European Journal of Taxonomy 159: 1-6

http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2015.159

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

ISSN 2118-9773

www. europeanj ournaloftaxonomy. eu

2015 • Ricchiardi E.

Research article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2971B8Q4-8AA2-4713-8C66-756640D0331A

Description of a new monospecific genus of South African Trichiina,

with a key to the related genera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Enrico RICCHIARDI

Corso A. Tassoni 79/4, 10143 Torino, Italy.

E-mail: [email protected]

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F09BCF76-35DE-4821-91C4-EEDC5114810A

Abstract. A new monospecific genus, Pseudostegopterus gen. nov., endemic to the northwestern region

of South Africa, is erected. The type species is described as Pseudospegopterus melonthinoides sp. nov.

and is currently known only from male specimens. A provisional dichotomic key of the African Trichiina

genera is also provided, in order to facilitate the identification of male specimens to the genus level.

Key words. Cetoniinae, Pseudostegopterus , Afrotropical Region, new genus, new species.

Ricchiardi E. 2015. Description of a new monospecific genus of South African Trichiina, with a key to the related

genera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 159: 1-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2015.159

Introduction

The number of described Trichiina species (, sensu Smith et al. 2006) endemic to South Africa has

increased substantially during the last two decades (Evans 1987; Ricchiardi 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000;

Ricchiardi et al. 2004, 2008; Sipelc et al. 2012; Ricchiardi & Perissinotto 2013, 2014) and currently

ranges around 40. These species are grouped into nine genera, with three of them regarded as tropical

intruders and represented in South Africa by one single species each. The biodiversity richness of this

country is well established, but many taxa remain as yet underscribed, among them several Trichiina.

While undertaking a close analysis of the specimens preserved at the Iziko South African Museum (ISAM)

in Cape Town and in my private collection, I have recently identified a series of eight males belonging

to an undescribed species, which superficially resembles members of the genus Stegopterus Burmeister

& Schaum, 1840. However, on closer scrutiny it is clear that a new genus is involved. Both genus and

species are hereby described as Pseudostegopterus gen. nov. and P. melolonthinoides gen. et sp. nov.

The species is currently known only from the two type localities of Elands Bay and Pella Mission in the

Western Cape, South Africa.

Material and methods

The following abbreviations are used to denote the housing location of the study material:

ERC = Enrico Ricchiardi collection, Torino, Italy

ISAM = Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa

European Journal of Taxonomy 159 : 1-6 ( 2015 )

The specimen length was measured between the apex of the pygidium and the anterior margin of the

pronotum. The specimen width is the maximum elytron width. The clypeus length was measured

laterally, between the frontal margin and the antennal basal attachment.

Photographs were taken with a Nikon Coolpix P7700, sometimes attached to one of the eyepieces of a

Wild dissecting microscope. Photographs were processed with photo stacking software (Zerene Stacker

-Version 1.04 Build T201411272115. http://www.zerenesvstems.com [accessed 13 Nov. 2015]). Finally,

backgrounds were removed from photos using GIMP 2.8.14, in order to increase contrast.

Results

Class Insecta

Order Coleoptera

Superfamily Scarabaeoidea Tatreille, 1802

Family Scarabaeidae Tatreille, 1802

Subfamily Cetoniinae Teach, 1815

Tribe Trichiini Fleming, 1821

Subtribe Trichiina Fleming, 1821

Discussion

This work is part of a series of studies aimed at identifying and clarifying the composition and

morphological relations of the exceptionally diverse South African Trichiina. The phylogenetic

relationships among the Trichiina of South Africa and those occurring in other parts of the continent are

yet to be investigated and in need of further species descriptions and better definition of the genera. As

a contribution to the understanding of the morphological relationship between the South African genera

of Trichiina an updated dichotomic key is here proposed.

Preliminary key to South African Trichiina genera

1. Abdominal tergites not covered by elytra in dorsal view. Calometopus Blanchard, 1850

- Abdominal tergites covered by elytra in dorsal view.2

2. Elytral lateral ridge near lateral margin absent.3

- Elytral lateral ridge present on most of lateral margin.4

3. Posterior pronotal corners widely rounded; mesosternal process present, but not visible in side

view. Myodermum Burmeister & Schaum, 1840

- Posterior pronotal corners rounded or angled; mesosternal process absent. Diploa Kolbe, 1892

4. First metatarsal segment longer than second.5

- First metatarsal segment approximately as long as second.8

5. Pronotum length > than 0.5 times elytral length; body large (length 20.3 mm, width 1E0 mm ;

glabrous, slightly shiny, black. Camapterus Ricchiardi, 2000

- Pronotum length < than 0.5 times elytral length; body smaller, orange-red, but female often black or

dark brown.6

6. Clypeus as wide as long. Campulipus Kirby, 1827

- Clypeus wider than long. Posterior pronotal margin not emarginate.7

RICCHIARDIE., Description of Pseudostegopterus melolonthinoides

7. Pronotum covered with very scattered setae (even if locally dense); female with normal wings.

. Stripsipher Gory & Percheron, 1833

- Pronotum covered with dense, long setae; male elytra light brown; female smaller, completely black

or dark brown, brachypterous. Eriopeltastes Burmeister & Schaum, 1840

8. Metatibial apex modified.9

- Metatibia apex unmodified.10

9. Metatibial apex of male much longer than single metatibial spur; female metatibial apices truncate

with two spurs. Brackagenius Kraatz, 1890

- Metatibial apex slightly pronouced in males, truncate in females, with two spurs.

. Elpidus Peringuey, 1907

10. Metafemura enlarged (maximum width larger than 0.5 its length); length of protarsal claws > 0.8

that of last tarsal segment. Pseudostegopterus gen. nov.

- Metafemora slender (width less than 0.25 its length); length of protarsal claws at least 0.7 that of last

tarsal segment. Stegopterus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840

Genus Pseudostegopterus gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3FEB8498-B2Al-4136-904A-7EB7F37CE568

Type species

Pseudostegopterus melolonthinoides gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis

This new genus differs from all other Trichiini genera occurring in South Africa by the following

combination of diagnostic characters: 1) The eye-canthus covers about !4 of the ocular hemisphere;

2) the frons and vertex are covered with thick, long, inclined, testaceous setae; 3) the length of the

pronotum is < 0.5 times that of the elytra; 4) the posterior pronotal margin does not exhibit any ridge

centrally; 5) the pronotal surface is generally covered with thick, long, inclined, testaceous setae; 6) the

pronotal posterior corners are obtuse; 7) the elytral apex is rounded; 8) the elytral lateral ridge is visible

on the entire lateral border; 9) the elytra cover the entire pygidium, except its very apex; 10) the length

of protarsal claws is 0.70-0.90 times that of the last tarsomere; 11) the mesotibia are slightly curved

outwardly; 12) the metatibia exhibits two spurs; 13) the first metatarsal segment is as long as the second

or shorter; 14) the metatibial apex is strongly enlarged; 15) the internal corner of the metatibial apex

is deprived of long spines; 16) the mesosternal process is absent; 17) the metafemur width is 0.4-0.45

times its length; 18) the males are fully winged.

Etymology

The name comes from its superficial resemblance to some representatives of the genus Stegopterus

Burmeister & Schaum, 1840.

Pseudostegopterus melolonthinoides sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:42397679-9840-4330-AEDD-A9EE3CDD955B

Fig. 1

Etymology

While very similar to the smaller species of the genus Stegopterus, this species also resembles in color

and shape a small Melolonthinae.

European Journal of Taxonomy 159: 1-6 (2015)

Type material

Holotype

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: $ (ISAM), Western Cape, Leipoldtville, Eland’s Bay (32° 18’48” S,

18°21’00” E), Oct. 1947, Museum Expedition (SAM-CO-A043595).

Paratypes

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: 6 SS (ISAM), same data as the holotype (but without SAM number);

1 $ (ERC), Western Cape, Pella Mission (33°37’30” S, 18°37’30” E), 14 Aug. 1947, N.J. Duke legit.

Description

Holotype

Measurements. Length: 10.1 mm; width: 5.4 mm

Head. Clypeus black, margins reflexed (Fig. 1C), anterior margin not sinuate, covered with thick, large

punctures and long, recumbent, testaceous setae; vertex and frons black.

Antennae. Brown, with three lamellae, darkening at apex, slightly curved, about 2.0 times the length of

clypeus.

Fig. 1 . Pseudostegopterus melolonthinoides gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, $ (ISAM). A. Dorsal habitus.

B. Ventral view. C. Head. D. Parameres, frontal view. E. Parameres, lateral view.

RICCHIARDIE., Description of Pseudostegopterus melolonthinoides

Pronotum. Black, slightly shiny and rugulose, wider than long; anterior angles rounded, posterior acute,

with slightly rounded tip; posterior margin without carina; surface covered with thick, long, reclining,

testaceous setae.

Scutellum. Black, slightly shiny, triangular, as long as wide, apex slightly rounded; covered with

scattered, rounded punctures.

Elytron. Mostly fulvous, transparent, glabrous, with a large black stripe along the suturae, larger at

elytral apex; both striae and interstriae effaced; apicosutural angle rounded; sutural half of elytral apex

scabrous.

Abdomen. Stemites black, shiny; covered with reclining, long, testaceous setae, becoming glabrous and

matt on anal stemite; tergites black, covered with same setae as stemites.

Propygidium. Black, not visible, covered by elytron.

Pygidium. Black, rugulose, longer than wide, triangular, with apex rounded; covered with scattered,

long, reclining, light testaceous setae.

Protibia. Brown, glabrous, shiny, with two robust teeth on external margin.

Mesotibia. Black, slightly curved outwardly, with strong tooth at middle of external margin; proximal

half covered with scattered, long, reddish, bristles; apex strongly enlarged; mesofemur black, shiny,

covered with testaceous, reclined setae.

Metatibia. Black, shiny, with apex strongly enlarged; covered with scattered, long, reddish, bristles;

metatarsomeres black, twice as long as metatibia (claws included); first segment about as long as second;

spurs long, with apex rounded, especially on ventral one; dorsal spur 1.2 times longer than ventral and

arcuate; metafemur enlarged, width 0.5 times its length.

Remarks

The female is unknown.

Type series variability

Some paratypes have darker elytra and/or scattered instead of dense setae on head and pronotum, which

does not seem to represent simply wear and tear due to age.

Distribution

The single species belonging to this new genus is known from two places in the Western Cape Province.

These two localities are especially relevant, as they are part of a unique biome, the fynbos, which is

seriously threatened by climate change and land use.

Acknowledgements

I thank Dawn Larsen and Simon van Noort of ISAM (Cape Town) and Renzo Perissinotto of the Nelson

Mandela Metropolitan University (Port Elizabeth) for kindly organizing the loan of material for this study.

References

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Journal of the entomological Society of Southern Africa 50 (2): 351-356

European Journal of Taxonomy 159: 1-6 (2015)

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Manuscript received: 2 September 2015

Manuscript accepted: 28 October 2015

Published on: 7 December 2015

Topic editor: Koen Martens

Desk editor: Charlotte Thionois

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of the

EJT consortium: Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France; Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium;

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, London, United

Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History Museum of

Denmark, Copenhagen, De nm ark