Systematic redefinition of the New World Didactyliini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) with descriptions of two new species of Aidophus Balthasar

As now understood, the New World Didactyliini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) consists of eleven species of Aidophus Balthasar, two of which are new, and the introduced Australaphodius frenchi (Blackburn). Keys, descriptions and figures are provided to distinguish all included species

Sandhills Earth Boring Scarab Beetle

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources published guides to many threatened animals living in the state. This guide gives information about the Sandhills Earth Boring Scarab Beetle, including description, status, habitat, conservation challenges & recommendations, and measures of success

Synopsis of the pelidnotine scarabs (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) and annotated catalog of the species and subspecies

The pelidnotine scarabs (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) are a speciose, paraphyletic assemblage of beetles that includes spectacular metallic species (“jewel scarabs”) as well as species that are ecologically important as herbivores, pollinators, and bioindicators. These beetles suffer from a complicated nomenclatural history, due primarily to 20th century taxonomic and nomenclatural errors. We review the taxonomic history of the pelidnotine scarabs, present a provisional key to genera with overviews of all genera, and synthesize a catalog of all taxa with synonyms, distributional data, type specimen information, and 107 images of exemplar species. As a result of our research, the pelidnotine leaf chafers (a paraphyletic group) include 27 (26 extant and 1 extinct) genera and 420 valid species and subspecies (419 extant and 1 extinct). Our research makes biodiversity research on this group tractable and accessible, thus setting the stage for future studies that address evolutionary and ecological trends. Based on our research, 1 new species is described, 1 new generic synonym and 12 new species synonyms are proposed, 11 new lectotypes and 1 new neotype are designated, many new or revised nomenclatural combinations, and many unavailable names are presented. The following taxonomic changes are made: New generic synonym: The genus Heteropelidnota Ohaus, 1912 is a new junior synonym of Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819. New species synonyms: Plusiotis adelaida pavonacea Casey, 1915 is a syn. n. of Chrysina adelaida (Hope, 1841); Odontognathus gounellei Ohaus, 1908 is a revised synonym of Pelidnota ebenina (Blanchard, 1842); Pelidnota francoisgenieri Moore & Jameson, 2013 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota punctata (Linnaeus, 1758); Pelidnota genieri Soula, 2009 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota punctata (Linnaeus, 1758); Pelidnota lutea (Olivier, 1758) is a revised synonym of Pelidnota punctata (Linnaeus, 1758); Pelidnota (Pelidnota) texensis Casey, 1915 is a revised synonym of Pelidnota punctata (Linnaeus, 1758); Pelidnota (Strigidia) zikani (Ohaus, 1922) is a revised synonym of Pelidnota tibialis tibialis Burmeister, 1844; Pelidnota ludovici Ohaus, 1905 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota burmeisteri tricolor Nonfried, 1894; Rutela fulvipennis Germar, 1824 is syn. n. of Pelidnota cuprea (Germar, 1824); Pelidnota pulchella blanda Burmeister, 1844 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota pulchella pulchella (Kirby, 1819); Pelidnota pulchella scapularis Burmeister, 1844 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota pulchella pulchella (Kirby, 1819); Pelidnota xanthogramma Perty, 1830 is a syn. n. of Pelidnota pulchella pulchella (Kirby, 1819). New or revised statuses: Pelidnota fabricelavalettei Soula, 2009, revised status, is considered a species; Pelidnota rioensis Soula, 2009, stat. n., is considered a species; Pelidnota semiaurata semiaurata Burmeister, 1844, stat. rev., is considered a subspecies. New or comb. rev. and revised status: Plusiotis guaymi Curoe, 2001 is formally transferred to the genus Chrysina (C. guaymi (Curoe, 2001), comb. n.); Plusiotis transvolcanica Morón & Nogueira, 2016 is transferred to the genus Chrysina (C. transvolcanica (Morón & Nogueira, 2016), comb. n.). Heteropelidnota kuhnti Ohaus, 1912 is transferred to the genus Pelidnota (P. kuhnti (Ohaus, 1912), comb. n.); Odontognathus riedeli Ohaus, 1905 is considered a subspecies of Pelidnota rubripennis Burmeister, 1844 (Pelidnota rubripennis riedeli (Ohaus, 1905), revised status and comb. rev.); Pelidnota (Strigidia) acutipennis (F. Bates, 1904) is transferred to the genus Sorocha (Sorocha acutipennis (F. Bates, 1904), comb. rev.); Pelidnota (Odontognathus) nadiae Martínez, 1978 is transferred to the genus Sorocha (Sorocha nadiae (Martínez, 1978), comb. rev.); Pelidnota (Ganonota) plicipennis Ohaus, 1934 is transferred to the genus Sorocha (Sorocha plicipennis (Ohaus, 1934), comb. rev.); Pelidnota similis Ohaus, 1908 is transferred to the genus Sorocha (Sorocha similis (Ohaus, 1908), comb. rev.); Pelidnota (Ganonota) yungana Ohaus, 1934 is transferred to Sorocha (Sorocha yungana (Ohaus, 1934), comb. rev.); Pelidnota malyi Soula, 2010: 58, revised status; Xenopelidnota anomala porioni Chalumeau, 1985, revised subspecies status. To stabilize the classification of the group, a neotype is designated for the following species: Pelidnota thiliezi Soula, 2009. Lectotypes are designated for the following names (given in their original combinations): Pelidnota brevicollis Casey, 1915, Pelidnota brevis Casey, 1915, Pelidnota debiliceps Casey, 1915, Pelidnota hudsonica Casey, 1915, Pelidnota oblonga Casey, 1915, Pelidnota pallidipes Casey, 1915, Pelidnota ponderella Casey, 1915, Pelidnota strenua Casey, 1915, Pelidnota tarsalis Casey, 1915, Pelidnota texensis Casey, 1915, and Scarabaeus punctatus Linnaeus, 1758. The following published infrasubspecific names are unavailable per ICZN Article 45.6.1: Pelidnota (Odontognathus) cuprea var. coerulea Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota (Odontognathus) cuprea var. rufoviolacea Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota (Odontognathus) cuprea var. nigrocoerulea Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota pulchella var. fulvopunctata Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota pulchella var. sellata Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota pulchella var. reducta Ohaus, 1913; Pelidnota unicolor var. infuscata Ohaus, 1913. The following published species name is unavailable per ICZN Article 11.5: Neopatatra synonyma Moore & Jameson, 2013. The following published species name is unavailable per application of ICZN Article 16.1: Parhoplognathus rubripennis Soula, 2008. Synopsis of the pelidnotine scarabs (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Rutelini) 3 The following published species name is unavailable per application of ICZN Article 16.4.1: Strigidia testaceovirens argentinica Soula, 2006, Pelidnota (Strigidia) testaceovirens argentinica (Soula, 2006), and Pelidnota testaceovirens argentinica (Soula, 2006). The following published species names are unavailable per application of ICZN Article 16.4.2: Homonyx digennaroi Soula, 2010; Homonyx lecourti Soula, 2010; Homonyx mulliei Soula, 2010; Homonyx simoensi Soula, 2010; Homonyx wagneri Soula, 2010; Homonyx zovii Demez & Soula, 2011; Pelidnota arnaudi Soula, 2009; Pelidnota brusteli Soula, 2010; Pelidnota chalcothorax septentrionalis Soula, 2009; Pelidnota degallieri Soula, 2010; Pelidnota lavalettei Soula, 2008; Pelidnota lavalettei Soula, 2009; Pelidnota dieteri Soula, 2011; Strigidia gracilis decaensi Soula, 2008, Pelidnota (Strigidia) gracilis decaensi (Soula, 2008), and Pelidnota gracilis decaensi (Soula, 2008); Pelidnota halleri Demez & Soula, 2011; Pelidnota injantepalominoi Demez & Soula, 2011; Pelidnota kucerai Soula, 2009; Pelidnota malyi Soula, 2010: 36-37; Pelidnota mezai Soula, 2009; Pelidnota polita darienensis Soula, 2009; Pelidnota polita orozcoi Soula, 2009; Pelidnota polita pittieri Soula, 2009; Pelidnota punctulata decolombia Soula, 2009; Pelidnota punctulata venezolana Soula, 2009; Pelidnota raingeardi Soula, 2009; Pelidnota schneideri Soula, 2010; Pelidnota simoensi Soula, 2009; Pelidnota unicolor subandina Soula, 2009; Sorocha carloti Demez & Soula, 2011; Sorocha castroi Soula, 2008; Sorocha fravali Soula, 2011; Sorocha jeanmaurettei Demez & Soula, 2011; Sorocha yelamosi Soula, 2011; Xenopelidnota bolivari Soula, 2009; Xenopelidnota pittieri pittieri Soula, 2009. Due to unavailability of the name Pseudogeniates cordobaensis Soula 2009, we describe the species as intentionally new (Pseudogeniates cordobaensis Moore, Jameson, Garner, Audibert, Smith, and Seidel, sp. n.)

Comment On The Proposed Precedence Of Bolboceras Kirby, 1819 (July)

Volume: 59Start Page: 280End Page: 28

Systematic redefinition of the New World Didactyliini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) with descriptions of two new species of \u3ci\u3eAidophus \u3c/i\u3eBalthasar

As now understood, the New World Didactyliini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) consists of eleven species of Aidophus Balthasar, two of which are new, and the introduced Australaphodius frenchi (Blackburn). Keys, descriptions and figures are provided to distinguish all included species

Jury Practice in Post-Truth America: A Cautionary Note

Harpootlian argues that President Elect Donald Trump\u27s treatment of facts throughout the campaign presents cause for concern. Specifically, Harpootlian argues that the courtroom is designed to rely on evidence. Harpootlian worries that this reliance is threatened by the fact that President Trump flouted and ignored evidence which was unfavorable towards him. Harpootlian fears a similar disregard for evidence in favor of results driven decisions taking root in the courtroom

Figs. 8–9. Leiopsammodius ocmulgeei. 8 in Review Of The Genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Psammodiini) In America North Of Mexico With Descriptions Of Three New Species

Figs. 8–9. Leiopsammodius ocmulgeei. 8) male genitalia; 9) dorsal aspect.Published as part of <i>Harpootlian, Phillip J., Gordon, Robert D. & Woodruff, Robert E., 2000, Review Of The Genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Psammodiini) In America North Of Mexico With Descriptions Of Three New Species, pp. 292-299 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 54 (3)</i> on page 296, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X(2000)054[0292:ROTGLR]2.0.CO;2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10101823">http://zenodo.org/record/10101823</a&gt

Figs. 10–12. Leiopsammodius acei. 10 in Review Of The Genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Psammodiini) In America North Of Mexico With Descriptions Of Three New Species

Figs. 10–12. Leiopsammodius acei. 10) male genitalia; 11) ventral aspect; 12) head and pronotum, dorsal aspect.Published as part of <i>Harpootlian, Phillip J., Gordon, Robert D. & Woodruff, Robert E., 2000, Review Of The Genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Psammodiini) In America North Of Mexico With Descriptions Of Three New Species, pp. 292-299 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 54 (3)</i> on page 297, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X(2000)054[0292:ROTGLR]2.0.CO;2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10101823">http://zenodo.org/record/10101823</a&gt

Leiopsammodius deyrupi Harpootlian, Gordon & Woodruff, 2000, new species

Leiopsammodius deyrupi,new species Figs. 5–7 Description. Male; length 2.8 mm, width 1.2 mm, oblong­oval, subparallel, moderately shining, rufocastaneous. Antennae pale rufotestaceous. Head convex, strongly verrucose, granules large, frequently elongate, base with distinct, darker transverse groove. Clypeus broadly emarginate, angles rounded. Pronotum slightly lobed basally, narrower in front, angles obtusely rounded, faintly emarginate, sides entire, fimbriate basally with coarse, short hairs; surface very finely, sparsely punctate throughout, with three transverse rows of punctures; anterior row subapical, composed of closely spaced, moderately coarse punctures in a groove extending completely across between anterior angles, median row composed of punctures in transverse groove extending inward from near lateral margin nearly to median, longitudinal groove that extends from near pronotal base nearly to anterior row of subapical punctures, posterior row composed of widely spaced, coarse punctures extending across pronotum near base; base margined with contiguous band of moderate punctures (Fig. 6). Elytra convex, striae deep, moderately, crenately punctate, intervals weakly convex, very finely, irregularly punctate. Metasternum smooth, shining, anterior postcoxal line absent, faint arcuate groove in front of posterior coxal plate, median longitudinal groove obvious, scarcely impressed, anteriorly alutaceous and very shallowly, moderately punctate at sides. Abdominal segments sparsely, minutely punctate and very finely alutaceous, faintly crenate in front. Pygidium eroded, longitudinally divided, faintly alutaceous, apical fringe with two long setae in moderate punctures. Posterior femora moderately stout, minutely alutaceous, two or three setigerous punctures paralleling posterior edge and with similar row along the anterior margin; middle femora ¾ as wide as posterior, basal marginal rows of setae weakly developed apically. Posterior tibiae ⅓ as wide as long, transverse ridges absent; posterior spurs narrow (Fig. 7), faintly foliaceous, the longer as long as the first three tarsal segments combined; first tarsal segment elongate, triangular, equal in length to the next three together. Parameres elongate, ventral notch rounded (Fig. 5). Variations. Length 2.8 to 3.3 mm, width 1.2–1.5 mm; pygidium often with four fringe setae. Material Studied. Holotype: Florida, Highland Co., Archbold Biol. Sta., 8 mi. S. Lake Placid, 21–23­III­1987, window trap, M. Deyrup (FSCA). Paratypes: Florida, Highland Co.: Archbold Biol. Sta., 8 mi. S. Lake Placid, 21– 23­III­1987, window trap, M. Deyrup (5); Archbold Biol. Sta., 16­IV­1989, mv & bl, R. Turnbow (1); Lake Co.: S. Tavares 1.3 mi. S. Jct. R 19 and R 561, 8­VI­1998, P. Skelley (2); 2.5 mi. E. Hwy 27 on Hwy 50, 1­V­1999, R. H. Turnbow (9); Polk Co.: W. of Davenport, 0.2 mi. SR 547 on SR 27, 25­ VII­1998, sifted from sand, P. Skelley (2); E. Lake Hamilton, 1.5 mi., N. Rt. ­ 542 on Jim Edwards Rd, 6­XII­1998, in sand, P. Skelley & R. Morris (1). Paratypes in the following collections: Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA), United States National Museum (USNM), British Museum Natural History (BMNH), and the personal collections of Paul Skelley, Gainesville, FL and Robert Turnbow, Ft. Rucker, AL. Remarks. Mark Deyrup (pers. comm.) reports rarely collecting this species at blacklight in the spring, but only one specimen was seen with that collection data, all others were collected in window traps or sifted from sand. Only known from Highland, Lake, and Polk counties in Florida and is probably limited to the vicinity of the Lake Wales ridge. This species is very similar to L. acei and is difficult to differentiate without comparative material, but the punctures on the pronotum are generally larger, the shape more oval, the male genitalia are diagnostic, and the known distributions are allopatric. Etymology. Named in honor of Mark Deyrup who collected the first specimens and recognized their uniqueness.Published as part of Harpootlian, Phillip J., Gordon, Robert D. & Woodruff, Robert E., 2000, Review Of The Genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Psammodiini) In America North Of Mexico With Descriptions Of Three New Species, pp. 292-299 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 54 (3) on pages 294-295, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X(2000)054[0292:ROTGLR]2.0.CO;