Saprinus (Saprinus) cupreus Erichson, 1834

Lackner, Tomas & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2017, A monograph of the Australopacific Saprininae (Coleoptera, Histeridae), ZooKeys 689, pp. 1-263 : 98-101

Saprinus (Saprinus) cupreus Erichson, 1834 Figs 389, 390-398, 399-407, 753

Saprinus cupreus Erichson, 1834: 182.

Type locality.

Republic of South Africa: Capeland.

Type material examined.

Saprinus cupreus Erichson, 1834: Lectotype, present designation: specimen of unidentified sex, right hind leg missing, with the following labels: “49149” (printed); followed by: "Pr. b. sp" (light green label, written); followed by: " cupreus / Er." (light green label, written); followed by: “Type” (brick-red label, printed); followed by: "Hist. Coll. Coleoptera / Nr. 49149 / Saprinus cupreus Er. x / Promont b. sp. Bergius / Zool. Mus. Berlin" (blue, black margined label, printed); followed by: " Saprinus cupreus / Erichson, 1834 / LECTOTYPE / des. T. Lackner 2014" (red label, written ZMHUB). Three more specimens, all of unidentified sex, paralectotypes, with hand-written label “49149”; followed by the brick-red label “Type” (added there probably by Bickhardt), and the blue ZMHUB label. The two hand-written light-green labels of the lectotype are not present with the three paralectotypes (ZMHUB). This species has been described based on unknown number of specimens and the lectotype designation fixes its taxonomic identity.

Additional material examined.

AUSTRALIA. Western Australia: 4 specs., 15 km S Busselton, 11.i.1983, G.P. Hall (ANIC); 4 specs., ditto, but 12.i.1983 (ANIC); 5 specs., ditto, but 15.i.1983 (ANIC); 5 specs., Dardanup, 19.i.1983, G. Hall (ANIC); 2 specs., Madura Station, E of Nesserman, 24.xii.1981, H. Ryan (ANIC); 1 spec., Augustus Island, CALM site 26/1, 15.25S 124.38E, 11.-16.vi.1988, I.D. Naumann (ANIC). Australian Capital Territory: 2 specs., Black Mountain, iii.1979, J.M. Walker (in fly culture) (ANIC); 1 spec., illegible locality, ii.-iii.1965, W.J.M. Vestjens (ANIC); 1 spec., O’ Connor, x.1965, K. Pullen (cow dung) (ANIC); 1 spec., no locality, 9.xii.1957, W.J.M. Vestjens (ANIC); 2 specs., Ginninderra, iii.1975, K.R. Pullen (ANIC).

New South Wales: 2 specs., 24 km N Condobolin, 7.xi.1986, W.W.K. Houston (ANIC); 1 spec., NSW, Ilford, 56 km, SSE Mudgee, 26.i.1991, on a very old dead animal (ANIC); 3 specs., NSW, Bogan River, J. Armstrong (ANIC). South Australia: 1 spec., Green Valley, Marre-B’ville, 16.ix.1972, collector unknown (ANIC); 2 specs., Adelaide, A.H. Elston (MAMU); 3 specs., Murray River, no date, A.H. Elston (MAMU); 6 specs., Halletts Cove, 26.i.1967, N. McFarland (on freshly dead sheep carcass) (SAMA); 6 specs., 15 km W of Eladuna Homestead, 7.-8.iii.1972, E.G. Matthews (SAMA); 2 specs., Karoonda to Perbinga, G.E.H. Wright (SAMA); 1 spec., Murray River, H.S. Cope (SAMA); 6 specs., near Victory Well, Everard Pk., Stn., 29.x.1970, E.G. Matthews (under bark) (SAMA); 3 specs., Edithburg, 17.iv.1908 (SAMA); 2 specs., Kimba, E. Broomhead (SAMA); 2 specs., Cooper’s Creek, J.G. Reuther (SAMA). Queensland: 3 specs., 3 km NE Mt. Webb, 15.03S 145.09E, 3.v.1981, J. Feehan (ANIC); 1 spec., McLeod R Xing, 16.29S 145.00E, c 330 m, 22.xi.1997, C. Reid (paperbark, rubbervine, sand; cow dung) (ANIC); 2 specs., Mount Mee, 7.5 km SW, 27.05S 152.42E, 12.x.1991, T. Gush (under dead snake on the road) (ANIC); 3 specs., Hay Point, 21.17S 149.15E, 28.xi.1990, T. Gush (on dead kangaroo) (ANIC); 2 specs., Charter Towers, 5.iv.1965, Bornemisza-Yapp; 1 spec., Atherton, 26.iii.1965, Bornemisza (ANIC); 6 specs., Isla Gorge National Park, NE corner, 25°10'S, 150°01'E, 4.-6.iii.1998, D.J. Cook (vine scrub, dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but 15.-19.xii.1997, 240 m; 1 spec., Mt. Rose, via Taroom, Site 2, 25°26'S, 149°59'E; 30.iii.1997, 200 m, D.J. Cook (at road-killed macropod) (QM); 2 specs., Brigalow Reservation Station Site 7, 24°49'S, 149°45'E, 28.-29.iii.2001, 170 m, Monteith, Cook (paddock dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., East Woodmillar, brigalow, 25°41'S, 151°36'E, 25.-27.i.1999, 240 m, D.J. Cook (dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Baldy Mt. Road, 2.4 km from S end, 1130 m, 17°20'S, 145°25'E, 30.xi.-1.xii.1997, G. Monteith (dung traps) (QM); 1 spec., Elsey NP, 12 mile camp, 14°57'S, 133°13'E, 25.-27.vi.2003, G.B. Monteith (dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., Lake Broadwater via Dalby, 22.iv.-12.vi.1986, Queensland Museum & Bennie (pitfall traps) (QM); 5 specs., Isla Gorge National Park, lookout turnoff, 240 m, 25°12'S, 149°58'E, 15.-19.xii.1997, D.J. Cook (open forest, dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., Bogantungan, 2 km N, 360 m, 23°38'S, 147°17'E; 17.-18.xii.2000, G.B. Monteith (open forest, dung pitfall) (QM); 5 specs., Expedition Range National Park, 'Amphitheatre Campsite’, 25°12'S, 148°59'E, 25.-26.ix.1997, D.J. Cook (dung baited pitfall traps) (QM); 3 specs., BoomerRa, Site 2, 23°12'S, 149°45'E, 28.-30.ix.1999, Monteith & Cook (open forest dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., BoomerRa, Python Scrub, Site 5, 240 m 23°12'S, 149°44'E, 28.-29.ix.1999, G.B. Monteith (dung trap, vine scrub) (QM); 1 spec., L. Torquine, Kamaran Downs Stn., 24°32'S, 138°39'E, 29.-30.viii.1994, C. Eddie & G. Ford ( Acacia georginae Shrudd) (QM); 2 specs., Moranbah, 6 km S, 25.vi.-20.xii.1997, G. Monteith & E. Kruck (Fit intercept, Box Flat) (QM); 2 specs., Jundah “Noonah-Lohern” Boundary, 24°06'S, 143°13'E, 15.iv.1993, A. Emmott (Boobok owl carcass) (QM); 4 specs., Bogantungan, 9 km N, 840 m, 23°34'S, 147°18'E, 25.-26.x.2000, D.J. Cook (dung pitfall) (QM); 2 specs., Isla Gorge Lookout, 380 m, 25°12'S, 149°58'E, 3.-5.iv.1998, G. Monteith (dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but 22.-23.ix.1997 (QM); 1 spec., Brigalow Res. Site 3, 28.-29.x.2000, 160 m, 24°48'S, 149°46'E, D.J. Cook (dung pitfall belah/brigalow) (QM); 2 specs., MacDonald Point site 1, 22°20'S, 150°11'E, 5 m, 2.viii.2001, D. Sands & J.Haines (dung trap) (QM); 1 spec., Gregory Dev Road and Sandy Crook crossing, 300 m, 19°36'S, 145°46'E, 17.-18.xii.2006, G. Monteith (open forest faeces pitfall trap) (QM); 1 spec., Brigalow Res., Site 7, 170 m, 24°49'S, 149°45'E, 28.-29.iii.2001, Monteith & Cook (fungus trap, paddock) (QM); 2 specs., 16 km N of Springsure, 23°59'S, 148°06'E, 250 m, 4.-10.iii.2006, G. Monteith (mushroom baited pitfall brigalow regrowth) (QM); 2 specs., Wallaroo Highway, 7.5 km NW, 25°15'S, 148°38'E, 480 m, Burwell (mushroom/pitfall, Eucalypt/cycad woodland) (QM); 4 specs., Capella, 16.5km S, 210 m, 23°13'S, 148°04'E, G. Monteith (mushroom baited pitfall, open forest) (QM); 6 specs., Wallaroo Highway, 6km WNW, 25°16'S, 148°39'E, 550 m, 4.-10.iii.2006, J. Burwell (mushroom baited pitfall, open woodland) (QM); 1 spec., Auburn River National Park, 200 m, 25°43'S, 151°03'E, 24.-26.xii.2005, G. Monteith (vine scrub) (QM); 1 spec., 5th Galway, 25°34'S, 142°09'E, 22.ix.2001 (dung pitfall) (QM); 2 specs., ditto, but 29.ix.2001 (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but 2.ix.2001 (QM); 1 spec., Lords Table, SE base, site 1, 22°40'S, 148°01'E, 440 m, 4.-6.iii.2006, QM party (dung trap, eucalypt woodland) (QM); 1 spec., Barkly Highway, Six Mile Creek, 20°01'S, 137°20'E, Monteith & Cook (dung trap, gidgee gravelly soil) (QM); 1 spec., Hillview, 22°15'S, 144°16'E, 12.iv.2002, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Andromeda, 23°53'S, 150°11'E, 20.iii.2002, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Amaroo, 22°06'S, 147°20'E, 20.i.2002, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM); 3 specs., Lolworth National Park, 19°50'S, 146°05'E, 270 m, 12.-14.xii.2006, D.J. Cook (faeces baited pitfall, open forest) (QM); 1 spec., Toomba, 390 m, 19°58'S, 145°34'E, 14.-17.xii.2006, G.B. Monteith & D.J. Cook (faeces baited pitfall, rainforest) (QM); 2 specs., ditto, but 14.-16.xii.2006 (QM); 2 specs., ditto, but 14.-15.ii.2007, G.B. Monteith (open forest dung trap, basalt) (QM); 2 specs., Yuleba SF, site 6, 270 m, 26°56'S, 149°44'E, 9.-10.iii.2002, Monteith & Cook (dung trap, cypress & gums) (QM); 2 specs., Wongi Ponds, S turnoff, 25°26'S, 152°38'E, 20 m, 18.-21.xii.2007, D.J. Cook (heath & eucalypt) (QM); 8 specs., Southwood NP, site 4, 255 m, 27°49'S, 150°05'E, 8.-10.xii.2005, G. Monteith (black soil, mushroom baited pitfall) (QM); 4 specs., ditto, but 8.-11.xii.2005 (mushroom baited pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Moonie, 8km SW, 270 m, 27°45'S, 150°18'E, G. Monteith (mushroom baited pitfall, black soil, brigalow) (QM); 7 specs., Coonardoo, Fletcher nr. Stanthorpe, 14.xii.1962, E. Sutton (under dead snake) (QM); 2 specs., Boggomoss, via. Taroom, 25°27'S, 150°02'E, 12.-13.xi.1996, G.B. Monteith (dung trap) (QM); 4 specs., ditto, but 14.-15.xi.1996 (QM); 21 specs., Boggom, via Taroom, 25°25'S, 150°01'E, 11.xi.1996-i.1997, Cook & Monteith (FIT trap) (QM); 2 specs., Wallum, 26°57'S, 147°45'E, ii.2002, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM); 1 spec., Ethabuka, 2007, C. Free (QM); 1 spec., “Araluen”, 24 °25'S, 150°31'E, 12.iii.2002, NHT Project (dung pitfall) (QM). Northern Territory: 5 specs., Alexandria Downs Station, 8.viii.1982, J. Harmer (ANIC); 5 specs., Avon Downs Station, 19.viii.1982, J. Harmer (ANIC); 1 spec., McArthur River Survey, Caranbirini, 22.iv.1976, J. Feehan (ANIC); 1 spec. Borroloola, 17.i.1973, R.W.G. Jenkins (ANIC); 1 spec., NT, 24.06S 132.46E, Finke Gorge NP, Little Palm Creek, 13.iii.1995, T. Weir, rock pools, palms, algal growth, overhanging vegetation (ANIC); 2 specs., Barkly Rdhse, 129 km E, 20°04'S, 136°55'E, 16.-21.iv.2004, Monteith & Cook (dung trap, acacia/grevillea shrubland) (QM); 1 spec., ditto, but 17.-20.iv.2004, 12 km NE, 19°37'S, 135°54'E (dung trap, gidgee, red soil) (QM); 1 spec., Wunarah, near turnoff, 19°59'S, 136°38'E, 270m, 8.-11.x.2007, D.J. Cook (QM). Victoria: 2 specs., Sea Lake, no date, J.C. Goudie (MAMU).

Biology.

Found on carcasses as well as in dung; often collected in pitfall traps.

Distribution.

This species is known from tropical Africa, including Madagascar, the Cape Verde Archipelago and the British territory of Saint Helene, across the Arabian Peninsula eastward to India, Myanmar and Vietnam ( Mazur 2011). It is introduced and widespread in Australia, absent from Tasmania (Fig. 753).

Remarks.

A sexually dimorphic species, males differ from females by the presence of two prominent tubercles situated near metaventral base as well as by finer punctation of both dorsum and venter. This species is similar to S. chalcites and can be confused with it, differing from the latter by much more coarse and dense punctation of dorsum as well as more dilated apex of aedeagus (compare Figs 370 and 406). S. cupreus has been recently re-described in detail ( Lackner and Gomy 2016). It can be distinguished from the rest of the Australopacific Saprinus species using the above key. For the sake of easier identification of the Australopacific taxa we chose to include here the photographs of its habitus, as well as SEM micrographs and male genitalia drawings.