Cionus catenatus group

Rostrum with dense long setae in its apical third. Pronotum with four protuberances. Elytra with quadrate dark macula and rectangular pale macula posterior to scutellum, odd interstriae carinate or with protuberances, more or less sinuate.

Cionus catenatus Fairmaire, C. callosus sp. n., C. coriaceus Fairmaire, C. verrucosus sp. n., C. variolosus sp. n.

Relationships among the groups and between the species from continental Africa and Madagascar. The species from Madagascar, grouped into the last three groups, seem to be distinctly separated morphologically from all continental African species. Due to the presence of four protuberances on the pronotum, the C. catenatus group might be related to the C. ingratus group and C. congoanus group. From both groups it differs by the distinctly asymmetrical claws also in female. Some species of the C. compactus group have similarities in the habitus with species of the C. catenatus group, but distinctly differ from them by the symmetrical claws in both sexes. They also differ from all other species of Cionus by the extraordinarily long body of the penis. The penis is somewhat elongated also in the C. alluaudi group, but this group differs from the C. compactus group by asymmetrical claws in both sexes like in the C. catenatus group. Moreover, the elongated shape of elytra in C. alluaudi strongly differs this species from all other Madagascan species.

Key to the species

1. Species from African continent south of the Saharan desert.................................................... 2

- Species from Madagascar .............................................................................. 41

2. Pronotum without protuberances......................................................................... 3

- Pronotum with two or four protuberances.................................................................. 9

3. Elytra with small spot of black scales at basal third of interstria 1, stria 2 sinuate around the spot (Fig. 2a)..................................................................................................2. C. coniungens sp. n.

- Elytra otherwise...................................................................................... 4

4. Elytra with erect to suberect dark brown to blackish scales on odd interstriae interrupted by very striking, almost isodiametric patches formed by erect white scales (Figs 5a–b)............................................. 5. C. perlatus Faust

- Elytra with different pattern............................................................................. 5

5. Rostrum relatively thin, longer than pronotum (Figs 11b–c). Pronotum paramedially with two small spots of black scales (Fig. 11a)............................................................................... 11. C. mimeticus sp. n.

- Rostrum stout, shorter than pronotum..................................................................... 6

6. Pronotum paramedially with four to six small spots of black scales (Fig. 7a). Rostrum shorter (Figs 7b–c)................................................................................................... 7. C. tristis Boheman

- Pronotum paramedially without spots of black scales. Rostrum longer........................................... 7

7. Pronotum narrow, distinctly conical, with rectilinear sides..................................................... 8

- Pronotum wider, with moderately rounded sides (Fig. 4a)........................................ 4. C. frater sp. n.

8. Elytra elongated, subrectangular (Fig. 3a), with all interstriae slightly convex................... 3. C. pericarti Hoffmann

- Elytra short, oval (Fig. 6a), with odd interstriae slightly more convex than even interstriae......... 6. C. vicarius Hustache

9. Pronotum with two protuberances....................................................................... 10

- Pronotum with four protuberances....................................................................... 29

10. Pronotum with two to six small spots of black scales........................................................ 11

- Pronotum without spots of black scales................................................................... 13

11. Elytra short (Figs 20a – 21a)............................................................................ 12

- Elytra more elongated (Fig. 19a)........................................................19. C. pardus Marshall

12. Pronotum strongly transverse, with four to six small spots of dark scales (Fig. 21a)........... 21. C. notatus Rosenschoeld

- Pronotum moderately transverse, paramedially with two small spots of dark scales (Fig. 20a)......... 20. C. oculatus sp. n.

13. Elytral pattern composed of irregular triangular dark area from base to midlength of interstria 1 ending in rounded dark spot (Fig. 35a)........................................................................ 35. C. geometricus sp. n.

- Elytra with different pattern............................................................................ 14

14. Elytra mainly with unicolorous white to brownish scales, without spots or with few small black spots................. 15

- Elytra with numerous white and black spots or vittae........................................................ 23

15. Head between eyes very narrow (less than 0.3× rostrum width at base).......................................... 16

- Head between eyes wider (more than 0.4× rostrum width at base).............................................. 19

16. Rostrum shorter and stouter especially in female (Figs 8b–c).............................. 8. C. albidus Rosenschoeld

- Rostrum longer and thinner especially in female (Figs 9b–c, 10b–c, 14b–c)....................................... 7

17. Pronotum markedly transverse, with rounded sides. Elytra globose (Fig. 14a). Meso- and metafemora in male with fringe of setae..............................................................................14. C. fimbriatus sp. n.

- Pronotum narrow, conical. Elytra moderately elongated. Meso- and metafemora in male without fringe of setae......... 18

18. Rostrum longer, in lateral view gradually tapered from base to apex (Figs 9b–c). Lateral protuberances on pronotum more distinct. Elytra slightly longer, with rectilinear sides (Fig. 9a). Mesosternal process more convex and more emarginated......................................................................................... 9. C. schuelei sp. n.

- Rostrum shorter, in lateral view of same width from base to apex (Figs 10b–c). Lateral protuberances on pronotum less distinct. Elytra shorter, with curvilinear sides (Fig. 10a). Mesosternal process less convex and less emarginated.................................................................................................. 10. C transvaalicus sp. n.

19. Rostrum in male very stout and short, in lateral view at base gibbous (Fig. 15b)......................15. C diaboli sp. n.

- Rostrum in male less stout, longer, in lateral view at base without hump (Figs 12b, 13b, 16b, 18b).................... 20

20. Scales on elytra partly slightly raised (Figs 18a–b). Rostrum in female very long, in lateral view slightly concave at its base along upper outline (Fig. 18b). Size smaller (length 2.9 mm)................................ 18. C. tenuepilosus sp. n.

- All scales on elytra recumbent. Rostrum in female shorter, in lateral view continuously convex along upper outline. Size larger (length 3.6–4.5 mm).................................................................................. 21

21. Scales of dorsal vestiture longer, uniform in color, without paler scales on sides and without dark spots on elytra (Fig. 13a).................................................................................... 13. C. cretaceus sp. n.

- Scales of dorsal vestiture shorter, with paler scales on sides and with dark spots on elytra (Figs 12a, 16a)............... 22

22. Pronotum less transverse (Fig. 12a). Femora slender, with smaller teeth....................... 12. C. intermedius sp. n.

- Pronotum more transverse (Fig. 16a). Femora globose, with larger teeth................... 16. C. meticulosus (Sparrman)

23. Head between eyes very narrow, 0.2× as wide as rostrum at base............................................... 24

- Head between eyes less narrow, 0.4× as wide as rostrum at base............................................... 25

24. Elytra shorter, oval, distinctly globose (Figs 24a–b). Femora slender........................ 24. C. histrio Rosenschoeld

- Elytra longer, subrectangular, less globose on disc (Figs 25a–b). Femora stouter............... 25. C. latruncularius sp. n.

25. Elytra with rounded and less prominent humeri and more rounded sides (Fig. 17a) Pronotum transverse, with rounded sides and smaller, less conspicuous tubercles.............................................. 17. C. angulicollis Rosenschoeld

- Elytra with distinctly prominent humeri and subparallel sides. Pronotum less transverse, conical, with conspicuous tubercles. .................................................................................................. 26

26. Elytra with subparallel sides. Pronotum distinctly conical. Elytra without vittae formed by whitish scales on even interstriae. .................................................................................................. 27

- Elytra with slightly convergent sides from base. Pronotum subconical. Elytra usually with vittae formed by white scales on even interstriae (Fig. 23a)........................................................... 23. C. nubilosus Rosenschoeld

27. Rostrum longer, more arcuate (Figs 26b–c). Scales paler on sides of pronotum and elytra (Fig. 26a).....26. C. limosus sp. n.

- Rostrum shorter, less arcuate (Figs 22b–c, 27b–c). Scales of same color on disc and sides of pronotum and elytra (Figs 22a, 27a)............................................................................................... 28

28. Rostrum longer, less robust (Figs 22b–c). Claws asymmetrical in male....................... 22. C. pustulatus Fåhraeus

- Rostrum shorter, more robust (Figs 27b–c). Claws almost symmetrical in male..................... 27. C. terrosus sp. n.

29. Odd elytral interstriae with protuberances bearing tufts of scales; striae distinctly sinuate (Figs 1a–b). Tibiae with unci in male. Claws symmetrical also in male...................................................... 1. C. congoanus Hustache

- Odd elytral interstriae without protuberances; striae rectilinear. Tibiae without unci in both sexes. Claws asymmetrical in male.............................................................................................. 30

30. Elytral interstria 1 in apical half with two alternating rectangular spots of black and yellow to white scales. Rostrum on sides with small clusters of white scales broader than others (Figs 37b–c)............................................ 31

- Vestiture of elytral interstria 1 otherwise. Rostrum on sides without small clusters of broad white scales................ 35

31. Scales of dorsal vestiture yellowish to brown and black. Odd elytral interstriae rugulose, flat with slightly convex short section, almost straight except interstria 3 sinuate and more convex at base. Vestiture of metasternum sparser.................. 32

- Scales of dorsal vestiture whitish and black (Fig. 36a). All elytral interstriae including lateral ones flat or regularly feebly convex. Vestiture of metasternum denser............................................... 36. C. zimbabwicus sp. n.

32. Elytra short, subquadrate (Figs 38a, 39a, 40a).............................................................. 33

- Elytra more elongated, rectangular (Fig. 37a)..................................................37. C. stalsi sp. n.

33. Elytral interstriae slightly convex. Rostrum in male shorter, in lateral view distinctly tapered (Fig. 40b).................................................................................................. 40. C. oberprieleri sp. n.

- Elytral interstriae flat. Rostrum in male longer, in lateral view of same width from base to apex (Figs 38b, 39b).......... 34

34. Elytra with sparse suberect whitish scales, which are slightly larger than others. Rostrum in male in lateral view straight (Fig. 39b)............................................................................. 39. C. nhlosanicus sp. n.

- Elytra without suberect whitish scales, which are slightly larger than others. Rostrum in male in lateral view curved (Fig. 38b)..................................................................................38. C. natalensis sp. n.

35. Elytra with numerous suberect white scales, which are slightly larger than others.................................. 36

- Elytra without suberect white scales..................................................................... 38

36. Rostrum shorter and stouter (Figs 33b–c). Elytra subquadrate (Fig. 33a)....................... 33. C. ingratus Fåhraeus

- Rostrum longer and thinner (Figs 30b–c, 34b–c). Elytra moderately longer than wide (Fig. 30a, 34a).................. 37

37. Rostrum in lateral view weakly curved (Figs 30b–c). Size usually larger (length 2.9–3.4 mm)......... 30. C. hirtellus sp. n.

- Rostrum in lateral view strongly curved at antennal insertion (Figs 34b–c). Size usually smaller (length 2.5–3.0 mm)......................................................................................... 34. C. friedmani sp. n.

38. Rostrum in lateral view concave at base along upper margin, especially in female................................. 39

- Rostrum in lateral view continuously convex along upper margin from base...................................... 40

39. Rostrum shorter, slightly stouter, in lateral view moderately curved (Figs 32b–c). Elytra subquadrate, with more prominent humeri (Fig. 32a). Size larger (length 3.8–4.3 mm)......................................... 32. C. longinasus sp. n.

- Rostrum distinctly longer, thinner and in lateral view distinctly curved (Figs 32b–c). Elytra suboval, with less prominent humeri (Fig. 31a). Size smaller (length 2.6–3.1 mm)........................................... 31. C. concavirostris sp. n.

40. Elytra short, subquadrate. Pronotum distinctly transverse (Fig. 28a)........................... 28. C. usambicus Faust

- Elytra longer, subrectangular. Pronotum narrow, slightly wider than long (Fig. 29a)............... 29. C. tanzanicus sp. n.

41. Pronotum with four protuberances, two closer to midline sometimes almost indistinct. Elytral interstria 1 with spot formed by yellowish scales, interstriae 3 and 5 sinuate, partly distinctly carinate........................................... 42

- Pronotum without protuberances. Elytra otherwise.......................................................... 46

42. Interstriae in apical 2/3 moderately sinuate. Punctures in striae mostly equal in depth and width. Medial protuberances on pronotum shallow.................................................................................... 43

- Interstriae markedly sinuate. Punctures in striae distinctly unequal in depth and width. Medial protuberances on pronotum distinct............................................................................................ 44

43. Odd interstriae of elytra distinctly carinate, with tubercles. In female rostrum longer (Fig. 49b) and claws distinctly asymmetrical..................................................................... 49. C. catenatus Fairmaire

- Odd interstriae of elytra only with tubercles. In female rostrum shorter (Fig. 48b) and claws symmetrical.................................................................................................... 48. C. callosus sp. n.

44. Elytra slightly longer than wide (Fig. 52a)................................................ 52. C. variolosus sp. n.

- Elytra slightly wider than long.......................................................................... 45

45. Head between eyes 0.7× as wide as rostrum at base. Rostrum distinctly shorter and stouter in male (Fig. 50b)............................................................................................ 50. C. coriaceus Fairmaire

- Head between eyes 0.5× as wide as rostrum at base. Rostrum longer and thinner in male (Fig. 51b)...................................................................................................... 51. C. verrucosus sp. n.

46. Elytra distinctly globose, as long as wide................................................................. 47

- Elytra subrectangular, longer than wide................................................................... 51

47. Dorsal integument almost completely lacking scales, strikingly shining........................ 47. C. ebeninus Hustache

- Dorsal integument completely covered with scales.......................................................... 48

48. Elytral interstriae flat, wider than striae (Fig. 45a)............................................ 45. C. planus sp. n.

- Elytral interstriae moderately convex, as wide as or narrower than striae......................................... 49

49. Elytra on odd interstriae with bulges....................................................... 46. C. guttula sp. n.

- Elytra on interstriae without bulges...................................................................... 50

50. Pronotum and elytra with distinct suberect short seta-like scales (Figs 43a–b)................. 43. C. compactus Fairmaire

- Pronotum and elytra without suberect seta-like scales (Figs 44a–b).........................44. C. convexiusculus sp. n.

51. Elytra slightly longer than wide. Pronotum subconical, with rectilinear sides (Fig. 42a)........ 42. C. leucostictus Hustache

- Elytra distinctly elongated. Pronotum with rounded sides (Fig. 41a).......................... 41. C. alluaudi Fairmaire