Onthophagus catenatus Lansberge, 1883

Krikken, Jan & Huijbregts, Johannes, 2012, Taxonomy of new relatives of Onthophagus catenatus Lansberge, 1883 from New Guinea (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae), ZooKeys 251, pp. 49-67 : 56-58

Onthophagus catenatus Lansberge, 1883 Figs 3-413, 1827-32

Material examined.

104 males and females, 11 collection records. Papua New Guinea: 18 mi N Port Moresby, Brown River, 14-15/vii/1974, Peck, 10ft, forest: dung, 32 spm., in CMNC. 30 mi N Port Moresby, Brown River, 15-16/vi/1974, Peck, 3 spm., in CMNC. Kokoda Trail, 20 mi E Port Moresby, 16-18/vii/1974, Peck, 10ft, forest: dung, 35 spm., in CMNC. 15-16/vii/1974, Peck, 10ft, forest: dung, 15 spm., in CMNC. 16-18/vii/1974, Peck, 10ft, forest: dung, 2 spm., in CMNC. Kokoda Trail, 34 mi E Port Moresby, 17-18/vii/1974, Peck, 2200ft, 3 spm., in CMNC. 16-17/vii/1974, Peck, 2200ft, 9 spm., in CMNC. 17-18/vii/1974, Peck, 2200ft, 1 spm., in CMNC. Kuk Exp. Station nr Mt Hagen, 04-12/vii/1974, Howden, 1 spm., in CMNC (pictured, body length ca 9 mm). Madang: Baitabag, 6o08'19"S - 145o46'34"E, 30/i/2000, Anderson, 100m, rainforest litter, 2 spm., in CMNC. [Indonesia:] "N. Guinea \ Amberbaki", 1 male (syntype?). Additional material seen from both Papua New Guinea and West New Guinea localities, including the Aru Islands.

Diagnosis.

The following combination of three features should distinguish Onthophagus catenatus from its close relatives, at least the major males: evenly concave (in axial view), non-angulate crest of the plate connecting the bases of the male vertexal horns; generally convex (gibbous), relatively smooth anterior declivity of the pronotum; and particularly the posteriorly increasing size of the strial punctures of the elytra - normally both males and females should be recognizable from this punctation. Dorsum brown to black (occasionally bicolorous, elytra may be light-brown), shining, usually with distinct metallic lustre (particularly on pronotum). Lateral border of pronotum distinctly rounded (not angular) at some distance from anterolateral angle. Clypeofrontal ridge very low, virtually straight, on either end angularly connected at clypeogenal ridge. Most of dorsal side finely to minutely, sparsely punctate. Clypeal tip slightly reflexed, apical border rounded to truncate. Dorsal eye parts broadly elliptic, separated by 3-3.5 eye widths. Pygidium abundantly, finely, distinctly punctate. Females with transverse vertexal ridge. Body length usually 8-10 mm.

Comment.

A male in the Gillet drawers of the IRSNB, agreeing with van Lansberge’s (1883) description, bears type label and originates from the region mentioned in the original description (northern New Guinea) - it may be one of the syntypes.