Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) planipennis Davis and Deschodt

Deschodt, Christian M., Davis, Adrian L. V. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2015, Status changes, new synonymies, key and descriptions of seven new species in the subgenus Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) Balthasar 1965 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Zootaxa 3931 (4), pp. 505-527 : 516-518

Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) planipennis Davis and Deschodt

Figure 4, 6, 8

Diagnosis. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) planipennis is quite distinct from other species within its geographical range. It can be separated from Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) flavicornis ( Boheman, 1860) (also with flat elytra) by its muted greenish appearance and smaller size.

Description. Holotype: Body length 12.8 mm, green. Pubescence is dark brown to black. Antennae yellow. Head: Frons punctate, each puncture with associated short black setae. Wide puncture-free mid-longitudinal area. Clypeus punctate with short black setae.

Pronotum: Dark green and punctate with sparse short black setae. Spaces between punctures smooth comprising one to two puncture diameters. No longitudinal smooth area. Lateral margins curved, jagged anteriorly, with one side of jagged edge almost 10 times longer than the other gradually becoming toothed posteriorly.

Elytra: Dark green, lateral sides slightly curved slightly wider medially than at base and apex. Striae shallow with clear regular small punctures separated by about one puncture diameter. Interstriae very flat, matte, with very sparse small punctures.

Pygidium: Shallowly emarginate, matte.

Metasternum: No fovea between the mesocoxae. End of metasternal elevation rounded almost right angled and steeply sloping toward mesosternum. Area behind mesocoxae matte with small widely spaced punctures.

Abdominal sternites: Matte with short, fine black setae laterally.

Legs: Anterior femora swollen basally and shallowly punctate ventrally with black setae. Outside margin of anterior tibiae proximally crenulate merging into small saw-like teeth with four outward pointing teeth distally, each separted by nine to ten saw-like denticles. Inside margin finely crenulate, almost straight. Meso- and metafemora slender with irregular median row of punctures and fine black setae. Inside margin of mesotibiae smooth with row of black setae, outside margin with two brushes of black setae in distal third. Vestigial second mesotibial spur absent. Metatibiae curving slightly inward with black setae. All tarsomeres of metatarsi with setae, last tarsomere longest with claws almost half its length.

Aedeagus: see Figure 6.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the flat elytra.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique,[15–18] xi.2006, 26 º35’06.8”S 32º46’45.1”E, sand, grassland, Escobar and Deschodt, TMSA. Paratypes: 15 specimens, unsexed, MOZAMBIQUE: Maputo Elephant Reserve, 10–16.xi.2007, 26º30’S 32º51’E Pitfall Trap, W. Strumpher & C. Deschodt, 2 UPSA, 5 TMSA, 5 BMNH, 3 SAMC, 1 specimen SOUTH AFRICA, KZN Pr. Tembe, 26º57’S 32º24’E, 7.iv.2004, J. v.d. Merwe, UPSA, 9 specimens Thembe Elephant Park, KZN, South Africa, 27º01’S 32º24E, 24–29.i.1996, B.J.Van Rensburg, 2 UPSA, 7 SANC, 3 specimens South Africa: Kwazulu, Thembe Elephant Park, SE 2632 CD Ndumu, 7.x.1990, T. Beyers, UPSA, 1 specimen SOUTH AFRICA: KZN, Tembe Elephant Park, Sihangwane Area, 27[º].02[’]S 32[º].25[’]E 100m, 01.–04.ii.1996 R.Stals, SANC, 1 specimen, 2705 [Muzi, N. Natal, (26º52’ 32º23’E), x–xi.80, G. Vale.], SANC, 1 specimen, MUZI, TONGALAND, Natal (14 km W), (26º52’ 32º29’E), 4.xi.80, H.H. Aschenborn, SANC, 1 specimen, S. Afr: KrugerNat. PK, Punda Milia, sand, 22[º].38[’] S–31[º].02[’] E, 3.2.1994; E-Y: 2974, groundtraps, 8 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga, groundtraps with faeces bait, TMSA, 8 specimens, S. Afr: KrugerNat. PK,Nyandu sands, 22[º].41[’] S–31[º].22[’] E, 9.2.1994; E-Y: 2989, groundtraps, 4 days, leg. Endrödy-Younga, groundtraps with faeces bait, 6 TMSA, 2 UPSA.