Pelecium , Kirby 1817
Creators: name: Orsetti, Artur
name: Lopes-Andrade, Cristiano
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Carabidae
Pelecium

description: Pelecium Kirby, 1817
Figs 1–24
Diagnosis
Dorsal surface bright. Head usually with a pair of frontal foveae (Fig. 24A) and one pair of supraorbital setae. Labium and maxilla well developed; fourth maxillary palpomere twice as long as the third; terminal maxillary and labial palpomeres usually triangular to securiform (Fig. 1A, C), but in some cases ovate (Fig. 1B, D); mandible groove large and glabrous; glossa bisetose (Fig. 1C). Labrum with three pairs of setae dorsally (Fig. 1F). Mentum with median tooth (Fig. 1E). Antennae (Fig. 1H) pubescent, filiform; scape two to three times larger than pedicel. Pronotum shape variable, usually with median line and pair of posterior impressions (Fig. 24A). Scutellar shield triangular. Legs with short trochanter, one-fourth to one-ftfth as long as metafemur.Tibiae with yellow setae throughout inner margin; inner spur present; long spur inserted on anterior border of antennal cleaner. Protarsomeres (Fig. 1I) 1–4 enlarged and ventrally covered by adhesive setae, protarsomeres 4 bilobed; mesotarsomeres (Fig. 1K) and metatarsomeres (Fig. 1L) 1–4 ventrally covered with yellow setae. Metendosternite (Fig. 1G) stalk twice as long as wide; laminae well developed; lateral arms moderately long; ventrolateral processes absent; anterior processes absent. Elytra ovate, usually with deeply impressed striae. Hind wings not developed. Males with one pair of setae on abdominal ventrite VII. Male terminalia asymmetrical; aedeagus cylindrical (Fig. 24C– D); parameres drastically asymmetrical. Female terminalia with gonocoxite (Fig. 24B) bearing ensiform setae on each side at basal lobe.
Below is a list of species of the genus Pelecium and synonyms (asterisks indicate species occurring in Brazil), species groups are sensu Straneo & Ball (1989):
Subgenus Pelecidium Straneo & Ball, 1989
Pelecium laevigatum Guérin-Ménéville, 1843
Pelecium sulcipenne Chaudoir, 1861
Pelecium sulcatum Guérin-Ménéville, 1843
Subgenus Pelecium Kirby, 1817
Pelecium cyanipes species group
* Pelecium cyanipes Kirby, 1817
Pelecium carinatum Chaudoir, 1846
Pelecium ovipenne Chaudoir, 1861
Pelecium humeratum Chaudoir, 1866
Pelecium faldermanni species group
* Pelecium besckii (Chaudoir, 1850)
Augasmosomus besckii Chaudoir, 1850
Pelecium bisulcatum reichardti Straneo, 1970
Pelecium bisulcatum Straneo, 1970
* Pelecium faldermanni (Chaudoir, 1846)
Augasmosomus faldermanni Chaudoir, 1846
Augasmosomus iridescens Chaudoir, 1850
Pelecium brevisulcis Straneo, 1953
* Pelecium foveicolle Chaudoir, 1866
* Pelecium obtusum Straneo, 1953
Pelecium laeve species group
* Pelecium belloi sp. nov.
* Pelecium laeve Chaudoir, 1854
Pelecium politum Schaum, 1860
* Pelecium nicki Straneo, 1955
* Pelecium obscurum Straneo, 1955
Pelecium punctatostriatum species group
* Pelecium atroviolaceum Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium bolivianum Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium buckupi sp. nov.
* Pelecium fistulosus sp. nov.
* Pelecium punctatostriatum Straneo, 1970
* Pelecium semistriatum Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium zaguryi sp. nov.
Pelecium refulgens species group
* Pelecium fulgidum Straneo, 1962
* Pelecium negrei Straneo, 1962
* Pelecium refulgens Guérin-Ménéville, 1831
Pelecium renati species group
* Pelecium renati Straneo, 1953
* Pelecium striatum Straneo, 1955
Pelecium rotundipenne species group
* Pelecium balli sp. nov.
* Pelecium chrissquirei sp. nov.
* Pelecium helenae Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium igneus Orsetti & Lopes-Andrade, 2016
* Pelecium paulae Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium purpureum Straneo, 1955
* Pelecium rotundipenne Schaum, 1860
* Pelecium straneoi sp. nov.
Pelecium violaceum species group
* Pelecium brasiliense Straneo, 1962
* Pelecium drakei Quedenfeldt, 1890
* Pelecium grossii sp. nov.
* Pelecium longicolle Straneo, 1953
Pelecium longicolle impunctatum Straneo & Ball, 1989
Pelecium parallelum Straneo & Ball, 1989
* Pelecium punctatum Straneo, 1953
* Pelecium striatipenne Chaudoir, 1866
* Pelecium tenellum Schaum, 1860
* Pelecium violaceum Brullé, 1838
* Pelecium zophos sp. nov.
Identification key for Pelecium Kirby, 1817
The key provided below is based mostly on that of Straneo & Ball (1989), but with P. igneus and the nine species described herein also included.
1. Labrum with four setae. Pronotum with one pair of lateral marginal setae; median longitudinal impression deep. Elytron without parascutellar seta. Subgenus Pelecidium .................................... 2
– Labrum with six setae. Pronotum with two or more pairs of marginal setae; median longitudinal impression various. Elytron parascutellar seta variable. Subgenus Pelecium .................................. 4
2. Elytron with only stria 1 deeply impressed, and only on medial part of disc...................................... ............................................................................................... P. laevigatum Guérin-Ménéville, 1843
– Elytron with at least striae 1–4 deeply impressed on disc ................................................................ 3
3. Dorsal surface of pronotum and elytra subopaque. Elytral striae 2–4 terminated closer to base, intervening smooth space rather narrow................................... P. sulcatum Guérin-Ménéville, 1843
– Dorsal surface of pronotum and elytra shining, iridescent. Elytral striae 2–4 terminated far from base, intervening smooth space extensive ............................................ P. sulcipenne Chaudoir, 1861
4. Elytron with striation complete: eight clearly impressed striae, striae 7 or 6 and 7 joined to 8 at lateral margin, not extended to base ................................................................................................. 5
– Elytron with striation incomplete, or wholly smooth ..................................................................... 18
5. Tarsomere 5 with row of few slender setae on each ventrolateral margin ....................................... 6
– Tarsomere 5 without setae ventrolaterally........................................................................................ 8
6. Dorsal surface of pronotum and elytra blue or black; microsculpture meshes isodiametric, surface dull.............................................................................. P. cyanipes Kirby, 1817 (Figs 7D–K, 14A–B)
– Dorsal surface of pronotum and elytra violaceous; microsculpture meshes transverse, on elytra transverse-grated, surface shining to iridescent................................................................................ 7
7. Pronotum with posterior edge not margined. Elytron with humerus projected anteriorly .................. ...................................................................................................... P. renati Straneo, 1953 (Fig. 18C)
– Pronotum with posterior edge margined laterally. Elytron with humerus not projected anteriorly....................................................................... P. striatum Straneo, 1955 (Figs 11I–P, 19D)
8. Elytron with striae impunctate.......................................................................................................... 9
– Elytron with striae punctate at least on apical declivity ................................................................. 16
9. Dorsal surface dark, with greenish reflections. Head with frontal impressions sinuous, elongate................................................................. P. longicolle impunctatum Straneo & Ball, 1989
– Varied dorsal surface colour. Head with frontal impressions not sinuate, short or long ................ 10
10. Size shorter, length of body less than 10 mm. Colour of dorsal surface dull. Head with short frontal impressions, punctiform, at most extended to level of anterior margin of compound eye.............. 11
– Size of most specimens large (9–20 mm). Varied dorsal surface colour. Head with long frontal impressions, extended to mid-eye level, or more posteriorly......................................................... 13
11. Body elongate and sub-parallel. Pronotum with lateral margins only slightly arcuate; posterolateral impressions very short. Elytra with apical declivity very steep .......................................................... .................................................................................................... P. parallelum Straneo & Ball, 1989
– Varied body shape. Pronotum with lateral margins more arcuate; posterolateral impressions longer. Apical declivity of elytra more gradually sloped ........................................................................... 12
12. Pronotum evenly arcuate, rounded ......................................... P. tenellum Schaum, 1860 (Fig. 20A)
– Pronotum arcuate, posterior fourth forming a sinuous line with posterior angles............................... ........................................................................................................... P. zophos sp. nov. (Fig. 6A–H)
13. Surface black with no bright colour. Eyes small. Elytra elongate .................................................. 14
– Varied surface colour. Eyes large. Elytra widened; lateral margins markedly arcuate.................... 15
14. Elytral margins markedly parallel..................................... P. striatipenne Chaudoir, 1866 (Fig. 19C)
– Elytral margins slightly arcuate ............................................................ P. grossii sp. nov. (Fig. 4I–P)
15. Dorsal surface bright green. Pronotum with or without bluish reflections.......................................... ................................................................................. P. drakei Quedenfeldt, 1890 (Figs 8A–H, 14C)
– Dorsal surface violaceous or bluish. Pronotum with bluish reflections............................................... ............................................................................................ P. violaceum Brullé, 1838 (Fig. 12A–H)
16. Body stout. Pronotum short, wider than long ....................... P. punctatum Straneo, 1953 (Fig. 18B)
– Body elongate. Pronotum elongate, longer than wide.................................................................... 17
17. Head with frontal impressions shorter, not sinuate laterally. Elytron with striae punctate throughout their lengths .......................................................................... P. brasiliense Straneo, 1962 (Fig. 13D)
– Head with frontal impressions elongate, markedly sinuate laterally. Elytral striae with punctures restricted to apical declivity.................................. P. longicolle longicolle Straneo, 1953 (Fig. 16B)
18. Head with frontal impressions elongate, extended posteriorly to postocular transverse impression .. ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
– Head with frontal impressions shorter, punctiform or not, not extended beyond posterior margin of compound eyes ............................................................................................................................... 21
19. Pronotum and elytra black, with aeneous lustre. Elytron with striae 1–4 deeply impressed, 4 short, not extended to apical declivity posteriorly................... P. negrei Straneo, 1962 (Figs 10A–H, 16C)
– Pronotum and elytra bright copper. Elytron with more than four impressed striae........................ 20
20. Elytron with striae 1–5 deeply impressed, but stria 5 very short......................................................... .............................................................................. P. fulgidum Straneo, 1962 (Figs 8I–J, 14D, 15A)
– Elytron with striae 1–6 deeply impressed, but stria 6 very short......................................................... ................................................................................................. P. refulgens Guérin-Ménéville, 1831
21. Elytron with more than three discal striae deeply impressed in at least part of their lengths......... 22
– Elytron with three or fewer discal striae deeply impressed, or wholly smooth.............................. 36
22. Pronotum with lateral margins rounded, with three pairs of marginal setae .................................. 23
– Varied pronotal shape, with two pairs of marginal setae ................................................................ 24
23. Tarsomere 5 with row of few slender setae on each ventrolateral margin........................................... ............................................................................................................. P. zaguryi sp. nov. (Fig. 5I–J)
– Tarsomere 5 without setae ventrolaterally............. P. rotundipenne Schaum, 1860 (Figs 18D, 19A)
24. Tarsomere 5 with row of few slender setae on each ventro-lateral margin .................................... 25
– Tarsomere 5 glabrous ventrally....................................................................................................... 30
25. Elytron with striae smooth, impunctate .......................................................................................... 26
– Elytral striae markedly punctate ..................................................................................................... 27
26. Dorsal surface dark metallic green with purple reflections. Pronotal sides slightly arcuate, almost parallel. Elytra elongate, subparallel-sided...................................... P. buckupi sp. nov. (Fig. 3A–G)
– Dorsal surface black with faint violaceous reflections. Pronotum convex anteriorly, with lateral margins arcuate and subsinuate before postero-lateral angles. Elytra ovate, with sides markedly convex.......................................................... P. bolivianum Straneo & Ball, 1989 (Figs 7A–C, 13C)
27. Elytron with more than five discal striae deeply impressed. Pronotum wider than long ............... 28
– Elytron with five or fewer discal striae deeply impressed. Pronotum at least as long as wide ...... 29
28. Elytron with striae 1–7 deeply impressed. Dorsal surface bright black without reflections ............... ....................................................................................................... P. fistulosus sp. nov. (Fig. 4A–H)
– Elytron with striae 1–6 deeply impressed. Dorsal surface black with violaceous reflections ............ .................................................................. P. atroviolaceum Straneo & Ball, 1989 (Figs 6I–P, 13A)
29. Dorsal surface coppery. Elytron with striae 1–5 impressed. Pronotum longer than wide................... ................................................................................... P. punctatostriatum Straneo, 1970 (Fig. 18A)
– Varied colour; head black with or without greenish reflections; pronotum dark green; elytra black with bluish-violaceous reflections. Elytron with only striae 1–4 impressed. Pronotum as long as wide........................................................................ P. semistriatum Straneo & Ball, 1989 (Fig. 19B)
30. Elytron with only discal striae 1–4 deep, and only stria 1 extended to apical declivity, stria 4 remote from base and apex. Pronotum with posterolateral impressions indistinct, shallow ........................... ........................................................................................ P. purpureum Straneo, 1955 (Fig. 11A–H)
– Elytron with at least striae 1–5 moderately deeply impressed, and extended to rather gradually sloped apical declivity. Pronotum with postero-lateral impressions various ............................................. 31
31. Pronotum with sides markedly rounded .......................................................................................... 32
– Pronotum with sides less rounded, subsinuate to sinuate posteriorly............................................. 34
32. Pronotum posterolateral impressions indistinct............................... P. straneoi sp. nov. (Fig. 5A–H)
– Pronotum posterolateral impressions distinct................................................................................. 33
33. Pronotum posterior impression line-shaped toward the disc of pronotum .......................................... ............................................................................................................... P. balli sp. nov. (Fig. 2A–H)
– Pronotum posterior impression rounded.......................... P. paulae Straneo & Ball, 1989 (Fig. 17C)
34. Pronotum red, with green reflections laterally; shape subcordate to sinuate; lateral edges more arcuate near posterior margin. Elytra black, rounded shape ......... P. igneus Orsetti & Lopes-Andrade, 2016
– Dorsum unicolorous. Pronotum subsinuate or subquadrate. Elytra sub-elongate.......................... 35
35. Male maxillary palpomere 4 broadly ovate, with apex oblique truncated. Pronotum posterior impression shallow, elongate toward centre .............................. P. chrissquirei sp. nov. (Fig. 3H–N)
– Male maxillary palpomere 4 triangular. Pronotum posterior impression shallow and short, indiscernible.................................................. P. helenae Straneo & Ball, 1989 (Figs 9A–H, 15B–D)
36. Tarsomere 5 glabrous ventrally....................................................................................................... 37
– Tarsomere 5 with row of few slender setae on each ventrolateral margin...................................... 43
37. Elytron with at least portions of striae 1 and 2 deeply impressed .................................................. 38
– Elytron with not more than stria 1 deeply impressed in part of length .......................................... 39
38. Dorsum dark blue or bluish-violaceous. Pronotum with lateral margins broadly rounded to posterolateral angles ................................................................ P. obtusum Straneo, 1953 (Fig. 17B)
– Dorsal surface black with faint violaceous reflections. Pronotum with lateral margins slightly sinuate posteriorly, posterolateral angles slightly projected ............ P. bisulcatum Straneo, 1970 (Fig. 13B)
39. Dorsal surface green. Head with frontal impressions slightly elongate, extended to or slightly posteriorly to anterior margin of compound eyes.................................. P. foveicolle Chaudoir, 1866
– Varied dorsal surface colour. Head with frontal impressions punctiform ....................................... 40
40. Elytra with no discal striae deeply impressed................................................................................. 41
– Elytron with at least stria 1 deeply impressed, with or without shallow vestiges of some other striae................................................................................................................................................ 42
41. Pronotum slightly wider than long, with sides arcuate and shortly subsinuate posteriorly................. ............................................................................................................... P. belloi sp. nov. (Fig. 2I–K)
– Pronotum elongate and slender with sides equally arcuate for entire length ...................................... .................................................................................. P. laeve Chaudoir, 1854 (Figs 9I–P, 16A, 17D)
42. Stria 2 shallow, but quite distinct............................................................... P. besckii Chaudoir, 1850
– Stria 2 evanescent ........................................................................... P. faldermanni (Chaudoir, 1846)
43. Dorsal surface blue. Anterior portion of pronotum narrower than posterior portion. Elytron with lateral border terminated in small deep fovea.......................................... P. obscurum Straneo, 1955
– Dorsal surface copper. Anterior portion of pronotum not narrower than posterior portion................. ................................................................................... P. nicki Straneo, 1955 (Figs 10I–P, 16D, 17A)
description: Published as part of Orsetti, Artur & Lopes-Andrade, Cristiano, 2024, A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Pelecium Kirby (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Peleciini), pp. 1-61 in European Journal of Taxonomy 922 on pages 4-10, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.922.2443, http://zenodo.org/record/10715279