Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) valeflorae (Ferreira, 1953)

Harrison, J. Du G., Scholtz, C. H. & Chown, S. L., 2003, A revision of the endemic south-western African dung beetle subgenus Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) MacLeay, including notes on other flightless Scarabaeini (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Journal of Natural History 37 (3), pp. 305-355 : 337-338

Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) valeflorae (Ferreira, 1953)

( figures 9 , 26 , 44, 65) Pachysoma valeflorae Ferreira, 1953a: 28 ; Ferreira, 1961: 24; Ferreira, 1966: 59; Ferreira, 1969:

22; Holm and Scholtz, 1979: 235 (subjective synonym of Pachysoma schinzi Fairmaire ).

Holotype: Haalenberg , Namibia (1 3 TMSA).

Diagnosis. Sexual dimorphism of the head marked between sexes ( figure 26a, b ); male has two clypeal horns, anterior edges of genae produced into distinct point ( figure 26a, b ); no serrations between or proximal to protibial teeth ( figure 44a, b); small and slightly built in comparison to S. (P.) schinzi .

Distribution, habitat and conservation. S. (P.) valeflorae occurs at the boundary between the Desert and Succulent Karoo Biome on the coastal plain ( figure 9 ) ( Rutherford and Westfall, 1994). It is probably restricted to the sand dunes between Elizabeth Bay and Grasplatz (see figure 4 in Endrödy-Younga, 1986). Its conservation status is unknown.

Comments on locality data. Refer to S. (P.) schinzi for a discussion on the Gaerdes Tinkasfläche locality.

Morphological variation. The holotype is the largest specimen among the limited material examined. S. (P.) valeflorae is smaller and slighter than S. (P.) schinzi . Sizes of the male clypeal horns differ slightly in the six males examined, but the diagnostic shape is consistent.

Biology. Biology unknown.

Comments. Ferreira (1953a) based her description of Pachysoma valeflorae on the male holotype. Holm and Scholtz (1979) examined two male specimens of S. (P.) valeflorae from Haalenberg and Rotkop. The third male specimen, labelled Tinkasfläche, which Holm and Scholtz (1979) attributed to S. (P.) valeflorae represents a confusing locality record (see comments on locality data for S. (P.) schinzi above), but can now be placed close to Aus at Tiras Plains (26 ° 07 ∞ S, 16 ° 37 ∞ E). Based on the available material, Holm and Scholtz (1979) synonymized S. (P.) valeflorae with S. (P.) schinzi stating that, with material from Rotkopf and Tinkasfläche now available, S. (P.) valeflorae is obviously the western extreme of a cline. A very limited amount of new material (i.e. the first known females and five males) conforms with typical S. (P.) valeflorae . S. (P.) valeflorae can be distinguishing from S. (P.) schinzi by the following characters: (1) the shape and size of the clypeus, anterior edges of genae produced into distinct points ( figure 26a, b ); (2) males, equal spacing between the second and third protibial teeth ( figure 44b); (3) no serrations between or proximal to the protibial teeth ( figure 44a, b); (4) a localized coastal distribution ( figure 9 ); (5) small body size (the holotype is the largest specimen available); (6) smooth elytra; (7) and stouter, shorter aedeagi ( figure 65 a–c).

The final word on the status of S. (P.) valeflorae will only be possible when material from near Tsaukaib and Garub is collected (that is if S. (P.) valeflorae occurs at these sites?). This area is either the transition zone between the two species, or an ecological barrier of unsuitable or very marginal habitats. S. (P.) valeflorae is very close to S. (P.) schinzi , and potentially could be considered a subspecies of S. (P.) schinzi . This was obviously evident to Ferreira who considered the name Pachysoma similis (unpublished) before choosing Pachysoma valeflorae instead. Based on the limited available material, we find no evidence for a clinal gradation in morphology between S. (P.) valeflorae and S. (P.) schinzi and subsequently reinstate S. (P.) valeflorae to specific level.

Types. Pachysoma valeflorae was described from a single male specimen, currently in the TMSA collection. Koch and van Son collected the holotype on 23 September 1950, but a few days previously (17 September 1950) they had collected the 158 S. (P.) schinzi from Aus.

Type material examined (1 3 diss.). NAMIBIA: HOLOTYPE 3, Pachysoma valeflorae Ferreira : 10m W of Haalenberg , (26.37.05S 15.22.05E), Gt. Namaqualand, 23.ix.1950, Koch & van Son / Holotypus 3, Pachysoma similis (sic) det.M.C. Ferreira, 1951 / Holotypus, Pachysoma valeflorae sp.n. M.C.Ferreira (Endrödy-Younga label), (1 3 TMSA) .

Additional material examined from Namibia (S7 specs [1], 2 ♀ 5 3, 3 3 diss.).

Figures

FIGS 6–9. Distribution of Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) species in South Africa and Namibia. Questioned locality records or range extensions are shown by an open circle. (6) S. (P.) striatus. (7) S. (P.) gariepinus. (8) S. (P.) bennigseni. (9) S. (P.) schinzi and S. (P.) valeflorae.

FIGS 18–35. (18–30) Head of Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) species in dorsal view: (18) S. (P.) aesculapius. (19) S. (P.) hippocrates. (20) S. (P.) glentoni. (21) S. (P.) endroedyi. (22) S. (P.) striatus. (23) S. (P.) gapiepinus. (24) S. (P.) bennigseni. (25) S. (P.) schinzi: (a) female, (b) male. (26) S. (P.) valeflorae: (a) female, (b) male. (27) S. (P.) fitzsimonsi. (28) S. (P.) rotundigenus. (29) S. (P.) rodriguesi. (30) S. (P.) denticollis. (31, 32) Head of flightless Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) species in dorsal view. (31) S. (Scarabaeolus) scholtzi. (32) S. (Scarabaeolus) silenus. (33–35) Head of flightless Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) species in dorsal view. (33) S. (Scarabaeus) ritchiei. (34) S. (Scarabaeus) sevoistra. (35) S. (Scarabaeus) cancer.

FIGS 3–5. Distribution of Scarabaeus (Pachysoma) species in South Africa. Questioned locality records or range extensions are shown by an open circle. (3) S. (P.) aesculapius. (4) S. (P.) hippocrates. (5a) S. (P.) endroedyi and S. (P.) glentoni mapped at large scale to compare with S. (P.) hippocrates; (5b) S. (P.) endroedyi and S. (P.) glentoni mapped at small scale.