Argopistes Motschulsky from Madagascar with descriptions of six new species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

By

Biondi, Maurizio
Iannella, Mattia
D'Alessandro, Paola

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1202

Pages

303--327

Subjects

Afrotropical region , ecological niche modelling , Flea beetles , new species , synonymy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1202.122977

 

Abstract

The revision of the flea beetle genus Argopistes Motschulsky, 1860 in Madagascar is provided. Six new species are described: Argopistes janakmoravecorumsp. nov., A. laterosinuatussp. nov., and A. vadoni from the northern area; A. jenisisp. nov., A. keiserisp. nov., and A. seyrigisp. nov. from the central area. A new synonym of Argopistes brunneus Weise, 1895 is established: A. sexguttatus Weise, 1895, syn. nov., since A. sexguttatus is shown to be a chromatic form of A. brunneus. A diagnostic key of the seven Malagasy Argopistes species is provided, with photographs of the habitus, median lobe of the aedeagus, and spermatheca. Finally, based on known occurrences, the current suitable areas for this flea beetle genus in Madagascar are estimated using Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) techniques.