Polynoncus brevicollis
Creators: name: Costa-Silva, Vinícius
name: Strümpher, Werner P.
name: Thyssen, Patricia J.
name: Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Trogidae
Polynoncus
Polynoncus brevicollis

description: Polynoncus brevicollis (Eschscholtz, 1822)
(Figures 15–16)
Trox brevicollis Eschscholtz, 1822: 12 (original description); Solier 1851: 75 (redescription); Lacordaire 1856: 152 (checklist); Harold 1869: 1087 (checklist); Harold 1872: 144, 189 (redescription); Burmeister 1876:260 (comments); Preudhomme de Borre 1886:70 (checklist); Bruch 1911: 193 (checklist); Arrow 1912: 54 (catalogue); Blackwelder 1944: 218 (checklist); Gutiérrez 1947: 311 (catalogue from Chile and Argentina); Vaurie 1962: 119 (redescription)
Trox (Polynoncus) brevicollis: Scholtz 1982: 16 (catalogue)
Polynoncus brevicollis: Scholtz 1986a: 362 (systematics); Scholtz 1990: 1425 (redescription); Diéguez 2008: 14 (redescription); Gómez 2008: 516 (key to Argentinean species); Zidek 2013: 8 (checklist); Ratcliffe et al. 2015: 189 (checklist from Peru); Zidek 2017: 98 (checklist); Smith 2017: 89 (lectotype designated); Costa-Silva and Diéguez 2020: 271 (records from Argentina); Mondaca 2023: 209 (checklist from Chile)
Trox lachrymosus Curtis, 1844: 455 (original description); Harold 1869: 1087 (checklist); Harold 1872: 145, 190 (new synonym); Preudhomme de Borre 1886: 73 (catalogue); Arrow 1912: 54 (as junior synonym of T. brevicollis); Vaurie 1962: 119 (as junior synonym of T. brevicollis); Scholtz 1982: 16 (as junior synonym of T. brevicollis); Scholtz 1990: 1425 (as junior synonym of T. brevicollis); Zidek 2013: 12 (checklist – as synonym); Zidek 2017: 103 (checklist – as synonym); Smith 2017: 89 (lectotype designated); Mondaca 2023: 209 (checklist from Chile – as synonym)
Type specimen examined (through detailed photographs). LECTOTYPE. (ZMUM – Figure 16) First label [light brown, handwritten]: ‘brevicollis [underline] / Esch. / Chili’. Second label [red with black border]: ‘ TROX / BREVICOLLIS / Eschscholtz 1822 [Andrew Smith’s handwriting] / LECTOTYPE / A.B.T. SMITH [typeset]’. Third label [white with black border]: ‘Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2608385 / Polynoncus brevicollis / (Eschscholtz, 1822) / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ’ (Figure 16c). Type locality: ‘Chili’. Probably in Concepción. For details, see Smith (2017).
Type specimen examined of Trox lachrymosus Curtis, 1844 (Figure 17). LECTOTYPE (BMNH). First label [white, aged: Valparaiso / 63.43”. Second label [white, aged]: ‘Valp’. Third label [round with orange frame, typeset]: ‘Type’. Fourth label [white, Patricia Vaurie’s handwriting]: ‘ Trox / brevicollis / Esch. / Vaurie ‘61’. Fifth label [orange, Andrew Smith’s handwriting]: ‘ TROX / LACHRYMOSUS / Curtis 1844 / LECTOTYPE’. Sixth label [white with black frame; Andrew Smith’s handwriting]: ‘ POLYNONCUS / BREVICOLLIS / (ESCHSCHOLTZ) / ♀ / Det. A.B.T.Smith 2011’. Seventh label [white with black frame; printed]: ‘[QR code] / SCARABS OF / SOUTHERN / SOUTH AMERICA / SSSA3000435’. Eighth label [white; printed]: ‘[QR code]’ / NHMUK010364098” (Figure 17c). Type locality: ‘Valp’ [Valparaíso] (Chile), collected by the Australian explorer Philip Parker King (1791– 1856) around 1829 (see Smith 2017).
Differential diagnosis. Polynoncus brevicollis is most similar to P. gibberosus but can be separated from the latter based on the following characteristics: lateral margin of pronotum less flattened than in P. gibberosus; odd- and even-numbered costae tubercles more or less of the same height (in P. gibberosus, the odd-numbered tubercles are distinctly more raised than the even-numbered ones); the intercostal punctures smaller than even-numbered tubercles, which is the same size in P. gibberosus. This species is also similar to P. aeger, but can be easily separated from the latter by the absence of subhumeral ridge and basal tubercles of pronotum fused with the pronotal ridges. The male genitalia of these three species are distinctive. For details of description, see Vaurie (1962, p. 119) and Scholtz (1990, p. 1425).
Geographic distribution. Polynoncus brevicollis is widely distributed in Argentina and Chile (Figure 15). Vaurie (1962) cited this species from ‘Brazil’, without information on the specific locality or where the examined material is housed. In the course of this study, we examined three specimens (2 BMNH and 1 MNHN) labelled ‘Brazil’ (or ‘Brésil’): one specimen collected by John Miers (1789–1879), probably in Rio de Janeiro where he lived between 1831 and 1838 (Anonymous 1879) and one specimen without further information housed in BMNH; and one collected by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré (1789–1854) during his second excursion to South America aboard the frigate L’Herminie between 1831 and 1833 (consult Papavero 1971 to see the Brazilian states visited by this frigate). The specimen collected by Gaudichaud-Beaupré has a label with the number ‘2520’ that refers to the data entry in the museum’s catalogue, showing that the specimen was in fact collected in Valparaíso (Chile), and not in Brazil.
However, even with these old records of P. brevicollis from Brazil, the confirmation of occurrence of this species in the country should be treated with caution until new data arises.
Scholtz (1990) cited P. brevicollis from Colombia (Bogotá), Paraguay (Santa Fé [Santa Fé del Paraná?]) based on specimens housed in RBINS; and Peru (Callao and ‘Payla’), from specimens housed in USNM. The specimens from Paraguay and Peru mentioned by Scholtz (1990) could not be traced. However, we examined two old specimens labelled from ‘Pérou’ without further information housed in MNHN, confirmed as P. brevicollis. Even with this record, we believe that it is a case of mislabelled specimens.
We suspect that ‘Payla’ (mentioned by Scholtz 1990) refers to Payla Menuko, a mapuche community localised in San Martin de los Andes (Argentina), where other specimens of P. brevicollis were already reported. The specimen from Bogotá was also studied by us, confirming the identification made earlier by Scholtz (1990). However, according to our understanding of the geographical distribution of this species and knowledge of the habitat where P. brevicollis is usually found (ie arid zones), it is possible that this specimen was mislabelled. Thus, we agree with Smith (2017) and consider these localities reported by Vaurie (1962) and Scholtz (1990) for P. brevicollis dubious.
Examined non-type material (467 specimens). ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, no date, C. Darwin [Beagle voyage] leg. (2 BMNH); Tigre, October 1956, M. Viana leg. (1 CVMD); without specific locality, date or collector (1 MNHN). Chubut, Epuyén, [N.-W. Patagonia (sic!)], 300–900 m, December 1919, H.E. Box leg. (1♀ BMNH); Trelew, 4 February 2001, Daniel Rojas Lanus leg. (1 CVMD). Córdoba, Río Cuarto, Estación Monte de Los Gauchos, 23 February 1996, Maceda leg. (1 IADIZA). Neuquén, Andalgalá, no date or collector (1 MLPA); Junin de los Andes, 39.950°S, 71.416°W, 12 November 1990, Endrödy-Younga leg. (9 TMSA); Río Collún-Có, 900 m, 19 December 1973, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); Río Limay, no date or collector (2 MLPA); Río Pucará, October 1956, M. Viana leg. (2 CVMD); San Martín de los Andes, 10 November 1977, M. Gentili leg. (6 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 15 February 1980, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 20 September 1962, M. Gentili leg. (3 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 3 October 1964, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 10 March 1980, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 10 December 1992,M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 15 October 1977,M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 15 November 1972, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 15 November 1979, M. Gentili leg. (1 CEMT); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 15 November 1979,M. Gentili leg.(2 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 20 January 1979, M. Gentili leg.(1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 25 November 1979,M. Gentili leg. (1♂ and 2 unsexed IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 25 November 1979,M. Gentili leg. (1♂ CEMT); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 5 October 1980, M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 640 m, 6 February 1978, M. Gentili leg. (2 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, 8 November 1957, no collector (2 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, Arrayan, 950 m, 10 October 1980, M. Gentili leg. (3 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, February 1956, A. Martinez leg. (2 MZSP); San Martín de los Andes, Lago Lágar, 650 m, 7 November 1982, M. Gentili leg. (4 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, Lago Lágar, Trompul, 1000 m, 6 December 1983,M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, Lago Lágar, xii.1960,A. Martinez leg.(8 MZSP); San Martín de los Andes, Lanín National Park, January 1951, S. Schajovskoy leg. (1 MLPA); San Martín de los Andes, Lanín National Park, February 1951, S. Schajovskoy leg. (1 MLPA); San Martín de los Andes, Lanín National Park, November 1951, S. Schajovskoy leg. (4 MLPA); San Martín de los Andes, Lanín National Park, December 1951, S. Schajovskoy leg. (3 MLPA); San Martín de los Andes, Quilquihué, 750 m, 2 October 1986, M. Gentili leg. (2 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, Traful, 690 m, 18 November 1966,M. Gentili leg. (1 IADIZA); San Martín de los Andes, December 1958, A. Martinez leg. (57 MZSP); San Martín de los Andes, December 1964, A. Martinez leg. (7 MZSP); without specific locality, 1907, Dr Adolf Lendl leg. (1♂ MNHN). Rio Negro, Bariloche, no date, H. Richter leg. (5 MLPA); El Bolsón, 1 February 1959, A. Kovacs leg.(3 BMNH); El Bolsón, 12 October 1958,A. Kovacs leg. (14 BMNH); El Bolsón, 15 January 1959, A. Kovacs leg. (1 BMNH); El Bolsón, 15 October 1958, A. Kovacs leg. (4 BMNH); El Bolsón, 18 December 1958,A. Kovacs leg. (3 BMNH); El Bolsón, 2 January 1960,A. Kovacs leg. (2 BMNH); El Bolsón, 20 September 1958, A. Kovacs leg. (2♂ and 10 unsexed BMNH); El Bolsón, 20 October 1958,A. Kovacs leg.(3 BMNH); El Bolsón, 20 December 1958, A. Kovacs leg.(1 BMNH); El Bolsón, 22 January 1959, A. Kovacs leg. (1♂ BMNH); El Bolsón, 22 November 1958, A. Kovacs leg. (12 BMNH); El Bolsón, 30 November 1961, A. Kovacs leg. (1 BMNH); El Bolsón, 5 December 1958,A. Kovacs leg. (1 BMNH); Lago Mascardi, 840 m, 23–31 January 2000, V.M. Diéguez leg. (1 CVMD); Rio Colorado, December 1930, no collector (1 DZUP); without specific locality,1822,H. Cuming leg. (1 BMNH); without specific locality, 1900, C. Bruch leg. (1 MACN); without specific locality, date or collector (1 MACN); without specific locality, date or collector (2 MLPA). Salta, General José de San Martin, Profesor Salvador Mazza [also called ‘Pocitos’], November 1959,A. Martinez leg. (1 MZSP). San Luis, Desaguadero, December 2006, Cesar Fortino leg. (1♂ CVMD). Tucumán, Concepcion, 6 December 1959, no collector (1 MZSP); Lules, December 1957, A. Martinez leg. (2 MZSP). BRAZIL [dubious locality]: without specific locality, date or collector (1 BMNH); without specific locality or date, J. Miers leg. (1 BMNH). CHILE: Araucanía (IX Region), Cautín, 11 December 1993, S. Castro leg. (1 CVMD); Cautín, Pucón, 12 January 1954, January Espinoza leg. (1 CVMD); Cautín, Pucón, 25 January 1954, January Espinoza leg. (1 CVMD); Cautín, Pucón, Lago Caburga, 345 m, 20 February 1999, Franscisco Ramirez leg. (1 CVMD); Cautín, Temuco, 24 October 1985, S. Escobar leg. (2 MNNC); Cautín, Temuco, 28 October 1985, S. Escobar leg. (2 MNNC); Cautín, Temuco, 7 August 1985, S. Escobar leg. (2 MNNC); Cunco, Colico Lake, January 1955, no collector (1 MNNC); Curacautin, Cuesta Las Raíces, December 1999, Alfredo Ugarte leg. (1 CVMD); Malleco, Angol, 10 November 1944, no collector (1 MNNC); Malleco, Angol, 1951, P. Pereira leg. (1 MZSP); Malleco, Angol, 6 August 1949, Perelli leg. (1 MNNC); Malleco, Liucura, 14 January 1995, C. Yañez leg. (1 CVMD); Malleco, Lonquimay, January 1992, G. Castillo leg. (2 CVMD); Malleco, Lonquimay, February 1994, S. Castro leg. (1 CVMD); Malleco, Marimenuco, November 1965, no collector (1 CVMD); Malleco, Nahuelbuta National Park, 13 February 2001, B. Guinéz leg. (1 CVMD); Malleco, Paso Pino Hachado, 7 February 2000, SAG leg. (1 CVMD); Malleco, Termas de Pemehue, January 1946, R. Gutiérrez leg.(2 MNHN); Malleco, Tolhuaca Nationak Park, 17 February 1997, José Mondaca leg. (2 CVMD); Malleco, Tolhuaca National Park, 19 February 1997, José Mondaca leg. (1 CVMD). Bío-Bío (VIII Region), Alto Cayucupil, 25–31 January 1997,V.M. Diéguez leg.(6 CVMD); Arauco, Isla Mocha National Reserve,1947, no collector (1 BMNH); Bío-Bío, Laja, January 1977,J. Barriga leg. (1 CVMD); Chillan, Pre-Cordillera, January 1972, no collector (1 CVMD); Chillan, Valle Las Trancas, December 1995, no collector (1 CVMD); Chillan, Valle Las Trancas, December 1997, Pedro Ramizes F. leg. (1 CVMD); Concepcion, 25 November 1954, no collector (1 MNNC); Concepcion, no date or collector (1 MNNC); Concepcion, Talcahuano, 1841, J.B. Hombron leg. (1 MNHN); Mulchén, Termas de Pemehue, September–December 1896,no collector (1 MNNC); Ñuble, Chillan, Piedras Comadres, 10 January 1992, Manuel Galvez leg. (1♂ CVMD); Ñuble, Chillan, Piedras Comadres, February 1998, S. Roitman leg. (1♂ CVMD); Ñuble, Cobquecura, 24 October 1987, Alexis López leg.(7 CVMD); Ñuble, Cobquecura, 6 February 1992, Pedro Ramizes F. leg. (1 CVMD); Ñuble, Cobquecura, 8 January 1962, P. Ramirez leg. (1 CVMD); Ñuble, Los Lleuques, 12 January 1994, S. Castro leg. (1 CVMD); without specific locality, 27 January 1992,S. Castro leg.(1 CVMD). Coquimbo (IV Region), Choapa, Illapel, 27 February 1952, no collector (1 MNNC); Limarí, El Palquí, 15 October 1960, Larraín leg. (1 CVMD); Los Vilos, 16 September 1983, G. Carrasco leg. (5 MNNC); Los Vilos, 31.883°S, 71.483°W, 3 October 1990, pitfall trap with meat as bait, Endrödy-Younga leg. (1 TMSA); Los Vilos, Bosque Queredo, 26 September 1983, G. Carrasco leg.(1 CVMD); Los Vilos, Isla Varde, 22 March 2002, Douglas Jackson leg.(1 CVMD). Los Lagos (X Region), Isla de Chiloe Teroa, 42.733°S, 73.700°W, 25 October 1990,at light, Endrödy-Younga leg. (1 TMSA); Llanquihue, 3 December 1942, Barros leg. (6 MNNC); Maullín, 19 January 1942, no collector (1 MNNC); Río Peulla, February 1902, no collector (2 MNNC). Los Rios (XIV Region), Llifén, 14 February 1948, no collector (5 MNNC); Panquipulli, January 1941, no collector (5 MNNC); Paso Carirriñe, 1–7 February 1999, V.M. Diéguez leg. (1 CVMD); Puente Puñir, 26 February 1948, no collector (1 MNNC); Riñihue, January 1948, no collector (2 MNNC); Riñihue, December 1947, no collector (1 MNNC); Termas Chihuio, December 1947, no collector (1 MNNC); Valdivia, 10 September 1986, Franscisco Ramirez leg. (1♂ and 8 unsexed CVMD); Valdivia, 11 December 2001, M. Galvéz leg. (1♂ CVMD); Valdivia, 17 October 1994, no collector (1♂ and 1♀ CEMT); Valdivia, 2 October 1986, E. Krahmer leg. (1 CVMD); Valdivia, 27 November 1984, Marcos Beeche leg.(1 CVMD); Valdivia, 27 November 1984, Marcos Beeche leg. (2 CVMD); Valdivia, 28 September 1986,A. Ugarte leg.(1♀ CVMD); Valdivia, 3 September 1986,E. Krahmer leg.(1 CVMD); Valdivia, Amargos, 11 February 1982,no collector (1 MNNC); Valdivia, September 1986, E. Krahmer leg. (1 MUSM); Valdivia, September 1986, E. Krahmer leg. (3 CVMD); Valdivia, September 1996, A. Ugarte leg. (1 JZPC); Valdivia, no date or collector (1 MNHN); Valdivia, no date or collector (1 MNNC); Valdivia, no date or collector (1 MNNC); Valdivia, no date or collector (1♂ and 2 unsexed BMNH); Valdivia, Santo Domingo, September 1997, A. Ugarte leg.(1 JZPC); Valdivia, December 1964,S. Castro leg.(2 CVMD). Maule (VII Region), Cauquenes, no date or collector (2 MNNC); Constituicion, January 1995, T. Witterheim leg.(1 CVMD); Curicó, Los Niches, 15 January 1992, J.E. Barriga leg. (1 CJEB); Curicó, Los Niches, August–September 2004, J.E. Barriga leg. (1 CJEB); Curicó, October 1956, Dirings leg. (2 MZSP); Licanten, 15 December 1993, L. Peralta leg. (1 CVMD); Talca, Armerillo, February 1955, no collector (2 CVMD); Talca, Cordillera, 1 November 1971, G. Zuffi leg. (1 CVMD); Talca, Cordillera, 10 December 1971, G. Zuffi leg. (1 CVMD). O’Higgins (VI Region), Doñihue, 10 December 1967, no collector (1 CVMD); Machalí, Río Cipreces National Reserve, 19 November 1995, V. M. Diéguez leg. (2 CVMD); Peumo, December 1952, E.O.B leg. (1 CVMD); Portezuelo, 2 November 2004, Manuel Galvez leg. (1 CVMD). Santiago (Metropolitan region), Santiago, El Canelo, November 1949, no collector (3 MNNC); Santiago, El Manzano, December 1995, no collector (1 CVMD); Santiago, El Monte, 15 May 1997, V. Beeche leg. (1 CVMD); Santiago, La Cisterna, August 1950, no collector (2 MNNC); Santiago, Bellavista de la Florida, 7 November 1952, no collector (1 MNNC); Santiago, Las Condes, Cerro Manquehue, November 1948, no collector (1 MNNC); Santiago, Maipú, Oscuro, 18–28 September 1947, L.E. Peña leg. (1 CVMD); Santiago, no date or collector (1 BMNH); Santiago,no date, P. Germain leg. (3 BMNH); Santiago, Pudahuel, Mina Lo Aguirre, 13 August 1989, Alexis López leg. (1 CVMD); Santiago, Pudahuel, Mina Lo Aguirre, 26 December 1988, Alexis López leg. (12 CVMD); Santiago, Pudahuel, Mina Lo Aguirre, 26 December 1988, Alexis López leg. (1 MUSM); Santiago, Renca, August 1948, no collector (1 MNNC); Talagante, August 1948, no collector (1 MNNC). Valparaíso (V Region), Algarrobo, 21 July 1951, Kuschel leg. (1 MNNC); El Quisco, 16 August 1946, no collector (1 MNNC); Quillota, 15 July 1994, no collector (1 MNNC); San Antonio, Águas Buenas, 23 May 1999,V.M. Diéguez leg. (1 CVMD); San Antonio, Llolleo, January 1962, P. Ramirez leg. (2 CVMD); San Antonio, Llolleo, July 1960,P. Ramirez leg. (2 CVMD); Viña del Mar, Recreo, 30 August 1962, Solervicens leg. (1 MNNC); without specific locality or date, E. von Bibra leg. (1 MNHN); without specific locality, February–March 1830, d’Orbigny leg. (1 MNHN); without specific locality, 1833, C. Gaudichaud-Beaupré [Exp. L’Herminie]leg. (1 MNHN). Without specific locality, 1 May 1903, C. Bruch leg. (1 MACN); without specific locality or date, E.C. Reed leg. (1 BMNH); without specific locality or date, H. Jekel leg. (1 MNHN); without specific locality, 1833, C. Gaudichaud-Beaupré [Exp. L’Herminie] leg. (2 MNHN); without specific locality, 1833, C. Gay leg. (3 MNHN); without specific locality,1834, M. Fontaine leg.(2 MNHN); without specific locality,1836,C. Gay leg. (1 MNHN); without specific locality, 1837, C. Gaudichaud-Beaupré [Exp. La Bonite] leg. (1 MNHN); without specific locality, 1843, C. Gay leg. (2 MNHN); without specific locality, 1849, C. Gay leg. (3 MNHN); without specific locality, 1906, no collector (2 MNHN); without specific locality,1906,R.M. Maddleton leg.(2 BMNH); without specific locality, date or collector (2♂ and 12 unsexed BMNH); without specific locality, date or collector (1 MNHN); without specific locality, date or collector (24 MNHN). PERU: Lima, without specific locality, date or collector (2 MNHN).
description: Published as part of Costa-Silva, Vinícius, Strümpher, Werner P., Thyssen, Patricia J. & Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z., 2024, Taxonomic revision of the South American genus Polynoncus Burmeister, 1876 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Trogidae), pp. 14-166 in Journal of Natural History 58 (1 - 4) on pages 50-53, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2023.2260060, http://zenodo.org/record/10830771