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Distinguishing the Sundaland Species in the Onthophagus (Parascatonomus) Aurifex Group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

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Distinguishing the Sundaland Species in the Onthophagus (Parascatonomus) Aurifex Group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) Distinguishing the Sundaland species in the Onthophagus (Parascatonomus) aurifex group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) J. Krikken & J. Huijbregts The taxonomic position and diversity of the aurifex species group in the scarab genus Onthophagus Latreille, 1802, subgenus Parascatonomus Paulian, 1932, is discussed. The O. aurifex group is rediagnosed, and a key to the six known Sundaland representatives of the group is given. Two new species from North Sumatra are described and illustrated: O. semifex and O. sumawacus. A lectotype is designated for O. semiaureus Lansberge, 1883, the type locality here being restricted to West Java. Attention is drawn to the variation in this species and in O. aurifex Harold, 1877. Records are given for members of the aurifex group; several published records need confirmation. The species are associated with dung and carrion. J. Krikken & J. Huijbregts,National Museum of Natural History Naturalis, Postbus 9517, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands. [email protected] Introduction usually man-made, monsoonal or soil-determined) In dung and carrion beetle collections from South- habitats. Consequently, full multi-island taxonomic east Asia, submitted for identification over the past overlap among these forest scarabs, is uncommon, three decades by ecological colleagues, we recognized and this seems to be the case here as well: the two several undescribed species of the near-cosmopolitan new North Sumatran forest species appear to have scarab genus Onthophagus Latreille, 1802, one of the very similar but taxonomically different relatives largest genera in the animal kingdom. In this paper on Borneo and elsewhere. In the aurifex group we two new species from North Sumatra (Aceh) are seem to be dealing with complex sets of geographic described, both related to O. aurifex Harold, 1877. and ecological vicariants, and it may well be that Boucomont (1914), in his classic review, made this unresolved character differences (for instance, vari- species the “type” of his group 6, the aurifex group, ation in pilosity and parameral structure) represent including three more species (all mentioned below). more than intraspecific variability. Published critical The Gunung Leuser National Park, where the new records and available collection series for the group, Onthophagus were found in 1972 and 1983, is an however, are limited; hence our inevitable question extensive area of lowland to subalpine ecosystems. marks behind the published regional records below At the time of the collecting activities the Park was (see the species list), indicating points of interest for covered with much pristine forest, home to our nov- future revisers. elties as well as conservation icons like orang-utan, The variation of the group member O. semiaureus elephant, rhino, tapir, and tiger – some now perhaps Lansberge, 1883 is another case in point, and it may locally (nearly) extinct. not be by chance that this multi-island, more variable Onthophagus are no different from many other species occurs mainly in secondary habitats. The Lei- groups of Southeast Asian animals and plants in that den museum has syntypical material of semiaureus, species occurring in primeval forest are, as a rule, less and since this paper is a contribution to disentan- widespread than are their close relatives in open (i.e., gling species identities in the aurifex group, the Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 151: 173–185, Figs. 1– 38. [ISSN 0040–7496]. http://www.nev.nl/tve © 2008 Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging. Published 1 December 2008. Downloaded from Brill.com09/25/2021 11:43:50PM via free access 174 Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, volume 151, 2008 designation of a lectotype for this variable species is plane of the picture (like the head). appropriate. The qualification abundant for microsculptural units (like punctures) usually means: separated by Characteristic for the members of the Onthophagus 2-5 diameters, dense: 1-2 diameters, crowded: less aurifex group of species, as here understood, are than 1 diameter; sparse: means separated by at least the presence of a broad, short tooth on the middle 5 diameters, or limited to certain parts only. The of the clypeal margin, the lack of distinct protru- type of punctation is qualified only if it is decid- sions (like horns and ridges) on the head surface, edly different from a simple punctation. The prefix the punctate (non-granulate) pronotal disc, and the micro- usually refers to sculpture and pilosity distinct strongly angulate pronotal base (for full group diag- at magnifications x40 and higher. The term propec- nosis, see below). Note that in the present definition, tus denotes the underside of the prothorax. for purely operational reasons, we have excluded The morphology of the male genitalia is of foremost O. denticollis Lansberge, 1883, and any of its immedi- importance in species recognition; casual identifiers ate relatives, which lack the tooth on the clypeal mar- should not have the illusion to be able to recognize gin and are smaller. The species of the aurifex group species without critically looking at the aedeagi of have been placed in the subgenus Parascatonomus the males they handle. In particular, in the aurifex Paulian, 1932, for instance by Kon et al. (2000), group, note the more strongly sclerotized distal piece thus deviating from the limited subgeneric concept on each paramere, here termed paramerite; its shape of Balthasar (1963). Meanwhile, many more species and orientation are important characters. Note that were transferred to, or described as new in, various strict viewing angles apply (pointed parts may not other species groups allocated to Parascatonomus. appear as such when viewed from a different angle). Certain authors have gone further by raising Parasca- Ad hoc terminology is explained in the figures. tonomus to full genus (lately, Kabakov 2006, see also Always beware of deceptive intraspecific differences his earlier papers, like Kabakov 1992), but we can- between major males, minor males, and females – use not accept such a far-reaching action without sup- series including fresh major males whenever possible. port from a broad-scale approach to the supraspecific Males have foreshortened abdominal sternites. We classification of the hyperdiverse Onthophagini, with suspect polymorphism in the distribution and nature phylogenetic underpinning. Nevertheless, until this of the pilosity over the body. Also note that older, has happened, the Onthophagus aurifex group can, in worn specimens may have lost (part of) their pilosity. our view, safely be accommodated in an operation- The new material recorded in this paper, currently ally defined subgenus Parascatonomus (our definition kept in the National Museum of Natural History, is implicit in the group diagnosis below). Leiden, The Netherlands (RMNH), was collected by baited pitfall trapping (some aurifex group mem- Technical remarks bers, like other Parascatonomus, have a preference The primary purpose of this paper (part of an ongo- for carrion, but see ecological notes under species ing series on the taxonomy of laparostict scarabs of accounts and in Annex 1). In this paper we distin- the Southeast Asian islands) is the straightforward guish two altitudinal qualifications, lowland and description and diagnosis of the new taxa, and a upland, roughly under and above 1000 m (subalpine comparison with their closest relatives by means of altitudes, above 2000 m, were rarely sampled). an identification key and comparative pictures. Our comments on information from other sources The Sundaland region is here defined as the Malay are placed between square brackets (for instance in Peninsula + Sumatra + Java + Borneo + Bali + nearby the species list in the next section). Characters in the and intervening islands. following group diagnosis are arranged in their esti- Pictures are considered more useful than abstract mated order of taxonomic importance. descriptive text, and consequently, in addition to habitus pictures, at least six elements are depicted for each new species and its closest relative: head (full- The Onthophagus (Parascatonomus) face), pronotum and left elytron (dorsal), protibia aurifex group in Sundaland (upperside), metatibia (underside), and aedeagus Group diagnosis. Clypeus (in both sexes) with sin- (here mainly in lateral view). The photographs are gle anteromedian, reflexed, usually well-delimited not all to the same scale; refer to the species accounts broad tooth (its tip rounded or obtusely angu- for measurements of material pictured. The pilosity, lar), not standing in deep, abruptly delimited as depicted on the legs, is not diagnostic. The term emargination, clypeal edge widely, evenly rounded full-face view is applied where the upper surface of to lateral (subangular) tips of genae. Surface of head the element concerned is maximally parallel to the of male lacking higher protrusions, (at most) with Downloaded from Brill.com09/25/2021 11:43:50PM via free access Krikken & Huijbregts: Onthophagus aurifex 175 obsolescent clypeofrontal and/or vertexal transverse Key ridge. Pronotal disc and anterior declivity simply 1. Dorsum entirely black, generally matt (pro- punctate (not granulate, rugulate, or asperate). Ely- notal disc and elytra microreticulate), on av- tral interstriae unmodified, simply punctate (pilos- erage larger species. Elytra virtually glabrous. ity in punctation varies, but never with long erect Interstrial punctures fine (distinctness of setae). Metasternum raised in front, prow-shaped,
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