Copris fidius

Deschodt, Christian M., Davis, Adrian L. V. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2015, A new synonymy in the fidius group of Copris Müller 1764 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) and a new species from the highland grasslands of South Africa, Zootaxa 3949 (3), pp. 431-438 : 437

Key to the species in the fidius group

(translated and modified from Nguyen-Phung (1988))

The key includes all species assigned to the fidius group, except Copris serius Nguyen-Phung 1987 which we were unable to examine.

1 Copris species without two parallel lobes on the sides of the pronotum........................... Most Copris groups

- Copris species with two parallel lobes on the sides of the pronotum in major males................................ 2

2 Horn with one basal to median posterior denticle, internal margin of the eye rounded and row of piliferous punctures on the dorsal surface of hind femora comprising six points or less.................................... 3, Copris fidius group

- Horn with postero-apical denticles, internal margin of eye angular and single row of piliferous punctures on the dorsal surface of hind femora comprising more than ten points.................................... Copris bootes Klug 1855 group

3 Apical edge of clypeus not emarginate but slightly denticulate; epipharynx: sensory setae very fine. Male: prothoracic excavation narrow; genitalia, apical ends of parameres strongly elongated. Male and female of larger size (14.5 to 21.0 mm).... 4

- Apical edge of clypeus emarginated, distinctly denticulate; epipharynx: sensory bristles thick. Male: prothoracic excavation broad; genitalia: apical ends of parameres slightly elongated. Male and female of smaller size (14–18 mm).............. 5

4 Apex of prothoracic lobes forming two peaks, apex blunt, proximal peak lower than distal peak, inner tooth on clypeal horn straight. Punctures on elytra small, about one puncture diameter apart, punctures on pronotum small and well separated, specimens tending to be more elongate and relatively smaller........................................... fidius (Olivier)

- Apex of prothoracic lobes forming a single peak, sharp at apex, inner tooth on clypeal horn curving forward. Punctures on elytra larger, less than one puncture diameter apart, punctures on pronotum large and close together, specimens tending to be squat and relatively larger........................................................ crassus Deschodt and Davis

5 Male and female: front femora with ventral keels very close together, very dense elytral punctuation; epipharynx strongly convex in lateral anterior margins. Male: Tooth of cephalic horn near the base; prothoracic excavation strongly concave; genitalia, basal sclerite very small/thin and somewhat enlarged at the base. Female: A small tooth-like projection on frons................................................................................................... coriarius Gillet

- Male and female: front femora with ventral carina well separated; elytral punctuation less dense; epipharynx to weakly convex anterior lateral edges. Male: Tooth of the cephalic horn near the middle of the horn; prothoracic excavation slightly concave; genitalia: basal sclerite sinuous strongly enlarged at the base. Female: no protruding tooth on head..................... 6

6 Male and female: elytral striae with clear punctures; epipharynx with medium number of sensory bristles that are very elongated; labium: enlarged median depression; fore tibiae expanded, the second apical tooth highly developed. Male: apex of prothoracic lobes slightly serrated. Female: frontal projection (=ridge of frons) reduced and angular....................... 7

- Male and female: elytral striae with shallower punctures; epipharynx with many sensory setae that are shorter; labium: narrow elongated central depression, fore tibia slightly expanded, the second apical tooth undifferentiated. Male: apex of prothoracic lobes not notched. Female: frontal projection (=ridge of frons) enlarged, somewhat rounded.......................... 8

7 Male and female: dense elytral punctuation. Male: broad prothoracic excavation at basal edge slightly concave, posterior punctuation deep; genitalia: dorsal edge angular at the apex of parameres. Female: pronotal punctuation deep.......................................................................................... mesacanthus mesacanthus Harold

- Male and female: sparser elytral punctuation. Male: prothoracic excavation close to basal edge clearly concave, posterior punctuation shallow; genitalia: dorsal edge rounded at apex of parameres. Female: pronotal punctuation less deep........................................................................... mesacanthus transvaalensis Nguyen-Phung

8 Male and female: rounded body; elytral punctuation deep; genae strongly projecting; epipharynx median sensory bristles sparser; labium: apical notch rounded, flared lobes. Male: pronotum with dense punctuation; genitalia: apex of parameres strongly curved, basal sclerite of the internal sac in the form of a stout hook. Female: front projection reduced pronotal punctuation dense...................................................................... cambeforti Nguyen-Phung.

- Male and female: elongate body; elytral punctuation shallow; genae slightly projecting; epipharynx: median sensory bristles are very close; labium: apical notch angular, acute lobes. Male: pronotum very slight or absent punctuation in the anterior region; genitalia: apex of parameres slightly curved, basal sclerite of the internal sac pointed at the proximal extremity. Female: frontal projection wide, less dense pronotal punctuation............................................... 9

9 Male and female: strong genal punctuation; epipharynx: median sensory setae dense and tight; labium: very acute apical lobes. Male: pronotum with anterior area smooth, prothoracic excavation wide............... vankhaii vankhaii Nguyen-Phung

- Male and female: weak genal punctation; epipharynx: median sensory setae less tight; labium: less acute apical lobes. Male: pronotum completely punctuated, prothoracic excavation narrow................ vankhaii genopunctatus Nguyen-Phung