Zopherus Gray, 1832

Foley, Ian A. & Ivie, Michael A., 2008, A phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Zopherini with a review of the species and generic classification (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), Zootaxa 1928 (1), pp. 1-72 : 15-16

Genus Zopherus Gray

Figs. 1 , 6–7, 9

Zopherus Gray, 1832: 796 . Blanchard, 1861: pl. 7A, fig. 6. Guérín-Méneville, 1844: 18. Lucas, 1852: XXIII. Solier, 1841: 42–46. Sturm, 1842: 349. Sallé, 1849: 301. LeConte, 1851: 130. Horn, 1867: 160–162. Horn, 1870: 271–272. Champion, 1884: 39–43. Horn, 1885: 160. Champion, 1892: 489. Casey, 1907a: 36–41. Casey, 1907b: 464–467. Casey, 1924: 304–305. Blaisdell, 1931: 111. Gebien, 1936: 665. Blackwelder, 1945: 514. Triplehorn, 1972: 1–24. Doyen and Lawrence, 1979: 344. Ṡ lipi ń ski and Lawrence, 1999: 17. Ivie, 2002: 49. García-París et al., 2006: 216. (Type species Zopherus mexicanus Gray, 1832 , subsequent designation by Casey, 1907a).

Megazopherus Casey, 1907a: 36 . Gebien, 1936: 665. Blackwelder, 1945: 514. (Synonymy by Triplehorn, 1972: 3).

Zopherinus Casey, 1907a: 36 . Gebien, 1936: 666. Blackwelder, 1945: 514. (Synonymy by Triplehorn, 1972: 3).

Zopherodes Casey, 1907a: 36 . Gebien, 1936: 666. Blackwelder, 1945: 514. (Synonymy by Triplehorn, 1972: 3).

Diagnosis: The genus can be distinguished from all other Zopheridae by having 9-segmented antennae with the club composed of 3 fused segments, and complete antennal cavities on the hypomeron.

Description: See Triplehorn (1972), Ṡ lipi ń ski and Lawrence (1999).

Notes: The genus was described by Gray (1832) and the type species was subsequently designated by Casey (1907a) as Zopherus mexicanus Gray 1832 . This is the largest genus in the tribe with 19 valid species, and is the only one that has been critically examined ( Triplehorn 1972). It is well supported based on several synapomorphies including the 9-segmented antennae with the apical 3 segments fused, the overlapping cuticle between the tarsal claws, glabrous pronotum and ventrite 5 with a sinuate preapical groove. For a key to species and excellent revision, see Triplehorn (1972).

Figures

FIGURES 1–5. 1–3. Antennal clubs. 1. Zopherus nodulosus; 2. Sesaspis sylvatica; 3. Zopherosis georgei. 4–5. Apex of last antennomere. 4. Nosoderma echinatum; 5. Scoriaderma cordicolle. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURES 6–9. 6–8. Dorsal habiti. 6. Zopherus championi, Mexico, Nuevo Leon; 7. Z. jansoni, Costa Rica; 8. Zopherosis georgei, Australia, Victoria. 9. Zopherus nodulosus apex of tarsal claw. Scale bars = 5mm.