Megachoriolaus
Linsley, 1970
Species Guides
2Megachoriolaus is a of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Linsley in 1970. It belongs to the Lepturinae, tribe Lepturini. The genus contains 17 described distributed in the Americas, with species names suggesting color variation including bicolor, unicolor, flammatus, and ignitus. Many species were originally described in other genera and later transferred to Megachoriolaus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megachoriolaus: /ˌmɛɡəˌkɔːriˈoʊlɔs/
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Identification
Distinguished from related in Lepturini by a combination of structural features established in Linsley's 1970 revision. The genus name 'Megachoriolaus' (large Choriolaus) suggests relatively larger body size compared to the related genus Choriolaus. -level identification relies on coloration patterns and specific structural characters described in original species descriptions.
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Distribution
occur in North, Central, and South America. Documented localities include: Texas, USA (M. texanus); Mexico (multiple species including M. yucatanus from Yucatán, M. chemsaki, M. lineaticollis, M. nigricollis); Central America (M. atripennis, M. patricia originally described from Panama and Rica); and South America (M. bicolor from Ecuador, M. venustus from Brazil).
Similar Taxa
- ChoriolausMegachoriolaus was established to accommodate larger previously placed in Choriolaus; the prefix 'Mega-' indicates this size distinction
More Details
Species diversity
The has grown from its original concept to include 17 , with several additions in the 2000s: M. clarkei (2008), M. sylvainae (2010). Many species were transferred from other genera, particularly from Choriolaus and Strangalia.
Nomenclatural history
Linsley's 1970 establishment of Megachoriolaus involved reclassification of previously attributed to other , reflecting improved understanding of Lepturini tribal relationships.