European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31

http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2012.17

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ISSN 2118-9773

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2012 • Miehael Kamer

Research article

A revision of African Psammoecus (Coleoptera, Silvanidae) and

descriptions of two new species from the collection of the Musee royal

de I’Afrique centrale

Michael KARNER

Dr. Miehael Kamer, e/o Dr. Damir Kovae,

Sektion Entomologie I, Senekenbergisehes Naturforsehendes Institut,

Senekenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Email: [email protected]

Abstract. A revision of the known Afriean speeies of Psammoecus is given, ineluding redeseriptions

and illustrations of diagnostie eharaeters. Extensive material from the Musee royal de EAfrique

eentrale (Tervuren) is studied. Two new speeies are deseribed: Psammoecus leleupi sp. nov., and Ps.

luchti sp. nov. Four speeifie names are synonymized: Psammoecus excellens Grouvelle, 1908 = Ps.

trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858; alluaudi GtouyqHq, 1912 = Ps. trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858;

Ps. longulus Grouvelle, 1878 = Ps. longicornis Sehaufuss, 1872; Ps. nitescens Grouvelle, 1914 = Ps.

laetulus Grouvelle, 1914. A key to the Afriean speeies is provided.

Key words. Coleoptera, Afriea, Psammoecus, Silvanidae, taxonomy.

Karner M. 2012. A revision of African Psammoecus (Coleoptera, Silvanidae) and descriptions of two new

species from the collection of the Musee royal de LAfrique centrale. European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2012.17

Introduction

While examining extensive material of Afriean Psammoecus Eatreille, 1829 from the eolleetion of the

Musee royal de EAfrique eentrale (Tervuren, Belgium) it eame elear that any attempt to determine the

material at hand required studies of type material. Sinee the studies of Grouvelle (see referenees), no

work was done on Afriean speeies of this genus. The available papers, however, were found to be of

little praetieal help, refleeting the taxonomie standards of the late 19th eentury. They frequently show

a laek of detail in deseriptions and diagnostie eontent.

The present paper gives redeseriptions, illustrations, and diagnoses for the known Afriean speeies of

Psammoecus. Two speeies eontained in the material from the Musee royal de EAfrique eentrale are

new to seienee.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Material and Methods

Specific identification of Psammoecus is often possible by use of external characters, viz. general

body shape, the pattern and form of pronotal teeth, and the puncturation of the body surface. The

male genitalia provide diagnostic characters especially in the shape of the parameres. Determination

of single female specimens was sometimes found impossible, since female genitalia were not found

to provide useful characters. An overview considering the general structure of the genitalia of

Psammoecus is given by Pal (1985).

Although the genital structures are small and delicate, preparation of the genitalia is not very difficult.

The animal is softened by soaking it in water overnight. The abdomen is separated from the body

by use of a very fine insect pin, and macerated in warm, 5% solution of caustic potash (KOH) for

few minutes. After rinsing in water, the abdomen is dissected in a drop of 5% acetic acid to isolate

the genitalia. It should never be attempted to pull the genitalia out of the abdomen, since this would

involve a high risk of the structures, especially the setae, being destroyed. The isolated genitalia are

embedded in a fiat drop of embedding medium (either Canada balsam or a water-soluble medium, e.g.

as described by Franzen & Kamer 1998) on a piece of transparent cellulose acetate film that is put on

the specimen’s insect pin.

Drawings were made by aid of microscopes and a camera lucida at magnifications of 50 times and

400 times, respectively. The microsculpture of the body surface was studied at a magnification of 80

times. The lateral teeth bordering the pronotum were numbered, using roman numerals, beginning

anteriorly, behind the group of very small teeth that are located at the anterior angle of the pronotum.

Measurements were taken as follows: length, from apical margin of clypeus to apex of elytra; head

width, across eyes; head length, from apical margin of clypeus to imaginary line between hind margins

of eyes; eye length, from anterior to posterior margin; antennal length, from base of antennomere to

apex of IF*’ antennomere; pronotal width, across maximum width, excluding spines; pronotal length,

from anterior to posterior margin; elytral width, across maximum joint width; elytral length, along

suture including scutellum.

Material is listed according to the localities, sorted from north-east to south-west. All label data

are given. The labels are cited beginning with the uppermost one, the respective lines are separated

by ‘I’- If words or single characters could not be deciphered, the characters are represented by a

corresponding number of ‘?’ within squared brackets. Also, comments on label colors, label shapes,

and other regarding the respective specimen are included in squared brackets.

Specimens from the following collections were studied:

BMNH

l.R.S.A.C.

MHNAF

MKF

MNHN

MRAC

ZMHB

The Natural History Museum, London

Institut pour la Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale (the material

studied here is stored in the collection of the Musee Royal de FAfrique

Centrale, Tervuren)

Museu de Historia Natural e Aquario, Funchal

Michael Karner, Frankfurt

Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris

Musee Royal de F Afrique Centrale, Tervuren

Museum far Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universitat, Berlin

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Results

Classis Hexapoda Blainville, 1816

Ordo Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Superfamilia Cucujoidea Latreille, 1802

Familia Silvanidae Kirby, 1837

Subfamilia Brontinae Erichson, 1845

Tribus Telephanini LeConte, 1861

Germs Psammoecus LatreiWQ, 1829

Psammoecus personatus Grouvelle, 1919

(Fig. 1)

Material examined

Holotype

?: ‘Funchal |Madere’, ‘Type’ [redlabel], ‘MUSEUMPARIS119171 Coll. GROUVELLE’, ‘Psammoecus |

personatus Grl.’ [not Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN).

Other material

1$ ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Haut-Uele: Moto | - 1923 | L. Burgeon’ (MRAC). l(S ‘Congo Beige:

PN.A. I 7-9-1V-1955 | P Vanschuytbroeck | 12.743-58’, ‘Secteur Nord | riv. Mukandwe, | affl. Talya,

1.200 m’ (MRAC). 13 ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Mombassa (36 km S. | Lubero Vlll-1932 | L. Burgeon’

(MRAC). 2 spms ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Uganda: 1400 m. | savane boisee | 5/8-V111-1957’, ‘Mission

Zoolog. l.R.S.A.C. I en Afrique orientale | P. Basilewsky et | N. Leleup’ (MRAC, MKF). 1$ ‘MUSEE

DU CONGO I Haut-Uele: Abimva | -V- 1925 | L. Burgeon’ (MRAC). 3?? ‘MUSEE DU CONGO |

Haut-Uele | Watsa, Xl-1919 | L. Burgeon’ (MRAC). l3 ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Ruvenzori: Kalonge |

(2050 m.) 9-V111-1932 | L. Burgeon’ (MKF). l3 ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Kivu: Ibanda | 1952 | M.

Vandelanoite’ (MRAC). l3 ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Uvira | Xl-1949 | N. Leleup’ (MRAC).

1$ ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Marais de labasse | Kalimabenge (Uvira) | N. Leleup XI- 1955’

(MRAC). 1 $ ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Maniema: Kabambare | (alalumiere) 16/18-X-54 | N. Leleup’

(MRAC). 1? ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Ifuri: Adia | 1935 | l.a | (R. Belot.)’ (MRAC). 1? ‘COLL. MUS.

CONGO I Elisabethville ll/lV-1949 | Ch. Seydel”, ‘Alalumiere’ (MRAC). l3 ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO |

Elisabethville, A la | lumiere X1-50/V1-51 | Ch. Seydel’ (MRAC). l3 ‘Madeira 19-24.4.1978 | Garajau |

Th. Palm’, ‘Psammoeeus | personatus | Grouvelle | det. G.lsraelson’ (MHNAF).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. personatus differs from Ps. marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908, Ps. parallelus Grouvelle, 1919, Ps.

laetulus Grouvelle, 1914 and Ps. luchti sp. nov. by the longer lateral teeth of the pronotum. It differs

from Ps. leleupi sp. nov. by the narrower elytral striae, narrower bases of lateral teeth of pronotum,

and slender parameres with shorter and fewer setae; from Ps. hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889 by the

antennomere being less than two times as long as 2"^; from Ps. laetulus by the maximum pronotal width

being eloser to the middle, narrower elytral striae, and less extensive dark elytral markings.

Redescription

Body. Elongate oval, total length 2.50-3.00 mm (Fig. lA). Surfaee yellowish brown. Elytra with round

brown or blaekish-brown maeulae on dise and narrow maeula on posterior part of suture; some speeimens

without elytral maeulae. Antennae as in Fig. IB, yellowish brown, to 10* and apex of 6* antennomere

brown or blaekish brown, 11* antennomere lighter than basal antennomeres.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Head. Broad, temples rounded, immediately narrowed behind eyes; width 0.69-0.83 mm, length 0.36-

0.45 mm, 1.71-1.90 times as wide as long. Eyes protuberant, 0.21-0.24 mm long, distanee of inner

margins 0.43-0.54 mm. Puneturation on vertex variable, moderate to very dense, distanee between

punetures irregular, slightly inereasing anteriorly. Pubeseenee eomposed of long, semiereet setae,

direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture absent. Longitudinal impressions on vertex distinet, attaining anterior

third of eyes. Antennae 1.23-1.43 mm long; antennomere proportions of holotype as follows: 2.5 : 1.4 :

1.4 : 1.6 : 1.6 : 1.4 : 1.1 : 1.1 :1.1 : 1.0 : 2.3.

Pronotum. Broad, width 0.71-0.88 mm, length 0.48-0.60 mm, 1.35-1.50 times as wide as long. Anterior

angles with distinet group of small, short teeth; lateral margins with five teeth, tooth 1 small, tooth

11 larger, tooth 111 the largest, tooth IV a little smaller than tooth 11, tooth V very small. Posterior

Fig. 1. Psammoecus personatus Grouvelle, 1919. A. Habitus of holotype. B. Left antenna of holotype.

C. Parameres of speeimen from Kivu, Ibanda. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

angle diminutive. Puneturation on dise eoarser than on vertex, punetures sometimes hardly separated.

Pubeseenee as on vertex; mieroseulpture mostly not visible (holotypus), some speeimens showing a

very shallow retieulation.

Elytra. Oval, length 1.63-2.00 mm, eombined width 1.08-1.38 mm, 1.35-1.56 times as long as eombined

width. Rows of punetures on dise somewhat narrower than interstiees. Pubeseense eomposed of long,

semiereet setae, direeted posteriorly; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Slender, eurved basally, with small setae along the inner margins and single long seta at their

apiees (Fig. 1C).

Psammoecus hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889

(Fig. 2)

Psammoecus haequardi [sie.] Grouvelle, 1908b: 185.

Material examined

Lectotype

$, by present designation: ‘Zanzibar | Raffray’ [blue label, Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [red label],

‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 | Coll. GROUVEEEE’ [blue label], ‘Haequardi | A. Grou’ [not Grouvelle’s

hand] (MNHN).

Paralectotype

$, by present designation, with identieal data as Eeetotype (MNHN).

Other material

2 spms ‘Tanzanie: Mts. Uluguru | Kiroka, for. heliophile | alt. 725 m sous eeorees | 27-31A^/71’, ‘Coll.

Mus. Tervuren | Mission Mts. Uluguru | E. Berger, N. Eeleup | J. Debeeker V/VIII/71’ (MRAC). 3 spms

‘Tanzanie: Mts. Uluguru | Kiroka, for. heliophile | alt. 600 m 24-30/VII/71 | dans arbres morts’, ‘Coll.

Mus. Tervuren | Mission Mts. Uluguru | E. Berger, N. Eeleup | J. Debeeker V/VIII/71’ (MRAC, 1 spm

MKF). 1 spm ‘Ta n zanie: Mts. Uluguru | Kiroka, for. heliophile | alt. 600 m 24-30/VII/71’, ‘Coll. Mus.

Tervuren | Mission Mts. Uluguru | E. Berger, N. Eeleup | J. Debeeker V/VIII/71’ (MRAC). 2 spms ‘Ala

lumiere’ [blue label], ‘I.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Terr Masisi, 720 m. | Walikale (Rives Eoa) IX-

53 I N. Eeleup’ (MRAC, MKF). 3 spms ‘Dans | humus | en foret’ [blue reetangular label], ‘I.R.S.A.C.-

MUS.CONGO I Kivu: Terr Masisi, 800 m. | Mutakato IX-53 | N. Eeleup’, (MRAC). 1? ‘MUSEE DU

(MRAC). 1? ‘I.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Bolobo (fleuve Congo | 5-X-1949 | N. Eeleup’, (MRAC). 1

spm ‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d‘ivoire: Bingerville | XI. 1961 | J. Deeelle’, (MRAC). 4 spms

‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d‘ivoire: Bingerville | VIII. 1962 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC, 1 spm MKF).

2 spms ‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | IX. 1962 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC). 1 spms

‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | X. 1962 | J. Deeelle’, (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COEE.

MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | XI. 1962 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COEE. MUS.

TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | IX. 1963 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. hacquardi differs from Ps. marginicollis by the shape of the parameres and shorter antennae; from Ps.

personatus by the antennomere being more than two times longer as 2"^^; from Ps. leleupi sp. nov. by

the narrower elytral striae; from Ps. laetulus by the maximum pronotal width being eloser to the middle;

from Ps. parallelus by more extensive dark maeulae on elytra, darkened elytral basis and slender shape

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

of parameres; from Ps. luchti sp. nov. by narrow bases of lateral teeth of pronotum, narrower elytral

striae and darkened elytral bases.

Redescription

Body. Elongate-oval, total length 2.40-3.05 mm (Fig. 2A). Surfaee yellowish to reddish brown, elytra

with variable patterns of maeulae; the basie pattern eonsists of brown or blaekish brown maeulae at the

elytral bases, sutures, lateral margins and apiees. Speeimens of lighter eolour show no darker eoloration

on anterior half of elytral suture and posterior half of lateral margins; very dark speeimens have dark

elytra with light brown maeulae on the anterior and posterior aspeets of the disk. Antennae as in Fig. 2B,

yellowish brown; to 10* and apieal half of 5^*^ antennomere brown to blaekish-brown, 11* antennomere

yellowish brown, sometimes a little lighter than basal antennomeres.

Fig. 2. Psammoecus hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889. A. Habitus of leetotype. B. Feft antenna of leetotype.

C. Parameres of speeimen from Tanzanie: Uluguru Mountains. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Head. Broad, temples immediately narrowed behind eyes; width 0.65-0.74 mm, length 0.38-0.44 mm,

1.61-1.80 times as wide as long. Eyes moderately protuberant, 0.19-0.23 mm long, distanee of inner

margins 0.40-0.48 mm. Puneturation on vertex moderate, density of punetures in some speeimens

irregular, varying from sparse to very dense. Pubeseenee eomposed of long, semiereet setae, direeted

anteriorly; mieroseulpture distinet, retieulate. Eongitudinal impressions on vertex distinet, almost

attaining the middle of the eyes. Antennae eomparatively short, 1.30-1.43 mm long; antennomere

proportions of leetotype as follows: 2.8 : 1.0 : 1.7 : 1.1 : 1.5 : 1.3 : 1.2 : 1.2 :1.2 : 1.2 : 2.7.

Pronotum. Broad, some speeimens with shallow impressions elose to the apieal margin; width 0.65-

0.78 mm, length 0.50-0.60 mm, 1.27-1.33 times as wide as long. Anterior angles with distinet groups

of small, short teeth; lateral margins with five teeth, tooth I very short and slender, tooth II longer and

wider than tooth I, tooth III longer than tooth II, tooth IV a little shorter than tooth III, tooth V very

small; posterior angle with a very small, almost obtuse tooth. Puneturation on dise denser than on vertex,

punetures sometimes hardly separated. Pubeseenee as on vertex; mieroseulpture distinet, retieulate.

Elytra. Elongate-oval, length 1.50-1.90 mm, eombined width 0.98-1.30 mm, 1.46-1.67 times as long

as eombined width. Rows of punetures on dise narrower than interstiees. Pubeseenee eomposed of long,

semiereet setae; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Slender, short, with dense rows of small setae at the inner margins of their bases and two

larger setae at their apiees. (Fig. 2C).

Remarks

The determination of single female speeimens, espeeially if they are lightly eolored or immature, ean

be diffieult. Grouvelle (1908b) spells the name ‘Haequardf, whieh is to be eonsidered a misspelling.

Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

(Fig. 3)

Psammoecus nitescens GvouyqWq, 1914: 149. syn. nov.

Material examined

Leetotype

$, by present designation: ‘25’ [hand written on speeimen’s mounting label], ‘Type | H.T.’ [round label

with red border], ‘Seyehelle Islands. | Perey Sladen | Trust Expedition | 1913.-170’, ‘Psammoeeus |

laetulus Grouv. | TYPE | Figured Speeimen’ [not Grouvelle’s hand; last line on reddish pieee of paper

glued to the label], ‘Psammoeeus | laetulus | TYPE Grouv.’ [Grouvelle’s hand, ‘TYPE’ printed on blue

pieee of paper glued on the label, mounted faeing down], ‘Silhouette, 1908. | Seyehelles Exp.’ [mounted

faeing down], ‘SYN-1 TYPE’ [round label with blue border] (BMNH)

Other material

1 spm ‘25’ [hand written on speeimen’s mounting label], ‘Type | H.T.’ [round label with red border],

‘Seyehelle Islands. | Perey Sladen | Trust Expedition | 1913.-170’, ‘Silhouette, 1908. | Seyehelles Exp.’

[mounted faeing down], ‘Psammoeeus | niteseens | TYPE Grouv.’ [Grouvelle’s hand, ‘TYPE’ printed

on blue pieee of paper glued on the label], ‘Psammoeeus | niteseens | Grouvelle | TYPE Figured’ [not

Grouvelle’s hand; ‘Figured’ printed on reddish pieee of paper glued to the label, mounted faeing down],

‘SYN- I TYPE’ [round label with blue border] (BMNH). This speeimen is hereby designated to be

the leetotypus of Ps. niteseens. 5 spms ‘Seyehelle Islands. | Perey Sladen Trust | Expedition | 1913.-

Expedition | 1913.-170’, ‘SYN-1 TYPE’ [round label with blue border] (BMNH). These speeimens are

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

hereby designated to be paraleetotypes ofPs. nitescens. 96 spms ‘lies Seehelles - Mahe | Centre: Mome

Seeh- I ellois, for. Endemique, | 750 m. 13/17.Vll. 1972’, ‘Coll. Mus. Tervuren | Miss. zool. beige aux |

Seehelles - PEG Benoit | et. J. J. Van MoE (MRAC, 4 spms in eoll. MKF).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. laetulus differs fromP^. hacquardi, Ps. personatus, andP^. leleupi sp. nov. by the maximum pronotal

width being loeated in the anterior third. It differs from Ps. personatus also by shorter lateral teeth of

pronotum, wider elytral striae, and more extensive dark elytral markings; from Ps. leleupi sp. nov. also

by lateral margin of pronotum less eurved, slender parameres with shorter setae; from Ps. marginicollis

Fig. 3. Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914, speeimen from Mahe. A. Habitus. B. Eeft antenna.

C. Parameres. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

by antennomere being more than two times as long as 2"^; from Ps. parallelus by more extensive dark

maeulae on elytra, darkened elytral basis and slender shape of parameres; from Ps. luchti sp. nov. by less

rounded lateral margin of pronotum, darkened elytral basis, and more slender parameres.

Redescription

Body. Oval, total length 2.35-2.95 mm (Fig. 3A), head and pronotum blaekish-brown with the head in

most speeimens somewhat brighter; elytra yellowish brown with darkened humeral area, dark lateral

margin, a wide transversal band behind the middle and apex dark. In many speeimens the darkened

areas on the elytra are enlarged, leaving only bright maeulae on the anterior and posterior portions

of the elytra. Antennae as in Fig. 3B, bright reddish-brown, 7* to 10* antennomeres and apex of 6*

antennomere blaekish-brown, 11* antennomere bright, almost white.

Head. Transverse, 0.69-0.75 mm wide, 0.39-0.48 mm long, 1.53-1.77 times as wide as long. Eyes large,

protuberant, 0.21-0.23 mm long, distanee of inner margins 0.43-0.48 mm. Puneturation on vertex eoarse,

moderately dense; pubeseenee eomposed of long, semiereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture

absent. Eongitudinal impressions on vertex distinet, almost parallel, attaining middle of eyes. Antennae

long and slender, 1.45-1.63 mm long, antennomere proportions as follows: 2.7 : 1.0 : 1.2 : 1.7 : 1.7 : 1.6 :

1.4 : 1.2 : 1.2 : 1.1 : 2.3.

Pronotum. Subquadrate, posterior margin with shallow impressions; 0.66-0.78 mm wide, 0.53-0.63 mm

long, 1.15-1.33 times as wide as long. Anterior angles with small group of teeth; margins with five lateral

teeth; tooth I small, only slightly bigger than teeth of anterior group; tooth II somewhat bigger, tooth III

biggest, teeth IV and V small; posterior angle with very small tooth. Puneturation and pubeseenee on

pronotal dise in most speeimens as on vertex, sometimes a little eoarser. Mieroseulpture variable, mostly

absent, in few speeimens shallow, retieulate.

Elytra. Oval, length 1.54-1.88 mm, eombined width 1.10-1.18 mm, 1.40-1.52 times as long as their

eombined width. Rows of punetures on dise slightly narrower than interstiees; pubeseenee eomposed of

long, semi-ereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Slender, narrowing gradually towards apex; inner margins with numerous small setae, few

setae on outer margins of apieal struts; apex with single large seta (Fig. 3C).

Remarks

Both Ps. laetulus and Ps. nitescens are deseribed in the same paper by Grouvelle (1914). Due to the

name Ps. laetulus preeeding in the original artiele, it is eonsidered to be the valid name for this taxon,

with Ps. nitescens being a synonym.

Psammoecus parallelus Grouvelle, 1919

(Fig. 4)

Material examined

Holotype

‘Salisbury | Mashonaland | Aug. 1900 | GaKM’ [on baekside of mounting label], ‘Type’ [round label

Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (BMNH).

Other material

1 spm ‘COEE. MUS. CONGO | Kasenyi | 19-VIII-1937 | H.J. Bredo’ (MRAC). 1? ‘Dans marais |

roselier’, ‘I.R.S.A.C. -MUS. CONGO | Kibali-Ituri: Blukwa(Tsa) 11820m. 1-19541 N.Eeleup’ (MRAC).

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

1 $ ‘LR.S.A.C. - MUS. CONGO | Bendera, terr. Albertville | 1000 m. (a la lumiere) | N. Leleup X-1958’

(MRAC). \S ‘LR.S.A.C. - MUS. CONGO | Bendera, terr. Albertville | riv. Kiymbi 1000 m. | B. 18

N, Leleup Vll-1958’, ‘Biot. No 18 | dans detritus | et humus’ (MRAC). If ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO |

Urundi: Bugesera, rives | lae Tshohoha YX-1957 | N. Leleup’ (MKF). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO |

Haut-Uele: Watsa | - 1922 | E. Burgeon’ (MRAC). 1$ ‘Reeolte dans | panieule de | riz’, ‘COEE. MUS.

CONGO I 15 kn E. Yangambi | 21 1952 | J .Deeelle’ (MRAC). 2 spms ‘COEE. MUS. CONGO | Kivu:

Sanghe, PL Ruzizi | (a la lumiere) Xll-1951 | H. Bomans’ (MRAC). 1 ? ‘LR.S.A.C. - MUS. CONGO |

Kivu: Lemera, terr. Uvira | 1600 m. Xll-1956 | N. Leleup’ (MRAC). 2$$ ‘Biot. No 25 | raeines de |

plantes basses’, ‘LR.S.A.C. - MUS. CONGO | Mont Kabobo, terr. Albert-1 ville, Hte Kiymbi 1700 m. |

B.25 N. Leleup lX-1958’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Nioka | Vll-1937 | J. Ghesquiere’

(MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Sankuru: Gandajika | V-1955 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC). 1 spm

Fig. 4. Psammoecus parallelus Grouvelle, 1919. A. Habitus of holotype. B. Left antenna of holotype.

C. Parameres of speeimen from Bendera. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Tanganika: Musosa, 980 m. | (a la lumiere) XI-1953 | H. Romans’ (MRAC).

1? ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Llisabethville (Ala | lumiere) x-1959 | Ch. Seydef (MKF). 13 ‘I.R.S.A.C.

- MUS. CONGO I Bas-Congo: Rives de | LaN’Tadi 9-IX-1949 | N. Leleup’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEL

DU CONGO I Kisantu | -1932 | R.P. Vanderysf (MRAC). 1? ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Bas Congo:

Thysville | 1-2/XII-1952 | P. Basilewsky’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Cote d’Ivoire:

Adiopo-1 doume 1957 | P. Dessart’ (MRAC).

Differential diagnosis

Differs from Ps. personatus and Ps. leleupi sp. nov. by the shorter lateral teeth of pronotum; from Ps.

leleupi sp. nov. also by narrower elytral striae, round dark maeulae in posterior third of elytra, darkened

suture near elytral apex, and the absenee of a darkened area at bases of elytra; from Ps. hacquardi

and Ps. laetulus by round dark maeulae in posterior third of elytra, darkened suture near elytral apex,

the absenee of a darkened area at bases of elytra and very wide bases and elub-shaped extensions of

parameres; from Ps. marginicollis by antennomere being almost three times as long as 2'^^ and from

Ps. marginicollis and Ps. luchti sp. nov. by very wide bases and elub-shaped extensions of parameres.

Redescription

Body. Slender, total length 2.85-3.30 mm (Fig. 4A), surfaee yellowish-brown, elytra with round dark

maeulae at beginning of posterior third near lateral margins, suture darkened along posterior third.

Antennae yellowish brown, 7*-10* and apex of 6* antennomere brown, 11* antennomere lighter reddish-

brown, but somewhat darker than basis of antennae.

Head. Wide, temples eurved; width 0.48-0.78 mm, length 0.40-0.45 mm, 1.41-1.82 times as wide as

long. Eyes protuberant, 0.21-0.23 mm long, distanee of inner margins 0.48-0.53 mm. Puneturation on

vertex eoarse, dense, density of punetures variable. Pubeseenee eomposed of long, semiereet setae,

direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture visible only in few speeimens, very shallow, retieulate. Longitudinal

impressions on vertex distinet, extending slightly behind middle of eyes. Antennae as in Fig. 4B, slender,

1.35-1.63 mm long; antennomere proportions ofholotype as follows: 2.9 : 1.2 : 1.4 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1.3 : 1.2 :

1.1 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 2 . 2 .

Pronotum. Subquadrate, 0.73-0.81 mm wide, 0.60-0.68 mm long, 1.19-1.26 times as wide as long.

Anterior angles with distinet group of small teeth; lateral margins with five teeth, tooth I small, teeth

II and III larger, of similar size, teeth IV and V as big as tooth I; posterior angles with small tooth.

Puneturation and pubeseenee on dise as on vertex, mieroseulpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, length 1.80-2.10 mm, eombined width 1.03-1.25 mm, 1.67-1.76 times as long as their

eombined width. Rows of punetures on dise slightly wider than interstiees; pubeseense eomposed of

long, semiereet setae, direeted posteriorly; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. With very large base and elub-shaped apieal extension. Inner margins of base and apieal

extension with numerous setae of variable size, apex with one large seta (Fig. 4C).

Psammoecus leleupi sp. nov.

(Fig. 5)

Etymology

The name is dedieated to Nareisse Leleup (1912-2001), who eolleeted many of the Psammoecus stored

in the the Musee royal de I’Afrique Centrale.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Material examined

Holotype

(?: ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Kivu: T. Lubero, Mt Kibat-1 siro, Visiki, 2080 m. Xll-54 | R.P.M.J. Cells’,

‘dans I terreau, au | Berlese’, ‘l.R.S.A.C. -Mus. Congo | N. Rhodesia: Mpika | (MuehingaMts.) 1700m. |

V1L1960N. Leleup’, ‘Dans | I’humus’ [blue label], ‘HOLOTYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’

[red label] (MRAC).

Paratypes

\S ‘Coll. Mus. Tervuren | Uganda: Distr. Busonga | env. Jinja, 1/111.1968 | J-J. Rwabuneza’,

‘PARATYPUS I Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1 spm ‘19 km sud | Tapili’,

‘a la lampe | lV-1956’, ‘Colleetion | J.G. Pantos’, ‘622’, ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | 622 | ex eoll. J.

Pantos’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1$ ‘MUSEE DU

[red label] (MRAC). 1? ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Rutshum | lV-1937 | J. Ghesquiere’, ‘PARATYPUS |

Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1 spm ‘ COEE. MUS. CONGO | Ruanda:

Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1 ? ‘ l.R.S.A.C.-MUS. CONGO | Kivu: Tern Masisi, 700 m. | Walikale IX-

1953 IN. Eeleup’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1$ ‘COEE.

leleupi I des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1? ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | K. 300. de Kindu | 16-1V-1911 I

E. Burgeon’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1$ ‘MUSEE

des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1$ ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS. CONGO | Maniema: T. Kasongo, | Mwana-

Kussu I N. Eeleup 21/22-X-54’, ‘A la lumiere’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’

[red label] (MRAC). 1? ‘ MUSEE DU CONGO | Eulouga: Befale | -lX-1927 | E. [sie!] Ghesquiere’,

‘PARATYPUS I Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). \S ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.

CONGO I Kwango: tern De Feshi, | rive g. Kwenge 11-1959 | B.64 Mme. J. Eeleup’, ‘Biot. No 64 | Hot

de foret | mareeag. inondee’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MKF).

If ‘l.RS.A.C.-MUS. CONGO | Kwango: Kianza, tern De I Feshi, riv. Sengi 111-1959 | B.76 Mme J.

Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 1? ‘l.RS.A.C.-MUS. CONGO | Thysville: Grotte | B 15 d. 22-V11-1949 |

N. Eeleup’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoeeus | leleupi | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC).

Diagnosis

Maximum pronotal width elosely behind anterior third; margin of pronotum rounded, bearing four

triangular lateral teeth with wide bases. Elytra with dark brown to blaekish maeulae at base, on the dise

and with a dark apex. The large maeulae on the dise often form a transverse band, eonneeted to the apieal

maeulae by the darkened suture; striae on elytral dise wider than interstiees. Parameres with wide bases

and elub-shaped extensions, bearing numerous long setae.

Differential diagnosis

Ps. leleupi sp. nov. differs from Ps. hacquardi, Ps. parallelus, Ps. marginicollis, andP^. personatus by

wider elytral striae; from Ps. personatus also by wider bases of lateral teeth of pronotum, and broad

parameres with numerous long setae. It differs from Ps. laetulus by maximum pronotal width being eloser

to middle, lateral margin of pronotum more eurved, parameres with wide basis, elub-shaped extensions,

and longer setae; from Ps. marginicollis by longer lateral teeth of pronotum, and by parameres with wide

basis and elub-shaped extensions; from Ps. parallelus by longer lateral teeth of pronotum, and extensive

dark maeulae on elytra with darkened area at elytral basis; from Ps. luchti sp. nov. by darkened elytral

bases and parameres with wide basis, elub-shaped extensions, and numerous longer setae.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Description

Body. Elongate oval, total length 2.80-3.20 mm (Fig. 5A). Elytra with dark brown to blaekish maeulae

at base, on the dise and with a dark apex. The large maeulae on the dise often form a transverse band,

eonneeted to the apieal maeulae by the darkened suture. Head and pronotum darker than the bright areas

of elytra, mostly even darker than the elytral maeulae. Antennal eoloration variable, to 9^^ and basis

of 6^*^ antennomere darkened, 10^*’ and 11* antennomere very bright, often almost white. Some speeimens

with darkened 10* antennomere.

Head. With large, protuberant eyes, temples narrowed immediately behind eyes; head width 0.76-

0.85 mm, length 0.44-0.48 mm, 1.61-1.79 times as wide as long. Puneturation on vertex dense, eoarse;

pubeseenee eomposed of long, semiereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture absent. Eongitudinal

impressions on vertex distinet, slightly eurved, attaining middle of eyes. Eyes protuberant, 0.23-0.25 mm

long, distanee of inner margins 0.48-0.53 mm. Antennae as in Fig. 5B, eomparatively robust, 1.38-

1.53 mm long; antennomere proportions of holotypus as follows: 2.5 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1.6 : 1.6 : 1.5 : 1.4 :

1.2 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 2 . 2 .

Fig. 5. Psammoecus leleupi sp. nov., holotype. A. Habitus. B. Eeft antenna. C. Parameres. Seale line A,

B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Pronotum. Broad, near apical margin and apical angles with shallow impressions; width 0.83-

0.91 mm, length 0.59-0.66 mm, 1.33-1.51 times as wide as long. Anterior angles with distinct group

of comparatively big teeth, lateral margins with four distinct triangular teeth; tooth 1 short, tooth 11

somewhat longer, tooth 111 the longest, tooth IV a bit shorter than tooth 111, but longer than tooth 11;

posterior angle with distinct angular tooth. Puncturation and pubescence on pronotal disc as on vertex.

Microsculpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, length 1.88-2.13 mm, combined width 1.20-1.43 mm, 1.39-1.58 t im es as long as combined

width. Rows of punctures on disc wider than interstices; pubescense composed of long, semierect setae;

microsculpture absent.

Parameres. With wide, stout base and club-shaped apical extension. Inner margin of base with 3-4

longer and numerous short setae; inner margin of extension with numerous small setae, apical portion of

extension with 2-3 long setae (Fig. 5C).

Psammoecus luchti sp. nov.

(Fig. 6)

Etymology

The name is dedicated to Wilhelm Lucht (1922-2000), who provided the author with much helpful

advice in the course of his first steps into entomology.

Material examined

Holotype

S'. ‘l.R.S.A.C. -Mus. Congo | N. Rhodesia: Mpika | (Muchinga Mts.) 1700 m. | V11.1960 N. Leleup’,

‘Dans I Thumus’ [blue label], ‘HOLOTYPUS | Psammoecus | luchti | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC).

Paratypes

IS ‘COLL. MUS. TERVUREN | Kivu: Butembo | alt. 1740 m. 111.1965 | M.J. Cells et collab.’, ‘sous |

Dendrocalamus’, ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoecus | luchti | des. Kamer’ [red label] (MKF). IS ‘COLL.

MUS. CONGO I Katanga: gal. forest. | de la Kisanga IX- | N. Leleup 1948 | (Env. d’ Elisabethville)’,

‘Recolte dans | humus’ [blue label], ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoecus | luchti | des. Kamer’ [red label]

(MKF). 1 spm ‘l.R.S.A.C. - Mus. Congo | N. Rhodesia: Abercom, | 1800m. | V11.1960 N. Leleup’,

[red label] (MRAC). 1 spm ‘l.R.S.A.C. -Mus. Congo | N. Rhodesia: Danger Hill | a 45 km. N. de Mpika |

des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC). 3 spms ‘l.R.S.A.C. - Mus. Congo | N. Rhodesia: Mpika | (Muchinga

Mts.) 1700 m. I Vll. 1960 N. Leleup’, ‘Dans | I’humus’ [blue label], ‘PARATYPUS | Psammoecus |

luchti I des. Kamer’ [red label] (MRAC).

Diagnosis

Lateral margins of pronotum rounded, bearing five distinct teeth with wide bases. Elytra elongate-oval,

bright reddish-brown with dark, transverse band at beginning of posterior portion, sometimes with

darkened suture near elytral apex; striae on elytral disc slightly wider than interstices. Parameres small,

elongate, spatula-shaped.

Differential diagnosis

Ps. luchti sp. nov.differs from Ps. simoni Grouvelle, 1892 by the elytral striae being only slightly wider

than the interstices, elytra being more elongate, elytral basis not darkened. It differs from Ps. hacquardi

and Ps. marginicollis by wider bases of lateral teeth of pronotum; from Ps. hacquardi also by wider

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

elytral striae and elytral basis not darkened; from Ps. marginicollis, Ps. parallelus, Ps. leleupi sp. nov.,

Ps. simoni, and Ps. laetulus by spatula-shaped parameres. It further differs from Ps. leleupi sp. nov. and

Ps. laetulus by elytral basis not darkened; from Ps. personatus by shorter lateral teeth of pronotum with

wider bases; and from Ps. laetulus by more rounded lateral margin of pronotum.

Description

Body. Elongate oval, total length 2.80-3.19 mm (Fig. 6A). Bright reddish-brown, elytra with dark,

transverse band at beginning of posterior portion, some speeimens also with darkened suture near elytral

Fig. 6. Psammoecus luchti sp. nov., holotype. A. Habitus. B. Eeft antenna. C. Parameres. Seale line A,

B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

apex. Antennae with 7*-10* antennomere blaekish brown, some speeimens with darkened apex of 6*

antennomere. 11* antennomere, sometimes also 10* antennomere, bright yellowish brown, brighter than

basal antennomeres.

Head. Very wide, with large, protuberant eyes, temples narrowed immediately behind eyes. Head width

0.79-0.88 mm, length 0.44-0.48 mm, 1.75-1.96 times as wide as long. Eyes 0.20-0.23 mm long, distanee

of inner margins 0.50-0.60 mm. Puneturation on vertex eoarse, relatively dense, distanee between

punetures irregular; pubeseenee eomposed of long ereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture

absent. Longitudinal impressions on vertex distinet, short, attaining seeond third of eyes. Antennae as

in Fig. 6B, long and slender, 1.45-1.55 mm long, antennomere proportions of holotype as follows: 2.6 :

1.1 : 1.4 : 1.3 : 1.5 : 1.4 : 1.3 : 1.1 : 1.0 : 1.1 : 2.1.

Pronotum. Broad, shallowly impressed near apieal margin and apieal angles, width 0.80-0.96 mm,

length 0.60-0.73 mm, 1.28-1.40 times as wide as long. Anterior angles with group of very small teeth,

lateral margins with five distinet, triangular teeth; tooth 1 small, tooth 11 larger, tooth 111 largest, tooth

IV slightly smaller than tooth 111, tooth V smallest; posterior angle with very small angular tooth.

Puneturation and pubeseenee on dise as on vertex; mieroseulpture absent.

Elytra. Elongate oval, length 1.85-2.05 mm, eombined width 1.15-1.40 mm, 1.44-1.65 times as long as

their eombined width. Rows of punetures on dise slightly wider than interstiees, pubeseenee eomposed

of semiereet setae that are somewhat shorter as on head and pronotum; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Small, elongate; base less than 2 times as wide as apieal extension, inner margins with few

short setae, inner portion of apex with four longer setae, outer portion with one shorter and one longer

seta (Fig 6C).

Psammoecus grandis GxouyqWq, 1908

(Fig. 7)

Material examined

Holotype

$: ‘Af or. All. | Kwai. Weise’ [blue label, Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [red

label, printed], ‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 | Coll. GROUVELLE’ [blue label], ‘Psammoeeus | grandis |

G. Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN).

Other material

1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Ruanda: Gitarama, | 1850 m. terr. Nyanza, | P. Basilewsky 1-1953’

(MRAC). \S ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu: Terr. Lubero | 2.200 m. 2-X11-1951 | N. Leleup | (for

mont. avee bamb.)’, ‘Reeolte dans I’humus’ [blue label] (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO |

Urundi: Kitega 1600- | 1700 m. 3/4-111-1953 | P. Basilewsky’ (MKF). 4 spms ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO I

Urundi: Bururi, 1800 -1 2000 m. 5/12-111-1953 | P. Basilewsky’ (MRAC).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. grandis resembles Ps. longicornis Sehaufiiss, 1872 and Ps. lateralis (Grouvelle, 1899), but differs

by the presenee of small lateral teeth of pronotum. It differs from Ps. longicornis also by the very large

and eurved parameres with very short extensions.

Redescription

Body. Slender, narrow, total length 3.4-4.2 mm (Fig. 7A), surfaee yellowish-brown, elytra with dark

maeulae of variable shape; some immature speeimens only with a darkish maeula in the posterior half

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

of elytra, other speeimens with posterior half of elytral suture and elytral maeulae blaekish-brown.

to 10* antennomere and apex of 6* antennomere darkened, 11* antennomere brighter than basis of

antennae.

Head. With eomparatively small eyes and broad, eurved temples; width 0.80-0.89 mm, length 0.45-

0.48 mm; 1.71-1.85 times as wide as long. Eye length 0.23-0.25 mm, distanee of inner margins 0.48-

0.56 mm. Puneturation on vertex irregular, pubeseenee eomposed of short, reeumbent setae, direeted

anteriorly; mieroseulpture well defined, retieulate. Eongitudinal impressions on vertex short, eurved,

almost attaining the anterior third of eyes. Antennae as in Fig. 7B, short, length 1.58-2.00 mm,

antennomere very long and slender. Antennomere proportions of holotype as follows: 3.33 : 1 : 1.17 :

1.5 : 1.2 : 1.7 : 1 : 1 : 1.8 : 1: 2.17.

Fig. 7. Psammoecus grandis Grouvelle, 1908. A. Habitus of holotype. B. Eeft antenna of holotype.

C. parameres of speeimen from Kivu. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Pronotum. Subquadrate, width 0.89-1.03 mm, length 0.75-0.90 mm, 1.14-1.23 times as wide as long.

Surfaee uneven with flat impressions near the posterior margin elose to the posterior angles as well

as in the middle of the posterior margin. Less distinet impressions also elose to the anterior margin,

in some speeimens also in the middle of the pronotal dise. Posterior angle with a very small group of

teeth, lateral margins with four to flve very short lateral teeth, posterior angle almost rudimentary. The

holotype shows an asymmetrieal tooth pattern with different numbers and loeation of lateral teeth on the

two sides of the pronotum. Puneturation slightly eoarser and denser than on vertex, pubeseenee as on

vertex; mieroseulpture well deflned, retieulate.

Elytra. Narrow, slender, length 2.10-2.67 mm, eombined width 1.35-1.60 mm, 1.50-1.81 times as long

as their eombined width. Rows of punetures on the dise a little narrower than interstiees. Pubeseenee

rather flat, eonsisting of long setae. Mieroseulpture visible only in few speeimens, very weak, retieulate.

Parameres. with broad base, narrowing and eurving inwards toward apex (Fig. 7C).

Psammoecus marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908

(Fig. 8)

Material examined

Holotype

S'. ‘Af or. all I Kwai Weise’ [blue label, Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [red label],

‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 | Coll. GROUVEEEE’ [blue label], Psammoeeus | marginieollis | G. Grouv’

[Grouvelle’s hand]; (MNHN).

Other material

\S ‘MUS. ROY. APR. CENTR. | Tanganyika: Kilimandjaro | vers. O. (Buehberger) | ex. eoll. Dr

Breuning’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Haut-Uele: Yebo Moto | Vl-1926 | E. Burgeon’

(MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Ituri: Medje | fin Vlll-1925 | Dr H. Sehouteden’ (MRAC). 3

spms ‘Coll.Mus.Tervuren | Congo: Dorsale de Eubero | Mt. Muleke, V1/V1L1963 | M.J. Celis’ (MRAC).

\S ,Ala lumiere’ [blue label], ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Terr. Masisi, 720 m. | Walikale (Rives

Eoa) lX-53 IN. Eeleup’ (MKF). If ‘COEE. MUS. CONGO | Kivu: Kalonge | 15-X11-1938 | Hendriekx’

(MKF). 1 spm ‘Foret | transition’ [blue label], ‘l.R.S.A.C. -Mus. Congo | Kivu: Riv. Nyakagera, terr. |

Kabare 1600/1700 m. | N. Eeleup Xl-1955’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Kivu: Burunga |

9-X11-1925 I Dr H.Sehouteden’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Vuhovi | - Vll-1925 | H.

J. Bredo’ (MRAC). 3 spms ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Mombassa (36 km.S. | Eubero) Vlll-1932 | E.

Burgeon’(MRAC). 1 spm ‘MUSEE DU CONGO | Aniw im i: Panga | 9/10-1X-1925 | Dr H. Sehoudeten’

(MRAC). 1 spm ‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | VI. 19621 J. Deeelle’ (MRAC).

1 spm ‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville | Vll. 1962 | J. Deeelle’ (MRAC). 2 spms

‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’Ivoire: Bingerville | V.1964 | J. Deeelle’ (MKF)

Differential diagnosis

Ps. marginicollis differs from Ps. personatus and Ps. leleupi sp. nov. by the shorter lateral teeth of

pronotum; from Ps. laetulus and Ps. parallelus by antennomere being two times as long as 2*^^;

from Ps. hacquardi by wider, less elongate parameres and longer antennae; from Ps. leleupi sp. nov.

by narrower elytral striae and parameres without elub-shaped extension; from Ps. parallelus by wide

parameres without elub-shaped extension; from Ps. luchti sp. nov. by narrower bases of lateral teeth of

pronotum and wider, less elongate parameres.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Redescription

Body. Elongate oval, total length 2.50-3.50 mm (Fig. 8A). Surfaee yellowish to reddish brown, some

speeimens eonsiderably darker with lateral margins of pronotum blaekish brown. Elytra with variable

pattern of dark maeulae; darker speeimens with wide, horizontal maeulae in the middle of the elytra

and dark apieal portion of elytral suture; the basal portion of the eltral suture not darkened. Speeimens

of lighter eolour with redueed maeulae on the elytral dises and only slightly darkened or light apieal

portion of elytral suture. Few speeimens without elytral maeulae. Antennae yellowish or reddish brown,

7* to 10* antennomere dark brown or blaek, 11* antennomere yellowish brown, lighter than basal

antennomeres.

Fig. 8. Pammoecus marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908, holotype. A. Habitus. B. Right antenna. C. Parameres.

Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Head. Broad, temples rounded; width 0.65-0.76 mm, length 0.40-0.46 mm, 1.58-1.83 times as wide

as long. Eyes moderately prominent, 0.20-0.23 mm long, distanee of inner margins 0.43-0.53 mm.

Puneturation on vertex variable, moderately dense, sometimes very dense. Pubeseenee eomposed

of long, semiereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture hardly visible, very shallow, retieulate.

Longitudinal impressions on vertex deep, attaining the anterior third of eyes. Antennae as in Fig. 8B,

1.58-1.70 mm long. Antennomere proportions of holotype as follows: 2.0 : 1.1 : 1.3 : 1.4 : 1.5 : 1.2 :

1,1 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 1.1 : 2 . 1 .

Pronotum. Subquadrate, width 0.70-0.85 mm, length 0.56-0.70 mm, 1.16-1.42 times as wide as long.

Surfaee even. Anterior angle with distinet group of small teeth. Lateral margin with five distinet, short

teeth; tooth 1 short with wide base, tooth 11 a little larger, teeth 111 and IV still a little larger, triangular

with wide bases, tooth V about as big as tooth 11. Posterior angle with very small tooth. Puneturation on

pronotal dise eoarser and denser as on vertex, pubeseenee as on vertex. Mieroseulpture variable, in most

speeimens well defined, retieulate, in some speeimens hardly visible or absent.

Elytra. Elongate oval, length 1.63-2.30 mm, width 1.13-1.50 mm, 1.32-1.71 times as long as their

eombined width. Rows of punetures on the dise a little narrower than interstiees. Pubeseenee eomposed

of long, semiereet setae; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Short, broadest in the middle, with one large apieal seta (Fig. 8C).

Remarks

The shape of the parameres was found to vary to a small degree. So far, the material at hand was not

suffieient to deeide wether this variability has speeifie importanee, henee all speeimens mentioned here

were determined to be eonspeeifie with Ps. marginicoUis.

Psammoecus lateralis (Grouvelle, 1899)

(Fig. 9)

Cryptamorpha lateralis GxouyqWq, 1899: 179.

Psammoecus lateralis Grouvelle, 1919: 46.

Material examined

Holotype

$: ‘Andrangoloaka | 1600 m. O. S. O. de | Tananarive.’, ‘Type’ [red label], ‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 |

Coll. GROUVELLE’, ‘Cryptamorpha | lateralis | G. Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. lateralis resembles Ps. longicornis, but differs by the smaller and less dense puneturation on head,

pronotum, and elytral dises, and by the longer antennae.

It differs from Ps. grandis by absenee of lateral teeth of pronotum.

Redescription

Body. Elongate-oval, total length 3.60 mm (Fig. 9A). Surfaee yellowish brown with elytral margin and

a round maeula on posterior third of elytra dark brown.

Head. With long, slightly rounded temples; width 0.79 mm, length 0.48 mm, 1.65 times as wide as long.

Eyes moderately protuberant, 0.4 mm long, distanee of inner margins 0.53 mm. Puneturation on vertex of

moderate density, punetures small, distanee between punetures variable. Pubeseenee eomposed of short

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

semierect setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture very distinet, retieulate. Longitudinal impressions

on vertex short, distinet, attaining the anterior quarter of the eyes. Antennae as in Fig. 9B, antennal

length 1.78 mm; antennomere proportions of holotype as follows: 2.6 : 1.3 : 1.2 : 1.1 : 1.4 : 1.6 : 1.4 :

1.1 :1.1 : 1.0 : 1.9.

Pronotum. Subquadrate, width 0.86 mm, length 0.75 mm, 1.15 times as wide as long. Anterior and

posterior angles with distinet groups of small teeth, lateral teeth absent. Puneturation on pronotal dise

sparser as on vertex, punetures of same size as on vertex. Pubeseenee shorter and less ereet as on vertex;

mieroseulpture distinet, retieulate.

Elytra. Elongate, length 2.35 mm, width 1.28 mm, 1.84 times as long as eombined width. Rows of

punetures on dise distinetly narrower than interstiees. Pubeseenee eomposed of only slightly ereet setae;

mieroseulpture hardly visible, very shallow, retieulate.

Fig. 9. Pammoecus lateralis (Grouvelle, 1899), holotype. A. Habitus. B. Left antenna. Seale line: 1 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Psammoecus longicornis Schaufiiss, 1872

(Fig. 10)

Psammoecus longulus Grouvelle, 1878: 265. syn. nov.

Material examined

Holotype

‘Type’, ‘Coll. L. W. | SchaufiiB’, ‘Type’ [red label], ‘longieomis | Sehauf | N.Germany | Caffr’,

‘longieomis | Sehauf | Cafifraria.’ (ZMHB).

Other material

25 ?, mounted on single eard label ‘Port natal | H. Deysolle’ [Grouvelle’s hand; seeond line hardly

readable], ‘Type’, ‘TYPE’ [red label], ‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 | Coll. GROUVEEEE’ [blue label],

[Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN). The speeimen that is mounted on the right side is hereby designated to be

the leetotype ofPs longulus. 1 spm ‘Coll. Mus. Congo | Umndi: Kitega 1600- | 1700 m. 3/4-111-1953 |

P. Basilewsky’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘Reeolte dans | Thumus’ [blue label], ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu :

Terr. Kalehe | Contr. S. duKahuzi, | 2200 m. 27-V11-51 | N. Eeleup’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘Coll. Mus. Congo |

Kivu: Ibanda | 1952 | M. Vandelannoite’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu: Eemera,

terr. Uvira | 1600 m. Xll-1956 | N. Eeleup’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘Reeolte sous | detritus | vegetaux’ [blue

label]’, ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu : Terr. Uvira, | Mulenge 1950 m. | (Mavaisroselier) 4-1X-51 | N.

Eeleup’, (MRAC). \S ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu : Terr. Uvira, Mu- | lenge 1880-2010 m. | (Vert.

For. Ombroph.) V-1951 | N. Eeleup’, ‘Reeolte dans | I’humus’ [blue label] (MRAC). 1 spm ‘Reeolte

dans I raeines | (plantes basses)’ [blue label], ‘l.R.S.A.C.-Mus. Congo | Kivu : Mwenga, | S.-O. Itombwe,

Euiko I 1900 m (Sav.herb.) 1-1952 | N. Eeleup’ (MRAC). 2 spms ‘Coll. Mus. Congo | Elisabethville |

11-1940 I H. J. Bredo’ (MKF).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. longicornis resembles Ps. lateralis, but differs by eoarser puneturation of head, pronotum, and elytral

dises and by the shorter antennae. It differs from Ps. grandis by absenee of lateral teeth of pronotum and

by parameres with wide bases and distinet, slender extension.

Redescription

Body. Elongate oval, total length 2.60-3.40 mm (Fig. lOA). Surfaee bright yellowish or reddish brown,

elytra with dark brown maeulae at the beginning of posterior half, near margin; the elytral suture and

margins in apieal third often darkened; some speeimens laeking elytral maeulae. Antennae yellowish

brown; 8^*^ to 10^*’ antennomeres slightly to moderately darkened, in some speeimens also the

antennomere darkened; 11* antennomere of same eolor as basal antennomeres or only slightly brighter.

Head. Broad, temples eurved, head width 0.65-0.75 mm, length 0.38-0.45 mm, 1.67-1.83 times as wide

as long. Eyes only moderately protuberant, 0.18-0.20 mm long, distanee of inner margins 0.44-0.53 mm.

Puneturation on vertex dense and eoarse. Pubeseenee eomposed of short, reeumbent setae, direeted

anteriorly; mieroseulpture well defined, retieulate. Eongitudinal impressions on vertex distinet, attaining

seeond fourth of eyes. Antennae as in Fig. lOB, 1.30-1.50 mm long. Antennae of holotype missing;

antennomere proportions of leetotype ofPs. longulus as follows: 2.5 : 1.2 : 1.5 : 1.5 : 1.2 : 1.2 : 1.1 :

1.1 :1.0 : 1.2 : 2.3.

Pronotum. Almost as long as wide; width 0.64-0.78 mm, length 0.58-0.73 mm, 1.01-1.15 times as wide

as long. Eateral teeth absent, anterior and posterior angle with small groups of teeth. Puneturation and

pubeseenee as on vertex; mieroseulpture well defined, retieulate.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Elytra. Oval, length 1.68-2.10 mm, width 0.95-1.50 mm, 1.40-1.80 times as long as wide. Rows of

puetures somewhat wider than interstiees. The pubeseenee of the studied speeimens almost eompletely

damaged, as far as visible, the setae are short and reeumbent; mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. With wide base and slender apieal extension. Inner margin with numerous short setae, apex

with single long seta (Fig. IOC).

Fig. 10. Pammoecus longicornis Sehaufiiss, 1872. A. Habitus of speeimen from Port Natal (= leetotype

of Ps longulus Grouvelle, 1878). B. Right antenna of speeimen from Port Natal. C. Parameres of

speeimen from Kivu. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

Psammoecus trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858

Psammoecus excellens Grouvelle, 1908a: 115. syn. nov.

Psammoecus alluaudi Grouvelle, 1912: 409. syn. nov.

Material examined

1$ [round, red label]; [yellow label]; ‘Psammeeus [sie!] | trimaeulatus | Moteh. | Ceylon’ [Motsehulsky’s

hand] (ZMUM). 3 spms ‘Af. or. All. | Eiehelbaum’ [Grouvelle’s hand], ‘Type’ [red label], ‘MUSEUM

PARIS I 1917 I Coll. GROUVEEEE’ [blue label], ‘Psammoeeus | exeellens | G Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s

hand] (MNHN). One S speeimen was designated as leetotpyus of Ps excellens Grouvelle and labelled

aeeordingly. Holotype of Ps alluaudi. S\ ‘Madagasear | Su[???]ieville’ [blue label, Grouvelle’s hand],

‘Type’ [redlabel], ‘MUSEUMPARJS 119171 Coll. GROUVEEEE’ [blue label], ‘Psammoeeus | alluaudi |

G. Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN).

Remarks

Pal (1985) gave a redeseription of Ps. trimaculatus based on material from Motsehulsky’s eolleetion

(Museum Moseow) that he aeeepted as type material. He did not designate a leetotype. The material

eonsisted of five speeimens mounted on a single label (Pal 1996, personal eommunieation).

It was not possible for the present author to see this material, but he had the opportunity to study a single,

female speeimen from Motsehulsky’s eolleetion (ZMUM). This speeimen is not assumed to be a type,

while the material mentioned by Pal may be diseovered again.

Pal (1985) provided detailed figures of Ps. trimaculatus, ineluding the male genitalia, and gives an

overview on the taxonomy. He states that it oeeurs in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Eanka, Myanmar,

Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Madagasear. Reeently, it has also been reeorded as being established in

Brasil (Thomas & Yamamoto 2007).

Both Ps. excellens Grouvelle and Ps. alluaudi Grouvelle are eonspeeifie and have to be synonymised

with Ps. trimaculatus Motsehulsky.

Psammoecus simoni Grouvelle, 1892

(Fig. 11)

Psammoecus simonis Grouvelle, 1892: 287.

Psammoecus simoni -GxousqWq 1908e: 476.— Pal 1985.

Material examined

Leetotype

S, by present designation: ‘Antipolo | E. Simon’, ‘TYPE’ [redlabel], ‘MUSEUMPARJS | 1917 | Coll.

GROUVEEEE’ [yellow label], ‘Psammoeeus | Simoni | ty. A. Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN).

Paralectotype

1 spm with identieal data as leetotype (MNHN).

Other material

5 spms ‘COEE: MUS. CONGO | Madagasear: Maroansetra | (a la lumiere) II/IV-1950 | J. Vadon’

(MRAC). Ispm ‘COEE. MUS. TERVUREN | N.E. Madagasear: | Ambodivoangy 1959 | J. Vadon’

(MRAC).

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

Differential diagnosis

Ps. simoni differs by its short oval habitus and the short, stout parameres that are fused with the basal

pieee from all other Afriean Psammoecus. The wide-based pronotal teeth resemble Ps. luchti sp. nov., it

differs by the elytral striae being eonsiderably wider than interstiees, elytra being shorter, darkened basis

of elytra, parameres short, stout and fused with basal pieee.

Redescription

Body. Oval, total length 2.13-3.00 mm (Fig. 11 A). Surfaee yellowish-brown, sometimes reddish-brown,

elytra with brown or blaekish-brown maeulae: humeral swelling, a transverse band in the middle of the

elytra, the elytral suture along the posterior two thirds and the elytral apex are dark. Base of antennae

yellowish or reddish brown, 6^*^ to 10* antennomere darkened, 11* antennomere yellowish-white, some

speeimens with light apex of 10* antennomere.

Head. Broad, temples narrowed immediately behind eyes; width 0.64-0.71 mm, length 0.33-0.44 mm,

1.67-1.73 times as wide as long. Eyes protuberant, rounded, 0.17-0.20 mm long, distanee of inner

Fig. 11. Psammoecus simoni Grouvelle, 1892, leetotype. A. Habitus. B. Right antenna. C. Parameres.

Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

margins 0.38-0.45 mm. Puncturation on vertex eoarse, density of punetures variable, pubeseenee

eomposed of long, semiereet setae, direeted anteriorly; mieroseulpture absent. Longitudinal impressions

on vertex very shallow, attaining the middle of the eyes, sometimes shorter. Antennae as in Fig. IIB,

1.17-1.40 mm long, stout, antennomere proportions of leetotype as follows: 2.9 : 1.3 : 1.8 : 1.5 : 1.8 :

1.6 : 1.4 : 1.0 :1.2 : 1.4 : 2.8.

Pronotum. Broad; width 0.62-0.74 mm, length 0.48-0.56 mm, 1.22-1.35 times as wide as long. Surfaee

smooth, without impressions. Anterior angles with distinet groups of small teeth; lateral margins with

four distinet teeth; tooth 1 very small, tooth 11 a little larger, teeth 111 and IV largest. Posterior group of

teeth eonsisting of a larger anterior tooth and a very small, almost obtuse posterior tooth. Puneturation

eoarser than on vertex, punetures sometimes adjoining. Pubeseenee as on vertex; mieroseulpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, short, length 1.35-1.70 mm, eombined width 1.00-1.23 mm, 1.27-1.43 times as long as

their eombined width. Rows of punetures on dise wider than interstiees. Pubeseenee eonsists of long,

semiereet setae. Mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Short, stout, fused with basal pieee; with distinet pattern of three large setae (Fig. 11 C).

Remarks

In his original deseription, Grouvelle (1892) spells the name ‘simonis’. However, on the labels that

Grouvelle added to the syntypes as well as in a later paper (Grouvelle, 1908e), he spells the name

‘simonF. Pal (1985) also uses the latter spelling. Henee the present author eonsiders ‘simonis’ to be a

misprint and proposes to spell the name in aeeordanee with Grouvelle (1908e) and Pal (1985).

Psammoecus spinosus Grouvelle, 1882

(Fig. 12)

Material examined

1 spm ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Kavimvira (Uvira) | (a la lumiere) 1-1956 | G. Marlier’

(MRAC). 1 spm ‘l.R.S.A.C.-MUS.CONGO | Kivu: Kavimvira (Uvira) | (a la lumiere) 11/111-1956 | G.

Marlier’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS. CONGO | Tanganika: Moba, 780 m. | (a la lumiere) Xl-1953 |

H. Bomans’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘Angola: Cazombo, | Alto Zambeze 11-1955 | 4987.11 E. Luna de Carvalho’

(MRAC). If ‘Nigeria VdoFR | m State | IV 1975 | J. T. Nedler Coll.’ (MRAC). 1 spm ‘COLL. MUS.

TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville 111.1962 | J. Deeelle’, ‘Psammoeeus sp. | D. G. H. Halstead |

det. 1978’ (MKF). If ‘COLL. MUS. TERVUREN | Cote d’ivoire: Bingerville 1 1/12.111.1962 | J. Deeelle’

(MRAC).

Differential diagnosis

Ps. spinosus differs by the very eharaeteristie shape of the pronotum and the distinetly toothed elytral

margins from all other Afriean Psammoecus.

Redescription

Body. Oval, total length 2.40-3.15 mm (Fig. 12A), reddish-brown, elytra with darkened basis and

with dark lateral maeula near their middle, eonneeted to the darkened suture in posterior half whieh is

eonneeted to another lateral maeula elose to the apex; the maeulae forming a roughly x-shaped pattern

on posterior two thirds of elytra. Antennae reddish-brown, 7* to 10* antennomeres darker brown, 11*

antennomere bright yellowish, a lm ost white.

Head. Wide, temples strongly narrowed immediately behind eyes; width 0.60-0.75 mm, length 0.38-

0.45 mm, 1.58-1.71 times as wide as long. Eyes very large and protuberant, length 0.18-0.23 mm.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

distance of inner margins 0.36-0.48 mm. Puneturation on vertex irregular, punetures eomparatively

small and sparse, pubeseenee eomposed of moderately long, semiereet setae, mieroseulpture absent.

Longitudinal impressions on vertex very distinet, deep, slightly eurved, attaining slightly beyond the

middle of eyes. Antennae as in Fig. 12B, long and slender, 1.23-1.30 mm long; antennomere proportions

as follows: 2.8 : 1.0 : 1.3 : 1.2 : 1.3 : 1.4 : 1.3 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 1.1 : 2.2.

Pronotum. Transverse, posterior and lateral margins with distinet impressions, elose to the middle of the

anterior margin with shallow impression; width 0.65-0.83 mm, length 0.45-0.58 mm, 1.38-1.44 times as

wide as long. Anterior angle with very distinet group or large teeth; lateral margin eharaeteristie pattern

of four teeth; tooth I large with wide basis, teeth II and III almost fused, forming a large forked tooth.

Fig. 12. Psammoecus spinosus Grouvelle,1882, speeimen from Bingerville. A. Habitus. B. Right

antenna. C. Parameres. Seale line A, B: 1 mm; C: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

tooth IV as large as tooth 1; posterior angle with small group of teeth. Anterior margin with a small

short tooth right between anterior group of teeth and middle of anterior margin. Puneturation on dise

somewhat eoarser as on vertex, pubeseenee as on vertex, mieroseulpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, length 1.55-2.08 mm, eombined width 0.98-1.40 mm, 1.46-1.59 times as long as

eombined width. Rows of punetures on the dise about as wide as interstiees; pubeseenee eomposed of

long semiereet setae, direeted posteriorly; interstiees of lateral rows of punetures with tubereles that

are enlarged to form distinet teeth; towards the elytral dise, these teeth beeome sueeessively smaller.

Mieroseulpture absent.

Parameres. Simple, narrowed towards apex, without well-defined basal part. Inner portion of parameres

with numerous small setae; apex with one large seta (Fig. 12C).

Remarks

It has not been possible to loeate and study type material of Ps. spinosus. However, Grouvelle (1882)

provides an illustration that leaves little doubt regarding the identity of this speeies, given its peeuliar

habitus.

Key to species

1. Lateral margins of pronotum without teeth; only anterior and posterior groups of small teeth present

- Lateral margins of pronotum with various number of large or small teeth.3

2. 3"^^ antennomere shorter than 2*^^; elytral rows of punetures narrower than interstiees.

. lateralis (Grouvelle, 1899)

- 3"^^ antennomere longer than 2"^; elytral rows of punetures somewhat wider than interstiees.

. longicornis Sehaufuss, 1872

3. Body length 3.40-4.20 mm; lateral margins of pronotum with very small teeth; antennomere more

than three times as long as 2"^. grandis Grouvelle, 1908

- Body length not more than 3.30 mm ; lateral margins of pronotum with distinet teeth, antennomere

less than three times as long as 2"^.4

4. Interstiees of lateral striae of elytra with small, distinet spines; pronotum with large lateral teeth, bases

of tooth 11 and 111 eonnate. spinosus Grouvelle, 1882

- Interstiees of lateral striae of elytra without spines, often with tubereles; lateral teeth of pronotum

always well separated.5

5. antennomere less than two times as long as 2*^^.6

- antennomere more than two times as long as 2*^^.8

6. 3"^ antennomere longer than 2*^^. marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908

- 3"^^^ antennomere as long as 2*^^.7

7. Striae on elytral dise narrower than interstiees; lateral teeth of pronotum with narrow bases.

. personatus Grouvelle, 1919

- Striae on elytral dise wider than interstiees, lateral teeth of pronotum with wide bases.

. leleupi sp. nov.

KARNER M., Revision of African Psammoecus

8. Maximum pronotal width near middle (exeluding lateral teeth).9

- Maximum pronotal width in anterior third (exeluding lateral teeth).11

9. Lateral teeth of pronotum slender. hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889

- Lateral teeth of pronotum triangular, with wide bases.10

10. Llytral striae distinetly wider than interstiees; humeral swelling, a transverse band in the middle of

elytra, elytral suture along posterior two thirds and elytral apex dark; parameres short, stout, fused

with basal pieee. simoni Grouvelle, 1892

- Llytral striae slightly wider than interstiees; elytra with dark, transversal band at beginning of

posterior portion, sometimes with darkened suture near elytral apex; parameres spatula-shaped,

distinetly separated from basal pieee. luchti sp. nov.

11. Llytrae with darkened humeral area, wide dark band aeross middle and darkened suture near apex;

paramera slender. laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

- Llytrae with round maeula and darkened suture near apex.12

12. Lateral margin of pronotum with 4 distinet teeth between small posterior tooth and anterior group of

small teeth. trimaculatus Motsehulsky, 1858

- Lateral margin of pronotum with 5 distinet teeth between small posterior tooth and anterior group of

small teeth. parallelus Grouvelle, 1919

Discussion

The genus Psammoecus Latreille, 1829 (Coleoptera, Silvanidae, Brontinae, Telephanini) eonsists of

about 80 Old World speeies, with one speeies reeently found to be established also in Brazil (Thomas &

Yamamoto 2007). The vast majority of speeies inhabits tropieal regions, where they are found in plant

detritus and sometimes at light sourees. After the studies of Antoine Hemi Grouvelle (1843-1917), little

researeh on the taxonomy of this genus was done, until Pal (1985) provided a revision of the Indian

Psammoecus. Hetsehko (1930) lists 14 speeies of Psammoecus for Alfiea, ineluding Ps. bipunctatus

(F.) var. algiricus Pie, 1920 and Ps. oblitus Grouvelle, 1908. Psammoecus bipunctatus is a eommon

speeies in Europe. The author was not able to retrieve the material studied by Pie and has not seen other

speeimens of Ps. bipunctatus from Afriea.

Hetsehko lists Psammoecus oblitus Grouvelle, with referenee to Grouvelle (1908a: 116), where

Silvanus oblitus is deseribed. The deseription itself is suffieient to eonelude that Grouvelle did indeed

not deseribe a speeies belonging to the genus Psammoecus. Halstead (1973) ineludes the speeies in the

genus Parasilvanus Grouvelle, 1912. Sinee no original deseription is available, Psammoecus oblitus is

to be eonsidered a nomen nudum.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank the following persons and institutions for their support and/or generous loan

of material: Dr Nieole Berti (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle), Dr Roger G. Booth (The Natural

History Museum, London), Dr Daniel Burekhardt (Naturhistorisehes Museum, Basel), Dr Johannes

Friseh (Museum fiirNaturkunde derHumboldt-Universitat, Berlin), Dr Damir Kovae (Senekenbergisehes

Naturforsehendes Institut, Frankfurt am Main), Dr Mare de Meyer (Musee royal de FAfrique eentrale,

Tervuren), Dr Nikolay Borisovieh Nikitsky (Zoologieal Museum ofM.V. Lomonosov State University),

Dr Tarun K. Pal (Zoologieal Survey of India, Caleutta).

European Journal of Taxonomy 17: 1-31 (2012)

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2007161[612:NROOWS12.0.CO:2

Manuscript received on: 27 November 2011

Manuscript accepted on: 4 June 2012

Published on: 5 July 2012

Topic editor: Koen Martens