Bothynus villiersi, Endrodi, 1968

Duarte, Paulo R. M., Grossi, Paschoal C. & Dupuis, Fabien, 2022, A taxonomic revision of the Bothynus villiersi Endrödi, 1968 species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), Zootaxa 5093 (1), pp. 49-66 : 51-52

Bothynus villiersi species group

( Figs. 1A–D; 2A–D; 3A–E; 4A–D; 5A–D; 6A–J; 7A–D; 8A–F; 9)

Composition. The Bothynus villiersi species group includes five species: Bothynus villiersi Endrödi, 1968 ; Bothynus horridus Endrödi, 1968 ; Bothynus alvarengai Martínez, 1983 ; Bothynus spinophallicus (Ratcliffe & Cave, 2021) ; and Bothynus belemensis Duarte, Grossi, & Dupuis , new species.

Diagnosis. The Bothynus villiersi species group has an exclusive set of characters within the genus: clypeus obliquely inclined downward in lateral view ( Fig. 1A); frontoclypeal suture complete bearing a transverse ridge reaching the lateral margins of head ( Fig. 1B); maxillary palpomere 1 short (three times shorter than palpomere 2) ( Fig. 1C); labium with a conical process on disc in lateral view ( Fig. 1D); parameres asymmetrical, provided of 1–2 process on inner lateral margins ( Fig. 6B, D, F, H, J).

Description. The B. villiersi species group is characterized by oval-shaped species in dorsal view, convex dorsally in lateral view, ranging from reddish brown to dark reddish coloration. Head: Clypeus triangular, obliquely inclined downward in lateral view ( Fig. 1A), with 2 raised tapered teeth on anterior margin; surface mostly transversely rugose, glabrous. Frontoclypeal suture with a raised, transverse, complete ridge that reaches the lateral margins of head ( Fig. 1B). Frons glabrous, transversely rugose or rugopunctate except by a posterior smooth area. Ocular canthus subtriangular, transverse, with scarce setae scattered along of anterior margin. Mouthparts: Mandibles with 3 marginal teeth exposed laterally to clypeus; apical and medial teeth mostly triangular, basal tooth lobed. Maxillary galea shorter than lacinia, usually devoid of teeth, rarely provided with a small tooth on apex. Maxillary palpomere 1 short, about 2 times shorter than subsequent palpomere, hidden under lateral stipe ( Fig. 1C); palpomere 4 clavate. Labium subtriangular, with a conical process on disc visible in lateral view ( Fig. 1D), surrounded by scarce setae. Antennae: Comprised of 10 antennomeres; club oval, subequal in length to antennomeres 2–7 combined; lamellae 8–10 decreasing in size. Pronotum: Bearing a tubercle raised at middle of anterior margin; anterior middle area concave; posterior area strongly convex in lateral view. Elytra: Striae usually well marked; punctures ocellated, moderate to dense, irregularly scattered on interstriae; striae bearing punctures separated about 1–2 puncture diameters. Scutellar plate: Triangular, smooth. Legs: Protarsal claws strongly curved; protarsomere 5 elongate, subequal in length to tarsomeres 3–4 combined; protarsomeres 1–4 subequal in length. Protibia with 3 teeth on outer margin; margin slightly sinuous just behind the basal tooth. Meso- and metatarsomeres 1–4 decreasing gradually in size. Mesotibia usually with 2 weakly crenulate carinae on outer surface; basal carina short, transversely projected; medial carina long, obliquely projected; apex truncate; carinae and apex covered with stout spinule-like setae. Mesofemur subrectangular. Metatibia triangular, wide apically. Metafemur oval-shaped, wider compared to mesofemur. Venter: Prosternal process columnar, subcylindrical, raised between procoxae. Mesoventrite nearly completely rugopunctate, densely setose. Metaventrite coarsely rugopunctate, densely setose on sides, finely punctate and glabrous on disc. Abdomen: Tergite 7 with two paired rows of striae confined on discal area; striae well marked anteriorly, becoming finely marked posteriorly. Tergite 8 strongly convex lateral view; surface glabrous, rugose on sides and on a transverse area near to anterior margin, disc finely punctate. Aedeagus: Parameres asymmetrical, with 1–2 process on inner margins ( Figs. 6B, D, F, H, J).

Sexual dimorphism. Females are similar to males, except by the pronotum weakly convex in lateral view, devoid of tubercle and concavity absent or shallow; tergite 8 flattened or weakly convex in lateral view, with an internalized plate on posterior margin ( Fig. 8C–F); ventrite 6 triangular, complete on posterior margin and surface completely rugopunctate.