Dicordylus vanini Mermudes, 2006

Mermudes, José Ricardo M., 2025, On the rare species of Dicordylus Lacordaire and Homalocerus Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Belidae) with notes on male terminalia of D. vanini Mermudes, Zootaxa 5646 (1), pp. 144-150 : 146-148

Dicordylus vanini Mermudes, 2006

( Figs 3–10 )

Dicordylus vanini Mermudes, 2006: 74 (fig. 1). Bená et al. 2024.

Type material. Neotype ( Figs 3 – 10 ) from BRAZIL. Paraná. Ponta Grossa ( Vila Velha IAPAR ), 1 male, 02.X.2000 malaise 3E2, Ganho & Marinoni leg. (white, printed), ( DZUP 085540 , white, printed); Dicordylus vanini Mermudes, 2006 (male symbol), Mermudes & Queiroz det. 2011 (white, manuscript). The neotype was hereby designated to guarantee nomenclatural stability and fix the type-locality of this species.

Diagnosis. In 2006, Mermudes distinguished D. vanini from other species in the genus based on the following characteristics: 1) dorsal vestiture with dense, decumbent, shining, reddish-orange scales; 2) elytra with long, decumbent, ferruginous setae near the suture of the basal 1/4, these setae being conspicuously denser at the middle of the disk; and 3) absence of a rounded spot on the elytra.

Description of terminalia, male. Tergite VIII ( Fig. 5 ) strongly transverse and arched, with slightly sinuous lateral margins, apical margin truncate-rounded with elongated and moderately dense setae. Sternite VIII ( Fig. 6 ) strongly transverse, lateral and apical margins as in the tergite; proximal margin conspicuously emarginate, with the length of the apodeme subequal to the width of the sternite. Spiculum gastrale ( Figs 5 – 6 ) elongate, more than 5x the width of the proximal process. Tegmen ( Fig. 7 ) elongate, parameres at least 4x longer than the body of the ring, apodeme short, subequal to the body of the tegmen ring; apex of the paramere rounded and strongly curved in the distal fifth. Aedeagus ( Figs 8 – 9 ), elongate and narrow, with subparallel sides; strongly pointed at the apex, this conspicuously dilated in lateral view ( Fig. 9 ); apodemes very short, less than 1/4 the length of the aedeagus.

Distribution. This species is known only from the type locality of the neotype.

Remarks. The original holotype specimen of Dicordylus vanini , which was the sole specimen upon which the species description by Mermudes (2006) was based, was tragically destroyed in the fire at the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro on September 2, 2018. This loss leaves the species without its primary name-bearing type, which is essential for ensuring taxonomic stability and accurate identification of the species. As the original description was based on a single, now-destroyed specimen with limited locality data, there is a significant risk of confusion and misidentification of this species in the future.

To address this critical issue and maintain nomenclatural stability, I am herein designating a neotype for Dicordylus vanini . This action is taken in strict accordance with The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature ( ICZN, 1999). Specifically, I am adhering to Article 74 and 75.3, which outline the conditions and procedures for designating a neotype when the original holotype has been lost or destroyed. Furthermore, I am ensuring that the designated neotype is deposited in a publicly accessible institution ( DZUP, Coleção Entomológica Pe Jesus Santiago Moure , Depto de Zoologia , Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba ), as required by Article 75.3.7 of the ICZN (1999).

The designation of this neotype, a male specimen collected in a malaise trap at Ponta Grossa (Vila Velha IAPAR), Paraná, Brazil, is essential to fix the type locality of Dicordylus vanini and to provide a definitive reference point for future taxonomic studies. This action will prevent ambiguity, ensure correct application of the species name, and facilitate ongoing research on this rare and geographically restricted beetle species.

Figures

FIGURES 3–4. Dicordylus vanini, neotype: 3, habitus dorsal; 4, lateral.

FIGURES 5–9. Dicordylus vanini, neotype, male terminalia: 5, tergite VIII dorsal; 6, Stenite VIII and spiculum gastrale, ventral; 7–8, aedeagus, respectively, dorsal and ventral.

FIGURE 10. Dicordylus vanini, neotype, label, specimen deposited at DZUP.