Micropsyrassa bimaculata Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process widened apically (not planar) (Fig. 18); mesal antennal spines present (Fig. 8b, 9b); pronotum with impunctate regions (poorly defined, however); pronotum without longitudinal rugosities, transverse ridges, or uniformly-sized confluent punctures; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26); procoxal cavities open posteriorly (Fig. 18); mesotibial carinae present (Fig. 22); profemora clavate (Fig. 37b); meso- and metafemora clavate and pedunculate (Fig. 37a); body and appendages of most specimens with very long flying hairs (Fig. 16); spine on third antennomere blunt in most specimens (Fig. 28). Length: 7-11 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--México to Panamá, Bolivia, Brazil. Ten species.

Discussion.--Micropsyrassa was shown to be the sister genus to Neoperiboeum, although they are both part of a large unresolved polytomy (Fig. 50). Additional character analysis and inclusion of more taxa are needed to better understand their relationships.

Micropsyrassa is similar to Conosphaerion, Centrocerum and Minipsyrassa in superficial appearance. Micropsyrassa does not have broad-based, acute lateral pronotal tubercles as in Conosphaerion. In Centrocerum, the meso- and metafemora are not clavate and pedunculate as in Micropsyrassa. Minipsyrassa has a moderate pronotal constriction anteriorly and posteriorly, spines not beyond fourth antennomere, and clavate femora--all characters separating it from Micropsyrassa.