Leucocelis (Leucocelis) claveaui, Perissinotto, 2023

Perissinotto, Renzo, 2023, New taxa of Leucocelis Burmeister, 1842 from Namibia, and revision of L. (L.) adspersa s. l. (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), Fragmenta entomologica 55 (2), pp. 195-214 : 197

Leucocelis (Leucocelis) claveaui sp. nov.

( Figs 1–5 , 7 )

Two distinct populations of this new species have been recorded in the Erongoberge region and Otaviberge region, respectively. Given the relative spatial discontinui- ty between the two mountain ranges and the morphological differences observed between these two populations, it is proposed here that a second subspecies be erected alongside the nominal one. Both are high altitude (1500- 1900 m) dwellers that have previously either been confused with similar sympatric species, or have not been recorded at all. Their key taxonomic characteristics as well as all available information on their distribution and biology are provided here below, along with a comparative revision of their closest relatives within the genus Leucocelis .

Figures

Fig. 1 –Leucocelis (Leucocelis) claveaui claveaui sp. et subsp. nov.: A, HT♂ dorsal habitus; B, HT♂ ventral habitus; C, PT♀ dorsal habitus; D, HT♂ lat- eral habitus; E, HT♂ clypeus; F, HT♂ pygidium; G, HT♂ parameres, dorsal view; H, HT♂ parameres, lateral view. Photos: Lynette Clennell.

Fig. 2 – Erongoberge at Usakos with the typical habitat of L. claveaui claveaui sp. et subsp. nov. (Photo: https://www.facebook.com/AmeibNamibia/photos).

Fig. 3 – Leucocelis (Leucocelis) claveaui otavi sp. et subsp. nov.: A, HT♂ dorsal habitus; B, HT♂ ventral habitus; C, HT♂ lateral habitus; D, HT♂ clypeus; E, HT♂ pygidium; F, HT♂ parameres, dorsal view; G, HT♂ parameres, lateral view. Photos: Lynette Clennell.

Fig. 4 – The Otavi mountain range, with the typical habitat of L. (L.) claveaui otavi sp. et subsp. nov. on the foreground (Photo: Lynette Clennell).

Fig. 5 – Male specimen of Leucocelis (L.) claveaui otavi sp. et subsp. nov. in its natural habitat; Otaviberge 27 Dec 2007 (Photo: Lynette Clennell).

Fig. 7 – Known distribution range of Leucocelis (Leucocelis) claveaui claveaui sp. et subsp. nov., L. (L.) claveaui otavi sp. et subsp. nov. and L. (L.) franki Janson, 1888 in South Africa and Namibia (Map: Google Earth Pro with image from Landsat/Copernicus 12/14/2015).