| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Vitali |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 09:13:17
To add to the topic of Anoploderomorpha.
The photo is not of a good quality, but maybe anyone can at least confirm that the beetle belongs to this genus.
It comes from Taiwan.
Three species were recorded from Taiwan: A. densepunctata Hayashi & Villiers, 1994, A. formosana (Matsushita, 1933) and A. izumii Mitono & Tamanuki, 1939.
I understand that identifying black Anoploderomorpha by photo is almost impossible, but maybe one can exclude any of the listed three species by some character, for example, by colour? |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Francesco |
Posted - 21/01/2012 : 07:35:52
As you noticed, the length/width ratio slightly depends on measuring angles... and Villiers measured only one specimen.
It would be interesting to know the real variability of that proportions. |
| Vitali |
Posted - 20/01/2012 : 23:15:26
Thank you a lot! Well, now having both descriptions on hand I find the description of A. formosana (too laconic though) fitting better my beetle.
The proportions of elytra still remain a puzzle, but other features seem correct. |
| Francesco |
Posted - 20/01/2012 : 22:03:09
According to me, your description and the locality fit well with Anoplodera formosana, whose original description can be read at the page 198 here.
At the left the holotype (a male according to Matsushita, but it seems to be a female). |
| Vitali |
Posted - 20/01/2012 : 21:41:01
Sorry for late reply, I was away from home.
Thank you for the description and comments.
I have a pair of these beetles. The male is slender and with a bit longer antennae. The puncture of pronotum is extremely dense, the intervals between points form thin ridges, which are slightly shiny. However, by no way I would call the whole pronotum shiny. Its appearance is rather obscure because of such a dense punctuation. Elytra are really shiny, their punctures are dense but not that much as in pronotum. Generally, regarding the density of punctures, the beetles could be regarded A. densepunctata. The length/width ratio of elytra is between 2.46 and 2.56, slightly depending on measuring angles. This also fits this species.
However, it comes from Puli, Nantou, that is from Northern Taiwan, which is not suitable for A. densepunctata.
Finally, what makes me doubt, is a strong depression in the basal part of elytra in both sexes, which is not mentioned in the description of A. densepunctata. Such a prominent feature cannot be overlooked. The depression is oblique from shoulders towards the centre behind scutellum. Because of it, a sharp flying-bird-like ridge is formed along the elytra base, curved around scutellum. It can be seen even in the bad photo I placed first.
So, what will be the decision? :-) |
| horshehden |
Posted - 18/01/2012 : 22:29:50
According to the Taiwanese book, A. densepunctata should be restricted to southernmost Taiwan.
What is the locality here? |
| Francesco |
Posted - 18/01/2012 : 22:25:05
mmmhm... the species was described on the basis of only one male (here we have a female), it is different in puncturing (not guessable here)... difficult! |
| Vitali |
Posted - 17/01/2012 : 15:17:42
Yes, thank you! I'll let you know the result later. |
| horshehden |
Posted - 17/01/2012 : 15:15:38
so may be now.. |
| Vitali |
Posted - 17/01/2012 : 14:34:51
Probably the attachment name contained a space. I seem to have seen a corresponding warning placed once by Francesco. |
| horshehden |
Posted - 17/01/2012 : 14:20:41
...and attachement. |
| horshehden |
Posted - 17/01/2012 : 14:15:40
If this description will not correspond to your specimen, it will be A. formosana. |
| horshehden |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 13:44:32
Insufficient is my time schedule:-)
will try to answer on Sun. |
| Vitali |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 13:33:24
Thank you. If the photo is insufficient, could you please indicate some feature to distinguish between A. formosana and A. densepunctata? |
| horshehden |
Posted - 11/01/2012 : 10:32:58
A. (A) izumii is different by colour.
It looks more like A. (A) formosana than densepunctata, but I need my collection in hand to confirm it. |
