FIGURE 23 in Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini)

FIGURE 23. The differences in the shape of the apex of the central (tooth) spicule (dorsal view) between the genera Oregus (a & b) and Mecodema (c–f) can be seen in these pictures. The genus Oregus (outgroup) has two central spicules: (a) the ventral one forms a pointed spike (black arrow) below the anterior part of the rounded dorsal spicule (white arrow). The setose flanges (b) can be seen attached to the base of the spicule and the left flange is larger than the right flange in Oregus. Whereas, in the genus Mecodema (d) there is a single central spicule (black arrow) and the (e) left setose flange is smaller (white arrow) than the right flange (black arrow). The same structures are marked for M. infimate (f), central spicule (black arrow) and left setose flange (white arrow), the right setose flange is absent.