Definition of the Emmallodera perlifera group (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentina with descriptions of two new species

Abstract

The genus Emmallodera Blanchard, 1842 (Tenebrionidae: Scotobiini) is widely distributed in western and southern Argentina and southern Chile, inhabiting the biogeographic provinces Patagonian and Monte. Emmallodera species are characterized by having one spine on the profemur, the last antennomere pointed, and the tarsomeres loosely articulated to each other, with the last tarsomere more prominent. Within the genus, E. perlifera Burmeister, 1875 is the biggest species and is the only characterized by the presence of tubercles on elytral intervals. Studying specimens recently collected we found two new species with the features that characterized E. perlifera but with enough differences on elytral configuration and male genitalia to confirm that they are different species. Therefore, these three species constitute a group inside the genus, with the E. perlifera features and each one inhabits different biogeographic provinces. Emmallodera perlifera, E. payunia Silvestro & Flores sp. nov. and E. andina Silvestro & Macagno sp. nov. inhabit the Monte, the Patagonian and the Puna respectively. This paper includes characterization of the group, designation of lectotype for E. perlifera, descriptions of the species, habitus photographs, illustrations of genital features and a distribution map.