Digitonthophagus namaquensis Genier, new species
Creators: name: Génier, François
name: Moretto, Philippe
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Scarabaeidae
Digitonthophagus
Digitonthophagus namaquensis

description: Digitonthophagus namaquensis Génier, new species
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:48DC7E17-6D54-4345-9746-183D5D580AB8 (Figs. 22, 53–54, 70, 86, 117–118, 134, 180–182, 189; Map 17)
Type locality. Farm Klipkoppies (6) (28.87137 S 21.30944 E), 957 m, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Description. Holotype ♂ (Fig. 22). Measurements. Length 10.5 mm, width 6.0 mm. Head (Figs. 53–54). Anterior clypeal edge straight on median fifth in dorsal view; clypeofrontal carina broadly arcuate and interrupted at gena; vertex lacking median tubercle, surface with punctures fine to small, separated by one to four diameters, scabrous. Horns rather short, slightly arcuate in frontal view, gradually tapering from base to apex; posterointernal edge unmodified basally, apicointernal surface with few scabrous punctures; genal edge slightly upturned and broadly arcuate, forming a broad angle with clypeal edge. Pronotum (Fig. 70). Surface with weakly-defined granulate punctures on anterior half only, with scattered punctures on posterior half of disc; punctures scattered and small posterolaterally, with distinct minute punctures throughout; anteromedian tubercle atrophied, forming an obtuse angle in lateral view, median longitudinal sulcus rather wide and moderately deep; surface behind the eyes with a transverse oval and shallow depression, surface of anterior angles slightly concave; anterior half of lateral edge arcuate in dorsal and lateral view; posterior angles slightly upturned and simply arcuate in dorsal view; anterior hypomeral ridge broadly arcuate anteriorly, anterior hypomeral depression surface light in color. Elytra (Fig. 22). Interval 2 with one to three fine granules on apical declivity, interval 4 lacking fine granules from base to apex. Legs. Protibial apicointernal tooth enlarged, with dorsal ridge extending to apex. Aedeagus (Fig. 134). Parameres with dorsal and ventral edges slightly diverging toward apex in lateral view. Internal sac sclerites (Figs. 180–182). Axial sclerite arcuate, with apex acute. Subaxial sclerite, gradually tapering from base to apex, extending straight and interrupted before apex of frontolateral peripheral sclerite apical portion, with a brush of villi on apical fourth. Frontolateral peripheral sclerite basoventral apophysis large; lacking medioventral carinae; right lateral fold produced into a rather small everted and open apically conical process with irregular apical edge located behind oblique right lateral edge of apical lobe; left lateral lobe membranous, slightly developed; subapicodorsal lobe membranous, small and obliquely projecting dorsally, interrupted well before anterior edge of apical lobe, apex set on left side in dorsal view; apical lobe truncate and slightly directed obliquely on left side, lateral edges folded ventrally, with a small additional longitudinal fold in line with subapicoventral lobe; apical villi becoming longer toward apex; subapicoventral lobe acute in lateral view, interrupted before apex of apical lobe.
Variation. Measurements (97 ♂♂, 74 ♀♀). Length: male 7.0–12.0 mm (10.0 ± 0.9 mm), female 8.0– 11.5 mm (9.9 ± 0.8 mm). Females allotype. Cephalic outline in dorsal view as in Fig. 86; vertex with a high and broadly arcuate, transverse carina, dorsal edge subangular medially in frontal view, lateral portion gradually sloping down posteriorly; anterior pronotal tubercles well developed, external lateral edges distinctly widening toward apex in dorsal view, anterolateral surface obliquely excavated, anterosuperior edge slightly arcuate in dorsal view (Fig. 117), lateral portion of anterosuperior edge slightly upturned (Fig. 118). Anterior tibia short, with external teeth more robust.
Primary type data. Holotype ♂ (CMNC): [SOUTH AFRICA: N. CAPE / Farm Klipkoppies (6) / S28.87137° E21°30.944’ [sic] / 957 m; 12–14 March 2004 / A.L.V. Davis & C. Deschodt]; [WORLD / SCARAB. / DATABASE / WSD00029107] barcode label; [HOLOTYPE ♂ / Digitonthophagus / namaquensis n.sp. / des. F. Génier, 2016] red card.
MAP 17. Distribution of Digitonthophagus namaquensis.
Material examined (100 ♂♂, 75 ♀♀), distribution (Map 17): ANGOLA: BENGUELA, Benguela (12°35'S, 13°25'E), [no date], [illegible]— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (IRSNB); NAMIBIA: ERONGO, Ameib Farm, 19 km NW Karibib (21°47'S, 15°38'E), 31.i–2.ii.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♂ (paratype) (BMNH); Gobabeb (23°34'S, 15°2'E), 10.ii.1978, O. Lomhodlt— 1 ♂ (paratype) (ZMUC); Kahn River, 5 mi. N Usakos (22°0'S, 15°36'E), 30–31.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (BMNH); Kuiseb Canyon (23°18'S, 15°45'E), 22–23.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (BMNH); HARDAP, Farm Lovedale, N Tiras Mountains, 1600 m (25°32'24''S, 16°23'24''E), 16–17.ii.2010, W. Schawaller— 1 ♀, 5 ♂♂ (6 paratypes) (SMNS); Sesriem Farm, Maltahoe District (24°11'S, 15°59'E), 19–20.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♀ (paratype) (BMNH); Voigtgrund (24°49'S, 17°26'E), [no date], K. Jordan— 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (3 paratypes) (BMNH); Malthahöhe district, Zais 6 (24°2'58''S, 16°9'14''E), 16.i.2000, Mann & Marais— 1 ♀ (paratype) (OUMNH); Rehoboth district, on road verge, Kambes 498 (24°4'32''S, 16°28'21''E), 17.i.2000, Mann & Marais— 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ (4 paratypes) (OUMNH); KARAS, Barby Farm, 25 mi. W Helmeringhausen (25°53'S, 16°49'E), 17–18.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 11 ♀♀, 16 ♂♂ (27 paratypes) (BMNH); Keetmannshoop (26°34'S, 18°8'E), 1913, S. Hardt & G. Lotz— 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (5 paratypes) (SMF); Mesosaurus Fossil Farm, NE Keetmanshoop, 1100 m (28°14'24''S, 18°16'48''E), 18–19.ii.2010, W. Schawaller—1 ♂ (paratype) (SMNS); Noachabeb, 27 mi. NNE Grunau (27°23'S, 18°28'E), 10–12.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 3 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ (8 paratypes) (BMNH); near Onseepkans, Orange RIVER banks (28°44'S, 19°18'E), 8–10.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♂ (paratype) (BMNH); Plateau Farm, 22 mi. E Aus (26°38'S, 16°34'E), 14–17.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (BMNH); Seeheim (26°49'S, 17°47'E), 16.ii.1934, J. Ogilvie— 1 ♀ (paratype) (BMNH); KAVANGO, Mayana Lodge, Rundu District (17°51'55''S, 19°55'48''E), 19.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 6 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂ (13 paratypes) (OUMNH); Mile 46 Agricultutal Station, Sovo area (18°19'14''S, 19°15'28''E), 23.iii.2002, Mann, Marais, & Kasch— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (OUMNH); KHOMAS, Farm Namibgrens, Spreetshoogte, 1800 m (23°22'12''S, 16°8'24''E), 3–6.ii.2010, W. Schawaller— 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (3 paratypes) (SMNS); Solitaire (23°53'S, 16°0'E), 22.i.1972, Southern Africa Expedition— 2 ♀♀, 8 ♂♂ (10 paratypes) (BMNH); Windhoek (22°34'12''S, 17°5'1''E), 1909, Külz— 2 ♀♀ (2 paratypes) (SMF); KUNENE, 87 km W Kamanjab (19°49'S, 14°10'E), 2.iv.1977, J. Boomker— 1 ♂ (paratype) (BMNH); Khorixas (20°22'S, 14°58'E), iii.2004, O. Aschenborn— 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (5 paratypes) (CMD); Orupembe (18°10'S, 12°34'E), 14.iv.2005, W. Schawaller— 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (3 paratypes) (SMNS); Palmwag Lodge (19°53'10''S, 13°56'13''E), 18.iv.2005, W. Schawaller— 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (3 paratypes) (SMNS); Purros (Hoaruzsib Valley) (18°46'S, 12°57'E), 15–16.iv.2005, W. Schawaller— 1 ♀ (paratype) (SMNS); Khorixas District, Ae-ams / Khoanib confluence (19°14'44''S, 13°20'34''E), 28.xii.1999, Mann, Marais, & Newman— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (OUMNH); Hoanib river near Dubis (19°13'36''S, 13°22'E), 28.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 1 ♂ (paratype) (OUMNH); Palm 708, adjacent to spring (19°52'6''S, 14°1'13''E), 4.i.2000, Mann & Marais— 1 ♂ (paratype) (OUMNH); Spaarwater 711, near water hole (20°3'24''S, 14°2'55''E), 5.i.2000, Mann & Marais— 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (OUMNH); Opuwo District, Lower Hoanib (19°23'7''S, 13°4'11''E), 30.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (OUMNH); OMUSATI, Narawandu road, Etosha National Park (18°51'4''S, 15°32'55''E), 24–25.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 1 ♀ (paratype) (OUMNH); OSHIKOTO, Mushara area, sandy road (18°36'24''S, 16°53'23''E), 21.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 1 ♂ (paratype) (OUMNH); Mushara Waterhole (18°35'19''S, 16°55'11''E), 23.xii.1999, Mann & Marais— 1 ♂ (paratype) (OUMNH); OTJOZONDJUPA, Epupa Falls, 660 m (17°0'3''S, 13°14'36''E), 11–12.iv.2005, W. Schawaller— 3 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂ (7 paratypes) (SMNS); SOUTH AFRICA: EASTERN CAPE, Willowmore (33°18'S, 23°29'E), ii.1916, Dr. Brauns— 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (paratypes) (NMPC); NORTHERN CAPE, Farm Klipkoppies, 957 m (28°52'16.93''S, 21°18'33.98''E), 12–14.iii.2004, A.L.V. Davis & C. Deschodt— 11 ♀♀, 12 ♂♂ (holotype, allotype, 21 paratypes) (BDGC, CMNC, FGIC, OUMNH, PMOC); Groblershoop, Farm Brulpan (28°53'56''S, 21°46'49''E), 23–26.iii.2001, A. Davis— 2 ♂♂ (2 paratypes) (BMNH); Keograbie Farm (1), 1038 m (29°4'33.6''S, 21°46'5.63''E), 6–8.iii.2004, A.L.V. Davis & C. Deschodt— 8 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂ (15 paratypes) (FGIC, PMOC); Rooiplato (31°26'S, 19°24'E), 14.i.1980, [anonymous] —1 ♂ (paratype) (BMNH); Upington (28°27'S, 21°15'E), 7.xii.1933, L. Ogilvie— 1 ♀ (paratype) (BMNH).
Etymology. Namaquensis (from Namaqualand) a Latin adjective pertaining to the distribution of this species.
Natural history. Davis & Scholtz (2004), collected this species at the Brulpan Farm near Groblershoop, in Bushmanland Nama Karoo, in the south-west arid late summer rainfall region of Northern Cape. Specimens were collected in cow dung baited traps and the species is recorded in this work as a soil generalist. The current data indicates a Namibian savanna woodlands and a Nama karoo centered distribution. Some specimens collected in cow and elephant dung. A single specimen collected under old elephant dung. This species is attracted to mercury vapor and ultraviolet light traps.
description: Published as part of Génier, François & Moretto, Philippe, 2017, Digitonthophagus Balthasar, 1959: taxonomy, systematics, and morphological phylogeny of the genus revealing an African species complex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), pp. 1-110 in Zootaxa 4248 (1) on pages 70-72, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.439444