Validation of the Names of Two Weevil Species Described by Skuhrovec et al., Review of Cape Verde Aphanommata Wollaston, 1873 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cossoninae) with Description of New Species, Larva and Notes on Biology and Distributional Patterns; Diversity 2018, 10, 28

Abstract

Two new species of the cossonine genus Aphanommata Wollaston, 1873 from Cape Verde are described, Aphanommata kuscheli sp. n. and Aphanommata strakai sp. n, with bibliographic reference to fuller descriptions and illustrations in the recent paper by Skuhrovec et al. (2018) published in the journal Diversity 10 (2), 28, in which the names were not made available under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature dealing with electronic publication. A lectotype is also here designated for Rhyncolus euphorbiarum Wollaston, 1867, currently assigned to the genus Aphanommata.

1. Introduction

The recent paper by Skuhrovec et al. published in Diversity 10 (2) [1] was not in full compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature [2] regarding publication of online taxonomic papers. Article 8.5. states that, to be considered published [within the meaning of the Code], “a work issued and distributed electronically must be registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) (see Article 78.2.4) and contain evidence in the work itself that such registration has occurred” (Article 8.5.3.). Because the paper by Skuhrovec et al. (2018) was not registered in ZooBank prior to publication and therefore evidence of registration was not included in it, the new taxonomic names proposed in the paper are not available under the Code [3]. The purpose of this paper is to make those names available.

To fulfill the requirements of Article 8.5. of the Code, this paper has been registered in ZooBank, with the LSID above, and the names of the species described below have also been registered, following recommendation 10B of the Code. Nomenclatural acts other than new taxon names cannot presently be registered in ZooBank, but we also here validate the lectotype designation of Rhyncolus euphorbiarum that was proposed by Skuhrovec et al. [1].

To meet the requirements of Article 13.1.2. of the Code, the names listed below are accompanied by a bibliographic reference to their full descriptions and are thereby made available from the publication of this paper. The wording of Article 13.1.2. is somewhat ambiguous as to the status of descriptions based on bibliographic reference, so to avoid any further problems we have added below a brief description differentiating each taxon and a holotype designation with the repository identified; these are repeated from the original paper [1].

2. New Nomenclatural Acts

Aphanommata euphorbiarum (Wollaston, 1867)

Lectotype designation. Lectotype (here designated): Type/(p) T. V. Wollaston Coll., B. M. 1867–82, CAPE VERDE IS. [original white label with a green corner] (Repository: The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom). For further details of the specimen and of the paralectotype, see Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, 2018: 4 [1].

Aphanommata kuscheli Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, sp. n.

Aphanommata kuscheli Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, 2018: 5 [1] (not available)

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2C1F2BA6-683D-45D8-8584-BD3D976488C7

Description. Antennal scape slightly pedunculate at apex, short, shorter than funicule, funicule with 7 antennomeres; funicular antennomere I slightly longer than wide, about 1.75 times as long as II; antennal club about 1.7 times as long as wide; head and pronotum shiny, finely shagreened, evenly finely punctate; anterior margin of pronotum slightly narrower than base; pronotum widest in posterior fourth; elytra with 14–16 rows of punctures of different size, in anterior half cross-cracked, elytral intervals flat. See Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, 2018: 5–7, Figures 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a, 7a, 9, 10 [1] for full description.

Holotype, ♂: “CAPE VERDE Isl., 10.X.2013, SAO NICOLAU, W, Mt. Gordo summit, 16.625089, −24.350854, J. Straka and J. Batelka lgt. (p)/windward slopes in rotten wood of Euphorbia tuckeyana (p)” (Repository: Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany). Paratypes listed in [1].

Distribution. Cape Verde Islands: São Nicolau.

Aphanommata strakai Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, sp. n.

Aphanommata strakai Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, 2018: 13 [1] (not available)

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:22933B26-34C1-4F8D-924F-3F006B3A3374

Description. Antennal scape slightly pedunculate at apex, shorter than funicule, funicule with 7 antennomeres; funicular antennomere I about 1.60 times as long as wide, almost parallel-sided, about 1.75 times as long as II; antennal club about twice as long as wide; head and pronotum shiny, head finely shagreened, pronotom not shagreened, evenly finely punctate, punctures on pronotum bigger; elytra with 14–15 rows of punctures of different size, finely cross-cracked in anterior half only close to sutura, elytral intervals flat; anterior margin of pronotum slightly narrower than base; pronotum widest in posterior fourth. See Skuhrovec, Hlaváč & Batelka, 2018: 13–15, Figures 4c, 4d, 5b, 6b, 7b, 11, 12 [1] for full description.

Holotype, ♂: “CAPE VERDE Isl., FOGO—Chã des Caldeiras 8.–9.X.2009, J. Straka and J. Batelka lgt. (p)” (Repository: Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany). Paratypes listed in [1].

Distribution. Cape Verde Islands: Fogo.