Sisyphus australis Daniel & Davis, 2020

Daniel, Gimo M., Davis, Adrian Lv., Sole, Catherine L. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2020, Taxonomic review of the tribe Sisyphini sensu stricto Mulsant, 1842 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in southern Africa, including new species descriptions, Insect Systematics & Evolution 51 (1), pp. 1-61 : 35-36

Sisyphus australis Daniel & Davis sp. n. ( Fig. 11 , 12E ).

ZooBank: http://zoobank.org/ 762856F2-064A-4B6C-9A1C-BB22BA70A271

Diagnosis: Sisyphus australis sp. n. is similar to S. costatus . However, the new species is distinguished by the straight margin between the medial clypeal teeth. It also bears a strong clypeo-frontal carina ( Fig. 11H ). In addition, the parameres of S. costatus and S. australis sp. n. are distinctly different ( Fig. 12 B, E )

Description: Male holotype: Size. Length: 5.7 mm; width: 3.2 mm. Colour. Black body; setae brown; meso- and metasternum black; antennae grey. Head. Medial teeth not sharp apically; edge between medial teeth separated by a straight margin; a rectangular margin between the medial tooth and lateral indentation; genal margin straight. Dorsal surface of the clypeus setose, without punctation; clypeo-frontal carina distinctly defined; vertex setigerous with scattered ocellate punctures ( Fig. 11H ). Pronotum. Convex; maximum length longer than maximum width; dorsal surface with setation and ocellate punctures of different sizes; setae on the antero-lateral projection well-developed. Complete lateral prothoracic margin between the prothoracic disc and prothoracic episternum. Elytra. Elongate, narrow posteriorly; elytral striae minutely punctate and crenulate, characterized by a distinct crenulate double line, which is interrupted by fine ocellate strial puctures; interstriae with alternating rows of well or weakly developed setae; hind wing and venation are fully developed. Pygidium. Setigerous with ocellate punctation. Sternites. Abdominal sternites finely crenulate, setigerous with ocellate punctation; setae arranged in rows laterally; meso-metasternal suture visible; punctate depression on the postero-medial surface of the metasternum. Legs. In ventral view, antero-lateral carina of profemur punctate, with a lateral row of fine and well developed setae; meso- and metafemur with granulation, densely punctate and setose; meso- and metatrochanter contiguous with femur, metatrochanter projected somewhat backwards; protibia with three teeth and single terminal spine; mesotibia punctate and setose with two terminal spines; metatibia densely setose, serrated laterally with two spurs; pro- meso- and metatarsi five segmented with two claws, setose laterally; first tarsal segment of the meso- and meta-thoracic legs with a row of strong setae on the external edge. Aedeagus. Parameres simple and symmetrical ( Fig. 12E )

Morphological variation

Size: Male: length: 8.2– 5.5 mm; width: 3.2–4.0 mm; Female: 8.0–6.0 mm; width: 3.0– 3.6 mm. Head: Mainly in populations from the Eastern Cape (The Haven), the surface of the clypeus is less setigerous. Male: Meta- and mesotibia curved; last abdominal sternite narrowed medially ( Fig. 1A ). Female: Meta- and mesotibia almost straight; last visible abdominal sternite not constricted medially ( Fig. 1B ).

Examined type material

Holotype: (♂ TMSA) SOUTH AFRICA: /S. Cape Prov (Western Cape), Outeniekwaberg , 33.50°S; 23.11°E /; 13.12.1977; E-Y: 1422, dung collecting, leg: Endrödy-Younga.

Paratypes: (3♂, 3♀ TMSA) same data as holotype. (1♂, 1♀ TMSA) SOUTH AFRI- CA: Cape Prov. (Western Cape) George , Saasveld , 205, leg: Breytenbach. (1♀ SANC) SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Prov. (Western Cape) George , Saasveld , 205, leg: Breytenbach. (1♂ SANC) SOUTH AFRICA: C.P. (Western Cape) (10 km SW), 3.iii.1973, leg: Davis. (3♂, 5♀ TMSA) SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), The Haven , 32.15°S 28.55°E, 09.xii.1979, E-Y: 1696, groundtraps, 7 days, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (2♂, 2♀ TMSA): SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), Coast Dwesa forest , 32.17°S 28.50°E, 5.iii.1985, zebra dung, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (1♂ TMSA): SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), Alexandria For. St. , 33.43°S 26.23°E, 5.xii.1987, groundtraps with faeces bait, 2 days, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (1♀ SANC) Transkei (Eastern Cape), Wavecrest, 25.xi.1981, leg: Doube .

Etymology: The species name reflects the geographical distribution of the species, which is restricted to the southern part of South Africa.

Distribution: Sisyphus australis sp. n., has been recorded along the coastline in association with shaded vegetation of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa ( Fig. 13 ).

Remarks: Detailed study of type and non-type material of S. gazanus and S. costatus have revealed a species complex composed of S. costatus ; S. australis sp. n.; S. inconspicuous sp. n. and S. gazanus . The main distinguishing features for the species complex are present- ed in Table 1 . Furthermore, the shape of the parameres ( Figs. 12 A–E) and the distributions ( Fig. 13 ) are useful to separate the four species belonging to the gazanus complex.

Figures

Fig. 11. Images of the habitus of the costatus species-group: A. S. impressipennis; B. S. costatus; C. S. gazanus; D. S. inconspicuus sp. n; E. S. australis sp. n. F. elytra composed of alternate rows of well and less-developed setae, normally seen in S. costatus and S. australis sp. n. G. Head of S. costatus shows a concavity between the medial teeth on the anterior edge of the clypeus. H. Head of S. australis sp. n shows a straight margin between the medial teeth on the anterior edge of the clypeus; there are defined carinae on the clypeo-frontal suture, and scattered punctation on the vertex. I. Frons of S. inconspicuus sp. n without clear punctation. J. S. gazanus: bearing vertex and frons densely and fully punctate.

Fig. 12. Images of the aedeagi of the costatus species-group: A. S. impressipennis; B. S. costatus; C. S. gazanus; D. S. inconspicuus sp. n; E. S. australis sp. n.

Fig. 1. A- medially narrow sternite, typical for males in Sisyphus. B- Abdominal sternite in females of Sisyphus species; C- Sisyphus; bears strong setae on the external edge of the first metatarsus; D- Neosisyphus, lacking strong setae on the external margin of the first metatarsus. E- Complete lateral ridge, which divides proepisternum from pronotal disc in Sisyphus. F- Lateral ridge does not reach antero-lateral edge of the pronotum in Neosisyphus.

Fig. 13. Distribution map for the costatus species-group.