Review of the genus Microchilus Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Geniatini)

The Brazilian scarab beetle genus Microchilus Blanchard (Rutelinae: Geniatini) is reviewed. Based on examination of type specimens, Microchilus beckeri Martínez is transferred to the genus Leucothyreus becoming L. beckeri (Martínez), new combination; Leucothyreus bucki Machatschke is a new junior synonym of L. beckeri (Martínez).Microchilus is limited to two species, M. beckeri (Martínez) and a new species,Microchilus rodmani Jameson, here described. Characters that circumscribe the genus, biology, and species distribution are discussed. A key to the species is provided

Five new species of Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) from Southeast Asia

The Southeast Asian scarab beetle genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) is associated with aroid flowers and possesses a unique, articulated maxillary tooth. We describe five new species of Peltonotus: P. animus and P. cybele from Sumatra, P. favonius from Vietnam, P. mushiyaus from Borneo, and P. tigerus from Thailand. The circumscription of P. karubei Muramoto is broadened to include new color variation, and the body size range for the genus is increased with Peltonotus mushiyaus, n. sp., now being the smallest member of the genus. We provide an amended key to species, distribution maps, diagnoses and accompanying comparative images, and discuss classification of the genus within the Scarabaeidae

Review of the genus \u3ci\u3eMicrochilus\u3c/i\u3e Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Geniatini)

The Brazilian scarab beetle genus Microchilus Blanchard (Rutelinae: Geniatini) is reviewed. Based on examination of type specimens, Microchilus beckeri Martínez is transferred to the genus Leucothyreus becoming L. beckeri (Martínez), new combination; Leucothyreus bucki Machatschke is a new junior synonym of L. beckeri (Martínez). Microchilus is limited to two species, M. beckeri (Martínez) and a new species, Microchilus rodmani Jameson, here described. Characters that circumscribe the genus, biology, and species distribution are discussed

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Subtribe Rutelina and Revision of the \u3ci\u3eRutela\u3c/i\u3e Generic Groups (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini)

This work provides a comprehensive review of the phylogeny and classification of the subtribe Rutelina and a revision of the genus Rutela (Rutelina). Because of the lack of a thorough study of all taxa in the subtribe and because of differing philosophies regarding categorical levels, the classification of the subtribe is currently unstable. Phylogenetic analyses of 32 representative genera or subgenera in the tribe Rutelini were conducted as a means of: (1) resolving classification conflicts within the subtribe Rutelina, (2) identifying monophyletic groups within the subtribe, and (3) identifying monophyletic lineages within the tribe Rutelini. Analyses were conducted using 128 morphological characters and 72 taxa. Exemplars of all species of Rutelina were used as taxonomic ingroups. Outgroups included exemplars from the tribes Anomalini, Spodochlamyini, Adoretini (all Rutelinae), Dynastinae, and Melolonthinae. A priori decisions concerning taxonomic groupings were avoided by treating all taxa as terminal taxa. Results of the analysis demonstrated that: (1) the subtribe Rutelina is polyphyletic, (2) the genus Rutela is paraphyletic and is composed of four monophyletic groups, and 3) several subtribes in the tribe Rutelini are non-monophyletic. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses, classification changes in the tribe Rutelini are proposed. Four monophyletic groups within the genus Rutela were identified as a result of the phylogenetic analyses. Each of these is treated as a distinct genus: (1) Rutela sensu Latreille, (2) Microrutela F. Bates (new status), (3) Sphaerorutela, new genus, and (4) Plesiorutela, new genus. Each of these taxa is revised. The genus Rutela includes 17 species and two subspecies. The type species of the genus is Rutela lineola ( L.). Three new species are described: Rutela histrioparilis from Colombia and Peru, Rutela cryptica from Panama, and Rutela howdeni from Brazil and Venezuela. Two taxa were reduced to subspecific status: Rutela rufipennis Ohaus (now Rutela sanguinolenta rufipennis) and Rutela antiqua Ohaus (now Rutela striata antiqua). Rutela striata martinicensis Chalumeau and Gruner is considered a synonym of Rotela striata antiqua Ohaus. The genus Sphaerorotela is established for four species previously placed in the genus Rutela: Sphaerorutela lauta ( Perty), Sphaerorutela viridicuprea ( Ohaus), Sphaerorutela coeruleohumeralis (Ohaus), and Sphaerorutela sumptuosa (Ohaus). The type species for the genus is Sphaerorutela lauta (Petty). Rutela coerulea atrohumeralis Ohaus and Rutela coerulea rubripennis Ohaus are new synonyms of Sphaerorutela coeruleohumeralis (Ohaus). The following names are new synonyms of Sphaerorutela lauta (Perty): Rutela coerulea sphaerica (Burm.), Rutela coerulea coeruleooxydata Ohaus, Rutela coerulea coeruleorofipes Ohaus, and Rutela coerulea coeroleovirens Ohaus. Rutela martinsi Martínez and Martínez is a new synonym of Sphaerorutela sumptuosa (Ohaus). The following names are new synonyms of Sphaerorutela viridicuprea (Ohaus): Rutela coerulea atra Ohaus, Rutela coerulea cruenta Ohaus, Rutela coerulea ephippiata Ohaus, Rutela coerulea flavovittata Ohaus, Rutela coerulea phalerata Ohaus, and Rutela coerulea stapiata Ohaus. The genus Microrutela F. Bates is resurrected, and the type species is Microrutela coerulea (Perty). The definition of genus sensu auctorum was found to be erroneous based on the type species of the genus. The genus is redefined and includes seven species, three of which are new: Microrutela batesi from the Amazon region of Brazil; Microrutela vidua from Costa Rica and Colombia, and; Microrutela ucalayiensis from the Amazon region of Peru and Brazil. The new genus Plesiorutala is proposed to accommodate a single species, Rutela specularis H. Bates. Lack of shared, derived characters and several autapomorphic characters in Plesiorutela specularis preclude placement in any other genus. The larva of Rutela dorcyi is described and compared with the only known larva of Rutela, Rutela formosa. The larva of Microrutela viridiaurata is described and compared with larvae in the genus Rutela. I provide an updated key to the American genera of Rutelini. In summary, a new classification is proposed for the Rutela generic group that includes the genera Rutela, Sphaerorutela, Microrutela, Plesiorutela, Macraspis, Calomacraspis, and Cnemida. Rutela, Sphaerorutela, Microrutela, and Plesiorutela include a total of 29 species and subspecies that are distributed from southern Georgia and Florida, USA., the West Indies, and southeast Mexico to Argentina

\u3ci\u3eEREMOPHYGUS BICOLOR\u3c/i\u3e (GUTIÉRREZ) (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: RUTELINAE: RUTELINI): A NEW TRIBAL AND GENERIC PLACEMENT FOR THE BOLIVIAN SCARAB \u3ci\u3ePLATYCOELIA BICOLOR\u3c/i\u3e (GUTIÉRREZ) (ANOPLOGNATHINI)

Platycoelia bicolor (Gutiérrez) (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) is transferred from the tribe Anoplognathini, subtribe Platycoeliina, to the tribe Rutelini. Platycoelia bicolor is placed in the genus Eremophygus Ohaus and the taxonomic history of the species is discussed. The transfer creates a new combination, Eremophygus bicolor (Gutiérrez) and places the generic name Heterocallichloris Gutiérrez as a junior synonym of Eremophygus (new synonymy). Morphological characters that warrant the transfer are discussed. Se transfiere Platycoelia bicolor (Gutiérrez) (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) de la tribu Anoplognathini, subtribe Platycoeliina, a la tribu Rutelini. Se transfiere Platycoelia bicolor al género Eremophygus Ohaus y se discute su historia taxonómica. La transferencia crea una nueva combinación, Eremophygus bicolor (Gutiérrez) y ubica al nombre genérico Heterocallichloris Gutiérrez como un sinónimo junior de Eremophygus. Se discuten los caracteres morfológicos que justifican la transferencia

\u3ci\u3eXenogeniates\u3c/i\u3e, a New and Unusual Genus of Geniatine Scarab (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Geniatini) from Brazil

A new genus and species of geniatine scarab is described from southeastern Brazil. The genus Xenogeniates is characterized by the unusual shape of the mesosternum, which is strongly invaginated and concave. Unusual characteristics of the taxon are discussed in relation to the Rutelinae and the Scarabaeidae

Series Scarabaeiformia Crowson 1960, Superfamily Scarabaeoidea Latreille 1802

The superfamily Scarabaeoidea is a large, diverse, cosmopolitan group of beetles. Scarabaeoids are adapted to most habitats, and they are fungivores, herbivores, necrophages, coprophages, saprophages, and some are carnivores. They are widely distributed, even living in the Arctic in animal burrows. Some scarabs exhibit parental care and sociality. Some are myrmecophilous, termitophilous, or ectoparasitic. Many possess extravagant horns, others are able to roll into a compact ball, and still others are highly armored for inquiline life. Some are agricultural pests that may destroy crops while others are used in the biological control of dung and dung flies. Scarabaeoids are popular beetles due to their large size, bright colors, and interesting natural histories. Early Egyptians revered the scarab as a god, Jean Henri Fabre studied their behavior, and Charles Darwin used observations of scarabs in his theory of sexual selection

Series Scarabaeiformia Crowson 1960, Superfamily Scarabaeoidea Latreille 1802

The superfamily Scarabaeoidea is a large, diverse, cosmopolitan group of beetles. Scarabaeoids are adapted to most habitats, and they are fungivores, herbivores, necrophages, coprophages, saprophages, and some are carnivores. They are widely distributed, even living in the Arctic in animal burrows. Some scarabs exhibit parental care and sociality. Some are myrmecophilous, termitophilous, or ectoparasitic. Many possess extravagant horns, others are able to roll into a compact ball, and still others are highly armored for inquiline life. Some are agricultural pests that may destroy crops while others are used in the biological control of dung and dung flies. Scarabaeoids are popular beetles due to their large size, bright colors, and interesting natural histories. Early Egyptians revered the scarab as a god, Jean Henri Fabre studied their behavior, and Charles Darwin used observations of scarabs in his theory of sexual selection

Revision and phylogeny of the neotropical genus Cnemida (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae)

The scarab genus Cnemida includes eight species (including C. gigantea Jameson n. sp. from Colombia and C. tristriata Jameson n. sp. from Surinam) that inhabit tropical moist and premontane forests of South America, Central America, and Mexico. Keys to adults, diagnostic characters, descriptions, and distributions are presented. The larva of C. intermedia Bates is described and integrated into a key to larvae of the tribe Rutelini. A cladistic analysis among the species of Cnemida is based on 35 morphological characters and uses members of the genera Pelidnota and Rutela as outgroups. Four equally parsimonious cladograms are discussed