A contribution to the genus Silis Charpentier, 1825, in Ecuador (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

Resumen

To date, the genus Silis Charpentier, 1825 has been represented by only 8 species in Ecuador. Nine species are here described as new for that country: Silis angelensis sp.nov. (prov. Carchi), S. drummondi sp.nov. (prov. Sucumbios), S. elongatipennis sp.nov. (prov. Morona-Santiago), S. explanicollis sp.nov. (prov. Zamora-Chinchipe), S. gilletti sp.nov. (prov. Pichincha, Imbabura, Santo Domingo de las Tsachilas ), S. moreti sp.nov. (prov. Canar), S. otongae sp.nov. (prov. Cotopaxi, Pichincha), S. sabanillae sp.nov. (prov. Zamora- Chinchipe), and S. spinithorax sp.nov. (prov. Zamora-Chinchipe). Discodon trinotatum Pic, 1934 and Discodon haenschi Pic, 1927 are transferred to the genus Silis. Silis haenschi (Pic, 1927), preoccupied, is renamed Silis richardhaenschi, nomen novum. Silis lojaensis Pic, 1934 is a synonym of Silis foveolata Kirsch, 1864, syn.nov. Silis metallicipennis var. immaculaticollis Pic, 1934, is a synonym of Silis metallicipennis Pic, 1934. Silis ohausi Pic, 1911 is transferred to the genus Polemius LeConte, 1851. Additional descriptions and data are provided for Grandesilis canelosensis Pic, 1955, Silis banosensis Pic, 1916, S. basiincrassata Wittmer, 1969, S. chimborazona Gorham, 1891, S. foveolata Kirsch, 1864, S. metallicipennis Pic, 1934, S. peruviana Pic, 1906, S. richardhaenschi, nom.nov., and S. trinotata (Pic, 1934). The characters of the genera of Silinae observed in Ecuador are discussed, the presence in Ecuador of Silis belonging to the subgenus Hapalocrosilis Pic, 1916, is confirmed, and a key is provided for the genera present in Ecuador. A key to the species of Silis is provided, as are illustrations of the habitus, together with details of the pronotum and male genitalia, and distribution maps.