Anopliomorpha reticolle Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process with apex at least slightly expanded apically (Figs. 18, 27); mesal antennal spines present (Figs. 8b, 9b); pronotum with confluent, irregularly-sized punctures which are usually partially obscured by pubescence which is condensed into white patches on the sides of pronotal disc in most specimens; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26), or sometimes with lateral metafemoral apices dentiform (as in Fig. 25b); procoxal cavities open posteriorly (Fig. 18); pronotum without transverse ridges or rugose sculpturing; tibial carinae present (Fig. 22); pronotum and head without dense yellow or white pubescence; antennomeres carinate (Fig 45b); but not sulcate; spine of antennomere three acute (Fig. 45b); antennomeres linear, not expanded at apices (as in Fig. 22); lateral pronotal tubercles absent; elytral lateral spines absent; lateral mesocoxal cavities open (Fig. 7); pronotum with regular alveolate punctures (Fig. 12b) of variable size, normally with white patches of hair at sides; femora gradually enlarged (Fig. 37c). Length: 6-11 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Southern United States to México. Six species.

Discussion.--A result of the analysis placed Anopliomorpha as a very basal elaphidionine, a sister taxon to Clausirion. Clearly this disrupts the "trend" of basal elaphidiines having a primarily South American distribution and derived elaphidionines being primarily distributed in North America (including México). This may be further evidence of the weakness of the phylogenetic hypothesis and need for additional character analysis and availability of South American taxa.

Anopliomorpha is separated from Anelaphus by antennomere three about two-thirds length of pronotum, distinctly carinate antennae, and alveolate-punctate pronotum usually with small patches of pubescence laterally. Metironeus, which has most of the key characters of Anopliomorpha, has the pronotum irregularly punctate and rugose, not alveolate-punctate, and lacks the patches of white pubescence laterally.