Coptorhina auspicata Péringuey, 1901

Frolov, Andrey V., Akhmetova, Lilia A. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2008, Revision of the obligate mushroom-feeding African ‘‘ dung beetle’ ’ genus Coptorhina Hope (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Journal of Natural History 42 (21 - 24), pp. 1477-1508 : 1503-1506

Coptorhina auspicata Péringuey

( Figures 1, 2 , 9, 10, 12, 13C–E, 14 , 15 , 20 ) Coptorhina auspicata Péringuey 1901:289 , 290; Ferreira 1954:3–4, 1967:311–312, 1972: 356–357; Janssens 1939:38; Gillet 1911:47.

Type material examined

Coptorhina auspicata : lectotype (here designated): ‘‘ Rhodesia. Enkeldorn. Darling.’’, ‘‘ Coptorhina auspicata typ.’’, ‘‘ Type SAMC/ Ent 2768’’ ( SAMC) .

Remark

In the original description, the number of the type specimens was not mentioned but the localities provided (‘‘ Transvaal ( Rustenburg ), Southern Rhodesia ( Salisbury , Enkeldoorn ), Ovampoland (Humbe)’’) suggest that at least three specimens were studied. We could trace only the above mentioned specimen and we designate it the lectotype to ensure the stability of the nomenclature .

Additional material examined

Zambia: 50 km NW Shesheke [17 ° 289 S 24 ° 189 E], 2 December 2001, Werner and Lizler leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) ; Livingstone [17 ° 459 S 25 ° 469 E], 25 February 1913, H.C. Dollmann leg. 3 spm. ( BMNH) . Zimbabwe: Gazaland, Mpudzi River [9 ° 249 S 32 ° 309 E], November 1901, G.A.K. Marshall leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; Salisbury [17 ° 499 S 31 ° 029 E], November 1898, G.A.K. Marshall leg. 1 spm. ( DMSA) 5 spm. ( BMNH) 2 spm. ( TMSA) 2 spm. ( IRSNB), 1913, J. O’Neil leg. 2 spm. ( SAMC), 10 December 1914, R. Lowe Thompson leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) , 6 spm. ( DMSA), F.L. Snow leg. 1 spm. ( SAMC), D. Dodds leg. 1 spm. ( SAMC), G.A.K. Marshall leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH), 2 spm. ( SAMC); Matopos [20 ° 059 S 30 ° 579 E], January 1904, G.A.K. Marshall leg. 3 spm. ( BMNH) ; Bulawayo [20 ° 099 S 28 ° 359 E], 1909, P. de Moffarts leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) , 19 December 1924, R.H.R. Stevenson leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) , January 1923, R. Stevenson leg. 2 spm. ( TMSA) ; Galloway Estate [18 ° 049 S 32 ° 079 E], 1 January 1985, A.J. Weaving leg. 1 spm. ( AMGS) ; Sawmills [19 ° 359 S 28 ° 029 E], 31 December 1921, 1 spm. ( SAMC) ; Selukwe [19 ° 409 S 30 ° 009 E], 1915, A. Ellenberger leg. 3 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Wedza [8 ° 379 S 31 ° 349 E], 17 December 1973, R.A. Erasmus leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Hartley [18 ° 089 S 30 ° 099 E], December 1895, 2 spm. ( BMNH) ; Kvinke ? [not traced], December 1841, 1 spm. ( DMSA) . Botswana: [20 ° 309 S 22 ° 309 E], November 1930 – January 1931, G.D. Hale Carpenter leg. 2 spm. ( BMNH) ; Okavango, Thamalakane river [20 ° 089 S 23 ° 239 E], December 1973, P. Reavel leg. 3 spm. ( TMSA) ; Sitatunga, Crocodil Fm., 10km S of Maun 20 ° 029 S 23 ° 229 E, 10–12 January 1986, Holm, Marais, Nel, Saieva leg. 1 spm. ( UPSA) ; 35km SE of Kang [23 ° 459 S 22 ° 509 E], 24 January 1978, C. Scholtz leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Bechuanaland [22 ° 009 S 24 ° 009 E], J.J. Gillet leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) ; 42 mls. W of Kalkfontein [22 ° 079 S 20 ° 549 E], 11–12 April 1972, 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; 16km N of Maun [19 ° 599 S 23 ° 259 E], 17– 18 January 1978, A.L.V. Davis leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Mogobane [not traced], 10 February 1970, N.S. Irving leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) . Namibia: Damaraland, Abachaus [21 ° 009 S 17 ° 309 E], December 1951, G. Hobohm leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Otjiwarongo district, Abachaus [23 ° 499 S 19 ° 349 E], February 1953, G. Hobohm leg.1 spm. ( TMSA) , 20 February 1956, G. Hobohm leg. 1 spm. ( NMPC) ; Otjozondjupa, Okahandja [21 ° 599 S 16 ° 559 E], January 1934, 1320m, K. Jordan leg. 2 spm. ( BMNH) . South Africa: Gauteng: Pretoria [30 ° 479 S 28 ° 359 E], 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Moloto [5 ° 279 S 28 ° 379 E], 7 December 2000, Werner and Lizler leg. 5 spm. ( KWCP) ; Tswaing Soutpan , 25 ° 249 S 28 ° 069 E, 16 December 1999, K. Nonaka leg. 4 spm. ( TMSA) . KwaZulu- Natal: Malvern [29 ° 539 S 30 ° 559 E] J.J. Gillet leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) . Limpopo: Farm Ruimte 617, 10 km N of Tuinplaas [24 ° 499 S 28 ° 469 E], 17 October–14 November 2002, 1050 m, 3 spm. ( SANC) , 19 December 2002 – 29 January 2003, 2 spm. ( SANC) ; Lekkerus 24 ° 279 S 28 ° 339 E, 6 February 1980, W.A. Harrop leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Geelhoutbosch farm 24 ° 229 S 27 ° 349 E, 13–16 January 1998, Bellamy and Gussmann leg. 9 spm. ( TMSA) ; Moorddrift [24 ° 159 S 28 ° 579 E], December 1914, C.J. Swierstra leg. 4 spm. ( TMSA) ; Waterberg District [24 ° 249 S 27 ° 599 E], 1898–1899, V. Jutrzencka leg. 1 spm. ( SAMC) , 2 spm. ( TMSA); Farm Twee Kansen 624, 20 km NE of Tuinplaas [24 ° 499 S 28 ° 579 E], 6 November–6 December 2001, 1000 m, 1 spm. ( SANC) , 29 January–26 February 2003, 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Farm Ruimte 617, 10 km N of Tuinplaas [24 ° 499 S 28 ° 469 E], 6 December 2001 – 9 January 2002, 1050 m, 1 spm. ( SANC) , 7 November–6 December 2001, 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Pietersburg [23 ° 549 S 29 ° 279 E], 1 spm. ( SAMC) ; near Lodge Station , 11km E of Tuinplaas [24 ° 539 S 28 ° 519 E], 6 February–13 March 2002, 1000 m, 1 spm. ( SANC) , 30 January–6 March 2001, 1 spm. ( SANC) , 20 December 2002 – 29 January 2003, 3 spm. ( SANC) ; Cinergy Game farm 24 ° 399 S 28 ° 459 E, 18 December 2002, h 51108 m, A. Frolov and C. Deschodt leg. 25 spm. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; D’Nyala Nature Reserve, Ellisras District 23 ° 459 S 27 ° 499 E, 18–20 December 1987, B. Grobbelaar leg. 2 spm. ( SANC) ; Potgietersrus – Thabazinabi [24 ° 119 S 29 ° 019 E], 25 November 2001, Werner and Lizler leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) ; Warmbaths [24 ° 539 S 28 ° 179 E], 9 November 2000, Werner and Lizler leg. 4 spm. ( KWCP) ; Pietersburg [23 ° 549 S 28 ° 879 E], 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Nylsvley, Naboomspruit 24 ° 009 S 28 ° 009 E, 1100 m, 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Cinergy Game Farm, Naboomspruit District 24 ° 389 S 28 ° 459 E, 16 November 2001, A. Frolov C. Deschodt leg. 20 spm. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; 35km E of Thabazimbi, Groenfontein 24 ° 349 S 27 ° 459 E, 27 November 1980, S.J. van Tonder leg. 4 spm. ( SANC) ; Moorddrift [24 ° 159 S 28 ° 579 E], December 1914, C.J. Swierstra leg. 3 spm. ( IRSNB) , 1925, G.V. Dam leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA); Koedoesrivier [23 ° 279 S 30 ° 159 E], December 1902, Breyer leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; D’Njana Game Reserve 23 ° 409 S 27 ° 449 E, 18 November 1988 D. Lelagadec leg. 3 spm. ( UPSA) ; Nylsvley Nature Reserve 24 ° 399 S 28 ° 429 E, November 1978, light trap, 1095 m, C.D. Eardley leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Tswaing [24 ° 299 S 29 ° 419 E], 22 January 2000, R. Toms leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Hill base, Nylsvley 24 ° 409 S 28 ° 429 E, 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Nylsvley Nature Reserve 24 ° 399 S 28 ° 429 E, March 1978, 1095 m, G. Ferreira leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Blouberg 23 ° 109 S 28 ° 509 E, 20 September 2003, A. Frolov leg. 2 spm. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; Grootpan 24 ° 019 S 27 ° 069 E, 16 February 1990, D.J. Kotze leg. 1 „. ( SANC) ; Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve 24 ° 189 S 28 ° 449 E, 4–7 February 1980, Moolmen leg. 2 spm. ( SANC) . Mpumalanga: Leslie Fall [26 ° 229 S 28 ° 559 E], February 1962, 1 spm. ( TMSA) . N. Cape: Smythe Farm, near Olifantshoek 27 ° 539 S 22 ° 559 E, February 1992, 1200 m, H.E. Steenkamp leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) . North-west: Vryburg [26 ° 579 S 24 ° 449 E], 1 April 1919, J.B. Pole-Evans leg. 2 spm. ( SANC) ; de Wildt [25 ° 379 S 27 ° 579 E], 3 January 1974, G. Tribe leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) , 4 April 1974, A.L.V. Davis leg. 3 spm. ( SANC) , 6 November 1975, G. Tribe leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Castle Gorge, Magaliesberg 25 ° 389 S 27 ° 349 E, 2 January 1970, G.F. Bornemissza leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) , 27 February 1972, Bornemissza & Insley leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Ubundu Lodge Radium 25 ° 449 S 28 ° 139 E, 11 February 1998, J.D.M. Engels leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) . Rustenburg [24 ° 569 S 27 ° 099 E], December 1984, 3 spm. ( SANC) . Waterberg , 22 November 1972, E. Holm leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) . Between Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers , J.J. Gillet leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) .

Diagnosis

This species can easily be separated from other Coptorhina species by having the head with carina-shaped tubercle in the middle ( Figure 2 ). From C. nitefacta it also differs in having densely punctured upper side of body.

Description

Black, strongly convex, dark-brown with slightly lighter elytra, opaque beetle. Body length 9.0–19.5 mm, width 6.0–12.3 mm. Dorsal surface without visible setae.

Head. Clypeus with protruding anterior angles separated by deep sinuation ( Figure 2 ). Sinuation right-angled to broadly rounded. Protruding angles acute to narrowly rounded apically, with short longitudinal carinae on the upper side. Genae obtusely rounded. Genal sutures feebly distinct. Lateral margins of clypeus sinuate near genal sutures in some individuals. Frontal suture almost invisible. Frons with short, carina-shaped tubercle in the middle. Head very densely and evenly punctuate, punctures sometimes adjacent and sculpture appears rugose. Antennal clubs dark-brown.

Pronotum. Trapezoidal, two times wider than long. Anterior margin and base finely bordered. Sides widely rounded. Lateral border somewhat flattened, wider in basal part and tapering apically. Pronotum with short, bituberculate transversal carina. The carina is more developed in larger specimens. Anterior part of pronotum rugose to granulate, excavated laterally in larger specimens.

Elytra. Striae fine but distinct, punctate (punctures separated by 3–4 puncture diameter). Intervals flat, very densely punctuate, punctures separated by about 1 puncture diameter, sometimes almost adjacent; their margins sometime indistinct especially in apical part.

Underside. Pygidium with fine border, its disc densely punctate. Abdominal and thoracic sternites coarsely punctate except for disc of metasternum which is very sparsely to almost indistinctly punctuate.

Aedeagus. Parameres with widely rounded apices in lateral view.

Variability

Except for the body size variability the beetles differ in shape and sculpture of pronotum. Smaller specimens have less developed transversal pronotal carina and lesser excavated anterolateral sides of pronotum.

Distribution

This species is distributed in southern Africa from Zambia in the north to KwaZulu- Natal Province of South Africa in the south ( Figure 21 ).

Figures

Figures 1–8. Coptorhina spp. 1, lateral view of body; 2–6, head and pronotum in dorsal view; 7–8, pronotum in dorsal view. 1–2, C. auspicata; 3, C. nitidipennis; 4, C. excavata sp. n; 5, C. nitefacta; 6, C. klugii; 7, C. angolensis; 8, C. davidi. Figures are not to scale.

Figures 9–14. Coptorhina spp. 9, wing; 10–11, aedeagus in dorsal and lateral view; 12, internal sac of aedeagus; 13, internal sac sclerite arrowed in Figure 12; 14, abdomen in lateral view (14A, female, 14B, male). 9, 10, 12, 13C–E, 14, C. auspicata (13C, lectotype, Enkeldoorn, Zimbabwe, 13D, Cinergy Game farm, RSA, 13E, Shesheke, Zambia); 11, 13I–J, C. nitidipennis (13I, Cinergy Game farm, RSA, 13J, paratype, ‘‘Caffraria’’); 13A–B, C. excavata sp. n. (13A, holotype, 13B, paratype, Mamathes, Lesotho); 13F, C. klugii, Blouberg, RSA; 13G, C. davidi, paratype, Mpika, Congo; 13H, C. nitefacta, holotype, Bura, Kenya. 9, 13 and 14 are not to scale.

Figures 15–17. Coptorhina spp., general view. 15, C. auspicata, Cinergy Game farm, RSA; 16, C. excavata sp. n., holotype; 17, C. nitidipennis, Cinergy Game farm, RSA.

Figures 20–22. Coptorhina spp., distribution map. 20, C. auspicata; 21, C. excavata sp. n.; 22, C. nitefacta.