Ceratochodaeus eliotti (Huchet, 2014) Huchet, 2019

Huchet, Jean-Bernard, 2019, New data on the taxonomy and distribution of Philippine Ochodaeidae and description of a new species from Central Visayas (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea), Insecta Mundi 722 (722), pp. 1-10 : 6

New data on the distribution of Ceratochodaeus eliotti (Huchet, 2014) , new combination

Initially described from Mindanao, C. eliotti is known from several localities: Bukidnon, Cabanglasan (type locality), Mount Kalatungan, Dominorog and Lanao del Sur (Wao). Among the specimens originated from the Royal Ontario Museum, two males, collected in Leyte island at 7 km N of BayBay, Pangasugan (250 m), 10°45’N / 124° 50’E, between 28-30 may 1987 (ROM 873055), could be indisputably related to this species ( Fig. 12 ). Both specimens were collected using a Malaise trap placed on a slope, above a disturbed forest area actively logged and partially burned ( Fig. 13 ).

From a biogeographic point of view, this interesting discovery testifies of close relationships between Mindanao and Leyte. As noticed by Racheli and Biondi (1989), the southern islands (Cebu, Leyte and Bohol) present a high faunistic affinity with Mindanao, while the northern ones (Mindoro, Panay, Samar and Negros) are more similar to Luzon. During the late Pleistocene period of low sea level (from 126,000 (± 5,000) to 11,700 years ago), many Philippine islands were more extensive, with groups connecting into larger islands. Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, and Bohol were all one island referred to Greater Mindanao and their faunal affinities to each other persist to this day ( Heaney 1986; Heaney and Regalado 1998; Peterson et al. 2000).

Figures

Figure 12. Ceratochodaeus eliotti (Huchet, 2014), male specimen from Leyte Island.

Figure 13. Collecting site of C. eliotti (Huchet, 2014) in Leyte (photo courtesy: C. Darling, ROM).