Colophon switalae Jacobs & Scholtz

Jacobs, Carmen T., Scholtz, Clarke H. & Strümpher, Werner P., 2015, Taxonomy of Colophon Gray (Coleoptera: Lucanidae): new species and a status change, Zootaxa 4057 (1), pp. 135-142 : 137-138

Colophon switalae Jacobs & Scholtz , new species

( Fig 2 a–d; Table 1).

Type material. Holotype: (1♂: ISAM); Paratypes: (10♂: ISAM), (2♂: TMSA), (2♂: UPSA).

Diagnosis. Colophon switalae is distinguished from other members in the group by the shape of the mentum, which is characterised by a distinct concave ridge on the anterior margin of the head. It is the only species in the group with two distinct colour forms. The shape of the mentum is also diagnostic ( Table 1). Pairwise genetic distance from C. stokoei is 8.4% for COI ( Switala et al. 2014).

Holotype description. Colour: Black. Size: length 23.4 mm, pronotal width, 11.9 mm, mandible length: 3.1 mm. Head: Anterior margin with distinct concave ridge, straight to sinuate ( Table 1). Mandible: Apex of mandible deeply impressed on upper surface as in C. stokoei ( Table 1). Mentum: Attenuated anteriorly in ventral view; anterior margin rounded; anterior surface quadrangulate and excavated ( Table 1). Legs: Protibia robust ( Fig. 3 c). Male genitalia: As in C. stokoei .

Variation. Size: length 17.0–21.0 mm, pronotal width 9.7–10.8 mm (n = 14). Female: Unknown.

Distribution. Hottentots Holland Mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Etymology. It is with great pleasure that we name this species after Angelika Switala, in recognition of her contribution to our knowledge of these rare mountain relicts.

Comment. The colour of the legs of the males shows two distinct forms, red and black, without any intermediates ( Fig. 3 d). The populations of the two colour forms appear to occur allopatrically and may represent novel lineages but this requires further investigation.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Adult habitus of Colophon switalae new species: (a) male dorsal view; (b) male ventral view; (c) male protibia; d) male dorsal view (red colour form).

FIGURE 3. Habitus Colophon struempheri new species: (a) male dorsal view; (b) male ventral view; (c) female dorsal view; (d) male protibia.