taxonID	type	description	language	source
C5598790FFC23A37FF3DFB03E9D8FE5E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Merma Weise is characterized by deep antennal grooves between eyes and mouthparts, elytral epipleuron usually with distinctly marked foveae for reception of tips of femora, mid and hind tibiae with oblique carina on outer surface in apical part, all tibiae without apical spurs, tarsal claw bidentate swollen at base or with distinct angulation, male tegmen with patch of setae on inner surface of penis guide, penis with capsule reduced and females with spermatheca attached at base of bursa copulatrix. Merma is similar to Tropha Weise by having deep antennal grooves, elytral epipleuron with distinct femoral foveae and tibiae with oblique carina, however, the latter possesses anteriorly produced prosternum partially covering mouthparts, distinct spurs on apices of tibiae (1 - 2 - 2) and females with coxites with distinct emargination on inner margin (entire in Merma). Merma is also similar to Chazeauiana Tomaszewska et Szawaryn, 2015 (for validity of that genus name see remarks at the end of the article) but the later do not have grooves for reception of antennae and tibiae lacking apical oblique carina.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC23A37FF3DFB03E9D8FE5E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Study of the Peralda quadriguttata holotype showed that it falls well within the diagnostic characteristics of the genus Merma thus it is proposed here to synonymize Peralda Sicard with Merma.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC23A37FF3DFB03E9D8FE5E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Africa: Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda; Madagascar.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	description	Figs 1 – 3	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colouration of Merma hovana is identical to M. quadriguttata, however, its body is larger and more rounded, with lateral elytral margin well visible from above, moreover, it has terminal labial palpomere transverse, widened apically, hypomeron and prosternum covered with sparse and small punctae, elytral epipleuron broad, more than three times broader than width of metanepisternum, median part of metaventrite covered with just a few large punctures, abdominal postcoxal lines almost parallel to the posterior margin of ventrite 1 with just apex recurved, and male genitalia heavily sclerotized with distinct additional thorns on inner surface of penis guide, and penis short, only slightly sinuate with large bent apical thorn. From the African species that also have four maculae on elytra it can be distinguished by distinctly smaller spots, while in African species they occupy at least half of elytral surface.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	description	Description. Length 4.4 – 4.5 mm, width 4.1 – 4.2 mm. Body (Fig. 1 A – C) roundly oval, strongly convex, dorsum pubescent. Head, mouthparts, legs and abdomen reddish-orange. Pronotum chestnut brown with narrow reddish bordering of anterior pronotal margins. Elytra chestnut brown, with two orange or reddish maculae on each elytron, the first placed below humeral callus, the second in apical part of elytron. Head transverse, partially concealed in prothorax. Interocular distance about 0.6 times of head width. Inner eye orbits slightly emarginate antero-medially, closest in the middle. Antenna (Fig. 2 C) composed of 11 antennomeres, about as long as 0.6 head width; scape large, elongate, slightly swollen; pedicel distinctly narrower than scape, elongate; antennomere 3 elongate, about as long as pedicel; antennomeres 4 – 7 elongate, about 1.5 times as long as its width; antennomere 8 slightly transverse; antennomeres 9 – 11 forming a distinct asymmetrical club. Ventral antennal grooves (Fig. 2 C) distinct in anterior part, moderately long and straight, along inner margin of eye. Clypeus short, parallel-sided, its anterior margin emarginate, smooth without groove. Labrum transverse, short, anterior margin emarginate, membranous. Mandible (Fig. 2 B) multidentate apically. Maxilla (Fig. 2 B) with cardo semicircular; with suture between basistipes and mediostipes well visible; lacinia simple, its mesal surface simply setose; galea oval, mostly sclerotized, its ventral surface sparsely pubescent, anterior surface covered with long setae and sensillae; terminal palpomere shorter than its width, weakly expanded apically. Submentum short, transverse, with suture well visible; mentum (Fig. 2 B) transverse, widest at base; prementum transverse with anterior margin emarginate medially, ligula covered with moderately long setae; labial palps (Fig. 55 G) separated by distance less than width of palpiger; apical palpomere about as long and distinctly narrower than penultimate one. Prothorax. Hypomeron smooth, simply / finely punctate. Prosternal process (Fig. 2 C) smooth, without carinae, bordered laterally. Prosternum in front of coxa about as long as coxal longitudinal diameter; anterior margin, uniformly arcuate, bordered; posterior margin with bordering line starting from the base of prosternal process, laterally reaching notosternal suture. Surface of prosternum covered with sparse small punctae. Pterothorax. Mesoventrite (Fig. 2 C) with anterior edge weakly emarginate, anterior margin entirely raised and bordered, with shallow foveae for receiving mid legs; mesoventral process covered with small tubercles along lateral margins, about as wide as mesocoxal diameter; meso-metaventral suture straight. Scutellar shield triangular, about as long as broad. Elytra with punctate of two sizes; lateral margins distinctly explanate, entirely visible from above. Epipleuron complete (Fig. 2 A), broad, more than three times broader than width of metanepisternum, with distinct depressions to accommodate mid and hind legs in repose, inner margin with broad bordering line present in median and apical part, complete. Mesoventrite covered with sparse and small punctures, with just a few larger in median part. Metaventral postcoxal lines (Fig. 2 D) joined on metaventral process forming straight line, recurved, laterally complete. Legs (Fig. 2 A) short and stout with apices of mid and hind femora not protruding from outer margin of elytral epipleuron. Trochanters elongate, angulately produced, with bordering line on their outer surfaces, and cavities on their inner surfaces for receiving tip of tibiae in repose. Protibiae slightly widened, all tibiae on outer edge with oblique carina near apex, without distinct apical spurs. Tarsi pseudotrimerous with tarsal claws (Fig. 2 E) double, swollen at base, empodium absent. Abdomen with five ventrites in both sexes with ventrite 5 arcuate posteriorly (Figs 2 A, 3 F). Abdominal postcoxal lines (Fig. 3 F) descending, sub-parallel to posterior margin of ventrite 1, recurved shortly laterally. In male apical margin of sternite VIII (Fig. 3 J) and tergite VIII rounded (Fig. 3 I); apodeme of sternum IX (Fig. 3 E) rod-like, long, narrow. Tergite X transverse, truncate apically (Fig. 3 E). In female apical margin of sternite VIII (Fig. 3 H) rounded apically, simply arcuate at base, longitudinally at middle not divided; tergite VIII rounded (Fig. 3 G). Proctiger (TX) large, transverse, slightly emarginate at apex, its median part translucent, membranous. Male genitalia (Figs 3 A – C). Tegminal basal piece with a pair of spines on inner margin near base of tegminal strut. Penis guide symmetrical in inner view, slightly longer than parameres, with apical half sub-triangular in shape, pointed, entire at apex; in lateral view outer edge sinuate with setose field in the median part, inner edge with additional thorn-like paired processes. Parameres well developed, simple apically. Tegminal strut longer than rest of tegmen, broad, simple at apex. Penis rod-like, slightly sinuate, with thorn-like projection at apex; penis capsule with arms weakly developed. Female genitalia (Fig. 3 D). Sclerite anterior to coxites in membrane connecting paraprocts absent. Coxites small, distinctly transverse, with inner edge pointed, ventral surface smooth. Styli visible, reduced. Bursa copulatrix without additional sclerite, simple, not divided, ending with common oviduct. Sperm duct short, originating at base, dorsally on bursa. Spermatheca lightly sclerotized, simple, vermiform, accessory gland small, membranous.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Madagascar (Fig. 7).	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype: “ Epilachna hovana Sic, typus (hand writing) / Museum Paris, Madagascar, Baie d’Antongil, A. Mocquerys 1898 ” (MNHN) (Fig. 1 D). Paratypes: same label data as the holotype (1: MNHN); same label data but 1897 (2: MNHN); S. de la baie d’Antongil (green card) (1: MNHN). Other material. MADAGASCAR: Ste Marie de Madagascar, Perrot Frères, X-XII 1896 (3 male: MNHN); Museum Paris, Madagascar, Valle de la Marimbona J. Descarpentries 1907 (1 fem: MNHN); Museum Paris, Madagascar, prov. de Fénerive, reg. de Soanierana, A. Mathiaux 1905 (1 male, 1 ex.: MNHN); Museum Paris, Madagascar prov. de Tamatave, A. Fauchère 1907 (1 ex.: MNHN).	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC13A31FF3DFE04ED3DFD9D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Four male specimens (Fénerive, St Marie de Madagascar) were dissected and no differences in genitalia were observed.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	description	Figs 4 – 6	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colouration of Merma quadriguttata is identical to M. hovana, however, its body is smaller and more elongate, with lateral elytral margin not visible from above, moreover, it has terminal labial palpomere elongate, parallel sided, hypomeron and prosternum covered with distinct large punctae, elytral epipleuron narrow, less than two times as broad as width of metanepisternum, median part of metaventrite covered with large punctae, abdominal postcoxal lines distinctly recurved laterally, and male genitalia lightly sclerotized with penis guide simple with grooves in apical part, and penis long, strongly sinuate with long apical flagellum. From the African species that also have four maculae on elytra it can be distinguished by distinctly smaller spots, while in African species they occupy at least half of elytral surface.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	description	Description. Length 3.3 mm, width 2.6 mm. Body (Figs 4 A – C, 5 A – C) elongate oval, strongly convex, dorsum pubescent. Head, mouthparts, legs and abdomen reddish-orange. Pronotum chestnut brown with narrow reddish bordering of anterior pronotal margins. Elytra chestnut brown, with two orange or reddish maculae on each elytron, the first placed below humeral callus, the second in apical part of elytron. Head transverse, partially concealed in prothorax. Interocular distance about 0.6 times of the head width. Inner eye orbits slightly emarginate antero-medially, closest in the middle. Antenna (Fig. 6 C) composed of 11 antennomeres, about as long as 0.6 head width; scape large, elongate, slightly swollen; pedicel distinctly narrower than scape, elongate; antennomere 3 elongate, about as long as pedicel; antennomeres 4 – 5 elongate, about twice as long as its width; antennomeres 6 – 7 subquadrate; antennomere 8 slightly transverse; antennomeres 9 – 11 forming a distinct asymmetrical club. Ventral antennal grooves (Fig. 6 C) distinct in anterior part, moderately long and straight, along inner margin of eye. Clypeus short, parallel-sided, its anterior margin emarginate, smooth without groove. Labrum transverse, short, anterior margin emarginate, membranous. Mandible multidentate apically. Maxilla (Fig. 6 B) with cardo semicircular; with suture between basistipes and mediostipes well visible; lacinia simple, its mesal surface simply setose; galea oval, mostly sclerotized, its ventral surface sparsely pubescent, anterior surface covered with long setae and sensillae; terminal palpomere elongate, with sides subparallel. Submentum short, transverse, with suture well visible; mentum (Fig. 6 B) transverse, widest at base; prementum transverse with anterior margin emarginae medially, ligula covered with moderately long setae; labial palps (Fig. 6 B) separated by distance about half of width of palpiger; apical palpomere distinctly shorter and narrower than penultimate one. Prothorax. Hypomeron covered with large punctae. Prosternal process (Fig. 6 C) smooth, without carinae, bordered laterally. Prosternum in front of coxa about as long as coxal longitudinal diameter; anterior margin, uniformly arcuate, bordered; posterior margin with bordering line starting from base of prosternal process, laterally reaching notosternal suture. Surface of prosternum covered with large punctae. Pterothorax. Mesoventrite (Fig. 6 D) with anterior edge weakly emarginate, anterior margin entirely raised and bordered, with distinct foveae for receiving midlegs (Fig. 6 A); mesoventral process about as wide as mesocoxal diameter, covered with small tubercles on entire surface (Fig. 6 D); meso-metaventral suture straight. Scutellar shield triangular, about as long as broad. Elytra with two types of punctate; lateral margins not explanate, not visible from above. Epipleuron incomplete apically only (Fig. 6 A), narrow, less than two times of width of metanepisternum, with distinct depressions to accommodate mid and hind legs in repose, inner margin with narrow bordering line complete. Mesoventrite covered with sparse and larger punctae in median part, with smaller punctae laterally. Metaventral postcoxal lines (Fig. 6 D) joined on metaventral process forming straight line, recurved and complete laterally. Legs (Fig. 6 A) short and stout with apices of mid and hind femora not protruding from outer margin of elytral epipleuron. Trochanters subquadrate, angulately produced, with bordering line on their outer surfaces, and cavities on their inner surfaces for receiving tip of tibiae in repose. Protibiae slightly widened, all tibiae on outer edge with oblique carina near apex (Fig. 6 D), without distinct apical spurs. Tarsi pseudotrimerous with tarsal claws (Fig. 6 E) double, swollen at base, empodium absent. Abdomen with five ventrites in both sexes with ventrite 5 arcuate posteriorly (Figs 4 E, 5 D). Abdominal postcoxal lines (Fig. 4 E, 5 D) rounded, recurved, not parallel to the posterior margin of ventrite 1. In male apical margin of sternite VIII truncate (Fig. 5 H), tergite VIII rounded (Fig. 5 I); apodeme of sternum IX (Fig. 5 J) rod-like, narrow. Tergite X transverse, truncate apically (Fig. 5 J). In female apical margin of sternite VIII rounded, simply arcuate at base, longitudinally at middle not divided; tergite VIII rounded (Fig. 4 F). Proctiger (TX) large, transverse, truncate at apex, entire in middle. Male genitalia (Fig. 5 E – G). Tegminal basal piece without distinct spines on inner margin near base of tegminal strut. Penis guide symmetrical in inner view, as long as parameres, with apical third subtriangular in shape, pointed, entire at apex; in lateral view outer edge covered with distinct small tubercles each bearing long seta, inner edge with distinct groove before apex. Parameres well developed, simple apically. Tegminal strut about as long as the rest of tegmen, narrow, simple at apex. Penis rod-like, strongly sinuate in apical half, ending with translucent flagellum; penis capsule with weakly developed. Female genitalia (Fig. 4 F). Sclerite anterior to coxites in membrane connecting paraprocts absent. Coxites small, distinctly transverse, with inner edge rounded, ventral surface smooth. Styli well visible. Bursa copulatrix without additional sclerite, simple, not divided, ending with common oviduct.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Madagascar (Fig. 7).	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Holotype: “ Madagascar, Ambositra / TYPE / Peralda quadrigutata, L. A. Almeida det. 2017 ”, female (MNHM) (Fig. 4 D). Other material. MADAGASCAR: Mahajanga, Parc National d’Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa Station Forestière, 40 km 306 ° NW Andranofasika (- 16.32083 46.81067), sample number BLF 03524, 130 m a. s. l., 26.03 - 01.04.2001, coll. B. L. Fisher; C. E. Griswold; Malagasy Arthropod Team, beating, tropical dry forest (1 male: CAS).	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
C5598790FFC63A32FF3DF9C3EEEFF88D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. P. quadriguttata was originally described based on a single female specimen, the holotype that we examined. We also found a second specimen (male) that is identical externally, however, it comes from a different location more than 550 km north from the type locality. As there are no external differences in shape, colouration, size or other features we consider this specimen conspecific. Nonetheless, examination of further specimens from the type locality would confirm our hypothesis.	en	Szawaryn, Karol, Churata-Salcedo, Julissa (2022): Revision of Malagasy species of the genus Merma Weise (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini). Zootaxa 5087 (4): 571-582, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.5
