Genus Derelomus Schoenherr, 1825
Derelomus signatus group
Species in this group exhibit a more or less dense cover of white scales on the lateral carina of pronotum (Fig. 1C). Their body is slender, the pronotum at most slightly wider than long (W: L ratio generally <1.30). The body of the penis is generally comparatively very long and apodemes very short (but see D. caldarai sp. nov. and D. karooensis sp. nov.). Eight species are recognized in this group, they are predominantly distributed in eastern and southern Africa, but one species extends to the Arabian Peninsula ( D. schoedli) and one is found in North Cameroon, Cape Verde archipelago, Burkina Faso and Senegal ( D. lindbergi). All species were collected on inflorescences of Mimosa L. and Vachellia Wight & Arn. ( Fabaceae), which probably constitutes the host for larvae. This species group is likely more diverse than what is reported below. Several unique female specimens clearly belonging to new species were found in collections, but not described due to the lack of male or DNA grade material.
Derelomus pallidus group
This species group contains only three species, which exhibit a uniformly pale brown integument, a comparatively small body size, equal to or below 2.5 mm, and a lateral carina on the pronotum lacking a dense cover of white scales. The monophyly of this species group is supported by molecular data, at least for the two species D. pallidus and D. prochesi sp. nov. (Fig. 33). Species in this group are restricted to East and southern Africa, they are associated with Ebenaceae and Achariaceae .
Derelomus nigrovariegatus group
This species group is defined by the combination of a glabrous lateral carina on the pronotum, the comparatively large body length (generally beyond 3 mm) and the prosternum at least partly dark brown. The protibiae of the males exhibit a distinct internal comb of erect setae and the sex dimorphism for the shape and curvature of the rostrum is marked (note that these features have not been verified in D. nigrovariegatus Hustache, 1936 due to the unavailability of males). Six species are recognized in this group, they are distributed in Central, East and southern Africa. Most species were collected on male inflorescences and in fruits of Phoenix reclinata Jacq. ( Arecaceae) and one species develops in flowers of Strelitzia nicolai Regel & Körn. ( Strelitziaceae).
Derelomus ephippiger group
This is the largest and possibly a non-monophyletic species group in Derelomus . Stable and simple synapomorphies to define it were not identified in the context of this study. The following combination of features should enable to distinguish this clade from the rest of the genus: lateral carina on pronotum glabrous, claw simple, prosternum uniformly pale brown (except in dark specimens of D. chamaeropis), head concolorous or slightly darker than pronotum and stridulatory plate with compact lines of granules, space between granules as wide or narrower than diameter of a granule. Species in this group are generally either longer than 2.5 mm, with dark patterns on the elytra or with costate elytra and never lack these three features combined. The majority of species also exhibits the following features: presence of a post-ocular dark strip, lateral carina on pronotum with distinct notch or tooth near middle of length, pronotum distinctly transverse (W: L ratio at least 1.36) and elytra in males very wide, lens or pearshaped with 5 th interstriae raised (see D. piriformis). This group is widely distributed in the study area and includes twelve species associated with male inflorescences of various palms ( Chamaerops L., Cocos L., Phoenix L.; Arecaceae). Many species are found in sympatry, apparently sharing the same host and tissue. Several species concepts show geographic variants possibly corresponding to distinct species that would deserve more investigation.
Key to species of Derelomus Schoenherr, 1825
1. Lateral carina of pronotum glabrous or with minute setae not concealing the integument (Fig. 1B). Forehead glabrous or with scattered setae (Fig. 1B). Rostrum variable in size, as long as or distinctly longer than pronotum in lateral view in males ................................................................................. 9
– Lateral carina of pronotum concealed with whitish scales, or with a band of scales contrasting with the vestiture of the rest of pronotum (Fig. 1C). Forehead generally with two tufts of white scales near eyes (Fig. 2A). Rostrum comparatively short, generally as long as or slightly longer than pronotum in males in lateral view. On Fabaceae ............................................................................................... 2
2. Elytra with two transverse stripes or lines of dark spots on each elytron (Figs 2A, 3A, 4A) .......... 3
– Elytra with one or no transverse band or line of dark spots on each elytron (Figs 5A, 8A). Some rare specimens of D. abyssinicus exhibit two bands on elytra, in that case the rostrum is almost straight in lateral view in both sexes (Fig. 4B–C) ......................................................................................... 5
3. Pronotum with white scales on dorsum (Fig. 2A). Claws appendiculate internally (Fig. 1F). On Vachellia spp. ......................................................................................... D. signatus Gyllenhal, 1836
– Pronotum with minute whitish setae, glabrous in appearance (Figs 3A, 4A). Claws simple (Fig. 1F) ............................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Rostrum as long as pronotum in lateral view (Fig. 3B–C). Pronotum distinctly transverse (W:L ratio: 1.33). Apex of elytra jointly rounded. Body of penis moderately elongate (W: L ratio: 0.37, Fig. 3D); apodemes long, 0.8 × as long as body of penis. On Vachellia karroo .. D. karooensis Haran sp. nov.
– Rostrum slightly longer than pronotum in lateral view (Fig. 4B–C). Pronotum isodiametric (W: L ratio: 1). Apex of elytra acuminate. Body of penis elongate (W: L ratio: 0.13); apodemes very short (Fig. 4D). On Vachellia xanthophloea ................................................ D. acuminatus Haran sp. nov.
5. Rostrum regularly and moderately downcurved in lateral view (Fig. 5B–C). Claws simple (Fig. 1F). On Vachellia spp. ............................................................................... D. abyssinicus Hustache, 1936
– Rostrum in lateral view distinctly downcurved, more so near base (Figs 6B–C, 7B–C, 8B–C). Claws appendiculate (Fig. 1F) ..................................................................................................................... 6
6. Apex of body of penis rounded, not forming a long spatula (Figs 6D, 7D). Median area of stridulatory plate rounded at apex, with series of 4 granules (Figs 6E, 7E) ........................................................ 7
– Apex of body of penis expanded, forming a long spatula (Figs 8D, 9D). Median area of stridulatory plate more acute at apex, with series of 5–6 granules (Figs 6E, 7E)................................................. 8
7. Elytra with a transverse dark line, sometimes reduced to a series of dots on even interstriae (Fig. 6A– C). Pronotum darker along medial line. Club darker than funicle in male (Fig. 6A). Southern and Eastern Africa ........................................................................................... D. caldarai Haran sp. nov.
– Body integument uniformly pale brown, some individuals with a dark spot beyond middle of length of interstriae 4 of elytra (Fig. 7A). Pronotum uniformly pale brown. Club and funicle concolorous (Fig. 7A). Cape Verde Archipelago, Cameroon and Senegal. On Vachellia ........................................ ................................................................................................................. D. lindbergi Roudier, 1957
8. Body integument uniformly pale brown, elytra in some specimens with a dark spot beyond middle of length of interstriae 4 (Fig. 8A). Apex of penis body forming a spatula 2 × as long as wide, moderately bisinuate in lateral view (Fig. 8D). On Vachellia nilotica ............................................... ............................................................................................................... D. pericarti Hoffmann, 1968
– Body integument pale brown, elytra with a line of dark spots beyond middle of length of interstriae 2, 4, 6 (Fig. 9A). Apex of penis body forming a spatula 4 × as long as wide, bisinuate in lateral view (Fig. 9D). On Vachellia ...................................................................... D. schoedli Rheinheimer, 2005
9. Body integument uniformly pale brown (Figs 10A, 11A). Smaller species, body length equal or below 2.5 mm. Males with smooth elytra. On Ebenaceae and Achariaceae .................................. 10
– Body with dark pattern on dorsum or with body length larger than 2.5 mm. In some species males with costate elytra (Fig. 25A). On Arecaceae, Anacardiaceae & Strelitziaceae ............................. 12
10. Rostrum elongate, at least 5× as long as wide in dorsal view, distinctly longer than pronotum in lateral view (Fig. 11C–D). Metanepisterna with a dense vestiture of white scales (Fig. 11F). Claws appendiculate (Fig. 1F). Line of granules on stridulatory plate with spaces larger than width of a granule (Fig. 11D, H). On Achariaceae ...........................................................................................11
– Rostrum short, at most 4 × as long as wide in dorsal view, as long as pronotum in lateral view (Fig. 10B). Metanepisterna with few non-overlapping white scales (Fig. 10B). Claws simple (Fig. 1F). Line of granules on stridulatory plate with spaces as wide as or narrower than width of a granule (Fig. 10E). On Ebenaceae ........................................................................ D. pallidus Fåhraeus, 1844
11. Interstriae with erect setae as long as width of interstriae (Fig. 11A). Body of penis with sides converging regularly apicad in dorsal view (Fig. 11C) ............................... D. setifer Haran sp. nov.
– Interstriae with minute recumbent setae, shorter than width of interstriae (Fig. 11E). Body of penis with sides concave in middle of length in dorsal view (Fig. 11G). On Kiggelaria africana ..................................................................................................... D. prochesi Haran sp. nov.
12. Integument of prosternum black, dark brown, or at least with contrasting dark patterns laterally (Figs 12B, 14B, 17B). Pronotum moderately transverse, W:L ratio at most 1.30 ......................... 13
– Integument of prosternum uniformly pale brown (Figs 19B, 21B). Some specimens in D. chamaeropis have a dark prosternum (Fig. 24D), in this case, the elytra are uniformly brown (Fig. 24C). In most species pronotum distinctly transverse, W: L ratio at least 1.36 (1.23 in D. fasciatus) .................. 18
13. Scutellar shield bearing a dense cover of whitish scales, concealing the integument (Fig. 12A). Endemic to South Africa, on Strelitzia nicolai ( Strelitziaceae) .............. D. strelitziae Haran sp. nov.
– Scutellar shield glabrous or with a few setiform scales, not concealing the integument (Fig. 13A). Most species on Phoenix reclinata ................................................................................................. 14
14. Body integument uniformly black, shiny, antennal scape and tarsi dark brown or reddish (Fig. 16A). On Phoenix reclinata ...................................................................................... D. ater Marshall, 1950
– Body integument brown (Fig. 15A) sometimes with pale patterns (Fig. 17A) or pale brown with dark patterns on dorsum (Figs 13A, 14A) .............................................................................................. 15
15. Dorsal face of pronotum and elytra very flat in lateral view (Fig. 13B–C). Apical constriction of pronotum very deep in dorsal view (Fig. 13A). Stridulatory plate with granules closely aligned; line of granules shorter than half the length of stridulatory plate (Fig. 13E). On Phoenix reclinata ............ ............................................................................................................ D. strangulatus Haran sp. nov.
– Pronotum and elytra convex dorsally in lateral view (Figs 14B, 15B). Apical constriction of pronotum shallow or absent in dorsal view (Figs 14A, 15A). Stridulatory plate with granules distantly aligned or line of granules longer than half the length of stridulatory plate (Figs 14F, 15F) ...................... 16
16. Integument of prosternum uniformly dark brown (Figs 15B, 17B) ............................................... 17
– Integument of prosternum pale brown with dark patterns laterally (Fig. 14B). On Phoenix reclinata .................................................................................................................. D. zonatus Marshall, 1950
17. Sides of pronotum very convex in dorsal view, apical margin about 0.5 × as wide as width of pronotum near middle of length (Fig. 15A). Scutellar shield darker than elytra. Eyes very convex in dorsal view, exceeding distinctly the lateral curve of the head capsule. On Phoenix reclinata .................................................................................................. D. brunneus Haran sp. nov.
– Sides of pronotum moderately convex in dorsal view, apical margin about 0.75 × as wide as width of pronotum near middle of length (Fig. 17A). Scutellar shield pale brown, concolorous with pale patterns on elytra. Eyes moderately convex in dorsal view, exceeding slightly the lateral curve of the head capsule ................................................................................ D. nigrovariegatus Hustache, 1936
18. Head black, contrasting strongly with color of body integument (Fig. 18A). Pronotum with a contrasting dark spot near the scutellar shield ....................................... D. trinotatus Haran sp. nov.
– Head concolorous or slightly darker than body, not contrasting strongly with color of the rest of body (Figs 19A, 20A). Pronotum uniformly pale brown, or with a dark median line, not forming a dark spot near the scutellar shield (Figs 20A, 28A) ............................................................................... 19
19. Rostrum very long and almost straight in lateral view, in males at least 1.3× as long as pronotum (Figs 19B, 20B). Body of penis long and narrow, W: L ratio at most 0.23 (Figs 19D, 20D). Stridulatory plate with granules indistinct or with space between granules wider than diameter of a granule (Figs 19E, 20E). Head capsule lacking a distinct postocular dark strip (Fig. 19B) ........... 20
– Rostrum comparatively short and more downcurved, at most 1.28 × as long as pronotum in lateral view in males (Figs 21B, 22B). Body of penis moderately elongate, W: L ratio at least 0.25 (Fig. 21D), except for D. antonioui: (0.18; Fig. 22D). Stridulatory plate generally with compact and distinct lines of granules (Fig. 24F). Head capsule generally with a more or less contrasting postocular dark strip (Fig. 30D) ...................................................................................................... 21
20. Smaller species, body size <2.5 mm (Fig. 19A). Pronotum isodiametric. Elytra generally at least with a transverse dark strip beyond middle of length. Stridulatory plate with lines of 4–5 granules (Fig. 19E). Sides of body of penis converging apicad, apex truncate (Fig. 19D). On Searsia glauca ................................................................................................... D. fasciatus Hartmann, 1904
– Larger species, body size> 3 mm (Fig. 20A). Pronotum transverse. Elytra generally uniformly pale brown or with dark shades laterally and at apex (Fig. 20B). Stridulatory plate lacking distinct lines of granules (Fig. 20E). Sides of body of penis widening apicad, apex forming a spatula (Fig. 20D). On Phoenix reclinata ............................................................................ D. languidus Fåhraeus, 1844
21. Elytra shorter, at most 2.4 × as long as pronotum (Fig. 21A). Dark patterns on elytra forming two transverse strips, one at base between interstriae 1–7 and one slightly after middle of length, the latter sometimes reduced to a small spot on each elytron (Fig. 21A). Protibiae in males with a ventral comb of setae on apical half, setae about as long as 4 th tarsomere. On Cocos nucifera ......................................................................................................... D. brevis Haran sp. nov.
– Elytra longer, at least 2.45 × as long as pronotum (Figs 22A, 28A). Body integument uniformly pale brown or with dark patterns not forming two transverse bands. Protibiae in males with or without a ventral comb of setae on apical half ............................................................................................... 22
22. Rostrum distinctly longer than pronotum in both sexes, at least 1.2–1.5× as long as pronotum in lateral view (Figs 22B–C, 26B–C, 27B). Curvature of rostrum moderate ..................................... 23
– Rostrum comparatively shorter, at most 1.15 × as long as pronotum in lateral view in males (Figs 24B, 25C, 28B), sometimes longer in females. Curvature of rostrum variable, moderate or strong (Figs 28B, 32B) ................................................................................................................... 26
23. Elytra with a large and contrasting dark spot beyond middle of length on each elytron (Fig. 23A), sometimes merged into a transverse dark strip. Pronotum uniformly pale brown. Body of penis very elongate, 4 × as long as wide in dorsal view, with sides concave (Fig. 23D). On Phoenix reclinata ................................................................................................ D. postfasciatus Hesse, 1929
– Elytra uniformly pale brown or with dark patterns arranged differently (Figs 22A, 26A, 27A). Pronotum uniformly pale brown or with a median dark line (Figs 22A, 26A). Body of penis variable, elongate or short (Figs 22D, 27C) .................................................................................................. 24
24. Pattern on elytra variable, but most specimens with a dark spot at base around scutellar shield and one on suture, slightly beyond middle of length (Fig. 22A). Stridulatory plate with lines of granules distinctly converging apicad (Fig. 22E). Eastern Mediterranean region and Arabian Peninsula, on Phoenix dactylifera and P. canariensis ...................................................... D. antonioui Alziar, 2007
– Elytra uniformly pale brown, or with dark patterns not forming two spots on suture (Figs 26A, 27A). Stridulatory plate with lines of granules subparallel or only slightly converging apicad (Fig. 26E). Afrotropical region ......................................................................................................................... 25
25. Body comparatively elongate (Fig. 26A), elytra slender (W: L ratio 0.6–0.70). Protibiae in males with short setae. Club dark brown, darker than funicle segments. Body of penis with sides concave near middle of length in dorsal view, apex curved upward in lateral view (Fig. 26D). On Phoenix reclinata .................................................................................................... D. peglerae Haran sp. nov.
– Body comparatively short (Fig. 27A), elytra more compact (W: L ratio 0.75). Protibiae in males long erect setae. Club pale brown, concolorous with funicle segments. Body of penis with sides slightly convex near middle of length in dorsal view, apex bisinuate in lateral view (Fig. 27C) ........................................................................................................ D. baka Haran sp. nov.
26. Sides of elytra subparallel in dorsal view (Fig. 24A–B). Pronotum almost as wide as elytra near middle of length, at least 0.8× the width of elytra. On chamaerops humilis ..................................... ....................................................................................................... D. chamaeropis (Fabricius, 1798)
– Sides of elytra convex or very convex and lens-shaped in dorsal view (Figs 25A, 26A). Pronotum distinctly narrower than elytra near middle of length, at most 0.70 × the width of elytra .............. 27
27. Elytra widest beyond middle of length (Fig. 25A–B). Body integument uniformly pale brown; head capsule sometimes darker, but not exhibiting a contrasting postocular dark strip (Fig. 25C–D). Protibiae of males with a comb of setae. On Phoenix canariensis .. D. piriformis (Hoffmann, 1938)
– Elytra widest at or before middle of length (Fig. 26A). Body integument uniformly pale brown or with dark patterns; head capsule with a more or less contrasting postocular dark strip (Figs 26A, 27A). Protibiae of males with or without a comb of setae ............................................................. 28
28. Rostrum strongly downcurved in lateral view, almost forming a quarter circle (Figs 28B–C, 29B– D) .................................................................................................................................................... 29
– Curvature of rostrum moderate in lateral view, not forming a quarter circle (Fig. 30C–D) ........... 30
29. Body wider (Fig. 28A); elytra in males very convex laterally, distinctly wider than width of prothorax. Prothorax wider (W: L ratio: 1.54). Rostrum bicoloured, showing black areas laterally and apically (Fig. 28B–C). Club black. On Phoenix reclinata ................................. D. bivirgatus Marshall, 1951
– Body narrower (Fig. 29A–B); elytra in males moderately convex laterally, not much wider than width of prothorax. Prothorax narrower (W:L ratio: 1.43–1.50). Rostrum uniformly brown, (Fig. 29B–D), lacking contrasting black areas. Club pale brown, concolorous with funicles segments in females (Fig. 29C). Brown in males (Fig. 29A). On Phoenix reclinata ............... D. crypticus Haran sp. nov.
30. Elytra in male uniformly pale brown (Fig. 30A). Club dark brown. Stridulatory plate with series of 7 or more granules (Figs 30F, 31E) ................................................................................................ 31
– Elytra with a large brown scutellar spot, located between 4 th interstriae and extending beyond middle of length in both sexes (Fig. 32A). Club and funicle concolorous, pale brown. Stridulatory plate with series of 5–6 granules (Fig. 32E) ....................................................... D. ephippiger Gyllenhal, 1836
31. Rostrum in male as long as pronotum in lateral view, slightly and regularly downcurved (30C); in dorsal view about 3.5× as long as wide. Internal margin of protibiae in male with short and recumbent setae, not contrasting with the rest of the coating. Body of penis bisinuate at apex in lateral view (Fig. 30E). Stridulatory plate with series of 7–8 granules (Fig. 30F). On Phoenix reclinata .... .................................................................................................................. D. costiger Marshall, 1958
– Rostrum in male longer than pronotum in lateral view, comparatively more downcurved (Fig. 31B); in dorsal view about 4.75 × as long as wide. Internal margin of protibiae in male with a comb of long erect setae, longer than length of claw (Fig. 31D). Body of penis downcurved at apex in lateral view (Fig. 31C). Stridulatory plate with series of 11–12 granules (Fig. 31E). On Phoenix reclinata ....................................................................................................... D. discus Haran sp. nov.
Molecular analyses
DNA-grade specimens were obtained for 19 of the 32 known species of Afrotropical and Mediterranean Derelomus . For COI data alone, the lowest interspecific distance was observed between D. caldarai and D. schoedli (7.6%), while the highest intraspecific distance was observed in D. chamaeropis between the Moroccan and Spanish populations (3.4%). The species concepts recovered by morphology were consistent with the best-fit ML tree inferred in IQ-TREE from the analysis of the concatenated dataset, where all species represented by several individuals were found to be monophyletic (Fig. 33). The genus Derelomus was recovered monophyletic, with moderate support (SH-aLRT of 83.4% and uBV of 64%). Within Derelomus, interspecific relationships were not highly supported (only four nodes out of 18 have both SH-aLRT>80% and uBV values>95%); however, nodes leading to specimens belonging to multiple specimens of the same species were generally highly supported (nine nodes out of 12 have both SH-aLRT>80% and uBV values>95%).
Molecular species delimitation analyses based on the COI dataset were highly consistent with the morphological concepts of species, as the results of most SD analyses support extant species boundaries (Fig. 34). A potential lumping of species was inferred only once with the ASAP analysis, between D. pallidus and D. prochesi . Potential intraspecific splits were found twice in the bPTP analysis (for D. schoedli and D. trinotatus), once in the PTP(ML) analysis (for D. schoedli) and three times in the GMYCm analysis (for D. fasciatus, D. peglerae and D. prochesi).