Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) ermienae Deschodt and Davis

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 : 518

Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) ermienae Deschodt and Davis

Figure 4, 6, 8

Diagnosis. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) ermienae can be separated from S. (S.) inoportunus by its metallic green colour and dense yellow setae on the pronotum. The metasternal elevation is more rounded and flattened whereas in S. (S.) inoportunus it is more angular. It can also be readily separated from S. (S.) damarensis by its metallic green colour and pronotal punctures that are much larger and closer together than in S. (S.) damarensis . The metasternal elevation is more rounded and setose in S. (S.) ermienae while in S. (S.) damarensis it makes a 90 degree angle toward the prosternum and is not setose on the metasternal elevation. S. (S.) ermienae is also easily separated from Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) gilleti Janssens 1940 which, similarly to S. (S.) damarensis , is blackbodied and shows a 90 degree angle at the metasternal elevation.

Description. Holotype: Body length 15.9 mm, metallic green. Pubescence dark brown to black except on frons where it is yellow. Antennae yellow.

Head: Frons punctuate, each puncture with associated yellow setae. Mid-longitudinal area smooth, puncture free. Clypeus granular with yellow setae.

Pronotum: Metallic green and punctate, space between punctures smooth; punctures separated by less than one puncture diameter, each puncture with short yellow associated setae. No longitudinal smooth area. Lateral margins curved, crenulate anteriorly becoming more toothed posteriorly.

Elytra: Metallic green, lateral sides more or less parallel. Striae shallow with regular small punctures separated by less than two puncture diameters. Raised longitudinal median area of interstriae with irregularly shaped punctures, otherwise clear and smooth, longitudinal margins of interstriae mostly matte.

Pygidium: Emarginate and somewhat punctate, whole area matte. Punctures spaced irregularly, sometimes touching or separated by up to three times the puncture width.

Metasternum: Long thin fovea between the mesocoxae, distally wider, with a shorter fovea more distally. Metasternal elevation ending with rounded angle, gradually sloping toward mesosternum. Area behind mesocoxae punctate, punctures small.

Abdominal sternites: Covered with very fine setae, shallow punctures and shallow indentations laterally.

Legs: Anterior femora shallowly punctate ventrally with yellow to dark brown setae. Outside margin of anterior tibiae with small saw-like teeth proximally and four outward pointing teeth distally, each separated by five to six saw-like denticles. Inside margin crenulate, slightly curved inward at third outer tooth. Meso- and metafemora with irregular median row of punctures and long fine yellow setae. Inside margin of mesotibiae smooth with row of black setae, outside margin with two brushes of dark brown setae in distal third. Vestigial second mesotibial spur absent. Metatibiae with dark brown setae. All tarsomeres of metatarsi with setae, last tarsomere longest with claws half its length.

Aedeagus: see Figure 6.

Etymology. The species name is named in homage for Ermiena Deschodt, the wife of CMD.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, Liuwa Plains Zambia, S14.645339º E022.624761º, 20–23.viii.2004 965m, Deschodt & Groenewald, TMSA. Paratypes: 46 specimens, unsexed, 10 UPSA, 10 SANC, 10 TMSA, 4 BMNH, 4 MNHN, 4 NHRS, 4 SAMC, 3 specimens, unsexed Liuwa Plains Zambia, S14.643259º E022.626423º, 29–30.xi.2003 1050m, Deschodt & Groenewald, UPSA.