Poecilomallus palpalis Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process between procoxae slightly expanded at apex (Figs. 18, 27); mesal antennal spines present (Figs. 8b, 9b); antennomeres 3+4 much shorter than pronotum; pronotum with impunctate regions but without rugosities or large confluent punctures; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26); procoxal cavities open posteriorly (Fig. 18); tibial carinae absent; spine of antennomere three acute (Fig. 45a, b); femora clavate (Fig. 37b); pronotum without obvious constrictions; transverse bands of pubescence on elytra; elytral apices truncate and without spines; body and appendages covered with long, flying hairs (Fig. 16). Length: 8-9 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--México, Guatemala. Monotypic.

Discussion.--Poecilomallus fell as the sister genus to a clade of primarily West Indian taxa including Elaphidion and Curtomerus (Figs. 50, 56). The key characters place Poecilomallus very near Ambonus, although superficially these taxa differ greatly. Poecilomallus is smaller and covered with long flying hairs, has three transverse bands of appressed pubescence on the elytra, and antennomeres 3+4 much shorter than pronotum. Ambonus differs in having fewer long, flying hairs on the body, lacking transverse bands of appressed pubescence, and having antennomeres 3+4 longer than pronotum. From Anelaphus, Poecilomallus differs in having sparse, coarse pronotal punctation and fine, micropunctation on the femora. Anelaphus has confluent pronotal punctation and coarse, transverse femoral punctation.