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Issue: Vol. 5711 No. 1: 16 Oct. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-10-16
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5711.1.3
Page range: 79-92
Abstract views: 96
PDF downloaded: 7

New tribes (Paraphytini, Coptorhinini) proposed for five African or Afro-Oriental dung beetle genera formerly classified in the tribe Ateuchini Perty, 1830 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Department of Zoology and Entomology; University of Pretoria; P/B X20; Hatfield; 0028 South Africa
Department of Zoology and Entomology; University of Pretoria; P/B X20; Hatfield; 0028 South Africa
Department of Zoology and Entomology; University of Pretoria; P/B X20; Hatfield; 0028 South Africa
Coleoptera Coptorhina Paraphytus Delopleurus Frankenbergerius Sarophorus

Abstract

Owing to discrepancies between phylogeny and tribal phenetic classification in the subfamily Scarabaeinae, a number of new or old tribes have recently been described or revalidated to resolve the differences. The present paper continues this process by proposing two new tribes for five out of six genera recorded from Africa that were formerly classified in the tribe Ateuchini Perty, 1830 (Pedaria Castelnau, 1832, excluded). These five genera are either restricted to Africa (three genera) or show a primarily Afro-Oriental distribution (two genera). We provide defining characters for the Paraphytini Scholtz, Davis & de Klerk, new tribe (genus: Paraphytus Harold, 1877) and Coptorhinini Scholtz, Davis & de Klerk, new tribe (genera: Coptorhina Hope, 1833; Sarophorus Erichson, 1848; Delopleurus Erichson, 1848; Frankenbergerius Balthasar, 1938). Photographs are provided of the type genera, Paraphytus and Coptorhina, plus species of the other three genera. Maps show the overall geographical distribution of the five genera, only one of which is frequently recorded in dung (Sarophorus). The other genera either breed in rotting logs (Paraphytus) or are mycetophages.

 

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How to Cite

Scholtz, C.H., Davis, A.L. & Klerk, H.D. (2025) New tribes (Paraphytini, Coptorhinini) proposed for five African or Afro-Oriental dung beetle genera formerly classified in the tribe Ateuchini Perty, 1830 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Zootaxa, 5711 (1), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5711.1.3