Ceroctis korana (Peringuey, 1886)

Bologna, Marco A., Amore, Valentina & Pitzalis, Monica, 2018, Meloidae of Namibia (Coleoptera): taxonomy and faunistics with biogeographic and ecological notes, Zootaxa 4373 (1), pp. 1-141 : 52-54

Ceroctis korana species group

The validity of this heterogeneous assemblage, based only on phenetic similarities, needs confirmation. It is apparently endemic to the southwestern Africa.

Ceroctis amphibia ( Marseul, 1872) ( Fig. 3H )

Mylabris (Ceroctis) amphibia Marseul, 1872

Ceroctis amphibia ssp. rudebecki Kaszab, 1956 Distribution. Western Angola and western Namibia .

Material examined and literature records. [Kunene] Epupa: Ondundujengo River , 17.8000°S 12.3167°E ( SMWN) ; S Omatjinguma , 17.8750°S 12.3750°E ( SMWN) . Opuwo: 30 km WNW Oruoembe , 18.1167°S 12.3500°E ( SMWN) ; Namib, Kakoveld, 15 miles S Anabib ( Orupenbe ), 18.1833°S 12.5167°E ( ssp rudebecki, Kaszab, 1956 ) ; 100 miles W Ohopoho , 18.1833°S 12.5167°E ( Kaszab 1956). Sesfontein: Khowarib Schlucht , 19.3000°S 13.9167°E (SMWN). Khorixas: N of Doros Crater, Skeleton Coast Park, 20.3667°S 14.1333°E (SMWN); 60 km Twyfelfontein , 20.5667°S 14.3667°E ( SMWN) . [Erongo] Dâures: Brandberg Messum Valley , 21.2215°S 14.5163°E ( Bologna 2000a; CB; SMWN) ; D2342, 9, 5 km S Messum Valley, 21.2999°S 14.5406°E (CB); D2342, 17 km SE Messum Valley , 21.3048°S 14.6574°E (CB); D3716, Spitzkoppe, 21.8267°S 15.2074°E (CB); Spitskoppe, 21.8518°S 15.1484°E (SMWN). Karibib: B2, 16 km W Karibib, 21.9358°S 15.7056°E (CB); B2, 8 km W Usakos, 21.9876°S 15.5057°E (Bologna vidit); B2, 2, 6 km W Usakos , 21.9989°S 15.5647°E (CB); Naob 69, 22.1333°S 15.5667°E (SMWN); B2, 56 km W Usakos , 22.1763°S 15.1722°E (CB). Arandis: 6 km N Arandis , 22.3667°S 14.9833°E (SMWN); Rossing Mine , 22.4667°S 15.0333°E ( SMWN) ; Lower Dome Gorge , 22.4667°S 15.0667°E ( SMWN) ; Upper Ostrich Gorge , 22.4833°S 14.9833°E ( SMWN) ; Upper Panner Gorge , 22.4833°S 15.0167°E ( SMWN) ; Lower Ostrich Gorge , 22.5000°S 14.9667°E ( SMWN) . [Hardap] Gibeon: Waltevrede G. Farm , 24.1779°S 15.9802°E (CB); C14 10 km S Waltevrede , 24.2377°S 15.9040°E (CB). [Karas] Keetmanshoop Rural: Khabus 146 , 26.3000°S 18.2167°E (SMWN).

Other records: Namib Sand Sea desert ( Seely 2012); Namibia ( Bologna 2000a; Pitzalis et al. 2014).

Remarks. Types of this species were examined at MNHN.

The taxonomy of this species was discussed by Bologna (2000a), who synonymized the ssp. rudebecki Kaszab, 1956 with the nominate form.

The phylogenetic position of C. amphibia is unclear, but we suggest possible relationships with C. korana and C. karrooensis , due to the common shape of the wide pronotum with similar puncturation, and the similar shape of antennomeres. Actually, C. amphibia is well distinct from the remaining species at least because of the partial red colour of femours.

Ceroctis karroensis Péringuey, 1909 ( Fig. 3I )

Distribution. Namibia and western South Africa.

Material examined and literature records. [Kunene] Epupa : Okakatuwo, Kaokoland, 17.4000°S 12.7333°E ( SMWN) . [Omusati] Okahao: C35, Kamanjab-Ruacana 77 km NW of Kamanjab, 19.2528°S 14.4442°E (CB). [Khomas] Windhoek Rural: Windhoek, D 1535, 5 km jct. B6, 22.3681°S 17.6675°E (CB); C23, 26 km S Dordabis, 23.0575°S 17.9329°E (CB); Solitaire, 23.8648°S 16.0585°E (CB). [Omaheke] Steinhausen: Kehoro Noord 185, 21.9667°S 18.7167°E ( SMWN) . Aminius: C20, Gobabis-Leonardville 5 km S Aais, 23.2593°S 18.7237°E (CB). [Hardap] Gibeon: C14, Maltahohe-Bullsport, after Fish River , 24.4022°S 16.8172°E (CB). [Karas] Keetmanshoop Urban: C16, Keetmanshoop, 6 km jct. B1, 26.5809°S 18.1925°E (CB). Lüderitz: near Aus, 26.6667°S 16.2667°E (CB); Obib Mts. / Dunes, Diamond Area 1, 28.0500°S 16.6000°E ( SMWN) . Keetmanshoop Rural: Karas distr., 27.1352°S 19.4941°E (CB); Namaqualand, Rek Vlatke, 27.4000°S 16.5833°E ( Kaszab 1955b, as ab. bisbiinterrupta). Oranjemund : Boom River Canyon, 19 km N of Orange River (ESE of Rosh Pinah ), 27.8667°S 17.0667°E ( SMWN) .

Other records: Namibia ( Bologna 2000a; Pitzalis et al. 2014). Kaszab (1955b as ab. bisbiinterrupta) cited the species from southern Kalahari, but probably this record refers to the South African portion of this desert.

Remarks. Types of this species were examined at SAMC.

The elytral pattern is variable, due to the extension of the black colouration. Orange-yellow spots are usually estended and partially coalescent, forming transverse irregular fasciae. Small and round spots without fasciae are present in few specimens (E of Windhoek, Diamond Area, Boom River; South Africa, Richtersveld), which appear distinct from the most common phenotype. Male antenna, pronotum and male genitalia are illustrated in Figs 11 A- E.

Ceroctis korana ( Péringuey, 1886) ( Fig. 3J )

Mylabris korana Péringuey, 1886

Distribution. Western Namibia (new species record for this country) and western South Africa.

Material examined. [Hardap] Gibeon: C19, 8 km S Solitaire, 23.9774°S 16.0063°E (CB); Waltevrede G. Farm, 24.1779°S 15.9802°E (CB); Gorraris 99, Luderitz , 25.3184°S 15.9089°E ( SMWN) . [Karas] Lüderitz: Awasib, dunes E, 25.2500°S 15.7167°E ( SMWN) ; Numabis Pan Diamond Area 2, 25.5167°S 15.5167°E ( SMWN) . Keetmanshoop Rural: Khabus 146, 26.2833°S 18.2333°E (SMWN); Khabus 146, 26.3000°S 18.2167°E (SMWN). Berseba: C14, 51 km N Bethanienm, 26.2919°S 17.0535°E (CB); B4, 73 km W Keetmanshoop, 26.7809°S 17.4657°E (CB); 15 km ESE of Goageb , 26.8000°S 17.3667°E (SMWN). Oranjemund: C13, 50 km S Rosh Pinah, 28.07076°S 17.12799°E (CB); C13, 25– 30 km S Rosh Pinah , 28.07315°S 16.94231°E (CB). Karasburg: M21, 4 km N Warmbad, 28.39832°S 18.75766°E (CB); C13, 44, 5 km N Noordoewer Grape Valley , 28.41803°S 17.44408°E (CB); C10, 23 km N Velloorsdrif, 28.52194°S 19.18402°E (CB); Noordoewer, 28.6667°S 17.6667°E (SMWN); Noodoewer, 28.7500°S 17.6167°E (SMWN).

Other records. Namib Sand Sea desert ( Seely 2012); Namibia ( Pitzalis et al. 2014) .

Remarks. Types of this species were examined at SAMC.

This species is similar to C. karrooensis , but distinct because of the following characters: shiny integuments, deeper and more distanced punctures of head and pronotum, male antennomeres IV–IX less serrate, wider extension of lemon yellow colouration, particularly on the fore fascia.

We suspect that C. gariepina (Péringuey, 1888) from northwestern South Africa could represent only an elytral variation of C. korana .

Figures

FIGURE 3. A. Ceroctis angolensis; B. Ceroctis exclamationis; C. Ceroctis bohemani; D. Ceroctis aliena; E. Ceroctis peringueyi; F. Ceroctis trifasciata; G. Ceroctis blanda; H. Ceroctis amphibia; I. Ceroctis karroensis; J. Ceroctis korana; K. Ceroctis braunsiana; L. Ceroctis capensis; M. Ceroctis cfr. seabrai; N. Ceroctis spuria; O. Hycleus dentatus; P. Hycleus tripunctatus; Q. Hycleus jucundus; R. Hycleus peringueyi; S. Hycleus surcoufi; T. Hycleus brincki; U. Hycleus congoensis; V. Hycleus lunatus; W. Hycleus ertli; X. Hycleus arlecchinus; Y. Hycleus basibicinctus.

FIGURE 11. Ceroctis karroensis: tegmen in ventral (A), and lateral view (B); aedeagus in lateral view (C); pronotum (D); antenna (E). Bar = 1 mm.