Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey, 1888

Deschodt, Christian M. & Davis, Adrian L. V., 2019, New southern African species and a revalidation in the dung beetle genus Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) with an updated key, Zootaxa 4624 (2), pp. 275-282 : 281

Revalidation of Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey, 1888

( Figs. 1E , 3 )

Although Scholtz & Howden (1987: 82) did not see the type of G. marginatus , they stated that “ Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey is without doubt a synonym of G. pumilus . Although the type is missing from the Péringuey collection it is clear from the description and the type locality that the two names refer to one species. Consequently we synonymize G. marginatus with G. pumilus ”.

The type of Gyronotus marginatus has subsequently been located in the Iziko South African Museum (ISAM). It is clearly larger than any specimens of Gyronotus pumilus , as are the paratype specimens (examined by ALVD) that are housed in BMNH.

Consequently, we revalidate Gyronotus marginatus from the junior subjective synonymy with Gyronotus pumilus and re-elevate it to species rank.

Diagnosis. Gyronotus marginatus is clearly much bigger than Gyronotus pumilus . Also, the elytra of G. marginatus are shagreened and fairly even while the elytra of G. pumilus are shagreened and somewhat rugose.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Habitus of Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 species, dorsal view. A, Gyronotus ovalis Deschodt & Davis, new species; B, Gyronotus kearneyorum Deschodt & Davis, new species; C, Gyronotus dracomontanus Deschodt & Davis, new species; D, Gyronotus pumilus (Boheman, 1857); E, Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey, 1888. Scale bar = 2.0 mm.

FIGURE 3. Map showing the distribution of nine South African and eSwatini Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 species.