http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2014.89

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2014 • Karner M.

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

Research article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EAADCD7D-88AB-4F79-8B66-3197FD0BBBC7

Three new species and new records of African Psammoecus Latreille

(Coleoptera, Silvanidae)

Michael KARNER

Voluntary Scientist, Sektion Entomologie I, Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg,

Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

E-mail: [email protected]

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:48E64F07-CDD3-4B4B-9C9A-24CBFCBBCB3D

Abstract. Three new African species of Psammoecus Fatreille, 1829 are described: Psammoecus

nyakabuyensis sp. nov., Psammoecus procerus sp. nov. and Psammoecus sinuaticollis sp. nov. New

distribution data and a revised identification key for African Psammoecus are given.

Key words. Africa, Silvanidae, Psammoecus , taxonomy, distribution

Karner M. 2014. Three new species and new records of African Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera, Silvanidae).

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2014.89

Introduction

In the course of work that followed a revision of African Psammoecus Fatreille, 1829, predominantly

based on material from the Tervuren Museum (Karner 2012), 237 specimens from several other

collections were examined. Since little is known about the distribution of African Psammoecus , the

present paper makes the new faunistic data available. The material also contained three new species that

are described here.

Notes on some characters

The shape of the temples shows considerable differences between species. Temples may be well

developed and wide, or they may be narrowed very steeply. To provide a measure for the degree of

narrowing, the angle between the temple and the longitudinal axis of the head can be used (see Fig. 1).

The resulting value is called the ‘temple angle’, it is given as an angular degree.

The pubescence on head and pronotum is composed of mostly semierect setae; the elytral pubescence

consists of strial and interstrial setae. In all African species studied by the author so far, the setae are

directed anteriorly on the head and pronotum, and posteriorly on the elytra.

Near the anterior angles of the pronotum, small seta-bearing denticles or groups of denticles are present

in all African species, sometimes reduced to minute structures. A posterior denticle near the posterior

angle is present in most species. Frequently, also the lateral pronotal margins bear teeth of different

size, shape and pattern. Teeth along the lateral pronotal margin - located between anterior and posterior

denticles - are numbered in roman numerals, starting anteriorly, and are named ‘T I’, ‘T II’, etc. Setae

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

originating from these teeth are more or less damaged in most museum specimens; they are extremely

fragile and prone to being damaged during collection of specimens in the field. Even in well conserved

material, specimens with undamaged setation (such as shown in Fig. 2A) are rarely observed. While the

cleaning of specimens for photography would be desirable from an aesthetic point of view, any attempt

to remove dirt, dust particles, etc. was found to severely damage the pubescence even in well softened

specimens. For that reason, it was not attempted to clean specimens, even though the aesthetics of

photographs was somewhat compromised.

Material and Methods

Measurements were taken as follows:

Fength: 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

Ante nn al length: from base of 1 st antennomere to apex of 11 th 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

Relative proportions (lengths) of ante nn omere are listed from 1 st to 11 th ante nn omere Microsculpture

was assessed at 80x magnification.

For dissection of genitalia, the method described by Karner (2012) was used. For photography, the

isolated aedeagus was placed in a warm drop of Kaiser’s glycerol gelatin (Carl Roth GmbH) to enable

precise orientation. After study, structures were embedded in dimethylhydantoin formaldehyde resin

(Steedman 1958) on a cellulose acetate label and attached to the pin of the respective specimen.

Fig. 1. Scheme for temple angle measurement.

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Photographs were taken with a Canon EOS 650D digital camera attached to an Olympus SZX16 stereo

microscope and photographs of genitalia were taken with a Canon EOS 650D digital camera attached

to an Olympus CH microscope. Images and image layers were processed with Zerene Stacker (Version

1.04 Build T201311272225), Adobe Lightroom 5.3 and GIMP (Version 2.8.0) software.

All label data are given verbatim for type material. The labels are cited beginning with

the uppermost one; the respective lines are separated by ‘|\ Comments on label colors,

label shapes, etc. regarding the respective specimen are included in square brackets.

Locality and collection data for other material examined are condensed, sorted alphabetically by country.

Specimens from the following collections were studied:

BMNH

HNHM

MKF

MHNG

SMF

TMSA

ZMHB

The Natural History Museum, London

Termeszettudomanyi Muzeum, Budapest

Michael Kamer, Frankfurt am Main (later in SMF)

Museum d‘Histoire Naturelle, Geneva

Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main

Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria

Museum fur Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universitat, Berlin

Results

Taxonomy

Class Hexapoda Blainville, 1816

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Silvanidae Kirby, 1837

Subfamily Brontinae Erichson, 1845

Tribe Telephanini LeConte, 1861

Genus Psammoecus Latreille, 1829

Psammoecus nyakabuyensis sp. nov.

Fig. 2A-G

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FEA38F3A-722B-45B0-B336-lC885FDB7262

Diagnosis

The following combination of character states is diagnostic for this species: 1 st antennomere 2.1 times

as long as 2 nd antennomere; maximum pronotal width near middle; lateral margins of pronotum with

distinct, triangular teeth with wide bases, anterior angle of pronotum with distinct denticle; elytral striae

narrower than interstices; interstices of lateral elytral striae with very small tubercles; median lobe of

aedeagus wide, abruptly narrowed towards apex; parameres distinctly separated from basal piece.

Differential diagnosis

Psammoecus nyakabuyensis sp. nov. resembles P. luchti Karner, 2012 and can be distinguished by its

narrower elytral striae; it differs from P. luchti and all other African Psammoecus also by the shape of

the male genitalia.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the name of the locality where the type material was collected.

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

Fig. 2. Psammoecus nyakabuyensis sp. nov., holotype. A. Habitus. B. Head. C. Pronotum. D. Right

antenna. E. Aedeagus, ventral view. F. Paramere, lateral view. G. Median lobe, lateral view. Scale lines:

A = 1.0 mm, B-D = 0.5 mm, E-G = 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Material examined

Holotype

S Afrika RUANDA | Pref. Cyangugu | Umg. Nyakabuye | 17.2.1985 [17 Feb. 1985] | leg. H. Muhle’

(SMF).

Paratypes

Afrika RUANDA | Pref. Cyangugu | Umg. Nyakabuye | 16.10.1984 [16 Oct. 1984] | leg. H. Muhle’

14-27.2.1985 [14-27Feb. 1985]’ (MKF).

Description of holotype

Body (as in Fig. 2A). Oval, castaneous, total length 3.05 mm. Elytra with transverse, dark brown maculae

near middle. Antennomeres 8-10 dark brown, 11 bright testaceous.

Head (as in Fig. 2B). Eyes large, prominent; temples distinctly narrowed immediately behind eyes,

temple angle 65°; head width 0.79 mm, length 0.46 mm. Puncturation on vertex coarse, punctures about

1.25 times as large as an eye facet diameter, contiguous laterally, well separated medially; pubescence

composed of short, semierect setae, directed anteriorly; microsculpture absent. Longitudinal impressions

on vertex short and shallow, curved outwardly, attaining 1/5 of eyes. Eyes 0.21 mm long, distance

of inner margins 0.50 mm Temples immediately narrowed behind eyes, slightly curved. Ante nn ae

Fig. 3. Psammoecus luchti Earner, 2012. A. Median lobe. B. Parameres. Scale lines = 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

comparatively stout, 1.44 mm long; antennomere proportions: 2.5 : 1.2 : 1.3 : 1.3 : 1.3 : 1.3 : 1.0 : 1.0 :

1.0: 1.0: 2.0 (Fig. 2D).

Pronotum (as in Fig. 2C). Wider than head, lateral margins strongly curved, widest at middle, surface

slightly impressed near posterior angles and basis; width 0.90 mm, length 0.64 mm. Anterior angles

with small denticles; lateral margins with four wide teeth; T I very small, only slightly larger than

anterior denticles, T II about twice as big as T I, T III and T IV of same size, about twice as big as

T II; posterior angle with small denticle, located in the middle between T IV and posterior margin.

Puncturation and pubescence on pronotal disk as on vertex; punctures more sparse near posterior angles

and basis. Microsculpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, widest at middle, length 2.00 mm, combined width 1.35 mm. Rows of punctures on disc

somewhat narrower than interstices; pubescence composed of short semierect setae, strial and interstrial

setae of identical length; microsculpture absent.

Male genitalia (as in Fig. 2E-G). Parameres wide, moderately narrowed towards apex, bearing

numerous long setae near mesal face of basis, shorter setae on ventral edge, and a very long and a short

seta at apex; in lateral view strongly narrowed near middle, and widened, somewhat spoon-shaped,

towards apex. Median lobe wide, narrowed towards apex in a basally convex, apically concave curve

to form a narrow, almost parallel-sided protrusion with blunt tip; S-curved towards apex in lateral view.

Variation

The paratypes vary in body length from 2.92 to 3.30 mm.

Remarks

Even though Psammoecus nyakabuyensis sp. nov. resembles P. luchti in general appearance, the structures

of the male genitalia differ very much (Fig. 3A-B shows the genitalia of P. luchti for comparison). A

close relation of these two species is therefore very unlikely.

Psammoecus procerus sp. nov.

Fig. 4A-G

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C44995A0-A3D4-4C4A-A80A-F45ED4CD4202

Diagnosis

The following combination of character states is diagnostic for this species: lateral margins of pronotum

with very small teeth; antennomeres slender; 1 st antennomere 3 times as long as 2 nd ; microsculpture

on vertex and disk of pronotum distinct, reticulate; median lobe of aedeagus slender; parameres long,

slender.

Differential diagnosis

This species is most similar to P. grandis Grouvelle, 1908; it can be distinguished by the shape of the

antennomeres and male genitalia. It differs from all other African Psammoecus by its large size.

Etymology

The specific epithet is the Latin word for “slender”.

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Fig. 4. Psammoecus procerus sp. nov., holotype. A. Habitus. B. Head. C. Pronotum. D. Right antenna.

E-G. Aedeagus (E = ventral, F = lateral, G = dorsal view). Scale lines: A = 1.0 mm, B-G = 0.5 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

Material examined

Holotype

S ‘SAO TOME | Bom Successo, | ECOFAC compound | 7-13.vi.1999 [7-13 Jun. 1999]’, ‘A. Polaszek

| BMNH 2005-138’ (BMNH).

Paratypes

4 5?, with same data as holotype (3 BMNH, 1 MKF).

Description of holotype

Body (as in Fig. 4A). Elongate, slender, total length 3.6 mm. Elytra testaceous; humeral swelling and

lateral margin dark brown, the dark coloration extended to a broad macula near the middle; apical

half of suture and apex dark brown. Head and pronotum reddish brown; lateral margins of pronotum a

little darker; anterior and posterior margins of pronotum lighter brown. Antennae testaceous, apex of

ante nn omere 6 and antennomeres 7-10 darkened, ante nn omere 11 yellowish white. Legs yellow.

Head (as in Fig. 4B). Eyes moderately rounded, temples well defined and curved, moderately narrowed

behind eyes, temple angle 44°; head width 0.78 mm, length 0.46 mm Puncturation on vertex irregular;

punctures almost as large as an eye facet diameter, sometimes contiguous, sometimes leaving spaces the

size of their diameter. Pubescence composed of long, semi-erect setae, directed anteriorly; microsculpture

on apical part of vertex distinct, reticulate, on basal part of vertex very shallow. Longitudinal impressions

on vertex short, slightly curved, barely attaining eye level. Eyes 0.23 mm long, distance of inner margins

0.52 min Ante nn ae slender, attaining a lm ost middle of elytra, 1.98 mm long; antennomere proportions:

3.0 : 1.0 : 1.3 : 1.5 : 1.7 : 1.5 : 1.4 : 1.3 : 1.1 : 1.1 : 2.1 (Fig. 4 D).

Fig. 5. Psammoecus grandis Grouvelle, 1908. A. Right antenna. B. Median lobe. C. Parameres. Scale

lines = 0.5 mm.

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Pronotum (as in Fig. 4C). About 1.1 times as wide as head; moderately wider than long; width 0.86

mm, length 0.73 mm. Area close to the posterior angles slightly depressed. Anterior angles separated

from the disk by a slightly raised ridge; the small anterolateral space separated by that ridge without

microsculpture, bearing 3 short teeth. Left lateral margin with 4, right margin with 5 very short teeth,

posterior angle marked by a tooth of same size as lateral teeth. Puncture size on pronotal disk as on

vertex, puncturation less dense. Pubescence as on vertex. Microsculpture distinct, reticulate.

Elytra. Long and slender, 3.3x as long as pronotum, widest just in front of middle, length 2.44 mm,

combined width 1.40 mm. Elytral disk with a flat depression between first and second third. Rows of

punctures on disk about half as wide as interstices; pubescence composed of long, semierect setae;

strial setae about 1/3 shorter than interstrial setae; microsculpture restricted to areas near origin of setae,

reticulate.

Male genitalia (as in Fig. 4E-G). Parameres in ventral view wide, elongate, lateral face parallel, curved

medially towards the apex; in lateral view lancet-shaped, almost straight ventrally and curved dorsally,

apical third of dorsal face with short setae, tip bent ventrally. Median lobe slender, evenly narrowed

toward apex in dorsal view; in lateral view wide to about the middle, narrowed to a parallel-sided section

of about 2/5 its length; apical 1/6 narrowed, dorsal face curved in an S-shape, tip bent ventrally.

Variation

The paratypes vary in body length from 3.60 to 3.92 mm.

Remarks

The general appearance and the unusual structure of the male genitalia make this species a very untypical

member of the genus Psammoecus. Its habitus closely resembles that of P. grandis Grouvelle, 1908, but

the antennae as well as the male genitalia of P. grandis have an exceedingly different structure (see Fig.

5A-C).

Psammoecus sinuaticollis sp. nov.

Fig. 6A-F

um:lsid:zoobank.org:actA9A3CA72-0F29-490D-8364-8F6DA42FE3A7

Diagnosis

The following combination of character states is diagnostic for this species: lateral margins of pronotum

with distinct teeth; 1 st antennomere 2.3 times as long as 2 nd antennomere; interstices of lateral elytral

striae with very small tubercles; anterior angle of pronotum without denticle.

Differential diagnosis

This species differs from all other African Psammoecus by lacking the posterior pronotal denticle and

by the shape of the male genitalia.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the rounded shape of the pronotum.

Material examined

Holotype

S ‘GHANA: Ashanti region | Jamasi | 289 m, N 6 58 - E 1 28 | Dr. S. ENDRODY-YOUNGA, ‘Nr.310

| beaten | 23.11.1969 [23 Feb. 1969]’ (HNHM).

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

Fig. 6. Psammoecus sinuaticollis sp. nov., holotype. A. Habitus. B. Head and pronotum. C. Right antenna.

D-F. Aedeagus (D = ventral, E = lateral, F = dorsal view). Scale lines: A = 1.0 mm, B-C = 0.5 mm, D-F

= 0.2 mm.

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Paratypes

1 <$, 1 5, with same data as holotype; antennae of male paratype missing (S paratype SMF, $ paratype

HNHM).

Description of holotype

Body (as in Fig. 6A). Oval, total length 2.50 mm; testaceous, elytral disk darker brown. Antennae

testaceous; antennomere 6 slightly darker; 7-10 dark brown; 11 yellowish white. Legs yellow.

Head (as in Fig. 6B). Eyes rounded; temples well defined and rounded, narrowed immediately behind

eyes, temple angle 49°; head width 0.64 mm, length 0.36 mm. Punctures on vertex as large as an eye

facet, separated by about their diameter, but sometimes contiguous; puncturation increasingly smaller

and sparse towards frontoclypeal suture; pubescence composed of semierect setae, directed anteriorly;

microsculpture absent. Longitudinal impressions on vertex distinct, curved outwardly, attaining anterior

fourth of eyes. Eyes well rounded, 0.19 mm long, distance of inn er margins 0.43 mm Ante nn ae 1.30

mm long, attaining anterior fourth of elytra; ante nn omere proportions of holotype: 2.5 : 1.1 : 1.3 : 1.3 :

1.3 : 1.3 : 1.1 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 1.0 : 2.3 (Fig. 6C).

Pronotum (as in Fig. 6B). Slightly wider than head, disk convex, rounded, with transverse impression

in front of anterior margin; lateral margins evenly curved, widest near middle; width 0.68 mm, length

0.52 mm Anterior angles with 2 small teeth, lateral margins with 4 teeth whose sizes increase from

front to back; posterior angle without tooth. Puncturation and pubescence on pronotal disk as on vertex.

Microsculpture absent.

Elytra. Oval, widest somewhat behind middle, length 1.60 mm, combined width 1.05 mm Rows of

punctures on disk a bit more than half as wide as interstices; pubescence composed of semierect setae;

strial setae slightly shorter than interstrial setae; microsculpture absent.

Male genitalia (as in Fig. 6D-E). Parameres with wide basis, lateral face evenly curved, mesal face

with rounded projection that bears short, stout spines, apical projection short, bearing one long and one

short seta. Lateral faces of median lobe curved, narrowed towards the apex; apex in lateral view widened

to form a small knob.

Variation

The paratypes are of the same body length as the holotype.

Psammoecus personatus Grouvelle, 1919

New records

MADEIRA: Canhas, 15 Feb. 2002, leg. Lott, 3 specimens (2 BMNH, 1 MKF).

SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo Province: Arbor Farm, Levubu, 23 Jan. 1998, leg. Muller, 1 specimen

(TMSA); Entabeni, 21 Apr. 1976, leg. Endrody-Younga, 5 specimens (3 TMSA, 2 MKF); Pietersburg,

Sep. 1960, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen (TMSA); Soutpansberg, 14 Mar. 1973, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2

specimens (TMSA). Mpumalanga Province: Barberton, Oct. 1961, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen (TMSA);

Nelshoogte, Knuckles Rocks Forest, 11 Feb. 1987, 25 Dec. 1986, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 specimens

(TMSA).

TANZANIA: Ngare Sero, Usa River, 15 Nov.-31 Dec. 1965, leg. Szunyoghy, 1 specimen (HNHM); Usa

River, 24-31 Mar. 1981, leg. Bremer, 1 specimen (HNHM); near Usa River, 20 km east of Arusha, 17

Feb.—6 Mar. 1982, leg. Bremer, 1 $ (HNHM).

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

UGANDA: Kawanda, 15 Feb.-6 Mar. 1958, leg. P. Whalley, 1 specimen (BMNH). Mbale District,

Bubulu, Oct. 1938, leg. Taylor, 1 c?, 1 ? (BMNH).

Psammoecus hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889

New records

CONGO: Brazzaville, Orstom Park, 19-31 Dec. 1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 5 specimens (4 HNHM, 1

MKF); Sibiti, 26-27 Nov. 1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 specimens (1 HNHM, 1 MKF).

TANZANIA: Daressalam, 15 Apr. 1915, 1 specimen (BMNH); Usambara, Derema, 25 Oct.-21 Nov.

1891, leg. Conradt, 1 $ (ZMHB); Usambara, Nguelo, leg. Heinsen, 1 specimen (ZMHB).

UGANDA: Bundibugyo District, Semliki Forest, 5-12 Feb. 1997, leg. Wagner, 3 specimens (coll.

Thomas Wagner); Bwamba County, Jun. 1948, leg. van Someren, 1 § (BMNH).

Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

Fig. 7A-G

New records

MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, 26 Oct. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 $ (MKF); Toamasina, 4

km SE of Andasibe, 25 km E of Moramanga, 1 Nov. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 $ (MKF); Toamasina, road to

Anosibe an’Ala, road km 18 S of Moramanga, 31 Oct. 2001, leg. Schuh, 1 5 (MKF).

RWANDA: Cyangugu, Nyakabuye, 25 Nov. 1982, leg. Miihle, 1 $ (MKF).

SEYCHELLES: Silhouette, 1908, 1 $ (BMNH).

SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province: Alexandria Forest Station, 3 Apr. & 6 Dec. 1987, leg. Endrody-

Younga, 2 S3, 1 ? (2 TMSA, 1 3 MKF); Amatole, Pirie Forest, 8 Dec. 1987, leg. Endrody-Younga,

1 specimen (TMSA); Cape Amatole, Tsidenge Forest Station, 22 Nov. 1987, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1

specimen (TMSA); Berlin, 22 Sep. & 8 Dec. 1986, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 specimens (TMSA); Dwesa

Forest Reserve, 17, 26-27 Dec. 1979, leg. Endrody-Younga, 4 5 ? (TMSA). KwaZulu Natal Province:

Cape Vidal, 24 Jan. 1990, leg. Klimazsewski, 1 specimen (TMSA); Karkloof Forest, 2 Sep. & 13 Dec.

1989, leg. Endrody & Klimaszew, 8 specimens (6 TMSA, 2 MKF); St. Lucia, Mission Rocks, 8-9, 18

Dec. 1975, leg. Endrody-Younga, 5 specimens (TMSA); Drakensberge, Oqalweni Forest, Oct. 1960, 2

specimens (TMSA); Malvern, Mar. & Jun. 1897, leg. G.A.K. Marshall, 2 $5 (BMNH); Oribi Gorge,

Oct. 1961, leg. Leleup, 2 specimens (TMSA); Sodwana Bay National Park, 14-15 Nov. 1996, leg.

Uhlig, 2 specimens (ZMHB); Zululand, Dukuduku Forest Station, 4 Apr. 1974, leg. Endrody-Younga,

1 3 (MKF). Limpopo Province, Entabeni Forest Reserve, 21 Apr. 1976, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 33

(TMSA); Mariepskop Forest, Aug. 1960, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen; 6 May. 1981, leg. Endrody-Younga,

1 specimen (TMSA); Soutpansberg, 1 5 (TMSA); Soutpansberg, Hanglip, 14 Mar. 1973, leg. Endrody-

Younga, 1 specimen (TMSA). Mpumalanga Province: Hazy view, 3 Apr. 1990, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2

S3 (MKF, TMSA); Nelshoogte, Knuckles Rocks Forest, 4 Dec. 1986, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 specimen

(TMSA); Barberton, Oct. 1961, leg. Leleup, 1 specimen (TMSA). Ostkap, Port St. John, Oct. 1923, Jul.

& Jan. 1924, leg. Turner, 4 specimens.

Remarks and comparative notes

Numerous specimens from the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (Pretoria), were, at first

sight, considered to belong to one, or even several, new species. Examination of the aedeagi revealed,

however, no differences sufficient for a separation of these forms from P. laetulus (Fig. 7E-G). Unless

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Fig. 7. Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914. Pronotum of specimens from A. Mahe, Seychelles. B.

Cape Province, South Africa. C. KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. D. Mpumalanga, South Africa. E-F.

Aedeagus of specimen from Mahe, Seychelles (E = dorsal, F = ventral view). G. Aedeagus of specimen

from Mpumalanga, South Africa, dorsal view. Scale lines: A-D = 0.5 mm, E-G = 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

reliable diagnostic differences dictate otherwise, it is considered appropriate to treat P. laetulus as a

species that shows significant variability. Fig. 7A-D shows the pronota of specimens from different

locations to illustrate individual variations.

One of the Malvern specimens (KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa) collected by Marshall in

1897 (BMNH) bears a type label by A. Grouvelle, with the name ‘ Psammoecus distinctus\ Since no

description of a taxon with that name is available, the name is to be considered a manuscript name.

Psammoecus parallelus Grouvelle, 1919

New records

CONGO: Brazzaville, Kindamba, Meya, Louolo River, 12 Feb. 1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 specimen

(HNHM); Orstom Park, 21 Dec. 1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 specimen (HNHM).

GHANA: Ashanti, Khumasi, Nhiasu, 5 Feb. & 10 Dec. 1967, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 specimens

(HNHM); Kwadaso, 25 Feb.-28 Jul. 1969, leg. Endrody-Younga, 9 specimens (7 HNHM, 2 MKF).

Northern Region, Banda-Nkwanta, 23-26 Aug. 1965, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 specimen (HNHM).

SOUTH AFRICA: 15 miles SW of Johannesburg, 28 Dec. 1971, 1 specimen (BMNH). KwaZulu Natal

Province: KarkloofForest, 13 Dec. 1989, leg. Endrody & Klimaszew, 4 specimens (TMSA); Pondoland,

Fort St. John, Sep. 1923, leg. R.E. Turner, 1 specimen (BMNH).

TANZANIA: Arusha, Usa River, 25 Sep. 1965, leg. Szunyoghy, 1 specimen (HNHM); Mizimu,

Mwanihana, 3-6 Aug. 2010, leg. Smith & Takano, 1 specimen (BMNH); Morogoro, Feb. 1970, leg. T.

Poes, 1 specimen (HNHM).

UGANDA: District Masindi, Budongo Forest, Sonso, 5-15 Jan. 1997, leg. Th. Wagner, 1 § (coll.

Thomas Wagner); Kawanda, 15 Feb.-6 Mar. 1958, leg. Whalley, 1 specimen (BMNH).

Psammoecus leleupi Karner, 2012

New records

ANGOLA: CuanzaNorte, Salazar, 9-15 Mar. 1972, 1 ( ?, 3?? (BMNH).

CAMEROON: 1916, leg. Schwab, 3 ?? (BMNH).

CONGO: Brazzaville, Orstom Park, 31 Dec. 1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 $ (HNHM); Sibiti, 25 Nov.

1963, leg. Endrody-Younga, 2 specimens (HNHM).

GABON: Ogooue-Ivindo Province, Makokou, Apr., May 1971, leg. Mateu, 2 specimens (MHNG).

GHANA: Ashanti, Jamasi, 15 Sep. 1969, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 $ (HNHM); Kwadaso, 22 May 1969,

leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 $ (HNHM). Northern Region, Banda-Nkwanta, 8 Sep. 1965, leg. Endrody-

Younga, 1 $ (HNHM).

GETNEA: Macenta Prefecture, Seredou, 4-8 Apr. 1975, leg. Zott, 3 specimens (ZMHB).

RWANDA: Kawanda, 15 Feb.-6 Mar. 1958, leg. Whalley, 2 $$ (BMNH).

UGANDA: Kabarole, Kibale National Park, 25 km SE of Fort Portal, Kanyawara, 26 Jul.-22 Aug. 1998,

leg. Schmidt, 1 $ (MKF).

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

Remarks

The specimen from Cameroon bears a handwritten label ‘Psammoechus orbicollis t. Gr. Grouv.’, not in

Grouvelle’s hand. This is to be considered a manuscript name, since no description of a taxon with that

name is available.

Psammoecus luchti Karner, 2012

New record

CAMEROON: Northwest Province, Bamenda, Nov. 1981, leg. Cho Chi Ignatius. 1 S (HNHM).

Psammoecus marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908

New records

KENYA: Chyulu Hills, Jun. 1938, 1 S (TMSA).

UGANDA: Masindi District, Budongo Forest, 12-29 Jan. 1997, leg. Gollner, 4 specimens (ZMHB);

Mbale District, Butandinga, Dec. 1938, leg. Taylor, 1 $ (BMNH).

Psammoecus longicornis Schaufiiss, 1872

New record

SOUTH AFRICA: Mpumalanga Province: Nelshoogte Pass, 10 Feb. 1987, leg. Endrody-Younga, 11

specimens (9 TMSA, 2 MKF).

Psammoecus trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858

New records

MAURITIUS: Jul. 1931, leg. Wigglesworth, 1 specimen (BMNH).

REUNION: Bras des Chevrettes, 16-19 Dec. 1991, leg. Janek, 8 specimens (ZMHB).

SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu Natal Province: Dukuduku Forest Station, 4 Apr. 1974, leg. Endrody-

Younga, 2 specimens (TMSA); Magudu, 4 Jan. 2009, leg. Muller, 6 specimens (5 TMSA, 1 MKF);

Mtubatuba, 4 Apr. 1974, leg. Endrody-Younga, 1 specimen (TMSA); St. Fucia, Mission Rocks, 3-18

Dec. 1975, leg. Endrody-Younga, 9 specimens (7 TMSA, 2 MKF); Zululand, Empageni, 5 Mar. 1977,

leg. PE. Reavel, 2 specimens (TMSA). Ostlcap, Port St. Johns, Silalca, 2 Dec. 1987, leg. Endrody-

Younga, 2 specimens (TMSA).

TANZANIA: Usa River, 1965, leg. J. Szunyoghy, 1 specimen (HNHM).

UGANDA: Bulcalada, 3 May 1926, leg. Hargreaves, 1 specimen (BMNH); District Masindi, Budongo

Forest, N. Sonso, 15-25 Jan. 1997, leg. Wagner, 1 S, 1 ? (coll. Thomas Wagner); Kabarole, Kibale

Nat. Park, 25 km SE of Fort Portal, Kanyawara, 26 Jul.-22 Aug. 1998, leg. L. Schmidt, 1 specimen

(MKF).

Psammoecus simoni Grouvelle, 1892

New records

REUNION: Bourbier, 20 Dec. 1991, leg. Janek, 3 specimens (ZMHB); Bras des Chevrettes, 16-19 Dec.

1991, leg. Janek, 47 specimens (ZMHB); Plaine des Palmistes, Petite Plaine, 27 Dec. 1991, leg. Janek, 1

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

specimen (ZMHB); Ravine de St. Gilles, Bassin Cormoran, 13-14 Jan. & 22-23 Jan. 1992, leg. Janek, 2

specimens (ZMHB); Ravine de St. Gilles, Bassin des Aigrettes, 13-14 Jan. 1992, leg. Janek, 1 specimen

(ZMHB); Saint Paul, 29 Dec. 1991-1 Jan. 1992, leg. Janek, 3 specimens (ZMHB); Saint Paul, Grand

Etang, 29 Dec. 1991-1 Jan. 1992, leg. Janek, 2 specimens (ZMHB); Saint Paul, Ravine de Bernica, 29

Dec. 1991-1 Jan. 1992, leg. Janek, 1 specimen (ZMHB).

SEYCHELLES: Mahe, 14-26 Arp. 1978, leg. Munch, 1 specimen (HNHM).

Key to the African species of Psammoecus Latreille, 1829

Psammoecus laetulus Grouvelle, 1914 appears in couplets 12 and 15 of the determination key by intent,

reflecting the high morphological variability that is observed in this 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 rd antennomere shorter than 2 nd ; elytral rows of punctures narrower than interstices.

. lateralis (Grouvelle, 1899)

- 3 rd antennomere longer than 2 nd ; elytral rows of punctures somewhat wider than interstices.

. longicornis Schaufuss, 1872

3 Body length 3.40 - 4.20 mm; lateral margins of pronotum with very small teeth; 1 st ante nn omere more

than 3x as long as 2 nd .4

- Body length not more than 3.30 mm; lateral margins of pronotum with distinct teeth, 1 st antennomere

less than 3x as long as 2 nd .5

4 Antennomeres 3 - 10 wide, stout (Fig. 5A); median lobe of aedeagus wide, abruptly narrowed towards

apex (Fig. 5B). grandis Grouvelle, 1908

- Antennomeres 3-10 slender (Fig. 4D); median lobe of aedeagus slender, gradually narrowed towards

apex (Fig. 4G). procerus sp. nov.

5 Interstices of lateral striae of elytra with large denticles; pronotum with very long lateral teeth

. spinosus Grouvelle, 1882

- Interstices of lateral striae of elytra with very small denticles or small tubercles.6

6 Anterior angle of pronotum without denticle (Fig. 6B). sinuaticollis sp. nov.

- Anterior angle of pronotum with distinct denticle.7

7 1 st antennomere less than 2x as long as 2 nd .8

- 1 st antennomere not less than 2x as long as 2 nd .10

8 3 nd antennomere longer than 2 nd . marginicollis Grouvelle, 1908

-3 rd antennomere as long as 2 nd .9

9 Striae on elytral disk narrower than interstices; lateral teeth of pronotum with narrow bases

. personatus Grouvelle, 1919

- Striae on elytral disk wider than interstices, lateral teeth of pronotum with wide bases

. leleupi Karner, 2012

10 Maximum pronotal width near middle (excluding lateral teeth).11

- Maximum pronotal width in anterior third (excluding lateral teeth).15

KARNER M., New species of African Psammoecus

11 Lateral teeth of pronotum slender, with narrow bases.12

Lateral teeth of pronotum triangular, with wide bases.13

12 Reticulate microsculpture on disk of pronotum. hacquardi Grouvelle, 1889

- Microsculpture on disk of pronotum absent. laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

13 Elytral striae distinctly wider than interstices; 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 piece . simoni Grouvelle, 1892

Elytrae with round macula and darkened suture near apex; parameres abruptly narrowed towards

apex .14

14 Elytral striae slightly wider than interstices; median lobe of aedeagus slender, evenly narrowed

towards apex (Fig. 3A). luchti Earner, 2012

Elytral striae narrower than interstices, median lobe of aedeagus wide, abruptly narrowed towards

apex (Fig. 2E). nyakabuyensis sp. nov.

15 Elytrae with dark humeral area, wide dark band across middle and dark suture near apex; or only with

darkened band behind middle, sometimes interrupted near suture; parameres gradually narrowed

towards apex. laetulus Grouvelle, 1914

Elytral striae narrower or only slightly wider than interstices; parameres distinctly separated from

basal piece .16

16 Lateral margin of pronotum with 4 distinct teeth between small posterior tooth and anterior group of

small teeth . trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858

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

of small teeth. parallelus Grouvelle, 1919

Discussion

Taking into account the considerable differences in the appearance of African species, it seems likely

that Psammoecus is composed of several distinct species groups. However, given the high diversity of

Psammoecus in the Oriental and Australian regions and the lack of revisionary work on species from

these regions - with the exception of the revisions of Indian Psammoecus by Pal (1985) and Japanese

Psammoecus by Yoshida & Hirowatari (2014) - it seems as yet premature to aim at establishing even a

‘working taxonomy’ on the genus or subgenus level. Hence, future studies will show whether a further

subdivision of the genus Psammoecus is justified.

Acknowledgements

For the loan of specimens the author is indebted to Ruth Muller (Ditsong National Museum of Natural

History, Pretoria), Roger Booth (The Natural History Museum, London), Giulio Cuccodoro (Museum

d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva), Otto Merkl (Termeszettudomanyi Muzeum, Budapest), Manfred Uhlig

(Museum fiir Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universitat, Berlin), and Thomas Wagner (Koblenz).

References

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

new species from the collection of the Musee royal de 1’Afrique centrale. European Journal of Taxonomy

17: 1-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2012.17

European Journal of Taxonomy 89: 1-18 (2014)

Pal T.K. 1985. A revision of Indian Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera, Silvanidae). Records of the

Zoological Survey of India, Miscellaneous Publication, Occasional Paper 71, Zoological Survey of

India, New Alipore.

Steedman H.F. 1958. Dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde: Anew water-soluble resin for use as a mounting

medium. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Sciences 99: 451-452.

Yoshida T. & Hirowatari T. 2014. A revision of Japanese species of the genus Psammoecus Latreille

(Coleoptera, Silvanidae). ZooKeys 403: 15—45. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.403.7145

Manuscript received: 23 April 2014

Manuscript accepted: 10 June 2014

Published on: 4 July 2014

Topic editor: Koen Martens

Desk editor: Kristiaan Hoedemakers

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