Coptorhina nitidipennis Boheman, 1857

Frolov, Andrey V., Akhmetova, Lilia A. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2008, Revision of the obligate mushroom-feeding African ‘‘ dung beetle’ ’ genus Coptorhina Hope (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Journal of Natural History 42 (21 - 24), pp. 1477-1508 : 1485-1491

Coptorhina nitidipennis Boheman

( Figures 3 , 11, 13I–J , 17 , 18 )

Coptorhina nitidipennis Boheman 1857:207 , 208; Péringuey 1901:291, 292; Ferreira 1954:3; Ferreira 1967:312, 313; Ferreira 1972:358; Gillet 1911:48; Janssens 1939:37. Coptorhina seminitida Fairmaire 1893:14 ; Ferreira 1954:3; synonymy by Gillet 1911:48. Coptorhina subaenea Janssens 1934:37 ; Ferreira 1972:359; syn. n.

Coptorhina bicolor Ancey 1882:71 ; Janssens 1939:36; Gillet 1911:48; syn. n.

Coptorhina pygmaea Balthasar 1963:95 ; Ferreira 1972:359; syn. n.

Coptorhina saganicola Müller 1947:92 ; Ferreira 1972:359; syn. n.

Diagnosis

This species can easily be separated from all other Coptorhina species by having the following characters: clypeus with acute-angled sinuation in the middle, anterior clypeal processes without longitudinal carinae on the upper side, antennal clubs reddish-orange to brown, disc of pronotum without long transversal carina even in larger specimens, only with two small carina-shaped tubercles in the middle.

Description

Strongly convex, black to dark-brown, sometimes with greenish or bronze tint, shiny beetle ( Figure 17 ). Body length 8.5–15.5 mm, width 5.5–10.0 mm. Dorsal surface without visible setae.

Head. Clypeus with protruding anterior angles separated by an acute-angled sinuation ( Figure 3 ). Protruding angles rounded apically, without longitudinal carinae on the upper side. Genae obtusely rounded. Genal sutures feebly distinct. Lateral margins of clypeus not sinuate near genal sutures. Frontal suture feebly visible, broadly interrupted in the middle. Dorsal surface of head with rugose sculpture. Antennal clubs reddish-orange to brown.

Pronotum. Widely rounded basally, two times wider than long. Anterior margin and base finely bordered. Sides rounded, with lateral border relatively narrow, tapering basally and apically. Pronotum with two short transversal carina-shaped tubercles in the middle. Anterior part of pronotum rugose to granulate, not excavated laterally. Posterior part rugose to very densely punctate.

Elytra. Striae distinct, punctate (punctures separated by 3–4 puncture diameter). Intervals feebly convex, with minute punctures, strongly shiny.

Underside. Pygidium bordered, its disc densely punctate. Abdominal and thoracic sternites coarsely punctate except for disc of metasternum which is very sparsely to almost indistinctly punctuate.

Aedeagus. Parameres with somewhat obtuse apices in lateral view ( Figure 11 ). Internal sac sclerite is somewhat distinctive ( Figures 13I–J ).

Variability

Except for the body size variability the beetles differ slightly in the colour of antennal clubs which vary from reddish-orange to brown. Some species have elytral intervals almost flat.

Type material examined

Coptorhina nitidipennis . Holotype with labels ‘‘ Caffraria. ’’, ‘‘ J. Wahlb’ ’, ‘‘ Type’ ’, ‘‘3646 E92 ‘‘, ‘‘ Typus’ ’, ‘‘ nitidipennis Boh. ’’; paratype with labels ‘‘ Caffraria’ ’, ‘‘ J. Wahlb’ ’, ‘‘3645 E92’’ and paratype „ with labels ‘‘ Caffraria’ ’, ‘‘ J. Wahlb’ ’, ‘‘158 54’’, ‘‘3644 E92+’’, ‘‘ Allotypus’ ’ ( NHRS) .

Coptorhina subaenea . Holotype „ with labels ‘‘ Musée du Congo Elisabethville XI-1911 Miss. Agric. ’’, ‘‘ A Janssens det., 1939: Coptorhina subaenea type n. sp.’’, ‘‘166’’, ‘‘R. DÉT. L 432’’, ‘‘TYPE’’, ‘‘TYPE C. subaenea’’, ‘‘HOLOTYPUS’’, ‘‘R. DÉT. F 3943’’

(MRAC); paratype with labels ‘‘Paratypus’’, ‘‘ Paratype C. subaenea’’, ‘‘Musée du Congo Elisabethville: Lubumbashi – XII – 1925 Dr Van Saceghem’’, ‘‘Paratype’’, ‘‘R. DÉT. 1770 J’’, ‘‘A Janssens det., 1939’’, ‘‘ Coptorhina subaenea n.sp. ’’, ‘‘R. DÉT. G 3943’’, ‘‘Boucomont det. 1929 Coptorhina nitidipennis Boh. ’’ (MRAC).

It is possible that the labels of the two above specimens were confused by Janssens or after him since in the original description only Lubumbashi is mentioned as the type locality. There is however no doubt that these specimens are conspecific.

Coptorhina bicolour . ‘‘Coll. R.I.Sc.N.B. Tanganyika. UZAGARA’’, ‘‘Ancey det 1882 Coptorhina bicolour n. sp. ’’, ‘‘Syntype’’, ‘‘cf. Il Natural. Siciliano II. 1882 - 83 p. 71’’, ‘‘J.J. Gillet., vend.: Coptorhina bicolor Ancey R.M.H.N. Belg. 10.640’’ (IRSNB).

Coptorhina pygmaea . Holotype „ with labels ‘‘Joko, Kamerun’’ and ‘‘ Coptorhina pygmaea n. sp. Balth. Holotypus’’ ( NMPC).

Additional material examined

Soudan: Sikasso [11 ° 199 N 05 ° 409 W], Dr Balthasar leg. 2 spm. ( NMPC) . Nigeria: 10km E Kontagora [10 ° 249 N 05 ° 289 E], 19 December 1974, G.F. Bornemissza leg. 4 spm. ( SANC) . Cameroon: The Sangha Carnot [03 ° 309 S 16 ° 059 E], 2 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Jami [not traced] L. Kolin leg. 1 spm. ( ZMHB) . Central African Republic: Haut Chari, Fort Sibut [05 ° 44 N 19 ° 059 E], 1912, G. Favarel leg. 2 spm. ( IRSNB) ; UAMG Sebiet, Bosum [06 ° 199 N 16 ° 239 E], 1–20 June 1914, S. Tessmann leg. 15 spm. ( ZMHB) ; 1 spm. ( IRSNB); 1919, 1 spm. ( IRSNB). Ephiopia: Shinile [09 ° 41 N 41 ° 519 E], May 1996, R. Lizler leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) ; Agere Maryam to Shakisso [05 ° 38 N 38 ° 149 E], 13 May 2002, Werner and Sudre leg. 3 spm ( KWCP) ; Negele B. to Kebri Mengist [05 ° 20 N 39 ° 369 E], 13–16 May 2002, Werner and Sudre leg. 3 spm. ( KWCP) . Democratic Republic of Congo: Katanga, Jadotville [10 ° 599 S 26 ° 449 E], December 1952, Van Mol leg. 2 spm. ( MRAC) ; 18m SW of Lubumbashi [11 ° 409 S 27 ° 289 E], 1928, Dr H.S. Evans leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) , October 1971 – April 1972, W. Beun (don A. Allaer) leg. 1 spm. ( MRAC) ; Moto, Haut Uele [02 ° 46 N 27 ° 379 E], 1920, L. Burgeon leg. 1 spm. ( MRAC) ; Jadotville [10 ° 589 S 26 ° 449 E], December 1952, J.J. Van Mol leg. 10 spm. ( MRAC) ; Mura [11 ° 029 S 26 ° 429 E], November 1952, December 1949, Van Mol leg. 3♀ and 2 „ ( MRAC); Kisantu [05 ° 079 S 15 ° 059 E], P. Goossens leg. 1 spm. ( MRAC); Bambesa [03 ° 289 N 25 ° 439 E], April 1939, J. Vrydagh leg. 1 spm. ( MRAC); Kafakumba [09 ° 419 S 23 ° 449 E], December 1931, G.F. Overlaet leg. 1 spm. ( MRAC); Region de Sassa [not traced], 1895–1896, Colmant leg. 2 spm. ( MRAC), 1 spm. ( IRSNB); Lualaba, Kalwerzi [not traced], October 1955, Dr V. Allard leg. 1 spm. ( NMPC). Uganda: Mt-Labwor [02 ° 45 N 33 ° 409 E], April 1950, van Someren leg. 8 spm. ( BMNH); Busoga [00 ° 45 N 33 ° 309 E], April–May 1909, D. re E Bayon leg. 2 spm. ( BMSA); Karamoja, Moroto [02 ° 45 N 34 ° 159 E], 15 May 1971, R. Madge leg. 2 spm. ( BMNH). Kenya: Near Voi [03 ° 239 S 38 ° 349 E], 28–30 November 1997, Werner and Lizler leg. 3 spm. ( KWCP); Rabai [03 ° 559 S 39 ° 339 E], June 1928, Dr van Someren leg. 1 „ ( BMNH) ; Watamu [03 ° 219 S 40 ° 019 E], 29 April 1944, G.W. Jeffery leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; 25 km N of Kilifi [03 ° 389 S 39 ° 519 E], Arabuko-Sokoke forest , 11 June 1981, M. Ritchie leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; Makueni, Ukamba [01 ° 489 S 37 ° 379 E], November 1947, van Someren leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) . Tanzania: Near Mitundu [05 ° 259 S 33 ° 029 E], 10–16 December 1999, Werner and Lizler leg. 3 spm. ( KWCP) ; to Kondoa [04 ° 139 S 35 ° 459 E], 9 April 2005, Werner and SMRZ leg. 5 spm. ( KWCP) ; near Babati [04 ° 139 S 35 ° 459 E], 3–6 December 1997, Werner and Lizler leg. 5 spm. ( KWCP) ; Kigonsera Nyassa-See [10 ° 489 S 35 ° 039 E], 1 spm. ( IRSNB) , 1 spm. ( BMSA), 3 spm. ( NMPC); Dar es Salaam [06 ° 48 N 39 ° 179 E], 1 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Gelgletz Estate, Ngomeni [05 ° 099 S 38 ° 549 E], 26–28 April 1950, R.C.M. Sweeney leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; Ndala Mission 04 ° 459 S 33 ° 159 E, December 1916 – January 1917, Dr D.G.H. Carpenter leg. 4 spm. ( BMNH) ; Panganisteppe, Membo Masinde [03 ° 399 S 37 ° 269 E], January 1906, Dr O. Schroder leg. 1 spm. ( ZMHB) ; Kondoa to Dodoma [04 ° 049 S 35 ° 149 E], 10 April 2005, Werner and SMRZ leg. 6 spm. ( KWCP) . Malawi: Nyasaland [16 ° 029 S 35 ° 309 E], 8 February 1913, 27 January 1923 S.A. Neave leg. 2 spm. ( BMNH) , 27 January 1914, S.A. Neave leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Chikala, Boma, Nyasaland [15 ° 079 S 35 ° 259 E], 20–25 March 1910, 4000 ft, S.A. Neave leg. 3 spm. ( BMNH) ; Nyassa [12 ° 009 S 34 ° 309 E], 1944–1950, 1 spm. ( BMNH) , 1 spm. ( ZMHB); NW Paje [15 ° 209 S 35 ° 389 E], 9 January 1914, S.A. Neave leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) . Angola: Tangambica [12 ° 119 S 15 ° 589 E], 1 spm. ( IRSNB) . Zambia: N of Broken Hill, Kashitu [14 ° 269 S 28 ° 279 E], December 1914, H.C. Dollman leg. 2 spm. ( SANC) , 4 spm. ( BMNH); Kabompo [13 ° 369 S 24 ° 129 E], 4–7 December 2001 Werner and Lizler leg., 1 „. ( KWCP) ; Abercorn [08 ° 509 S 31 ° 239 E], 1942, H.J. Bredo leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Nakonde [09 ° 209 S 32 ° 469 E], 5 December 2004, Werner and SMRZ leg. 4 spm. ( KWCP) ; near Kasempa [13 ° 279 S 25 ° 509 E], 23 November 2003, Werner and SMRZ leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) , 8–9 December 2001, Werner and Lizler leg. 2 spm. ( KWCP) ; Mwengwa 13 ° 009 S 27 ° 409 E, February 1914, H.C. Dollman leg. 14 spm. ( BMNH) , 1 spm. ( SANC); Kashitu [13 ° 429 S 28 ° 409 E], February 1915, H.C. Dollman leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; Zambesi River, Livingstone [17 ° 459 S 25 ° 469 E], 26 February 1913, H.C. Dollman leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) ; Monze [16 ° 199 S 27 ° 119 E], January–March 1929, Lidio Cipriani leg. 1 spm. ( NMPC) ; East Longwa Distr. , January 1905, S.A.Neave leg, 18 spm. ( UMO) . Mozambique: Lourenco-Marques [26 ° 009 S 32 ° 349 E], Dr G. Audeoud Makulane leg. 5 spm. ( MHNG) ; Sofala, Gorongosa, Parque National [18 ° 419 S 34 ° 189 E], 17–18 December 2003, Werner and Lizler leg. 2 spm. ( KWCP) ; Sofala, 20/ 50 km N Chimoio , Manica [20 ° 039 S 34 ° 439 E], 17 December 2003, Werner and Lizler leg. 2 spm. ( KWCP) . Zimbabwe: Salisbury [17 ° 499 S 31 ° 029 E], 1894, Marshall leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) , 4 spm. ( SAMC), 1 spm. ( TMSA), 2 spm ( IRSNB); Hillside [17 ° 509 S 31 ° 049 E], 5 February 1923, Swinburne and Stevenson leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Bulawayo [20 ° 099 S 28 ° 359 E], January 1923, R. Stevenson leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) , 1 spm ( IRSNB); Umtali , [18 ° 589 S 32 ° 409 E], December 1901, G.A.K. Marshall leg. 1 spm. ( BMNH) , 1903, A. Bodong leg. 1 spm. ( SAMC); Mashonaland [17 ° 309 S 32 ° 009 E], 2 spm. ( DMSA) ; Hartley [18 ° 089 S 30 ° 099 E], December 1895, 2 spm. ( BMNH) ; Christmas pass, Manica [18 ° 559 S 32 ° 389 E], 1892, F.S. Selous leg. 1 spm. ( SAMC) ; Umtali [18 ° 589 S 32 ° 409 E], January 1932, P.A. Sheppard leg. 7 spm. ( TMSA) ; Umtali [18 ° 589 S 32 ° 409 E], 1 spm ( SANC) ; Near Dorowa [19 ° 049 S 31 ° 459 E], 16–17 December 2004, Werner and SMRZ leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) . Botswana: Gaberones, Bechuanaland [24 ° 409 S25 ° 559 E], 1915, 1 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Tuli Saf. Lodge [22 ° 509 S 28 ° 009 E], 17 December 2001, 2 spm. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; NW Paje 21 ° 509 S 26 ° 179 E, 30 March 1997, W.D. Haacke leg. 2 spm. ( TMSA) . Namibia: Argentine [24 ° 169 S 17 ° 519 E], January 1995, Tueuman leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) . South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal: Ndumu [26 ° 879 S 32 ° 259 E], December 1960, van Son leg. 7 spm. ( TMSA) , 1 spm. ( ZMHB); Durban, Port Natal [29 ° 519 S 31 ° 019 E], 3 spm. ( BMNH) ; Pongola [27 ° 239 S 31 ° 389 E], 22 January 1978, G.L. Prinsloo leg. 2 spm. ( SANC) ; Hluhluwe Game Reserve 28 ° 059 S 32 ° 049 E, 19 November 1992, Endrödy- Younga leg. 6 spm. ( TMSA) ; Nsumu Pan, Mkuzi Game Reserve [27 ° 389 S 32 ° 159 E], 4 December 1975, G. Tribe leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Mabibi 27 ° 209 S 32 ° 239 E, 5 April 1995, L. Niemand leg. 1 spm. ( UPSA) . Limpopo: Hans Merensky Nature Reserve [23 ° 409 S 30 ° 399 E], 27–30 November 1981, Light trap, R.G. Oberprieler leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; D’Nyala Nature Reserve, Ellisras District 23 ° 459 S 27 ° 499 E, 18 – 20 December 1987, B. Grobbelaar leg. 7 spm. ( SANC) ; Moorddrift [24 ° 159 S 28 ° 579 E], December 1914, C.J. Swierstra leg. 10 spm. ( TMSA) ; Letaba [23 ° 009 S 31 ° 009 E], December 1977, C.H. Scholtz leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; near Lodge Station , 11 km E of Tuinplaas [24 ° 539 S 28 ° 519 E], 14 November–20 December 2002, 1000m, 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Blouberg [23 ° 109 S 28 ° 509 E], 20 December 2003, A. Frolov and C. Deschodt leg. 7 spm. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; Geelhoutbosch farm 24 ° 229 S 27 ° 349 E, 13 January 1999, C.L. Bellamy leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Leydsdorp, Sidula [23 ° 599 S 30 ° 329 E], 1 March 1928, J. van Son leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) , 2 spm ( TMSA); Pafuri, Kruger National Park [22 ° 269 S 31 ° 129 E], 20–24. January 1985, 264m, G.L. Prinsloo leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Cinergy Game Farm, Naboomspruit District 24 ° 389 S 28 ° 459 E, 16 November 2001, A. Frolov and C. Deschodt leg. 3 ♀. ( UPSA, ZIN) ; Farm Dunstable [24 ° 279 S 30 ° 459 E], January 1990, V.M. Uys leg. 1 spm. ( SANC) ; Klaserie 24 ° 009 S 31 ° 009 E, March 1981, H. Terblanche leg. 1 spm. ( UPSA) ; Farm Twee Kansen 624, 20km NE of Tuinplaas [24 ° 499 S 28 ° 579 E], 09 January–6 February 2002, 1000m, 1 spm. ( SANC) . Mpumalanga: Pongola River , 36 km S Piet Retief [27 ° 009 S 30 ° 489 E], 19 January 2000, Werner and Lizler leg. 1 spm. ( KWCP) ; Lydenburg District [25 ° 069 S 30 ° 279 E], 1896, P.A. Krantz leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) ; Stoffberg, Rosenkraal [25 ° 259 S 28 ° 509 E], 22 November 2001, Werner and Lizler leg. 4 spm. ( KWCP) ; Cape of Good Hope , de Bonneuil leg. 1 spm. ( IRSNB) ; Natal , M.C. Ferreira leg. 1 spm. ( TMSA) .

Distribution

The species is distributed in most of the countries south of the Sahara, from Nigeria and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south ( Figure 18 ).

Remarks

This is the most widespread species of Coptorhina and it shows considerable variation in size and, to some degree, in coloration. This, along with very limited comparative material available to the past researchers, resulted in a few apparently aberrant forms from different parts of the range of C. nitidipennis being described as separate species. Examination of the type specimens of these species suggests that they are all conspecific with C. nitidipennis . They are discussed in more detail below.

In his key to the Coptorhina species , Janssens (1939:33, 34) mentioned the following characters to separate C. subaenea from C. nitidipennis : disc of pronotum not or feebly rugose in the former species and more or less tuberculate in the latter, carinae on the centre of the pronotum oblique in the former and straight and transverse in the latter, clypeal teeth more curved in the former and less so in the latter, body with greenish tint in the former and bronze tint in the latter. Examination of a large series of C. nitidipennis shows that these characters vary considerably. Additionally, comparison of the types of the two species shows no essential difference among them.

The following two species are known from single type specimens so far. Coptorhina bicolor was described from Tanzania. The distinctiveness of this species, according to the original description, is largely the testaceous colour of its elytra. Examination of the type specimen shows that, except for the colour, it is very similar to the C. nitidipennis . We believe this is a teneral specimen of the latter species and therefore we established a new synonymy here.

Balthasar described C. pygmaea from a specimen from Cameron and compared it with C. bicolor . He wrote that the new species differs from the latter in having black colour of the body (as opposed to testaceous in C. bicolor ), incompletely granulate pronotum, coarser elytral striae and more convex elytral intervals. He did not, however, compare it with C. nitidipennis or any other species, and apparently had no specimens for comparison. We could not find any sound difference when compared to the type of C. nitidipennis .

Coptorhina saganicola . Despite reasonable effort and help from Italian colleagues we were unable to trace the type of this species. In the brief original diagnosis, however, a distinctive character of C. nitidipennis – red antennal clubs – is mentioned. Other characters also agree with those of the latter species. As there were no records of C. saganicola after it was described and there are no characters to separate it from C. nitidipennis we consider this name a junior synonym of C. nitidipennis .

Figures

Figure 18. Coptorhina nitidipennis, distribution map.

Figures 1–8. Coptorhina spp. 1, lateral view of body; 2–6, head and pronotum in dorsal view; 7–8, pronotum in dorsal view. 1–2, C. auspicata; 3, C. nitidipennis; 4, C. excavata sp. n; 5, C. nitefacta; 6, C. klugii; 7, C. angolensis; 8, C. davidi. Figures are not to scale.

Figures 9–14. Coptorhina spp. 9, wing; 10–11, aedeagus in dorsal and lateral view; 12, internal sac of aedeagus; 13, internal sac sclerite arrowed in Figure 12; 14, abdomen in lateral view (14A, female, 14B, male). 9, 10, 12, 13C–E, 14, C. auspicata (13C, lectotype, Enkeldoorn, Zimbabwe, 13D, Cinergy Game farm, RSA, 13E, Shesheke, Zambia); 11, 13I–J, C. nitidipennis (13I, Cinergy Game farm, RSA, 13J, paratype, ‘‘Caffraria’’); 13A–B, C. excavata sp. n. (13A, holotype, 13B, paratype, Mamathes, Lesotho); 13F, C. klugii, Blouberg, RSA; 13G, C. davidi, paratype, Mpika, Congo; 13H, C. nitefacta, holotype, Bura, Kenya. 9, 13 and 14 are not to scale.

Figures 15–17. Coptorhina spp., general view. 15, C. auspicata, Cinergy Game farm, RSA; 16, C. excavata sp. n., holotype; 17, C. nitidipennis, Cinergy Game farm, RSA.