Dichotomius (Cephagonus) ascanius
Creators: name: Nunes, Rafael V.
name: Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Scarabaeidae
Dichotomius
Dichotomius ascanius

description: 1.1.: Dichotomius (Cephagonus) ascanius (Harold 1869) (Figure 15)
Pinotus ascanius Harold 1869 ı p. 138 (description)
Pinotus ascanius var. pygidialis Luederwaldt 1922 ı p. 9 (description)
Pinotus (Cephagonus) bicuspis ı Luederwaldt 1929 ı p. 118 (miss-identification) Pinotus (Cephagonus) pygidialis ı Luederwaldt 1929 ı p. 135 new synonym
Pinotus (Cephagonus) pauloensis Luederwaldt 1925 ı p. 69 (description) new synonym Pinotus (Cephagonus) panloensis ı Luederwaldt 1925 ı p. 69
Pinotus ascanius ı Blackwelder 1944 ı p. 207
Pinotus ascanius var. pygidialis ı Blackwelder 1944 ı p. 207
Dichotomius (selenocopris) ascanius ı Vaz-de-Mello 2000 ı p. 193
Dichotomius (selenocopris) pauloensis ı Vaz-de-Mello 2000 ı p. 193
Diagnosis. D. ascanius is separated from the other two species of the group by the following combined characters: metasternum glabrous or with few setaeı sculpture between points visible (as in D. mundus); larger males bearing four lobes at anterior delimitation of pronotal disc (as in D. bicuspis); males ’ anterior declivity lacking coarse or ocellate punctures; metasternum glabrous or with few setae; males elytral striae deeply impressed and males ’ paramera dorsally bearing basal wide excavationı reaching the paramera sides.
● LECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius (maleı here designated): Brasilia. P. ascanius {white with red marginsı handwritten}/Museum Paris ex coll. Oberthur {greenı printed}/Ex. Museo Harold {white with black marginsı printed} [NMHN];
● PARALECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius (female): Rio {whiteı handwritten}/Museum Paris ex Coll. R. Oberthur {greenı printed}/Ex-Musaeo Harold {white with black marginsı printed} [NMHN];
● LECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius var. pygidiallis (femaleı here designated): Espirito Santo {white with black marginı printed}/COTIPO {pink with black marginsı printed}/ Pinotus ascanius var. pygidiallis. Lüd. Lued. Det. 23 {whiteı handwritten}/ 26819 {whiteı printed} [MZSP];
● PARALECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius var. pygidiallis (male): Espírito Santo. Leopoldina {whiteı printed}/COTIPO {pink with black marginsı printed}/26816 {whiteı printed} [MZSP];
● PARALECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius var. pygidiallis (female): Espírito Santo {white with black marginsı printed}/26818 {whiteı printed} [MZSP];
● PARALECTOTYPE of Pinotus ascanius var. pygidiallis (female): Espírito Santo {white wich black marginsı printed}/26819 {whiteı printed} [MZSP];
● HOLOTYPE of Pinotus (Cephagonus) pauloensis: São Paulo. Cidade. 1917 {white with black marginsı partially handwritten}/Holotipo {pink with black marginsı printed}/ Pinotus singular. ?? 09 {whiteı handwritten}/ Pinotus pauloensis Lüd. Lued. Det. 13 {whiteı handwritten}/25960 {whiteı printed} [MZSP].
Non-type material. BRASIL: Bahia: Encruzilhada. 8-i-1978. Celso J [1 ♀ at CEMT]; Iguaí. 14³39 ʹ 31 ” Sı 40 ³09 ʹ 09 ” W. pitfall. CMP Leite [1 Ƌı 1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but 14³38 ʹ 32 ” Sı 40 ³08 ʹ 51 ” W [3 ƋƋ at CEMT]; Espírito Santo: Rio Bonito. 600 mosl. xi-1963 [1 Ƌ at DZUP]; Venda Nova do Imigrante. Lavrinhas. 20³18 ʹ 29 ” Sı 41 ³07 ʹ 11 ” W. Fezes humanas. 10-i-2011. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [3 ♀♀ at CEMT]; same data but 20³18 ʹ 43 ” Sı 41³08 ʹ 15 ʹ W. Minas Gerais: Águas Vermelhas. xi-1994. A Bello [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Barbacena. Campus IFET. 21³14 ʹ 09 ” Sı 43 ³45 ʹ 06 ” W. Pitfall. 4-ii-2012. FLT Gomes. [2 ƋƋ at CEMT]; Conceição do Castelo. 20³18 ʹ 31 ” Sı 41 ³14 ʹ 17 ” W. Luz. R Falqueto [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Conceição dos Ouros. Rio Sapucaí. 2-xi-2002. GP Almeida-Neto [2 ƋƋ at CEMT]; same data but 5-iii-2003 [1 Ƌı 3 ♀♀ at CEMT]; Lavras. 21³18 ʹ 14 ” Sı 44 ³49 ʹ 44 ” W. 20-i-2008. MR Rocha & DHT Takahashi [1 Ƌı 3 ♀♀ at CEMT]; same municipality but Poço Bonito. 14-iv-2007. JNC Louzada [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Lima Duarte. Parque Estadual Ibitipoca. xii-1997. Souza [1 Ƌı 3 ♀♀ at CEMT]; Prados. 21³03 ʹ 26 ” Sı 44 ³05 ʹ 52 ” W. 1094 mosl. Baço bovino. L Vieira [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Rio Novo. FIT. 10-14-xii-2012. HML Advincola [3 ♀♀ at CEMT]; São João Evangelista. 18³34 ʹ 09 ” Sı 42 ³53 ʹ 04 ” W. 856 mosl. RN Mota [2 ƋƋı 1 ♀ at CEMT]; Viçosa. x-1982. F Fiuza [1 Ƌı 1 ♀♀ at CEMT]; same data but 19-xii-1993. JNC Louzada [2 ƋƋ at CEMT]; same data but 20-i-1994. JNC Louzada [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; same data but xi-1994 [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; same data but iii-1995. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but i-1997. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but Campus UFV. xi-1997. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but FIT. x-1998 [1 Ƌı 1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but Mata do Paraíso. 20³47 ’ Sı 42 ³51 ʹ W. Luz. xii-1998. FZ Vazde-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; Paraná: Londrina. Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy. Fezes suínas. 30-iii-2006. V Korasaki [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Tijuco Preto. Rio Negro. 26³03 ʹ 43 ” Sı 39 ³45 ʹ 53 ” W. v-2012. R Marcolino [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Rio de Janeiro: Itatiaia. Estrada do Rio. i-x-1941. JF Zikán [2 ƋƋı 2 ♀♀]; same municipality but Parque Nacional de Itatiaia. 22³27 ʹ 37 ” Sı 44 ³35 ʹ 44 ” W. 650 mosl. pitfall. 23-xii-2011. C Araújo & R Andrade [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Miguel Pereira. x-1996. J Carlos [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Nova Friburgo. i-1995. FZ Vaz-de- Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; Floresta da Tijuca. 15-i-1967. Celso J [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but xii- 1987. C Godinho [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; same data but 15-x-2008. W Beiroz [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Jardim Botânico. xii-1987. C Godinho [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but xii-1991. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but xi-1992. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [1 ♀ at CEMT]; same data but Parque da Cidade. xii-1992. FZ Vaz-de-Mello [2 ♀♀ at CEMT]; same municipality but Restinga da Marambaia. 23³03 ’ Sı 43 ³59 ʹ W. 19-ii-2010. W Beiroz [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; same municipality but Vila do Pilão. 24-i-1998. AVM Wushida [1 ♀ at CEMT]; Santa Catarina: Bonifácio. Parque Estadual Serra do Tabuleiro. 27³53 ’ Sı 48 ³51 ʹ W. Fezes humanas. JA Bogoni [1 ♀ at CEMT]; Campos Novos. 27³23 ’ Sı 51 ³12 ʹ W. Fezes humanas. R Campos [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Florianópolis. Lagoa do Peri. 27³43 ’ Sı 48 ³32 ʹ W. pitfall. MIM Hernández [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; same municipality but UCAD. 10-ii-2004. C Espírito-Santo [28 ƋƋı 20 ♀♀ at CEMT]; same data but 27³31 ’ Sı 48 ³30 ʹ W. 9-i-2013. Fezes humanas. PG Silva [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Itapema. Indaiá. 27³04 ’ Sı 48 ³36 ʹ W. Fezes humanas. 17-i-2003. PG Silva [2 ƋƋ at CEMT]; Joinville. Estrada Bonita. 5-ii-2013. A Gaedle [1 ♀ at DZUP]; Mafra. 800 mosl. ii-1968 [2 ƋƋ at DZUP]; Pinhal. xi-1947. FJ Donor [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Santo Amaro de Imperatriz. Parque Estadual Serra do Tabuleiro. 27³44 ’ Sı 48 ³48 ʹ W. Fezes Humanas. MIM Hernandéz [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; São Pedro de Alcântara. 27³37 ’ Sı 48³ 53W. Fezes humanas. JA Bogoni [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; São Paulo: Barueri. 8-iv-1955. K Leenico [1 ♀ at DZUP]; Campos do Jordão. 8-i-1966. W Bokermann [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Itirapina. Estação Ecológica Cerrado. 22³14 ʹ 30 ” Sı 47 ³50 ʹ 05 ” W. Fezes humanas. FAB Silva [2 ƋƋ at CEMT]; Jundiaí. Serra do Japi. 23³14 ’ Sı 46 ³57 ʹ W. 1000 mosl. ix-1997. MIM Hernández [3 ƋƋ at CEMT]; same data but 1998 [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Salesópolis. Estação Biológica Boracéia. xii-2005. M Uehara-Prado [1 Ƌ at CEMT]; Santo André. Reserva Biológica Alto da Serra de Paranapiacaba. 23³46 ʹ 48 ” Sı 46³18 ʹ 39 ”. 750 mosl. pitfall. 13-iv -2007. M Uehara-Prado [11 ƋƋ at CEMT]; São Paulo [1 Ƌ at CEMT].
Redescription (larger males). Colour: blackı shiny. Head: fronto-clypeal surface smoothı lacking striations or punctures. Gena surface with very fine punctures. Gena borders slightly curved inwards. Inter-ocular space with fine punctures. Cephalic horn with acute round apex. Pronotum: pronotal disc shiny. Anterior portion of pronotal disc delimited by four lobes. Posterior margin with a single row of ocellateı unevenly spaced punctures. Metasternum: almost glabrousı margin of anterior lobe and sides with sparse scattered setae. Punctures getting larger towards external sides of the metasternum. Surface between punctures irregular. Elytra: striae deeply impressed with well-defined punctures. Punctures separated by 1ı5x their diameter. Interstriae convexı shiny and smoothı lacking microsculpture. Abdomen: sixth ventrite with strong basal groove all over its extension. Punctures present continuously along anterior margin of each ventrite. Aedeagus (Figure 15 (d-f)): Paramera shortı having 1/third the length of phalobasisı dorsally having a wideı transversal basal excavationı reaching the sides of the parameraı longitudinal excavation lacking; apexes acuteı convergent. Laterallyı abrupt declivity towards the apex. Ventrallyı basis strongly sclerotised. Subgenital plate acute at base and widely emarginated at apex. Phalobaseı on lateral and ventral viewı widely excavated at apex.
Morphological variation. males BL: 9 – 15 mmı PW: 5 – 8 mm. Smaller males lack horns and pronotal horns. Females BL: 10 – 13 mmı PW: 5 – 7 mm. Distinguished from males as follows: Head: clypeo-genal angulation lacking in very small specimens; frontalı clypeal and genal surfaces transversely wrinkled. Cephalic carina very lowı producing a pair of weak tubercles. Pronotum: lacking lobes and anterior declivity. Abdomen/Pygidium: sixth ventrite widely emarginate mediallyı ‘ U ’ -shapedı emargination taking 1/5 of ventrite length (Figure 8 (d)).
Distribution. Brazilian Atlantic Forests in the states of Bahiaı Espírito Santoı Paranáı Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina (Figure 16).
Remarks. chosen Lectotype of Pinotus ascanius is the most developed male of the syntype series while Lectotype of P. ascanius var. pygidialis is the most conservated specimen of the syntype series. Pinotus pauloensis holotype has a malformation on the elytraı which makes it resembles D. (L.) vidaurei Nunes and Vaz-de-Mello 2013 or D. edmondsi of quadraticeps group and described ahead in this work. Howeverı the male and female sixth ventrite and glabrous metasternum as well as its distribution are evidence to consider D. pauloensis a new synonym of D. ascanius.
description: Published as part of Nunes, Rafael V. & Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z., 2019, Taxonomic revision of Dichotomius (Cephagonus) Luederwaldt 1929 and the taxonomic status of remaining Dichotomius Hope 1838 subgenera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Dichotomiini), pp. 2231-2351 in Journal of Natural History 53 (37) on pages 2261-2281, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1692088, http://zenodo.org/record/3665519