Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus 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 : 519-521

Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus Davis and Deschodt

Figure 4, 6, 8

Diagnosis. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) nitidus can be separated from S. (S.) damarensis by its much shinier appearance and clearly punctate interstriae. The setae on the head are yellow in S. (S.) nitidus and dark brown in S. (S.) damarensis . Ventrally, S. (S.) nitidus has dense yellow pilosity whereas S. (S.) damarensis has less dense short dark brown setae.

Description. Holotype: Body length 13.5 mm, metallic black. Pubescence yellow to dark brown. Antennae light brown.

Head: Frons somewhat punctate, each puncture with associated yellow setae. Mid-longitudinal area smooth and puncture free. Clypeus punctate with sparse, short yellow setae.

Pronotum: Shiny black and punctate. Most punctures with short fine yellow setae, punctures sometimes overlapping but mostly separated by less than one puncture diameter, space between punctures smooth. Clear longitudinal smooth area, not extending to anterior edge of pronotum. Lateral margins curved, crenulate anteriorly becoming more toothed posteriorly.

Elytra: Shiny black, lateral sides slightly curved, slightly wider medially than at base and apex. Striae shallow with regular small punctures separated by less than two puncture diameters, punctures extending into interstriae. Interstriae shiny with some irregular punctures and short associated setae.

Pygidium: Shiny, emarginate with some small punctations.

Metasternum: Short wide fovea between the mesocoxae, with a shorter wide fovea more distally. Metasternal elevation ending with rounded angle and gradually sloping toward mesosternum. Area behind mesocoxae densely punctate, punctures small with dense long fine yellow setae.

Abdominal sternites: Raised, mostly smooth.

Legs: Anterior femora swollen at base, shallowly punctate ventrally with yellow setae. Outside margin of anterior tibiae with small saw-like teeth proximally and four outward pointing teeth distally, each separated by four to five saw-like denticles. Inside margin smooth, curving slightly inward. Meso- and metafemora with irregular median row of punctures and long fine yellow setae. Inside margin of mesotibiae smooth with row of dark brown 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 dark setae, last tarsomere longest with claws more than half its length.

Aedeagus: see Figure 6.

Etymology. The species is named for its shiny appearance.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, Kutse Game Reserve BOT [ Botswana], S23.44726º E24.39645º, 25.i.2006, Tshikae & Deschodt, TMSA. Paratypes: TMSA, 5 specimens, unsexed, 1 UPSA, 2 TMSA, 2 SANC, 1 specimen, Mabuasehube Game Reserve, SW Botswana, ii.2006, 25 º03’56,3”S 22º01’56.8”E, Tshikae & Deschodt, UPSA.