Elaphidionopsis fasc. 1 Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process expanded apically (Fig. 18); mesal antennal spines present; elytral humeri without epipleural tooth; pronotum with longitudinally oriented rugosities, but no punctation (similar to Fig. 12c); meso- and metatibial carinae present (Fig. 22); third through fifth antennomeres very short but subequal in length (together shorter than pronotum); antennomeres strongly flattened and expanded towards apices (Fig. 13); sexual punctation on venter of prosternum absent (Fig. 42a); bands of dense pubescence on elytra. Length: 9 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Southwestern United States, México. Monotypic.

Discussion.--No specimens were available for dissection and inclusion in the phylogenetic analysis. I hypothesize, due to the incomplete metasternal sulcus, it may be closely related to the clade containing Curtomerus and Elaphidion portoricensis. More specimens are needed to learn its relationships.

The distinctive pronotal rugose sculpturing, shortened antennomeres, and expanded antennomeres readily identify this taxon.