15 research outputs found
Hathoronthophagus, new replacement name for Hathor Deschodt, 2023, preoccupied genus-group name of a putatively myrmecophilic dung beetle (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini)
In November 2023, Deschodt & Sole (2023) proposed the new genus-group name Hathor Deschodt for a peculiar, putatively ant-associated onthophagine dung beetle from Gauteng province, South Africa. The genus is as yet known only from the female holotype of the species Hathor spinosa Deschodt, 2023. It was overlooked that the new generic name is preoccupied by Hathor Kirkaldy & Edwards, 1902, as regulated by the Principle of Homonymy (Articles 52–60 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature [henceforth the Code, Anonymous 1999]). Hathor Kirkaldy & Edwards is a monotypic genus of red bug or cotton stainer (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoroidea: Pyrrhocoridae) from tropical Africa, itself a junior subjective synonym of Sericocoris Karsch, 1892. Sericocoris is currently a valid genus (Robertson 2004; Stehlík & Jindra 2011).http://www.mapress.com/zootaxahj2024Zoology and EntomologyNon
Revision of the enigmatic South African Cryptolaryngini (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), with description of a new genus and twenty-two new species
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : Supp. file 1. Uncorrected p-distances between specimens based on COI and EF1.
https://DOI.org/10.5852/ejt.2023.877.2151.9151The weevil genus Cryptolarynx Van Schalkwyk, 1966 is endemic to the Northern and Western
Cape provinces of South Africa. The two previously known species of the genus, C. vitis (Marshall,
1957) and C. estriatus (Marshall, 1957), have an aberrant globular body and head shape, which has made
it difficult to place the genus into the classification systems of the Curculionoidea. This paper presents
the description of 21 new species of Cryptolarynx from South Africa (C. subglaber Haran sp. nov.,
C. squamulatus Haran sp. nov., C. muellerae Haran sp. nov., C. hirtulus Haran sp. nov., C. robustus
Haran sp. nov., C. namaquanus Haran sp. nov., C. carinatus Haran sp. nov., C. variabilis Haran sp. nov.,
C. pyrophilus Haran sp. nov., C. pilipes Haran sp. nov., C. armatus Haran sp. nov., C. falciformis Haran
sp. nov., C. oberprieleri Haran sp. nov., C. spinicornis Haran sp. nov., C. cederbergensis Haran sp. nov.,
C. homaroides Haran sp. nov., C. marshalli Haran sp. nov., C. endroedyi Haran sp. nov., C. oberlanderi
Haran sp. nov., C. san Haran sp. nov., and C. luteipennis Haran sp. nov.) and of one new genus and
species, Hadrocryptolarynx major Haran gen. et sp. nov., also from South Africa. A redescription of the genus Cryptolarynx is provided to incorporate the characters of the new species. The plant genus Oxalis
(Oxalidaceae) is recorded as larval host for several species of Cryptolarynx and for Hadrocryptolarynx
Haran gen. nov., as their larvae develop in the subterranean bulbs of members of the genus, and the
egg, larva and pupa of C. variabilis are described. The characters of the Cryptolarynx larva confirm that
Cryptolaryngini are an early-diverging group of Curculionidae, with a placement among taxa currently
classified in the subfamily Brachycerinae sensu lato, and although their exact taxonomic position
remains unresolved, some larval characters, and also pupal ones, suggest a close relationship between
Cryptolaryngini and Stenopelmus Schoenherr. Potential use of species of Cryptolarynx in the biological
control of weedy South African species of Oxalis is discussed.http;//www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.euam2024Plant Production and Soil ScienceSDG-15:Life on lan
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is native to Asia but has been intentionally introduced to many countries as a biological control agent of pest insects. In numerous countries, however, it has been introduced unintentionally. The dramatic spread of H. axyridis within many countries has been met with considerable trepidation. It is a generalist top predator, able to thrive in many habitats and across wide climatic conditions. It poses a threat to biodiversity, particularly aphidophagous insects, through competition and predation, and in many countries adverse effects have been reported on other species, particularly coccinellids. However, the patterns are not consistent around the world and seem to be affected by many factors including landscape and climate. Research on H. axyridis has provided detailed insights into invasion biology from broad patterns and processes to approaches in surveillance and monitoring. An impressive number of studies on this alien species have provided mechanistic evidence alongside models explaining large-scale patterns and processes. The involvement of citizens in monitoring this species in a number of countries around the world is inspiring and has provided data on scales that would be otherwise unachievable. Harmonia axyridis has successfully been used as a model invasive alien species and has been the inspiration for global collaborations at various scales. There is considerable scope to expand the research and associated collaborations, particularly to increase the breadth of parallel studies conducted in the native and invaded regions. Indeed a qualitative comparison of biological traits across the native and invaded range suggests that there are differences which ultimately could influence the population dynamics of this invader. Here we provide an overview of the invasion history and ecology of H. axyridis globally with consideration of future research perspectives. We reflect broadly on the contributions of such research to our understanding of invasion biology while also informing policy and people
Phoberus MacLeay 1819
Phoberus MacLeay, 1819 Phoberus MacLeay, 1819: 137–138 (original description); Strümpher et al. 2014: 557–558 (phylogenetics); Strümpher et al. 2016b (reinstated as genus); Zídek 2017: 96–113 (checklist). A bibliography of Phoberus was provided by Strümpher et al. (2016b: 79–80). Type species: Trox horridus Fabricius, 1775 (by monotypy).Published as part of Strümpher, Werner P. & Stals, Riaan, 2021, Proper cleaning of keratin beetles reveals a cryptic species: Phoberus fumarius (Haaf, 1953) from southern Africa is reinstated as valid (Coleoptera: Trogidae), pp. 543-557 in Zootaxa 4942 (4) on page 545, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.4.3, http://zenodo.org/record/461245
Phoberus fumarius
<i>Phoberus fumarius</i> (Haaf, 1953), revalidated and new combination <p>(Figs 8–14, 16, 21)</p> <p> <i>Trox fumarius</i> Haaf, 1953: 334 (original description); Haaf 1959: 473 (checklist, localities); Scholtz 1980a: 97 (new junior synonym of <i>Trox</i> (<i>Trox</i>) <i>cyrtus</i>); Scholtz 1982: 3 (catalogue, as synonym of <i>Trox</i> (<i>Trox</i>) <i>cyrtus</i>); Zidek 2013: 9, 10 (checklist, as synonym of <i>Trox</i> (<i>Phoberus</i>) <i>cyrtus</i>); Zídek 2017: 99, 101 (checklist, as synonym of <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>).</p> <p> <b>Type locality.</b> Willowmore (Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa)</p> <p> <b>Type material examined. HOLOTYPE</b> Ƌ (NHMB, aedeagus extracted, examined through detailed photographs) (Figs 8–10): Rectangle, greyish white: “[South Africa, Eastern Cape Province] Willowmore [33°17′S 23°29′E] | 30.10.[19]48.” || Rectangle, white: “Süd-Afrika | leg. C. Koch” || Rectangle, white: “Museum Frey | Tutzing” || Rectangle, white with red bars at top and bottom, preprinted red text interspersed with black handwriting: “HOLOTYPUS | Trox | fumarius sp.n. | det.Dr.E. HAAF 1953 ” || Rectangle, white, preprinted black text interspersed with black handwriting: “ Trox fumarius | Haaf (= Trox | cyrtus Haaf. | det. C.H. SCHOLTZ 1979” || Rectangle, white cardstock with black margin: “ <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> | (Haaf, 1953) | stat. rev., comb. nov. | Strümpher & Stals 2021”. <b>PARATYPE</b> 1Ƌ (TMSA, aedeagus extracted): Rectangle, yellowing white: “Willowmore, | Capland. | Dr. H. Brauns.” || Narrow rectangle, red: “ PARATYPE ” || Rectangle, white, preprinted text interspersed with handwriting: “ Trox | fumarius Haaf | det.Dr.E. Haaf 1953 ” || Rectangle, white cardstock with orange margin: “ Paratypus 1953 | Trox fumarius sp.n | E. Haaf” || Rectangle, white cardstock with black margin: “ <i>Phoberus fumarius |</i> (Haaf, 1953) | stat. rev., comb. nov. | Strümpher & Stals 2021”.</p> <p> Haaf (1953) described <i>Trox fumarius</i> from three males and one female, deposited in NHMB (among these we studied the male holotype); one male in the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest (not seen by us); and one male and one female in TMSA, of which we studied the male paratype but could not locate the female.</p> <p> <b>Additional material examined.</b> <b>SOUTH AFRICA. Northern Cape Province.</b> 1♁ Richtersveld, Paradieskloof [<i>recte</i> Paradyskloof], 28°19′S 17°00′E, 06.ix.2001, E-Y:3412, light trap, TMSA staff (TMSA). 1♀ <i>idem</i> but E- Y:3413, on vegetation [<i>sic</i>] (TMSA). 2♀ Richtersveld, Gelykswerf [Mountain], [c. 28°22′S 17°08′E], x.1955, C Koch (TMSA). 1♁ Namaqualand, Swart Doring River, [30°48′S 17°54′E], 02–03.x.1966, S.A.M. [South African Museum] (TMSA). 1♁ Namaqualand, Dermbergsdraai Farm, 30°47′S 17°43′E, pitfall traps: 24.viii.1979 – 26.x.1979, E-Y:1589, S Endrödy-Younga (TMSA). 1♁ Kamieskroon, 30°12′S 17°56′E, 01–13.ix.2003, A Frolov, C Deschodt (UPSA, preserved in 99% ethanol). 1♀ Namaqualand, Garies, [30°33′30″S 17°59′E], vi.1930, Museum staff (SAMC: SAM-COL-A082505). <b>Western Cape Province.</b> 1♁, 1♀ Farm Zeekoeivlei [<i>recte</i> Seekoevlei], near Clanwilliam, [32°09′S 18°45′E], 27.xi.2003, farm staff (TMSA). 1♁ Saldanha Bay, Jutten Island, [33°05′0.5″S 17°57′19″E], 25.i.[19]51, Swedish South African Expedition, 1950–1951, P Brink, G Rudebeck (MZLU: MZLU-COL00007061, through photographs). 1♁, 4♀ Cape Town, 65 km N, 33°21′S 18°15′E, pitfall traps: 30.viii.1983 – 01.xi.1983, E- Y:1999, S Endrödy-Younga, M-L Penrith (TMSA). 20 unsexed: Dassen Island, 33°25′24″S 18°05′14″E, 18.ix.2009, WP Strümpher, CH Scholtz (UPSA, preserved in 99% ethanol); 6♁, 3♀ <i>idem</i> but dry-mounted (SANC); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but dry-mounted (SAMC: SAM-COL-A082509). 2♁ Citrusdal, [32°35′S 19°01′E], v.1974, Honiball (TMSA). 1♀ Cape Town, [33°55′S 18°25′E], 1913 (TMSA). 1♁ CPT [Cape Town], Green Point, [33°54′25″S 18°24′23″E], 16.vi.1958, JA Nagle (TMSA). 2♁ Cape-Karoo, Farm Zwartskraal, 33°10′S 22°32′E, pitfall traps: 08.xi.1978 – 17.i.1979, E- Y:1540, S Endrödy-Younga (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 01.ii.1979 – 02.iii.1979, E-Y:1545, R Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 02.iii.1979 – 31.iii.1979, E-Y:1552, R Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 23.vii.1979 – 05.ix.1979, E- Y:1637, R Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 05.ix.1979 – 25.x.1979, E-Y:1639, R. Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 25.x.1979 – 09.xii.1979, E-Y:1672, R. Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 01.i.1980 – 18.ii.1980, E-Y:1699, R Oosthuizen (TMSA); 1♁ <i>idem</i> but 22.ix.1980 – 08.xi.1980, E-Y:1717 (TMSA). 1♀ Touws R [iver], [33°20′15″S 20°02′E], 1896, Purcell (SAMC: SAM-COL-A082507). 1♁, 2♀ Zwartberg Pass [<i>recte</i> Swartberg Pass], [33°21′S 22°03′E], Prince Albert district, xii.1968, RH Jones, JH Potgieter (TMSA); 1♁, 1♀ <i>idem</i> (SAMC: SAM-COL- A082508, SAM-COL-A082510). 1♀ Swartberge [Swartberg Mountains], Blesberg East, 2,000 m, 23°25′S [<i>recte</i> 33°25′S] 22°41′E, pitfall traps: 16.xii.1976 – 02.iii.1977, E-Y:1532, S Endrödy-Younga (TMSA). 1♀ Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, [33°43′S 21°54′E], ii–iii.1994, T Berry (TMSA). 1♁ Riversdale, [34°02′45″S 21°15′45″E], RJ Power (TMSA) (Figs 11–14); 2♁, 1♀ <i>idem</i> (SAMC: SAM-COL-A082503–A082505).</p> <p> <b>Redescription.</b> <i>Size</i>: Length: 13–14 mm. Width across humeri: 6–8 mm.</p> <p> <i>Colour</i> (Figs 8, 11–12): Matt black. Body setae yellow-brown (amber) to light rust-brown.</p> <p> <i>Head</i> (Figs 11–12): As in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>, except surface coarsely sculpted and densely punctate, surfaces between punctures smooth, dull matt; antennal scape with long yellowish-brown to rust-brown setae.</p> <p> <i>Pronotum</i> (Figs 11–12, 16): As in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>, except surface coarsely punctate; punctures prominent, round; surfaces between punctures smooth, dull matt.</p> <p> <i>Scutellum</i> (Figs 11–12): Oval, rounded; surface smooth; lateral margins flat; mediobasally depressed, depression punctate.</p> <p> <i>Elytra</i> (Figs 8, 11–12): Relative dimensions, margins and profiles as in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>. Humeral calli as in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>. Sutural margin raised, surface smooth, with distinct round to oval tubercles regularly distributed along margin, roughly of similar size for 0.75 elytral length, thereafter decreasing in size until barely discernible; these tubercles as in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>. Elytral costae distinct; even-numbered costae with prominently raised oval to elongate tubercles, roughly of equal size and height, evenly spaced along elytral length; these tubercles smooth, dull, each with a posterior setal tuft. Apical callosity as in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>. Elytral costae 2 and 4 with 8–12 tubercles for 0.75 elytral length (up to apical callosity); odd-numbered costae marked by small round to oval, dull shiny tubercles like in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>, but these tubercles closely spaced. Costae 1–8 separated from intercostae as well-defined elevated bands. Intercostae with undulating depressions separated by transverse ridges, the margins of intercostae 1–7 marked by distinct, narrow longitudinal ridges, thereafter intercostae with carinae vestigial, barely discernible or lacking.</p> <p> <i>Legs</i> (Figs 11–12): As in <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>.</p> <p> <i>Metathoracic wings</i>: Complete.</p> <p> <i>Male genitalia</i> (Figs 9, 13): Symmetrical, slender, phallobase arched, as long as parameres. Parameres long, extending beyond median lobe, apices pointed and curved. Median lobe divided into two symmetrical parts, these broad, not parallel, with distinct basolateral swelling, in dorsal view concave upward; apices angularly rounded and incurved; two bladelike projections and hooks visible between parameres and median lobe.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> and <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> are very similar to each other. The two species can be told apart as elaborated under the diagnosis of <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>, above. Whereas both species can be confused with the common and widespread <i>Phoberus sulcatus</i>, <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is more likely to cause such confusion. Again see the discussion under <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>, above.</p> <p> <b>Geographic distribution.</b> <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is presently known only from the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, apart from its type locality that marginally falls in the westernmost Eastern Cape Province. The known distribution of the species follows the Cape Fold Mountains, along the western mountain chain from the Richtersveld southwards through Namaqualand to the West Coast Peninsula and the Cape Peninsula; and from there eastwards along the southern mountain chains as far east as the town of Willowmore (Fig. 21). This is a distribution pattern that broadly repeats among many beetle species and higher categories. Another example from the Trogidae is the <i>Phoberus capensis</i> species-group (Strümpher <i>et al.</i> 2016a).</p> <p> The distribution of this species may well reach further east into the eastern Cape Floristic Region; and it may well extend into southern Namibia, since it is known from the Richtersveld on the southern side of the Gariep River, while identical habitat is present on the northern side of the river in Namibia (Fig. 21). <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is present on off-shore islands on the Western Cape Atlantic coast. Two of these ‘guano islands’ are noted above; Haaf (1959) additionally reported this beetle species from Malgas Island (33°03′10″S 17°55′31″E) in Saldanha Bay.</p> <p> <b>Broad habitat associations.</b> The known distribution of <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is confined to the Greater Cape Floristic Region of Born <i>et al.</i> (2007), falling entirely in the winter rainfall region of southern Africa, whereas the range of the putative sister species <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> is confined to the summer rainfall region. <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> has been recorded at an altitude of 2,000 m above sea level in the Swartberg Mountains and close to sea level on the West Coast and the Cape Peninsula. No field-collected information about habitat associations exists for this species, and the possible vegetation types in which it occurs are geographically complexly arranged, necessitating caution when inferring where the species lives.</p> <p> The distribution of <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is in the northwest centred on the Succulent Karoo Biome (Richtersveld to Namaqualand) and on the Fynbos Biome in the south and towards the east (biomes, bioregions and vegetation units <i>sensu</i> Mucina & Rutherford 2006; Dayaram <i>et al.</i> 2019). In the Fynbos Biome the species may likely occur in both Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation units, but dedicated collecting is required to confirm or refute this. At higher altitudes along the southern mountains the species may again be found in Succulent Karoo habitats, and specifically in the Rainshadow Valley Karoo Bioregion. In the Swartberg and Little Karoo it possibly occurs in intrusions of the Albany Thicket Biome. On the off-shore islands the species occurs in Western Strandveld, a vegetation unit of the Fynbos Biome.</p>Published as part of <i>Strümpher, Werner P. & Stals, Riaan, 2021, Proper cleaning of keratin beetles reveals a cryptic species: Phoberus fumarius (Haaf, 1953) from southern Africa is reinstated as valid (Coleoptera: Trogidae), pp. 543-557 in Zootaxa 4942 (4)</i> on pages 549-555, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.4.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4612451">http://zenodo.org/record/4612451</a>
Phoberus cyrtus
<i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> (Haaf, 1953) <p>(Figs 1–7, 15, 21)</p> <p> <i>Trox cyrtus</i> Haaf, 1953: 333 (original description).</p> <p> <i>Trox</i> (<i>Trox</i>) <i>cyrtus</i>: Scholtz 1980a: 66, 68, 87, 97 (redescription, illustrations, distribution); Scholtz 1982: 3 (catalogue).</p> <p> <i>Trox</i> (<i>Phoberus</i>) <i>cyrtus</i>: Zidek 2013: 9 (checklist).</p> <p> <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i>: Strümpher <i>et al.</i> 2016b: 78 (new combination); Zídek 2017: 99 (checklist).</p> <p> <b>Type locality.</b> Vallée du Haute Orange [Valley of high Orange River] (border of Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing Districts, Lesotho)</p> <p> <b>Type material examined.</b> All type specimens were examined through detailed photographs. <b>HOLOTYPE</b> Ƌ (MNHN, aedeagus extracted) (Figs 1–3): Rectangle, faded blue cardstock: “MUSEUM PARIS | Basoutoland, Lessouto [Lesotho] | Vallée du Ht Orange [Valley of high Orange River, 30°17′S 27°46′E], 1500 m. | (legit R. Ellenberger) | E. HAUG 1906” || Rectangle, red cardstock: “ HOLOTYPE ” || Rectangle, minimally foxing white: “ Trox | cyrtus Haaf | det. Dr.E. Haaf 1953 ” || Rectangular curatorial label, white: “ MNHN | EC10025 ”. <b>PARATYPES</b> 2ƋƋ (MNHN): Blue label identical || Rectangle, red cardstock: “ PARATYPE ” || Foxy white label identical || White curatorial labels: “ MNHN | EC10027 ” and “ MNHN | EC10029 ”. <b>PARATYPES</b> 3♀♀ (MNHN): Labels identical to those of ♁ paratypes, but each specimen with an additional foxy white square: “ ♀ ” || “ MNHN | EC10028 ”; “ MNHN | EC10026 ” with red label: “ ALLOTYPE ”; “ MNHN | 10030” with different determination label, white rectangle: “ PARATYPE | <i>Trox</i> | <i>cyrtus</i> Haaf, 1953 ”. <b>PARATYPE</b> 1Ƌ (MNHB): Blue label identical || Rectangle, white, preprinted red text interspersed with black handwriting: “ PARATYPUS | Trox | cyrtus sp.n. | det. Dr.E. Haaf 1953 ”.</p> <p>Haaf (1953) described this species from six males and four females, all with the same label data. We studied four males and three females of the type series, including the holotype. Haaf (1953) indicated that all ten type specimens would be lodged in the MNHN, but we located one male in the MNHB.</p> <p> <b>Additional material examined.</b> <b>SOUTH AFRICA. Eastern Cape Province.</b> 1♁ Aliwal North, [30°42′S 26°42′E], 15–25.ii.1971, Snyman & Jones (TMSA). <b>Free State Province.</b> 13♁ Nova 667 [farm], near Ladybrand, SE 2927 Ab [29°07′S 27°22′E], 19–22.i.1976, GW Ferreira, S van Ee (BMSA: BMSA (C)-21032–21044) (Figs 4–7). 3♁, 3♀ <i>idem</i> but 01–12.ii.1977, GW & MC Ferreira, A Strydom (BMSA: BMSA (C)-21045–21046; BMSA (C)- 21975; BMSA (C)-21978; BMSA (C)-22031; BMSA (C)-22293). 4♁, 4♀ Kerkenberg, near Harrismith, 2829 Ac /d [28°30′14″S 29°06′30″E], 08–18.xi.1976, Museum staff (BMSA: BMSA (C)-21020–21027). <b>KwaZulu-Natal Province.</b> 1♁ [uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site], Mdedelelo Forestry Area, 29°07′S 29°26′E, 13–14.xi.1981, SJ van Tonder, C Kok (SANC). 1♀ [uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site], Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, at Bannerman Hut, 29°15′S 29°26′E, 2,300 m, 24.iv.1994, J duG Harrison, R Stals (TMSA).</p> <p> <b>Mpumalanga Province.</b> 1♁ Kruger National Park, Skukuza Rest Camp, 24°59′S 31°36′E, 28.i.1994, E-Y:2952, UV light trap, S Endrödy-Younga (TMSA). 1♁ Winkelhaak [mine], Ermelo district, [26°30′S 29°07′E], x.1970, L Schulze (TMSA). <b>North West Province.</b> 2♁, 7 unsexed: Rustenburg, [25°39′S 27°14′E], 28.x.1956 (NHMB, through photographs). 7 unsexed: <i>idem</i> but 13.viii.1961 (NHMB, through photographs). <b>BOTSWANA</b> <b>.</b> <b>South-East District.</b> 1♁ Otse, [25°02′S 25°44′20″E], 02.ix.1963, JA Nagle (TMSA).</p> <p> <b>Redescription.</b> <i>Size</i>: Length: 9–13 mm. Width across humeri: 5–8 mm.</p> <p> <i>Colour</i> (Figs 1, 4–5): Matt black, with dull reflection. Body setae yellow unless stated otherwise below.</p> <p> <i>Head</i> (Figs 4–5): Surface sculpted with discrete punctures, surfaces between punctures with dull reflection. Clypeus triangular, straight, apically deflexed and rounded; anterior clypeal margin entire, bare; clypeogenal and frontoclypeal sutures distinctly raised; frontoclypeal suture complete, with a low clypeogenal tubercle on either side, tubercles punctate. Frons raised, with paired, arched, setose frontoclypeal carinae delimiting two semicircular depressions, separated by a distinct, setose median carina. Genal angles obtuse, wide, recurved; genal margin with straight setae. Eyes large and bulbous, barely visible in dorsal view. Antennal scape rounded, longer than wide, punctate, with long light brown setae; pedicel attached apically; antennal club dark brown, velutinous. Setae around mouthparts dense, yellow to rust-brown.</p> <p> <i>Pronotum</i> (Figs 4–5, 15): Slightly narrower than elytra. Surface with discrete, round punctures, surfaces between punctures dull to shiny. Lateral margins broad and flat, somewhat explanate, entire to irregularly, coarsely dentate, strongly attenuate anteriad, with fringes of long, straight setae. Apex with row of long, recurved, evenly spaced setae. Base with dense fringe of straight setae. Median discal area only slightly raised, broad, narrowing towards base to form a distinct triangular disc; dorsal outline evenly arched in anterior view; median discal depression shallow; median basal tubercles distinct; lateral basal tubercles fused to those in front of them to form a low, broad carina; all tubercles and ridges with setal tufts.</p> <p> <i>Scutellum</i> (Figs 4–5): Longer than wide; surface smooth; apicolaterally rounded, lateral margins straight; mediobasally depressed, depression weakly sculpted to punctate.</p> <p> <i>Elytra</i> (Figs 1, 4–5): Elongate, length 2.7–2.8 pronotum length, lateral margins subparallel, sides narrow, lateral margin finely dentate and bearing long setae; widest at c. 0.6 length; profile slightly convex, attaining maximum height approximately in the middle, strongly declivous posteriorly. Humeral calli prominent, with short setae. Sutural margin raised, surface smooth, with low (sometimes flat) round to oval tubercles, widely separated and irregularly distributed along margin, roughly of similar size for 0.75 elytral length, thereafter decreasing in size until barely discernible; these tubercles smooth, dull shiny, each with a posterior setal tuft. Elytral costae distinct, evennumbered costae more prominent than odd-numbered. Even-numbered costae with raised oval tubercles widely and fairly evenly spaced along elytral length; these tubercles smooth, shiny, each with a posterior setal tuft. Apical callosity present on fourth costal interval at top of elytral declivity. Elytral costae 2 and 4 with 5–8 tubercles for 0.75 elytral length (up to apical callosity); odd-numbered costae marked by small round to oval, shiny tubercles, each with one or two short setae, these tubercles regularly spaced, roughly of equal size for 0.75 elytral length, thereafter decreasing in size until barely discernible. Dorsally costae 1–4 separated from intercostae as slightly elevated bands; laterally costae 5–9 barely discernible as bands. Intercostae with very shallow, undulating depressions separated by transverse ridges; dorsally, margins of intercostae 1–4 marked by weak narrow longitudinal ridges; intercostal carinae laterally vestigial, barely discernible or lacking.</p> <p> <i>Legs</i> (Figs 4–5): Surfaces rugose and coarsely punctate. Protibia dorsally keeled, with small apical process and row of short, stout transverse setae; outer margin with 2 distinct median teeth and 3–5 smaller basal teeth; inner margin with long, dense setae; protibial apex divided into two spines, distinct in males, females with spines partly fused; protibial spur as long as, or longer than, third tarsomere, flattened laterally, apex pointed and recurved. Mesotibia and metatibia with outer margins dentate and with long, dense yellow setae; with 2 apical spurs on inner margin, spurs as long as, or slightly longer than, second tarsomere. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse setae. Tarsal claws simple, equal.</p> <p> <i>Metathoracic wings</i>: Complete.</p> <p> <i>Male genitalia</i> (Figs 2, 6): Symmetrical, slender; phallobase arched, slightly longer than parameres. Parameres long, extending beyond median lobe, apices pointed, long and decurved. Median lobe divided into two symmetrical parts, these narrow, subparallel, in dorsal view concave upward; apices acutely rounded; two bladelike projections and hooks visible between parameres and median lobe.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> and <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> are very similar, but the former can be distinguished from the latter in having a less coarsely punctate pronotum (Figs 15–16). Additionally, the arrangement of the tubercles on elytral costae 2 and 4 differs between the species: <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> has these tubercles widely separated, with 5–8 tubercles between the elytral base and the apical callosity, whereas these tubercles in <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> are close together, with 8–12 tubercles between the elytral base and the apical callosity. The male genitalia of the two species are distinctive with the most important differences found on the median lobes. <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> have the lobes narrow and their apices sharper or angular, whereas in <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> the lobes are broad and their apices more rounded (as described in the text and as shown in Figs 2 and 6 versus Figs 9 and 13). Available information strongly suggests that the two species are allopatric and existent only in different, non-overlapping biomes, <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> in the summer rainfall area of southern Africa and <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> in the winter rainfall area (see text and Fig. 21).</p> <p> <i>Phoberus sulcatus</i> (Thunberg, 1787) (Figs 17–20) is widespread and common throughout South Africa (Scholtz 1980a). Both <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> and <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> have an external appearance similar to that species, and the three may be confused. In collections they have certainly been confused. Of the two species treated in this work, <i>Phoberus fumarius</i> is more likely to be confused in this way. <i>Phoberus sulcatus</i> differs from both the other species in bearing a distinct median pronotal depression (Fig 19) and having the pronotal and elytral carinae and tubercles more pronounced and higher (Figs 17, 19). The male genitalia of <i>Phoberus sulcatus</i> are indubitably different with the median lobe of this species divided into two broadly curved lobes (Fig 18). We found that <i>Phoberus sulcatus</i> can readily be distinguished from these other two species by the larger shadows cast under oblique lighting by its more prominent paramedian pronotal carinae; specimens should not be too soiled for this comparison to succeed.</p> <p> <b>Geographic distribution.</b> <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> is known from South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana (Fig. 21). In South Africa the species has been recorded from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces.</p> <p> <b>Broad habitat associations.</b> As far as it is known, <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> is restricted to the summer rainfall region of southern Africa, in contrast to its putative sister species <i>Phoberus fumarius</i>, which is confined to the winter rainfall region. <i>Phoberus cyrtus</i> is known from two biomes. In the south of its known distribution, the species lives in the Grassland Biome, where it is present in the Mesic Highveld Grassland–, Drakensberg Grassland– and Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregions (biomes and bioregions following Mucina & Rutherford 2006; Dayaram <i>et al.</i> 2019). Towards the north and west of its range, the species occurs in the Savanna Biome (Central Bushveld– and Lowveld Bioregions). Whereas the grassland habitats are cool and mesic, the savanna habitats are warm to hot and experience extended dry periods. This discordant distribution among two sets of habitats with significantly different bioregional climate regimes may indicate a eurytopic species.</p>Published as part of <i>Strümpher, Werner P. & Stals, Riaan, 2021, Proper cleaning of keratin beetles reveals a cryptic species: Phoberus fumarius (Haaf, 1953) from southern Africa is reinstated as valid (Coleoptera: Trogidae), pp. 543-557 in Zootaxa 4942 (4)</i> on pages 545-549, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.4.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4612451">http://zenodo.org/record/4612451</a>
Hathoronthophagus Stals, Daniel & Deschodt
Genus <i>Hathoronthophagus</i> Stals, Daniel & Deschodt, replacement name <p>http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: FEA50B91-DD24-4CB4-8B85-E86E99413453</p> <p> = <i>Hathor</i> Deschodt in Deschodt & Sole, 2023: 280 (preoccupied by <i>Hathor</i> Kirkaldy & Edwards, 1902: 168, in Hemiptera).</p> <p> Type species: <i>Hathor spinosa</i> Deschodt in Deschodt & Sole, 2023: 282, by original designation.</p> <p>Gender of new replacement name: masculine.</p>Published as part of <i>Stals, Riaan, Daniel, Gimo M. & Deschodt, Christian M., 2024, Hathoronthophagus, new replacement name for Hathor Deschodt, 2023, preoccupied genus-group name of a putatively myrmecophilic dung beetle (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini), pp. 449-450 in Zootaxa 5397 (3)</i> on page 449, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5397.3.10, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10468836">http://zenodo.org/record/10468836</a>
New replacement name for the species Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus Davis & Deschodt, 2015 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) — not an American pest
Davis, Adrian L. V., Stals, Riaan, Deschodt, Christian M. (2015): New replacement name for the species Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus Davis & Deschodt, 2015 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) — not an American pest. Zootaxa 4057 (4): 582-582, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4057.4.
Scarabaeolus Balthasar 1965
Subgenus <i>Scarabaeolus</i> Balthasar, 1965: 14 <p> <i>Scarabaeus</i> (<i>Scarabaeolus</i>) <i>afronitidus</i> Davis & Deschodt <b>nom. nov.</b>, <i>nec</i> <i>Scarabaeus nitidus</i> Linnaeus, 1758: 350 <i>Scarabaeus</i> (<i>Scarabaeolus</i>) <i>nitidus</i> Davis & Deschodt, 2015: 519, <b>syn. n.</b></p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> As in the homonymic name, the shiny appearance of the Botswana species is referenced, with <i>afro-</i> prefixed to also etymologically discriminate the African from the American species.</p>Published as part of <i>Davis, Adrian L. V., Stals, Riaan & Deschodt, Christian M., 2015, New replacement name for the species Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus Davis & Deschodt, 2015 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) — not an American pest, pp. 582 in Zootaxa 4057 (4)</i> on page 582, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.4.7, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/244364">http://zenodo.org/record/244364</a>