coloration consistent among specimens).......................................................................................... P. iopterus (Erichson)
description: Published as part of Chatzimanolis, Stylianos, 2023, A revision of the genus Photinopygus Chatzimanolis (Staphylinidae: Xanthopygina), pp. 1-100 in Zootaxa 5292 (1) on pages 91-97, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5292.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7959518