BULLETIN du MUSÉUM NATIONAL d’HISTOIRE NATURELLE PUBLICATION BIMESTRIELLE zoologie 289 N° 412 SEPTEMBRE-OCTOBRE 1976 BULLETIN du MUSÉUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris Directeur : Pr M. Vachon. Comité directeur : Prs J. Dorst, C. Lévi et R. Laffitte. Rédacteur général : Dr M.-L. Bauchot. Secrétaire de rédaction : M me P. Dupérier. Conseiller pour l’illustration : Dr N. Halle. Le Bulletin du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, revue bimestrielle, paraît depuis 1895 et publie des travaux originaux relatifs aux diverses branches de la Science. Les tomes 1 à 34 (1895-1928), constituant la l re série, et les tomes 35 à 42 (1929-1970), constituant la 2 e série, étaient formés de fascicules regroupant des articles divers. 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Sciences physico-chimiques : France, 25 F ; Étranger, 30 F. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) : 0027-4070. BULLETIN DU MUSÉUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE 3 e série, n° 412, septembre-octobre 197fi, Zoologie 289 The Sipalini of French Guiana (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Rhynchophorinae) 1 by Patricia Vaurie * Résumé. — Dix espèces appartenant à trois genres ( Rhinostonius , Mesocordylus , Orthogna- thus ) de la tribu des Sipalini sont signalées de la Guyane française. Leur répartition en Guyane, ainsi que leur répartition générale, est donnée. Des clefs sont présentées pour les genres de la tribu dans le Nouveau Monde, ainsi que pour les espèces de la Guyane française. Abstract. — Ten species belonging to three généra (Rhinostomus, Mesocordylus, Orthogna- thus ) of the tribe Sipalini are reported from French Guiana. Their distribution in French Guiana, as well as their general range, is given. Keys are presented to the généra of the tribe in the New World as well as to the species in French Guiana. The largest collections from French Guiana and in sonie cases the only specimens from that country are in the Muséum national d’Ilistoire naturelle, Paris, winch recently (1969) sent an expédition there. Ten of the 36 species of the neotropical curculionid tribe, Sipalini, hâve been found in French Guiana. Previous to my révision (Vaurie, 1970, June, December, 1971) of these little known, dark-colored weevils, only two species ( Meso- cordylus rugicollis and striatus of Boheman) had been described from French Guiana, and the catalogues of Junk and Blackwelder listed only these two as occurring there. Pru- dhomme (1906), however, had already collected Rhinostomus barhirostris (Fabricius) in French Guiana and he listed also Mesocordylus and Orthognathus , but without species. Since 1971 additional records of Sipalini hâve accumulated, and T présent herewith those pertaining to the species of French Guiana. The tribe is composed of five généra, one ( Sipalinus ) in Africa and Asia, one ( Yucca- borus ) in North America, and three généra found chiefly in South America. (Another genus, Nudoderes Hustache, appearing in catalogues under the tribe Sipalini, was syno- nymized by Ivuschel in 1955 with Ithaura Pascoe, in a different subfamily, the Ilylo- biinae.) The species of the généra Rhinostomus, Mesocordylus, and Orthognathus in French Guiana can be recognized as follows : They are medium to large (generally from 12 to 50 mm) ; elongate, oblong, cylindrical in shape ; and hlack or brownish in coloration. In contrast to many Curculionidae they hâve no scales, but they can hâve hairs, or, on the elytra, rows of silkv or rather tomentose, whitish granular spots ; some species hâve an over-all 1. Contribution à l’étude de la faune entomologique de la Guyane française. * Department of Entomology, American Muséum o/ Natural History, New York, N. Y., et Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 412, 1 1228 PATRICIA VAURIE shining glaze. The eyes of these nocturnal weevils are very large, meeting under the head ; the antennae are elbowed, and composed of a six-segmented funiculus, a scape, and a partially or almost entirely spongy club. The pygidium is mostly covered bv the punctate- striate elytra, not truly exposed as in other Rhynehophorinae. The mandibles on their inner surface are convex and smooth, not dentate, forming little ears or “ oreillettes The mesepimeron is proportionally small, ascending angularly ; the femora and tibiae are unarmed ; the claws divergent. Probably the only well known species is the large Rhinostomus barbirostris, the male of which is instantly recognizable by its very long front legs and long, straight hottle-hrush rostrum that hristles with golden-red hairs and dorsal teeth. This species breeds in and causes damage to palm trees, especially coconut palms. At least some of the species of Mesocordylus hâve the same habits, but ecological information is lacking for most species. The sexes are strongly dimorphic in barbirostris, as the female Jacks the bearded rostrum, bers being more modest and also smooth. In other species of the tribe the sexes are difîe- rentiated also by the rostrum. Figs. 1-5. — Généra of Sipalini : 1, Rhinostomus ; 2, Mesocordylus ; 3. Ortliognathus, male, showing ros- tral tooth ; 4, Antennal club, Mesocordylus cerinus and striatus ; 5. Antennal club, Mesocordylus eury- trerna and scutellaris. KeY TO THE GENERA OF SlPALINI IN THE New WORLD 1. Eyes virtually contiguous on top of head ; pronotum without postoeular lobe (fig. 1) ; third tarsal segment dilated and bilobed ; at least one pair of tibiae dentate on inner edge (teeth may be very small). Rhinostomus Eyes widely separated by width of base of beak ; pronotum with strong or feeble postoeular lobe (figs. 2, 3) ; third tarsal segment narrow, linear ; tibiae not dentate on inner edge. . 2 2. Metepisternum fiat, narrow, generally with only 1 row of punctures and at middle not wider than last (marginal) elytral interval ; beak behind apex subcylindrical ; hind tibiae linear (but feeblv widened at apex in 3 species). Mesocordylus SIPALINI OF FRENCH GUIANA 1229 Metepisternum convex, wide, with from 2 to 4 or 5 rows of punctures and at middle almost twice width of last elvtral interval ; beak behind apex compressed, flattened laterally, its lower edge margined ; hind tibiae at apex twice or more tbeir width at base. Orthognathus Genus RHINOSTOMUS Rafinesque, 1815 Synonym : Harpacterus Schoenherr, 1845. The earlier name Rhina Latreille, 1802, was fourni to be preoccupied (International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature, 1955, Opinions and Déclarations, vol. 10, pt. 12 : 355-388). Two of the seven species of the genus are found in French Guiana ; of the other species, two inhabit the Greater Antilles ( oblitus , scrutator), one ( meldolae ) the Andaman Islands 1 , one Africa ( niger ), and one ( thompsoni ), Colombia and Ecuador. Key to the species of Rhinostomus in Fbench Guiana — Front coxae separated by twice or more width of antennal club ; club almost entirely spongy ; front tibia with teeth on inner edge as long as tibia is wide ; fémur scarcely punctate ; beak of male with brush of long, golden-red hairs and with dorsal dentations ; 12 to 53 mm. (without beak). barbirostris — Front coxae virtually contiguous, separated by width of antennal segments ; club with spongy part one-half or two-thirds longer than horny base ; front tibia with inner teeth minute, not always visible due to hairs ; fémur strongly punctate ; beak of male not as stated above ; 12 to 16 mm (without beak). quadrisignatus Rhinostomus barbirostris (Fabricius, 1775) Synonyms : R. affaber, costalis, and ebriosa Fahraeus, 1838 ; Curculio validus Panzer, 1798 ; R. oerrirostris Illiger, 1806. Cayenne ; Roches de Kourou ; St Jean du Maroni ; St Laurent du Maroni. 21 specimens. This species, the type of the genus, occurs in western and Southern Mexico and ranges south through Central America (excluding the Antilles) to the island of Trinidad and ail South America (except Chile). Rhinostomus quadrisignatus (Boheman, 1845) Synonym : Harpactenis ebeninus Boheman, 1845. Guatimala ; Rivière de Kourou (new locality) ; St Laurent du Maroni — 3 specimens. When greased this species, viewed at a glance, might be mistaken for small females 1. The type of Rhina lineata Desbrochers des Loges, 1890((type locality, Andaman Islands), a synonym of meldolae Pascoe, was not found at the time of my révision, but has now been identified in the Paris Muséum — a male in perfect condition with the name and locality in the author’ shandwriting and agreeing with his detailed description. 1230 PATRICIA VAURIE of barbirostris although the rostrum and other characters dilfer (see key above). The known range outside of French Guiana covers Brazil (type locality), Peru, and Ecuador, with the addition herewith of new localities in Venezuela (Rancho Grande, Aragua), and Colombia (Leticia, Amazonas), and Surinam. Genus MESOCORDYLUS Eacordaire, 1866 Many of the species of this genus are uncommon in collections and they are readily overlooked, heing black or brown and rather unattractive. They were previously included in the genus Sipalinus (= Sipalus ) of the Old World hefore Lacordaihe removed the New World species. Their géographie range extends from northwestern Mexico south through South America to northern Argentina, including some of the Greater and Cesser Antilles. There are 19 species in addition to the 7 found in French Guiana. Key to the species of Mesocordylus in French Guiana 1. Elytral intervals either without pale spots or with numerous, dense, flattish spots separated bv no more tlian twice their diameters (20 or more spots from base to apical declivity of elytra). 2 Elytral intervals with widely separated (by from 3 to 8 times their diameters), pale, elevated, granular or hairy spots (from 2 to 15 or fewer from base to apical declivity of elytra). ... 5 2. Antennal club, viewed from outer side, with pale spongy apex virtually hidden, or visible only as a fine pale line (fîg. 4). 3 Antennal club, viewed from either side, with pale spongy apex small but distinct (perhaps one-fourth length of club) (fig. 5). 4 3. Dorsum covered with yellowish, enamel-like, glossy glaze ; rostrum arcuate ; pronotum with margin behind eye strongly lobed (post-ocular lobe), and dorsally behind apex feebly impressed ; aedeagus at apex deeplv U-shaped. cerinus Dorsum blackish or grayish-opaque, mat ; rostrum virtually straight ; pronotum with margin behind eye feebly sinuate, and dorsally behind apex deeply impressed ; aedeagus at apex scar- cely emarginate. striatus 4 (2). Pronotum distinctly longer than wide ; rostrum on sides behind antennal insertion with spongy coating, when viewed from above, not or scarcely visible ; aedeagus with apex U-shaped. scutellaris Pronotum as wide as, or wider than long ; rostrum behind antennal insertion with spongy coating visible from above, covering outer third or fourth of rostrum ; aedeagus with apex V-shaped. eurytrema 5 (1). Tarsal soles rather spongy with hairs very short and not visible in dorsal view ; elytra generallv clearly marked with rows of large whitish spots contrasting with dark surface. . . . subulatus Tarsal soles more hairy than spongy, hairs sufficiently long to be visible, in dorsal view, from sides or apex ; elytra generallv with vesicular spots less évident, less contrasting on rather rough or opaque surface. 6 6. Antennal club with spongy apex subtruncate and so small as to be scarcely visible (fig. 4) ; elytra with vesicular, tomentose spots narrower than intervals. apiciclava Antennal club with spongy apex subacuminate, small, but about one fourth length of club ; elytra with tomentose spots as wide as intervals. rugicollis SIPALINI OF FRENCH GUIANA 1231 Mesocordylus cerinus Vaurie, 1970 La Forestière, Haut Maroni (type locality ; type in Muséum national d’Histoire natu¬ relle) ; also Rivière Lunier, new locality. 2 specimens. So far as known, restricted to French Guiana. Mesocordylus striatus (Boheman, 1838) Cayenne (type locality) ; Roches de Kourou ; Environ St Georges, Rivière Oyapock (new locality). 15 specimens. A widespread species ranging from Central America to South America where it has been collected in Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Surinam, Colombia, and Peru. Mesocordylus scutellaris (Erichson, 1847) Synonym : Mesocordylus glaber Yoss, 1947. St Laurent du Maroni ; Nouveau Chantier, Bas Maroni. 3 specimens. Further distribution of tbis species is in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (type locality). Mesocordylus eurytrema Vaurie, 1970 Cayenne (type locality) ; St Laurent du Maroni. 5 specimens. One specimen has been seen from Peru. Mesocordylus subulatus (Germar, 1824) Synonym : Sipalus sphacelatus Boheman, 1838. Maroni ; Nouveau Chantier (new locality). 4 specimens. This species occurs also in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama in Central America, and in Bolivia, Brazil (type locality), Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in South America. The size and spacing of the white spots on the elytra are variable. Mesocordylus apiciclava Vaurie, 1970 St Laurent du Maroni (type locality ; type in Paris Muséum). 5 specimens. At the lime of inv révision (1970) I had no females, but hâve now seen three. Pre- viously I thought this species might be the male of rugicolli y as they are so similar, espe- 1232 PATRICIA VAURIE cially the females. However, as the aedeagus of apiciclava is so distinctive (lacking the apical emargination of the majority of the species), it seems best to await males of rugi- collis before making a change. Outside of French Guiana, apiciclava occnrs in the Amazon River basin in Brazil. Mesocordylus rugicollis (Boheman, 1845) Cayenne (type locality). 3 females. This is the only locality yet recorded for this species. Genus ORTHOGNATHUS Schoenherr, 1838 The three species of this genus occur from the southwestern part of the United States south to Panama and Venezuela (subparallelus Chevrolat, 1880) ; in South America in the northeast and northwest (imaginis Vaurie, 1970) ; and in southeastern Brazil and western Bolivia [lividus Gyllenhal, 1838). Examples hâve been seen as small as 5 mm ( lividus ) and as large as 17 mm {subparallelus). O. subparallelus has been collected at lights. Although only imaginis has been found in French Guiana, I give below a key to ail 3 species because my former key (1970 : 75) has become inadéquate with the examination of addi- tional material. Revised key to the species of Orthognathus 1. Front tibia at apex bilobed and deeply emarginate ; hind tibia at inner apex with large blunt lobe ; beak of male with 2 pendant teeth in front of antennal insertion (fig. 3). lividus Front tibia at apex obliquely truncate (in some specimens feebly emarginate) ; hind tibia at inner apex with hook, sharp tooth, or acuminate lobe ; beak of male not toothed, but generally with médian semi-lunar dise ventrally. 2 2. Hind tibia at inner apex (in latéral view) with angularly bent backward hook ; antennal club symmetrical, its spongy apex about one-fourth length of club (fig. 5). subparallelus Hind tibia at inner apex (in latéral view) appearing as sharp tooth or (in frontal view) as acu¬ minate lobe ; antennal club asymmetrical, its spongy apex flattened and scarcely visible in latéral view. imaginis Orthognathus imaginis Vaurie, 1970 Maroni. 2 specimens. Additional localities in South America where imaginis occurs are to the south along the Rio Tapajoz in Para, Brazil, and on the western coast in Guayas Province, Ecuador (type locality), also inland in Loreto Province, Peru. LITERATURE CITED Kuschei., G., 1955. — Nuevas sinonimias y anotaciones sobre Curculionoidea (1). Revta chil. Ent., 4 : 261-312. Prudhomme, M., 1906. — Catalogue des Coléoptères de la Guyane française recueillis de 1870 à 1906 : 3-46. SIPALINI OF FRENCH GUIANA 1233 Vaurie, I’., 1970 (June). — Weevils of the tribe Sipalini (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Rhyncho- phorinae). Pt. 1. The généra Rhinostomus and Yuccaborus. Am. Mus. Novit., 2419 : 1-57, figs 1-59. — 1970 (Dec.). — Part 2. The généra Mesocordylus and Orthognathus. Ibid., 2441 : 1-78, figs 1-77. — 1971. — Part 3. The genus Sipalinus. Ibid., 2463 : 1-43, figs 1-53. Manuscrit déposé le 15 janvier 1976. Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat., Paris, 3 e sér., n° 412, sept.-oct. 1976, Zoologie 289 : 1227-1233. Achevé d’imprimer le 28 février 1977. IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE 6 564 004 5 Recommandations aux auteurs Les articles à publier doivent être adressés directement au Secrétariat du Bulletin du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris. Ils seront accompa¬ gnés d’un résumé en une ou plusieurs langues. L’adresse du Laboratoire dans lequel le travail a été effectué figurera sur la première page, en note infrapaginale. 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