Aposphaerion longicolle Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process greatly expanded apically (Fig. 27); mesal antennal spines present (Figs. 8b, 9b); pronotum with impunctate regions; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26); posterior procoxal cavities closed (Fig. 27); mesocoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 6); metepisternum exposed completely below keel (Fig. 33); lateral projections into mesocoxae from mesosternum present (Fig. 21); calli absent from pronotum; pronotum much longer than wide; antennae with multiple carinae (Fig. 45c); tibiae sinuate; tibiae carinate (Fig. 22); femora clavate and pedunculate (Fig. 37a); elytral spines strong laterally, weak suturally. Length: 9-11 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Bolivia, Brazil, French Guyana. Two species.

Discussion.--The relationships of this genus are unclear. It fell in a large polytomy above node C (Fig. 50), which contains primarily North American taxa.

This genus strongly resembles a large Psyrassa, but the distinctly multicarinate antennae (especially on basal segments), strongly spinose elytral apices laterally, and strongly pedunculate femora in Aposphaerion will separate it.