Hathor spinosa Deschodt, 2023

Deschodt, Christian M. & Sole, Catherine L., 2023, A new genus and species in the diverse dung beetle tribe Onthophagini Streubel, 1846 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from South Africa, Zootaxa 5375 (2), pp. 279-284 : 282

Hathor spinosa Deschodt , new species

Figures 1A–D , 2A , 3

Type material. Holotype, female: Schurveberg | -25.768° 27.964° | 07.i.2023 | C. Deschodt ( TMSA).

Description of the holotype (female): Head: ( Fig. 1A, C and D and 2A ) Clypeus extended and narrowing anteriorly, upturned at end, shallowly sinuate; anterior surface of frontoclypeal suture smooth and punctate with associated setae; frontoclypeal suture distinct medially, effaced at the sides, curving anteriorly; vertex with distinct and setate horns. Prothorax: Dorsal surface punctate with short associated setae; lateral surface with small granules and short associated setae; anterior vertical surface smooth, prothoracic carina straight.; triangular spine-like process present medially. Legs: Protibiae with four teeth on outside, fourth tooth reduced, small denticle present between second and third teeth and between third and fourth teeth; tibiae ending at a slanted angle; first article of the protarsus longer than the next three combined, last protarsus almost as long as the previous three segments combined; meso and metalegs widening distally. Venter. ( Fig. 1B ) Mesometasternal suture distinct and very slightly sinuate; mesosternum narrow, punctate with small punctures that are closer together than their diameters; metasternum surface smooth with small punctures that are about three times their diameters apart. Abdomen: surface of ventrites smooth with short setae. Pygidium : Surface smooth with medium punctures about one puncture diameter apart; punctures with thin associated setae.

Etymology. The specific epithet is feminine in gender and refers to the triangular spine-like process that is seen on the front of the prothorax.

Remarks. As it was found in putative association with the very widespread and commonly found ant species Anoplolepis custodiens , the potential distribution of Hathor spinosa Deschodt , new genus and species might be most of Southern Africa and further to the north east.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Hathor spinosa Deschodt, new genus and species. (A) habitus in dorsal view showing the reduced fourth denticle of the protibiae; (B) habitus in ventral view; (C) habitus in lateral view showing the spine on the pronotum and; (D) frontal view showing the characteristic horns on the vertex and the triangular spine-like process situated anteromedially on the prothorax.

FIGURE 2. Head in ventral view and number of antennal segments. (A) Hathor spinosa Deschodt, new genus and species with eight segments; (B) Onthophagus suffuses Klug, 1855 with nine segments.

FIGURE 3. Map of South Africa showing the type locality of Hathor spinosa Deschodt, new genus and species (red dot west of Pretoria).