Download full text (PDF 4.5 MB) - University of Nebraska State ...

larvae, and Paucar-Cabrera and Smith (2002)
formally described the larvae of P. gaujoni and
P. lutescens. The fact that these two species
are closely related (see phylogeny) make it impossible
to generalize about generic diagnostic
characters. This is confounded by the lack
of knowledge of larvae in closely related
groups (Paucar-Cabrera and Smith [2002] review
the literature on Anoplognathini larvae).
Based on Paucar-Cabrera and Smith (2002),
Platycoelia larvae have the following combination
of characters: apical antennal segment
with single, dorsal, sensory spot; labrum
asymmetrical; haptomerum of epipharynx
with beak-like process, weak row of basal
heli, or process entirely absent; mandible with
ventral, oval, stridulatory area consisting of
transverse ridges; maxilla with galea and
lacina fused forming mala; lacinia of maxilla
with 3 well-developed, terminal unci; maxillary
stridulatory area with 6-11 sharp, recurved
teeth; palidia absent; anal slit straight
or slightly curved.
DIAGNOSIS. Platycoelia is distinguished
from all other genera of Anoplognathini by
the following combination of characters:
elytron without membranous border, usually
glabrous; mesothoracic process usually welldeveloped;
protibia with spur; mesotibia and
metatibia gracile; tarsomere 5 with claws split
or toothed (not simple); unguitractor plate with
2 setae; male genitalia with phallobase and
parameres not fused; parameres with apices
close together (not widely separated), not
fused.
MONOGRAPHIC REVISION OF PLATYCOELIA 33
DISTRIBUTION. Andes Mountains of South
America and montane areas of Central America
from Hidalgo, México to La Rioja, Argentina.
Remarks on Identification of Platycoelia
species
The surface color and color patterns can
be both helpful and deceiving in the identification
of Platycoelia species. Some species of
Platycoelia can have both yellow and green individuals.
In fact, the color can change
throughout the life of individual Platycoelia.
Why there are two different color forms
within some species is unknown. I suspect
that it may have something to do with the diet
of the beetles and perhaps to aid in camouflage
in yellow or green foliage. This is a fertile
area for future research. Although green
versus yellow is often deceiving, other color
patterns can be extremely helpful in identification.
Species with black, brown, tan, or bicolored
dorsal coloration are consistently the
same color. Dark areas on the metasternum
and abdominal sternites are also often diagnostic
character states at the species level.
The color of the scutellum, metasternal process,
and legs can also be useful.
Males and females of Platycoelia can easily
be separated by examining the front claws
(Fig. 39). In all species, males have the modified
protarsal claw noticeably thickened and
dorsoventrally split whereas females have the
modified protarsal claw not thickened and
with a ventral tooth. For explanations of characters
and states in keys and descriptions, see
the section on “Character Definition.”
Fig. 39. Typical form of male (right) and female (left) front claws.