Gnathoncus communis (Marseul, 1862)

Lackner, Tomas & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2017, A monograph of the Australopacific Saprininae (Coleoptera, Histeridae), ZooKeys 689, pp. 1-263 : 18-20

Gnathoncus communis (Marseul, 1862) Figs 68, 69-80, 81-89, 754

Saprinus communis Marseul, 1862: 501.

Type locality.

USA: New York.

Type material examined.

Saprinus communis Marseul, 1862: Lectotype, present designation: most likely a ♀, pinned, left protarsus, right mesotarsus and both metatarsi missing, with the following labels: " Gnathoncus / communis m / Albany / illegible" (green round label, written); followed by: “2937” (written); followed by: "Horn / 19 man / 73" (written); followed by: "1 communis / Et. univ. illegible" (written); followed by: "MUSEUM PARIS / COLL. / DE MARSEUL 1890" (green label, printed); followed by: “TYPE” (red-printed label); followed by: " Saprinus communis / Marseul, 1862 / LECTOTYPE 2014 / des. T. Lackner" (red label, written) (MNHN). This species was described from unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes the identity of species.

Additional material examined.

NEW ZEALAND. North Island. AK: 2 ♂♂ & 1 ♀, Lynfield, 19.vi.1976, G. Kuschel (hen house) (NZAC); 1 spec., ditto, but 14.xii.1980 (chicken yard) (NZAC); 2 specs., Ranui, Henderson, 29.xi.1955, K.A.J. Wise (ex debris in poultry feed shed) (NZAC); 1 ♂, 1 ♀ & 1 spec., Tropicana Dr., 19.vi.1976, G. Kuschel (hen house) (NZAC); 1 spec., ditto, but 14.viii.1976 (NZAC); 7 ♂♂ & 3 ♀♀, Mahinerang, 26.i.1977, J. Painter ( Sturnus vulgaris nest) (NZAC); 3 ♂♂ & 3 ♀♀, Kumeu, 21.vi.1975, J.C.Watt (ex fowl manure) (NZAC). BP: 1 ♂, Tauranga, 13.xi.1976, R.J. Ball (on plant) (NZAC). HB: 2 specs., Longlands, ii.1976, J.A. McKeenan (ex starling nest) (NZAC); 1 spec., Havelock North, 14.xi.1977, collector unknown (on large Pinus sp., ex nest of Sturnus vulgaris ) (NZAC); 2 ♂♂ & 3 ♀♀, Graeme Friis’ Farm, Twyford, 2.xi.1976, B.A. Holloway (poultry manure) (NZAC).

Biology.

In New Zealand found mostly in bird’s nests, chicken coops, less commonly on bird carrion.

Distribution.

Described from New York (USA), where it was probably introduced and widespread across North America. This species is normally spread in Europe, North Africa, Russian Far East, Japan and has been introduced into Australia ( Mazur 2011). Mazur (1990:744) reports this species as introduced into Australia (ACT: Canberra). The specimen Mazur examined should be housed in ANIC. However, we were unable to examine it or any other specimens of G. communis from Australia. From New Zealand reported already by Kuschel (1990).

Remarks.

G. communis can be confused with G. rotundatus , but can easily be separated from it by the absence of median fossa of prosternum (present with G. rotundatus ), dense and confluent elytral punctation (especially in the apical half of the elytra) and different male genitalia. Most important diagnostic characters to separate the two Gnathoncus species present in the region are outlined in the identification key. We chose not to fully re-describe Gnathoncus communis here, leaving its re-description to the revision of the genus Gnathoncus . For the sake of the better species recognition, as well as for the easier separation from the related G. rotundatus , we decided to depict it here, including its male terminalia.