Aneflus obscurus Click here for a larger view

Aneflus sonoranus Click here for a larger view

Aneflus obscurus (LeConte, 1873):177, 301. NEW COMBINATION

Species examined.--A. bullocki Chemsak & Giesbert, 1986; A. calvatus Horn, 1885b; A. cylindricollis Bates, 1892; A. glabropunctatus Chemsak & Linsley, 1963b; A. levettei (Casey, 1891); A. maryannae Chemsak & Linsley, 1968; A. minutivestis Chemsak & Linsley, 1963b; A. paracalvatus Knull, 1955; A. prolixus fisheri Knull, 1934c; A. prolixus insoletus Chemsak & Linsley, 1963b; A. protensus protensus (LeConte, 1858b); A. rugicollis Linsley, 1935c; A. sonoranus Casey, 1924; A. variegatus Chemsak & Linsley, 1963b (holotype).

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process between procoxae strongly expanded apically (as in Fig. 27, although procoxal cavities slightly open posteriorly); mesal antennal spines present, Figs. 8b, 9b (except A. obscurus which 12-segmented antennae with no spines, and strongly appendiculate antennomeres, Fig. 13); pronotum with impunctate regions present; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26d); pronotum without transverse sculpturing; mesotibial carinae present (Fig. 22); metafemora gradually enlarged to linear (Fig. 37c, d); spine on antennomere three acute (Fig. 45a, b); antennomere three about one-half length of pronotum or less (Fig. 46a); profemoral shape gradually enlarged (Fig. 37c, d); antennomere 3+4 about length of pronotum or longer; antennomeres strongly widened at apices or appendiculate (Figs. 13a, 45c); elytral lateral spines strong (Figs. 8f, 10f, 41a); large and parallel-sided. Length: 21-37 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Southern United States to Panamá. Twenty-four species.

Discussion.--Since Axestinus and Aneflus share three synapomorphies: appendiculate antennomeres; absence of median pronotal callus; and incomplete MP-CuA wing vein; and both have antennae 12-segmented, or the eleventh antennomere strongly constricted, I synonomize the monotypic Axestinus with Aneflus. Although both were described in the same work and Axestinus preceded Aneflus, I retain Aneflus since it is a much more widely-known name and has been applied to many more taxa. Aneflus fell within a clade including Megapsyrassa and Psyrassaforma (Fig. 50).

Aneflus resembles Aneflomorpha, Meganeflus, Micraneflus, Neaneflus, Megapsyrassa, and Psyrassaforma. Aneflus species are generally large and robust (21-37 mm) while Aneflomorpha species range in length from 8-18 mm. Aneflus also differs from Aneflomorpha (and Meganeflus) in having the antennomeres greatly widened and moderately appendiculate at the apices. Aneflomorpha and Meganeflus have them only slightly widened apically. Aneflus has mesally spined antennae while Micraneflus does not. Aneflus differs from Neaneflus in having carinate antennae and elytral apices spinose or dentiform (antennae without carinae and elytral apices rounded to suture in Neaneflus). Aneflus differs from Megapsyrassa in having slightly open procoxal cavities posteriorly (closed in Megapsyrassa). Aneflus lacks the dense fasciae of pubescence on the head and pronotum which is occurs in Psyrassaforma.