<i>Memoan ciceroi</i> gen. et sp. nov., a remarkable new firefly genus and species from the Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Abstract

A species of firefly discovered in a fragile and rapidly disappearing Atlantic Rainforest biome in Brazil does not fit into any of the existing subfamilies nor described generic categories in the Lampyridae and is described here as Memoan ciceroi gen. et sp. nov. and classed as Lampyridae Incertae sedis, as it exhibits features of both the Amydetinae and Lampyrinae. An overview of subfamily arrangements and relevant generic characters is given to support this action. Memoan gen. nov. can be distinguished by its alveolate pronotum and elytra; subserrate antennae, antenommeres II-IX compressed, antennal sockets obliquely inserted on tubercles; labial palp one-segmented and obconic, and by its conspicuous pleuroventral suture.

Hide-and-Seek with Tiny Neotenic Beetles in One of the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots: Towards an Understanding of the Real Diversity of Jurasaidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…Many interesting insects were reported from the Atlantic Forest, including the bioluminescent larvae of Keroplatidae fungus gnats (Diptera) [ 64 ] and rove beetles (Staphylinidae) [ 65 ], the first Neotropical meropeid Mecoptera [ 66 ], ant-brood parasitizing scuttle flies (Phoridae) [ 67 ], and many others. The late discovery of Jurasaidae in the Atlantic Forest might seem surprising at first sight, but considering high numbers of recently reported new lineages in other soft-bodied elateroids, including Lampyridae [ 56 , 57 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], Lycidae [ 19 , 75 ], and Phengodidae [ 76 , 77 ], it is much less surprising. For example, Silveira et al [ 57 ] examined the diversity of fireflies (Lampyridae) in the Serra do Órgãos (a subrange of the Serra do Mar), and, for the first time, collected 58 previously described species along with another 42 yet-undescribed species, which makes the Serra do Órgãos one of the richest firefly hotspots on Earth.…”

Systematic review of the firefly genus Scissicauda (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Amydetinae) from Brazil

“…Terms for structural features follow Jeng et al (2011), Zaragoza (1995) and Silveira and Mermudes (2013, 2014a, 2014b); Crowson (1938, 1944) for metendosternite nomenclature; and Kazantsev and Perez-Gelabert (2008) for female genitalia. For taxonomic treatment we follow McDermott (1966), which is the most recent species catalogue of Lampyridae.…”

Description and phylogenetic analysis of a new firefly genus from the Atlantic Rainforest, with five new species and new combinations (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae)

“…On the other hand, Martin et al (2019) found Memoan ciceroi Silveira & Mermudes, a species with serrate male antennae, to be sister to Amydetes fastigiata Illiger, with flabellate male antennae. Interestingly enough, Silveira and Mermudes (2013) had pointed out important similarities between Memoan and Amydetes, in spite of their differences in antennal morphology. Together, these observations call for the use of a more comprehensive set of traits in firefly taxonomy, as well as a review of character statements and hypotheses of homology based on recent improvements in phylogenetic epistemology (e.g., Sereno 2007, Vogt 2017.…”