Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Monograph
Published: 2022-07-12
Page range: 1-278
Abstract views: 846
PDF downloaded: 45

Review of the genus Amblymelanoplia Dombrow, 2002 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini) with the description of ninety-three new species from South Africa and observations on its biogeography and phylogeny

Freier Mitarbeiter der Zoologischen Staatssammlung, Münchhausenstraße 21, 81247 München, Germany.
Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, 3101 Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California Berkeley, USA.
Coleoptera Greater Cape Floristic Region morphology-based phylogeny parsimony analyses Bayesian inference biogeography taxonomy

Abstract

Twenty years after establishing the genus Amblymelanoplia Dombrow, 2002 a large amount of new material collected has warranted a critical review of the established species and a revision of the genus. From this process, we describe 93 new species from the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces of the Republic of South Africa. A lectotype is designated for Gouna burchelli Arrow, 1917 which is transferred to Amblymelanoplia. The new species are: A. aequabilis Dombrow, new species, A. albolineata Dombrow, new species, A. albosquamosa Dombrow, new species, A. alluaudi Dombrow, new species, A. aquifolia Dombrow, new species, A. arrowi Dombrow, new species, A. atritica Dombrow, new species, A. baehri Dombrow, new species, A. balkei Dombrow, new species, A. bicostata Dombrow, new species, A. bidentata Dombrow, new species, A. bimucronata Dombrow, new species, A. brancuccii Dombrow, new species, A. braunsi Dombrow, new species, A. brinckmanni Dombrow, new species, A. burmeisteri Dombrow, new species, A. caliginosa Dombrow, new species, A. carinata Dombrow, new species, A. castanea Dombrow, new species, A. cederbergensis Dombrow, new species, A. citrusdalensis Dombrow, new species, A. constricta Dombrow, new species, A. costata Dombrow, new species, A. crenata Dombrow, new species, A. deyrollei Dombrow, new species, A. dregei Dombrow, new species, A. drumonti Dombrow, new species, A. elkeae Dombrow, new species, A. enodisuturalis Dombrow, new species, A. fabricii Dombrow, new species, A. felschei Dombrow, new species, A. frischi Dombrow, new species, A. fryi Dombrow, new species, A. fusca Dombrow, new species, A. gifbergensis Dombrow, new species, A. glenlyonensis Dombrow, new species, A. goodhopensis Dombrow, new species, A. gydoensis Dombrow, new species, A. jekeli Dombrow, new species, A. klassi Dombrow, new species, A. kraatzi Dombrow, new species, A. kulzeri Dombrow, new species, A. laingsburgensis Dombrow, new species, A. lichtensteini Dombrow, new species, A. lajoyei Dombrow, new species, A. macrodentata Dombrow, new species, A. mamreensis Dombrow, new species, A. mcleodi Dombrow, new species, A. microdentata Dombrow, new species, A. montana Dombrow, new species, A. mortoni Dombrow, new species, A. multidentata Dombrow, new species, A. murrayi Dombrow, new species, A. nigra Dombrow, new species, A. obscura Dombrow, new species, A. paraunidentata Dombrow, new species, A. pascoei Dombrow, new species, A. pentheri Dombrow, new species, A. pseudocostata Dombrow, new species, A. pseudostrigata Dombrow, new species, A. pseudounidentata Dombrow, new species, A. pulchra Dombrow, new species, A. pulleiacea Dombrow, new species, A. punctata Dombrow, new species, A. pygidialis Dombrow, new species, A. reichei Dombrow, new species, A. robertsi Dombrow, new species, A. sainvali Dombrow, new species, A. scheini Dombrow, new species, A. scutellaris Dombrow, new species, A. selbi Dombrow, new species, A. septentrionalestris Dombrow, new species, A. setosa Dombrow, new species, A. soetwaterensis Dombrow, new species, A. sprecherae Dombrow, new species, A. squamosa Dombrow, new species, A. stalsi Dombrow, new species, A. stellenboschensis Dombrow, new species, A. strigata Dombrow, new species, A. sulcata Dombrow, new species, A. swartbergensis Dombrow, new species, A. swellendamensis Dombrow, new species, A. thomsoni Dombrow, new species, A. tradouwensis Dombrow, new species, A. tuberculata Dombrow, new species, A. turneri Dombrow, new species, A. unidentata Dombrow, new species, A. vansoni Dombrow, new species, A. webbi Dombrow, new species, A. wittmeri Dombrow, new species, A. worcesterensis Dombrow, new species, A. zuercherae Dombrow, new species and A. zumpti Dombrow, new species. Three cryptic species complexes within the species A. burchelli (Arrow, 1917) [+6], A. cornuta Dombrow, 2002 [+10] and A. capensis Dombrow, 2002 [+14] were detected. A revised key of the genus and observations about its biogeography and phylogeny are given. Important details of the morphological characters of the body and the parameres of the species are illustrated and their distributions are mapped. We also provide habitat information.

 

References

  1. Ahrens, D., Scott, M. & Vogler, A.P. (2011) The phylogeny of monkey beetles based on mitochondrial and ribosomal RNA genes (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Hopliini). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 60, 408–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.04.011
    African Plant Database (version 3.4.0) (2019) Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, “Retrieved [04.2019]”. Available from: http://www.villege.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/ (accessed 12 May 2022)
    Arrow, G.J. (1917) Some systematic notes on melolonthine Coleoptera. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 19 (109), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222931709486912
    Blanchard, E. (1850) Catalogue de la collection entomologique du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle du Paris. Classes de Insectes. Ordre des Coléoptères. Tome 1. Gide et Baudry, Libraires-Éditeurs, Paris, 240 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.9083
    Born, J., Linder, H.P. & Desmet, P. (2007) The Greater Cape Floristic Region. Journal of Biogeography, 34, 147–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01595.x
    Bousquet, Y. & Bouchard, P. (2013a) The genera in the second catalogue (1833–1836) of Dejean’s Coleoptera collection. ZooKeys, 282, 1–219. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.282.4401
    Bousquet, Y. & Bouchard, P. (2013b) The genera in the third catalogue (1836–1837) of Dejean’s Coleoptera collection. ZooKeys, 282, 221–239. https://doi.org/doi: 10.3897/zookeys.282.4402
    Browne, J. & Scholtz, C.H. (1998) Evolution of the scarab hindwing articulation and wing base: A contribution toward the phylogeny of the Scarabaeidae (Scarabaeoidea: Coleoptera). Systematic Entomology, 23, 307–326. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3113.1998.00059.x
    Burmeister, H. (1844) Handbuch der Entomologie. Vierter Band Besondere Entomologie. Erste Abtheilung Coleoptera Lamellicornia, Anthobia et Phyllophaga systellochela. Theodor Christian Friedrich Enslin, Berlin, xii + 587 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8135
    Carrillo-Ruiz, H. & Morón, M.-A. (2011) Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Hoplia Illiger (Scarabaeidae: Hopliinae). Neotropical Entomology, 40, 217–221. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-566X2011000200010
    Colville, J.F., Potts, A.J., Bradshaw, P.L., Measey, G.J., Snijman, D. A., Picker, M.D., Procheş, Ş., Bowie, R.C.K. & Manning, J.C. (2014) Floristic and faunal Cape biochoria: do they exist? In: Allsopp, N., Colville, J.F. & Verboom, G.A. (Eds.), Fynbos: Ecology, evolution, and conservation of a megadiverse region. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 72–93. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199679584.001.0001
    Colville, J.F., Picker, M.D. & Cowling, R.M. (2018) Feeding ecology and sexual dimorphism in a speciose flower beetle clade (Hopliini: Scarabaeidae). PeerJ, 6, e4632. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4632
    Dalla Torre, K.W.von. (1913) Melolonthinae. Coleopterorum Catalogus, 50, 339–385.
    Dejean, P.F.M.A.de.M.le. Comte (1821) Catalogue de la collection de Coléoptères de M. le Comte Dejean. Crevot, Paris, viii + 136 + [2] pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.11259
    Dejean, P.F.M.A. (1833–1836a) Catalogue des Coléoptères de la collection de M. le Comte Dejean. Méquignon-Marvis, Paris, 443 pp. [Livraisons 1–2 (1833): pp. 1–176; Livraison 3 (1834): pp. 177–256; Livraison 4 (1835): pp. 257–360; Livraison 5 (1836a): pp. 361–443] https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8771
    Dejean, P.F.M.A. (1836b–1837) Catalogue des coléoptères de la collection de M. le comte Dejean. Troisième édition, revue, corrigée et augmentée. Méquignon-Marvis Père et Fils, Paris, xiv + 503 pp. [Livraisons 1–4 (1836b): pp. 1–384; Livraison 5 (1837): pp. i–xiv + 385–503] https://doi.org/10.5962/t.173109
    Dombrow, H. (2001) Revision of the Genus Gymnoloma Burmeister, 1844 with observations on three new genera. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini). Coleoptera, 5, 107–148.
    Dombrow, H. (2002) Amblymelanoplia gen. n. a new genus of South African Hopliini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini). Coleoptera, 6, 117–128.
    Dombrow, H.E. & Colville, J.F. (2020) Review of the Genus Beckhoplia Dombrow, 2005 with the description of fifteen new species from South Africa and observations on its biogeography (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini). Zootaxa, 4823 (1), 1–79. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4823.1.1
    Endrödy-Younga, S. (1978) Coleoptera. In: Werger, M.J.A. (Ed.), Biogeography and ecology of southern Africa. Dr W. Junk by Publishers, The Hague, pp. 799–820. Available from: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789061930839 (accessed 12 May 2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9951-0_26
    Fabricius, J.C. (1781) Species insectorum exhibentes eorum differentias speceficas synonyma, auctorum, loca, natalia, metamorphosia, adjectis observationibus descriptionibus Tome 1. Bohn, C.E., Hamburg & Kiel, viii + 552 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.36509
    Fabricius, J.C. (1792) Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, adjectis synonimis, locis, observationibus, descriptionibus. Tome 1. Hafniae, Impensis Christ. Gottl. Proft, xx + 538 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.122153
    Fabricius, J.C. (1801) Systema eleutheratorum, ordines, genera, species, adjectis, synonymis, locis, observationibus, descriptionibus. Impensis Bibliopolii Academici Novi, Kiel, xxiv + 506 pp.
    Gemminger, M. & Harold, E.von. (1869) Catalogus coleopterorum hucusque descriptorum synonymicus et systematicus, Scarabaeidae. Tome IV. E.H. Gummi, München, pp. 979–1346. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.9089
    Herbst, J.F.W. (1790) Natursystem aller bekannten in- und ausländischen Insekten als eine Fortsetzung der von Büffonschen Naturgeschichte. Der Käfer dritter Theil. Pauli, J., Berlin, xvi + 325 pp.
    Illiger, K. (1800) Oliviers Entomologie oder Naturgeschichte der Insekten mit ihren Gattungs- und ArtMerkmalen, ihrer Beschreibung und Synonymie. Käfer. Übersetzt und mit Zusätzen und Anmerkungen durchgängig begleitet. Erster Theil. Braunschweig, xvi + 602 pp., 5 pls. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.120818
    Illiger, K. (1805) Zusätze, Berichtigungen und Bemekungen zu Fabricii Systhema Eleutheratorum. Tomus II. Magazin für Insektenkunde, 4, 69–174.
    International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (2000) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 4th edition. Goecke & Evers, Keltern, 232 pp.
    Kirk-Spriggs, A.H. & McGregor, G. (2009) Disjunctions in the Diptera (Insecta) fauna of the Mediterranean Province and southern Africa and a discussion of biogeographical considerations. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 64, 32–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/00359190909519236
    Kuhlmann, M. (2009) Patterns of diversity, endemism and distribution of bees (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 75, 726–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2009.06.016
    Lacordaire, J.T. (1856) Histoire naturelle des insectes. Genera des coléoptères, ou exposé méthodique et critique de tous les genres proposés jusqu'ici dans cet ordre d'insectes. Tome 3. Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret, Paris, 594 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8864
    Lee, M.S.Y. & Palci, A. (2015) Morphological phylogenetics in the genomic age. Current Biology, 25, R922–R929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.009
    Leistner, O.A. & Morris, J.W. (1976) Southern African place names. Annals of the Cape Provincial Museums, 12, 1–565.
    McLeod, L. & Colville, J.F. (2001) Observations on unusual feeding and mating behaviour of a monkey beetle genus Amblymelanoplia Dombrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Hopliini). African Entomology 29, 301–306. https://doi.org/10.4001/003.029.0301
    Muzina, L. & Rutherford, M.C. (Eds.) (2006) The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelizia, 19, 1–807.
    Nichols, S.W. (1989) The Torre-Bueno Glossary of Entomology. The New York Entomological Society, New York, xvii + 840 pp.
    Olivier, G.A. (1789) Encyclopédie ou histoire naturelle des Insectes, avec leurs caractères génériques et spécifiques, leur description, leur synonymie, et leur figure enluminée. Tome 1. Baudouin, F-J. de, Paris, xx + 432 pp., Explanation of plates i–ixx, Errata i–ii. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.61905
    Péringuey, L. (1902) Descriptive catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa (Lucanidae and Scarabaeidae). Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society, 12, 1–920. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8963
    Scotland, R.W., Olmstead, R.G. & Bennett, J.R. (2003) Phylogeny reconstruction: The role of morphology. Systematic Biology, 52, 539–548. Available from : https://www.jstor.org/stable/3651141 (accessed 12 May 2022)
    Snodgrass, R.E. (1935) Principles of Insect Morphology. McGraw Hill Bock Company Inc., New York and London, vi + 667 pp.
    Schönherr, C.J. (1817) Syonyma Insectorum oder Versuch einer Synonymie aller bisher bekannten Insecten; nach Fabricii Systema Eleutheratorum etc. geordnet. Mit Berichtigungen und Anmerkungen, wie auch mit Beschreibungen neuer Arten und mit illuminierten Kupfern. Erster Band Eleutherata oder Käfer, Dritter Theil. Bruzelius, Em. Uppsala, xi + 511 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.66107
    Schulze, R.E. & Lynch, S.D. (1997) Annual Precipitation. In: Schulze, R.E. (Ed.), South African Atlas of Climatology and Agrohydrology. Water Research Commission, Pretoria, RSA, WRC Report 1489/1/06, Section 6.2, pp. 1–276.
    Wahlberg, N., Braby, M.F., Brower, A.V.Z., de Jong, R., Lee, M.-M., Nylin, S., Pierce, N.E., Sperling, F.A.H., Vila, R., Warren, A.D. & Zakharov, E. (2005) Synergistic effects of combining morphological and molecular data in resolving the phylogeny of butterflies and skippers. Proceedings. Biological Sciences / The Royal Society, 272, 1577–86. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3124
    Zauli, A., Maurizi, E., Carpaneto, G.M., Chiari, S., Svensson, G.P. & Di Giulio, A. (2016) Antennal fine morphology of the threatened beetle Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Microscopy Research & Technique, 79, 178–191. https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.22618

  2.