Poecilomorpha Hope, 1841

Rodríguez-Mirón, Geovanni M., 2025, Redescription of the African genus Poecilomorpha Hope, 1814 (Megalopodidae: Megalopodinae) and description of a new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 987, pp. 264-280 : 267-270

Genus Poecilomorpha Hope, 1841

Figs 2–4

Poecilomorpha Hope, 1841: 178 , pl. ii fig. 4 (original description).

Poecilomorpha – Lacordaire 1845: 721 (redescription). — Gemminger 1874: 3275 (catalogue). — Chapuis 1874: 93 (redescription). — Weise 1902: 119, 120 (diagnosis). — Jacoby & Clavareau 1905: 11 (redescription, catalogue). — Heyne 1908: 247 (number of species). — Pic 1908: 240 (misapplication of the name). — Clavareau 1913: 17 (catalog). — Jolivet 1951: 14 (faunal treatment). — Pic 1951: 27, 35 (misapplication of the name). — Chujo 1951: 60 (misapplication of the name). — Seeno & Wilcox 1982: 25 (checklist). — Erber & Medvedev 2002: 100 (misapplication of the name). — Yu & Liang 2002: 119 (mention of the type and misapplication of the name). — An 2015: 315 (misapplication of the name). — Rodríguez-Mirón 2018: 285 (checklist). — Rodríguez-Mirón et al. 2021: 16, 18 (phylogenetic treatment, nomenclature).

Type species

Poecilomorpha passerinii Hope, 1841 (by monotypy).

Diagnosis

Poecilomorpha differs from the other Sphondylini genera by the following combination of character states: head constricted posteriorly ( Fig. 2F ), the rounded apical edge of the ligula, internal edges of eyes posterior to canthi parallel ( Fig. 2F ), antennae ( Fig. 2H ) moderately long, reaching beyond procoxae; pronotum trapezoidal in shape ( Fig. 1I ); pronotum and elytra coarsely punctate ( Fig. 2D ); the subparallel external margins of elytra (Fig. D); metafemora swollen ( Fig. 2E ), metatarsomeres I–III shaped differently than pro- and mesotarsomeres III and tergite II with two sclerotized areas ( Fig. 2I ).

Redescription

HEAD. Constricted behind eyes ( Fig. 2F ); frontal surface along eye margins with ocellate punctures ( Fig. 2F ); frons convex, punctate. Antennae subclavate ( Fig. 2H ), medium in length reaching beyond procoxae, with 11 antennomeres; scape subconical with two longitudinal carinae on posterior part; antennomere I globose; V–X articulated laterally; XI ovoid; scape and antennomere II–IV with scattered setae; setae on X–XI short and compressed. Eyes ( Fig. 2E–F ) prominent 1.4 × as wide as long, covering ¾ of lateral sides of the head, margin posterior to canthi parallel ( Fig. 2F ). Frontoclypeal groove shallow ( Fig. 2F ). Clypeus trapezoidal, punctate, with erect pubescence laterally, anterior region translucent; labrum semicircular ( Fig. 2F ), surface of disc sparsely setose, anterior margin densely so. Mandibles triangular, external side convex in lateral view, punctate, with procumbent setae. Maxillary palps with three palpomeres, I subconical, longer than II; ligula complete. Labial palps with three palpomeres, I shorter than II and III, I subconical. Gula trapezoidal, impunctate.

THORAX. Pronotum ( Fig. 1I ) trapezoidal, wider than long, with groove along central part of posterior edge, strongly constricted posteriorly; surface convex, coarsely punctate; posterior part wider than anterior, with narrow posterolateral projections; posterior edge beaded, as wide as base of elytra. Procoxal cavities closed, procoxae contiguous, conical, protruding; mesocoxae ovate, protruding slightly; metacoxae subquadrate, metacoxal space wide. Mesoscutum ( Fig. 2J ) with stridulatory files; apical region rounded ( Fig. 2J ). Scutellum ( Fig. 2J ) subtriangular punctate with decumbent pubescence. Elytra ( Fig. 2D ) with external margins parallel, disc slightly convex dorsally, coarsely punctate; humeri not prominent. Mesoand metaventral processes joined ( Fig. 2K ), with orifice internally. Metaepisternum with anterior groove ( Fig. 2K ). Leg pairs progressively longer posteriorly; pro- and mesofemora elongate, metafemora swollen ( Fig. 2E ); metatrochanters truncate; meso- and metatibiae with row of denticles dorsally, apophysis rounded, apex with two spurs; pro- and mesotarsomeres I–III subconical; metatarsomeres I–III subcylindrical; on each leg tarsomere IV reduced in size, tarsomere V curved, as long as I–III combined, dorsal edge with mucro; claws bifid; empodia short, with two setae.

ABDOMEN. Tergites ( Fig. 2I ) I and III with two sclerotized regions, rest membranous. First spiracle distinctly larger than others ( Fig. 2J ); pygidium subtriangular, punctate and setose; ventrite I with anterior edge beaded, abdominal process not projected between metacoxae; in females, last abdominal ventrite slightly concave apically, with projection in abdominal cavity.

MALE GENITALIA. Aedeagus ( Fig. 2P–Q ); dorsal portion of median lobe membranous; struts and lateral margins of median lobe slightly sclerotized; struts fused with edge of median lobe. Tegmen ( Fig. 2O ); parameres long, fused; tegmen ring lanceolate; roof long.

FEMALE GENITALIA. Spermatheca ( Fig. 2M ) complex; proximal part of spermathecal capsule kidneyshaped; stem and terminal portion of capsule connected by common duct.

Nomenclatural changes

Following the revision of the type specimens of Poecilomorpha apicalis Pic, 1951 , P. atricornis Pic, 1951 , P. curta Pic, 1951 , P. fasciaticeps Pic, 1951 , P. immaculatipes Pic, 1951 , P. impressipennis Pic, 1951 , P. laticornis Pic, 1951 , P. nigroapicalis Pic, 1951 , P. nigromaculata Pic, 1951 , P. overlaeti Pic, 1951 , P. testaceipennis Pic, 1917 , P. trimaculata Pic, 1951 , P. usambarica Weise, 1902 and a comparison with Leucastea dohrni Stål, 1855 (type species of the genus Leucastea Stål, 1855 ), the aforementioned Poecilomorpha species are transferred to Leucastea based on their subfiliform antennae, presence of two transverse and well-marked grooves on the pronotum (one anteriorly, the other posteriorly), and the rounded pronotal lateral edges ( Jacoby & Clavareau 1905). Also following the revision of the type specimens of Poecilomorpha diversipes Pic, 1951 , P. trilineata Erber & Medvedev, 2002 and from the examination of the photograph of the type specimen of P. gravastella Péringuey 1908 , they are transferred to Sphondylia based on the following character states: head broad and without constriction behind eyes; eyes not prominent; thorax wider than long, widest at middle and with rounded lateral edges; pronotum without grooves; and elytra distinctly narrowed posteriorly ( Jacoby & Clavareau 1905). Following the comparison of the type specimens of Poecilomorpha abyssinica Pic, 1951 and P. delagoensis Pic, 1913 with Sphondylia afer (Klug, 1824) it is considered that P. abyssinica and P. delagoensis are synonyms of S. afer .

After revising the type specimen of Poecilomorpha tarsata Bryant, 1941 and comparing it with Monrosolopha obscura Erber & Medvedev (a monospecific genus), I transfer this species to Monrosolopha . This decision is based on the head being retracted into the pronotum, the pronotum being the same width or wider than the base of the elytra, and the posterior edge being sinuated. Additionally, after reviewing a photograph of a syntype of Poecilomorpha aureovillosa Jacoby, 1894 and comparing it with Macrolopha rustica Weise, 1902 (the type species of Macrolopha Weise, 1902 ), I transfer this species to Macrolopha (Macrolophini Rodríguez-Mirón, 2021) . This transfer is based on the pronotum having sub-basal lateral projections that point posteriorly ( Rodríguez-Mirón et al. 2021).

Rodríguez-Mirón (2018) overlooked that Bryant (1923) had synonymized Poecilomorpha luteipennis Westwood, 1864 with Antonaria senegalensis ( Lacordaire, 1845) , and erroneously listed it as a valid combination. In the same work, Bryant (1923) also established the combination Falsotemnaspis lacordairei ( Westwood, 1864) and thus excluded this species from Poecilomorpha ; however, Rodríguez-Mirón (2018) erroneously listed it in Poecilomorpha .

Checklist of species placed in the genus Poecilomorpha Hope, 1841

Poecilomorpha cribricollis ( Pic, 1951)

Poecilomorpha minuta ( Pic, 1951)

Poecilomorpha passerinii Hope, 1841

Poecilomorpha pseudocribricollis sp. nov.

Incertae sedis

Poecilomorpha atricolor Pic, 1951: 45 – type in RMCA

Poecilomorpha atripennis Pic 1946: 152 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha atripes Lacordaire, 1845: 727

Poecilomorpha bicoloripes Pic, 1951: 47 – type in RMCA

Poecilomorpha binotata Péringuey, 1892: 83 – type in SAM

Poecilomorpha calabarica Westwood, 1864: 274

Poecilomorpha divisa Jacoby, 1895: 163 – type in SAM

Poecilomorpha dollmani Bryant, 1931: 555 – type in BMNH

Poecilomorpha freyi Pic, 1951: 2 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha hacquardi Pic, 1955: 10 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha maynei Pic, 1951: 47 – type in RMCA

Poecilomorpha nigricornis Pic, 1955: 10 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha preapicalis Pic, 1955: 234 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha variabilis Perroud, 1853: 522 – type in MNHN

Poecilomorpha viridipennis Pic, 1951: 44 – type in RMCA

Poecilomorpha suturalis (Clavareau, 1909) – type in RMCA

Figures

Fig. 2. A–B, R. Poecilomorpha passerinii Hope, 1841, syntype, ♂ (OUMNH). A. Dorsal view.B. Ventral view. C. Poecilomorpha innotata Pic, 1946, syntype, sex? (MNHN), dorsal view. D–Q. Poecilomorpha passerinii Hope, 1841. D–K, N–Q. ♂ (MNHN). L–M. ♀ (MNHN). D. Dorsal view. E. Lateral view. F. Frontal view.G. Margin of the antennal awning.H. Antenna.I. Dorsal abdomen view.J. Mesoscutum. K. Metaepisternum. L. Sternite VIII female. M. Spermatheca. N. Spiculum gastrale. O. Tegmen. P. Middle lobe. Q. Middle lobe apex. R–S. Type labels.

Fig. 3. Poecilomorpha minuta, holotype, ♂ (RMCA). A. Dorsal view. B. Ventral view. C. Lateral view. D. Tegmen. E. Middle lobe. F. Pronotum. G. Frontal view. H. Middle lobe apex. I. Type labels.

Fig. 4. Poecilimorpha cribricollis, holotype, ♂ (RMCA). A. Dorsal view. B. Ventral view. C. Frontal view. D. Pronotum. E. Lateral view. F. Maxillary and labial palps. G. Type labels.

Fig. 1. A. Pronotum of Monrosolopha tarsata (Bryant, 1941). B. Pronotum of Bryantonaria crampeli (Pic,1913), syntype, ♂ (MNHN). C. Mesoventrite pit of B. crampeli, ♂ (MNHN). D. Crenate elytral edge of Antonaria sp. E. Pronotum of Antonaria sp. F. Pronotum lateral view of Falsocolobaspis elongatus Pic, 1951, ♂ (RMCA). G. Pronotum of Piomelopus flabellicornis (Jacoby, 1895), ♂ (MNHN). H. Pronotum of Sphondylia sp. I. Pronotum of Poecilomorpha passerinii Hope, 1841, ♂ (MNHN).