Taxonomic revision of the genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Eurynotina): shortfalls of anatomical nomenclature with notes on aedeagal homology

Abstract

The genus Phylacastus Fairmaire (Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Platynotini, Eurynotina) is revised. Two new species and one new synonymy are presented along with new diagnoses, descriptions, a distribution map, and key to species. The resulting species of Phylacastus are: P. ancoraliumsp. nov., P. crypticoides Koch (= P. pretoriensis Koch syn. nov.), P. makskacymirowisp. nov., P. rhodesianus Koch, and P. striolatus Fairmaire. Lectotypes are designated for the type species, P. striolatus, to fix the taxonomic status of the species and genus. As a result of examination and subsequent description of P. ancoraliumsp. nov., a brief review and treatment of aedeagal morphology is presented. The nomenclature (“clavae” versus “laciniae”) and phylogenetic occurrence of accessory structures of the paramere-median lobe area within Blaptinae Leach and Adelinina LeConte (Diaperinae, Diaperini) are discussed. New descriptive terminology (i.e., ancora [singular] and ancorae [plural]) is proposed for these aedeagal structures in Blaptinae to clarify their function and resolve past ambiguities. The morphology within representatives of Adelina Dejean, Alphitophagus Stephens, Gnatocerus Thunberg, and Sitophagus Mulsant is also briefly contrasted and outlined.