Tepuibasis gen. nov. from the Pantepui region of Venezuela, with descriptions of four new species, and with biogeographic, phylogenetic and taxonomic considerations on the Teinobasinae (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

The new genus Tepuibasis includes 7 spp., all endemic to Pantepui; — 4 are new to science, viz.: T. garciana sp. n. from the Serrania de Maigualida, T. nigra sp. n, from Cerro Yutaje and Cerro Yavi, T. rubicunda sp. n. from Cerro Guanay, and T. thea sp. n., also from Cerro Guanay. T. chimantai (De Marmels, 1988), comb, n., T. fulvum (Needham, 1933) , comb. n. and T. neblinae (De Marmels, 1989) comb, n. are transferred to Tepuibasis from Aeolagrion Williamson, 1917, The new genus falls within Teinobasinae Tillyard, 1917 (= Amphicneminae Fraser, 1957 syn. n. = Nehalenniinae De Marmels, 1984 syn. n), and herein within Teinobasini, because of the presence of an articulated ventrobasal spur on the male cercus. Other noticeable features of Tepuibasis are a bifid apical penis segment, and a spiny, auricle-like process directed proximad, at the base of each of the lobes forming bifid tip. Tepuibasis evolved out of ancestral teinobasine stock with considerable morphogenetic potential reflected by the large number of recent genera present in cratonic S. America, which is equaled only by insular SE Asia. Taxogeny of Tepuibasis was triggered by the uplift of the Guyana shield, and the vicariant species are the result of secondary isolation through fracturing and partial erosion of these highlands.