Systematics of Cyclanthura gen. n., a new genus of Derelomini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The present paper supplements recent contributions to the systematics of derelomine flower weevils from the Neotropics (Franz 2001, Franz & O’Brien 2001a, 2001b). Under the current conception, Derelomini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae sensu Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal 1999) comprise 220 species and 39 genera, the majority of which are associated with the inflorescences of Arecaceae. Some taxa have economic importance, e.g. Elaeidobius Kuschel whose species pollinate the African oil palm (Syed 1979). Phyllotrox Schönherr is another frequently reported genus in the palm pollination literature (Henderson 1986), although its 47 species differ in many respects. This condition will eventually necessitate revision and reclassification into several monophyletic taxa. Such a project will be beneficial not only from the perspective of systematics, but also for an efficient communication of the diverse biologies of these species. To illustrate the problem, the type species Phy. semirufus Boheman has been collected in the vicinity of Colonia Tovar, Venezuela (at an altitude of 2000 m), where it occurs on the flowers of Rubus sp. (Rosaceae, personal observation). Other species that appear to be associated with dicots are Phy. canyonaceris Warner on Aceraceae in the United States (Warner 1976); Phy. crassipes Champion, Phy. mecinoides Champion, and Phy. suturalis on Asteraceae in Mexico (C. W. O’Brien, personal communication); and Phy. melastomataceae Voss on Melastomataceae in Peru (Voss 1954). However, according to the only available key to the Neotropical derelomine genera (Kuschel 1952: 271-273), many described and undescribed palmassociated species would be identified as Phyllotrox. Furthermore, the current conception of Phyllotrox includes various undescribed species