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Issue: Vol. 5881 No. 3: 22 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-22
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.6
Page range: 409-418
Abstract views: 281
PDF downloaded: 12

A new Cleidella species (Coleoptera: Phengodidae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Laboratório de Entomologia; Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-402; Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia; Museu Nacional; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 20941-160; Brazil
Laboratório de Entomologia; Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-402; Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-902; Brazil
Laboratório de Entomologia; Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-402; Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia; Museu Nacional; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 20941-160; Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-902; Brazil
Laboratório de Entomologia; Departamento de Zoologia; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-402; Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva; Instituto de Biologia; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-902; Brazil
Coleoptera Elateroidea Morphology Neotropical Taxonomy

Abstract

Cleidella Roza & Mermudes, 2020 is a small genus of Mastinocerinae currently known only from montane areas of the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The genus comprises two species, C. picea Roza & Mermudes, 2020 and C. silveirai Roza & Mermudes, 2020, recorded from Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos and Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande. Here, we describe a third species, C. correcta sp. nov., from the Parque Estadual do Desengano, northern Rio de Janeiro State. The new species resembles C. picea in overall coloration but differs mainly by the size and shape of the eyes, and length of antennomeres. We provide a diagnosis, description, illustrations and an updated identification key to the species of Cleidella. The discovery of C. correcta reinforces the importance of Atlantic Rainforest montane areas as centers of endemism of soft-bodied beetles, like Phengodidae, and highlights the still poorly known diversity of Mastinocerinae in southeastern Brazil.

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How to Cite

Vilhena, P.D.M., Campello-Gonçalves, L., Mermudes, J.R.M. & Roza, A.S. (2026) A new Cleidella species (Coleoptera: Phengodidae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Zootaxa, 5881 (3), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.6