Hypocaccus (Hypocaccus) virescens Thérond, 1963

Lackner, Tomáš & Vienna, Pierpaolo, 2017, Histeridae of Socotra (Coleoptera: Histeroidea), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 57, pp. 55-76 : 73-74

Hypocaccus (Hypocaccus) virescens Thérond, 1963

Material examined. YEMEN: SOCOTRA: 3 spec., Noged plain, Abataro, border of sand dunes and shrubland, 12.–13.vi.2012, 12°22.1′N, 54°03.4′E, 20 m, J. Bezděk, J. Hájek, V. Hula, P. Kment, I. Malenovský, J. Niedobová & L. Purchart, lgt. (2 spec. in NMPC, 1 spec. in TLCM) ; 1 ♀, Noged Plain (sand dunes), Sharet Halma vill. env., 12°22.9′N, 54°03.4′E, 20 m, 10.–11.xi.2010, J. Bezděk lgt. ( NMPC) ; 1 J, ditto, but L. Purchart lgt. ( TLCM) ;

1 J, Hallah Arhar (spring), 12°33.0′N, 54°27.6′E, 15 m, 10.–11.xi.2010, J. Bezděk lgt. ( NMPC) ; 1 J, Wadi Ayhaft , 12°36.5′N, 53°58.9″E, 200 m, 7.–8.xi.2010, J. Hájek lgt. ( NMPC) .

Comments. LACKNER (2013) examined the type series of the sand-dwelling H. virescens , and commented on the dubious subgeneric placement of this species, placed since its description in the subgenus Baeckmanniolus Reichardt, 1926 . Members of Baeckmanniolus are (sensu BOUSQUET & LAPLANTE 2006) defined by the completely glabrous pronotum and possession of three rows of denticles on outer metatibial margin. In several Socotran specimens, the pronotal punctation is limited to ‘a small cluster of scattered and fine punctures near anterior angles’ as observed by LACKNER (2013) among the members of the type series. Other examined specimens from Socotra, however, have the pronotal punctation more prominent, covering lateral pronotal sides, anterior angles as well as postocular area of pronotum. Based on the punctate pronotum, as well as presence of only two rows of denticles on outer metatibial margin, the species Hypocaccus virescens is removed from the subgenus Baeckmanniolus and placed into the nominotypical subgenus.

Originally described from Somalia, reported also from Bahrain ( MAZUR 2011). First record from Socotra.

Hypocacculus (Colpellus) praecox (Erichson, 1834)

Material examined. YEMEN: SOCOTRA: 1 spec., Wadi Hoq , 22.xi.2003, 12°41′32″N, 54°01′35″E, 54 m, P. Kabátek lgt. ( NMPC) ; 1 spec., Socotra, Noged plain, Wadi Ireeh, 12°23′11″N, 53°59′47″E, 95 m, 6.–7.xii.2003, D. Král lgt. ( NMPC) .

Comments. This species is widespread in the entire Mediterranean Subregion, with records from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, furthermore it occurs in the region of Sahel, Ethiopia, the Arabian Peninsula and Afghanistan ( MAZUR 2011). It belongs to the group of typical freeliving volant saprobionts and is most commonly found on carrion or on mammal excrements. First record from Socotra.