Hypocaccus C. Thomson, 1867

Lackner, Tomas & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2017, A monograph of the Australopacific Saprininae (Coleoptera, Histeridae), ZooKeys 689, pp. 1-263 : 29

Hypocaccus C. Thomson, 1867 Figs 128, 129-134, 135-143, 144, 145-153, 154-160, 161, 162-173, 174-182, 183, 184-192, 193-201, 753, 755, 756, 760

Hypocaccus C. Thomson, 1867: 400. Type species Hister quadristriatus Hoffmann, 1803 (= Hypocaccus rugiceps (Duftschmid, 1805)), designated by Lewis (1899): 3.

Diagnosis.

Diagnosis of this genus is based on the taxa that occur in the Australopacific Region. Small to moderately sized, often metallic beetles; frontal stria usually well developed, straight; frons coarsely punctate or with several to multiple short to long transverse rugae. Pronotal disc either smooth (subgenus Baeckmanniolus Reichardt, 1926) or adorned with longitudinal rugae or very coarse punctures (subgenera Hypocaccus s.str. or Nessus Reichardt, 1932). Pronotum devoid of pronotal depressions, hypomeron asetose; both sets of prosternal striae present, carinal prosternal striae approximate, usually united apically posterad united lateral prosternal striae; prosternal foveae present, often well developed. Protibia on outer margin with 5-11 teeth topped by denticle; metatibia on outer margin with two ( Hypocaccus s.str., Nessus ) or three (subgenus Baeckmanniolus ) rows of denticles.

Biology.

Species of the subgenus Hypocaccus are found on the sandy shores of seas, lakes and rivers (sometimes also on inland sand dunes without the presence of water) where they prey upon dipteran larvae developing in various decomposing organic substances such as excrement, carcasses, seaweed, etc. Species of the subgenus Baeckmanniolus are confined to seashores with similar feeding habits ( Lackner 2010).

Distribution.

With four recorded species (one of them introduced), the genus Hypocaccus is poorly represented in the Australopacific Region and has been collected in Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea (Figs 753, 755, 756, 760). We would expect the widespread species H. (H.) brasiliensis (see Mazur 2011) or H. (H.) sinae to be eventually collected elsewhere within the Region.

Remarks.

Species of the genus Hypocaccus are typified by the presence of smooth to rugose frons, which can be also furnished with transverse rugae and cannot be confused with any other Australian Saprininae .

Key to the subgenera of the genus Hypocaccus of the Australopacific Region