Sisyphus australis Daniel & Davis sp. n. (Fig. 11, 12E).

ZooBank: http://zoobank.org/ 762856F2-064A-4B6C-9A1C-BB22BA70A271

Diagnosis: Sisyphus australis sp. n. is similar to S. costatus . However, the new species is distinguished by the straight margin between the medial clypeal teeth. It also bears a strong clypeo-frontal carina (Fig. 11H). In addition, the parameres of S. costatus and S. australis sp. n. are distinctly different (Fig. 12 B, E)

Description: Male holotype: Size. Length: 5.7 mm; width: 3.2 mm. Colour. Black body; setae brown; meso- and metasternum black; antennae grey. Head. Medial teeth not sharp apically; edge between medial teeth separated by a straight margin; a rectangular margin between the medial tooth and lateral indentation; genal margin straight. Dorsal surface of the clypeus setose, without punctation; clypeo-frontal carina distinctly defined; vertex setigerous with scattered ocellate punctures (Fig. 11H). Pronotum. Convex; maximum length longer than maximum width; dorsal surface with setation and ocellate punctures of different sizes; setae on the antero-lateral projection well-developed. Complete lateral prothoracic margin between the prothoracic disc and prothoracic episternum. Elytra. Elongate, narrow posteriorly; elytral striae minutely punctate and crenulate, characterized by a distinct crenulate double line, which is interrupted by fine ocellate strial puctures; interstriae with alternating rows of well or weakly developed setae; hind wing and venation are fully developed. Pygidium. Setigerous with ocellate punctation. Sternites. Abdominal sternites finely crenulate, setigerous with ocellate punctation; setae arranged in rows laterally; meso-metasternal suture visible; punctate depression on the postero-medial surface of the metasternum. Legs. In ventral view, antero-lateral carina of profemur punctate, with a lateral row of fine and well developed setae; meso- and metafemur with granulation, densely punctate and setose; meso- and metatrochanter contiguous with femur, metatrochanter projected somewhat backwards; protibia with three teeth and single terminal spine; mesotibia punctate and setose with two terminal spines; metatibia densely setose, serrated laterally with two spurs; pro- meso- and metatarsi five segmented with two claws, setose laterally; first tarsal segment of the meso- and meta-thoracic legs with a row of strong setae on the external edge. Aedeagus. Parameres simple and symmetrical (Fig. 12E)

Morphological variation

Size: Male: length: 8.2– 5.5 mm; width: 3.2–4.0 mm; Female: 8.0–6.0 mm; width: 3.0– 3.6 mm. Head: Mainly in populations from the Eastern Cape (The Haven), the surface of the clypeus is less setigerous. Male: Meta- and mesotibia curved; last abdominal sternite narrowed medially (Fig. 1A). Female: Meta- and mesotibia almost straight; last visible abdominal sternite not constricted medially (Fig. 1B).

Examined type material

Holotype: (♂ TMSA) SOUTH AFRICA: /S. Cape Prov (Western Cape), Outeniekwaberg, 33.50°S; 23.11°E /; 13.12.1977; E-Y: 1422, dung collecting, leg: Endrödy-Younga.

Paratypes: (3♂, 3♀ TMSA) same data as holotype. (1♂, 1♀ TMSA) SOUTH AFRI- CA: Cape Prov. (Western Cape) George, Saasveld, 205, leg: Breytenbach. (1♀ SANC) SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Prov. (Western Cape) George, Saasveld, 205, leg: Breytenbach. (1♂ SANC) SOUTH AFRICA: C.P. (Western Cape) (10 km SW), 3.iii.1973, leg: Davis. (3♂, 5♀ TMSA) SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), The Haven, 32.15°S 28.55°E, 09.xii.1979, E-Y: 1696, groundtraps, 7 days, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (2♂, 2♀ TMSA): SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), Coast Dwesa forest, 32.17°S 28.50°E, 5.iii.1985, zebra dung, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (1♂ TMSA): SOUTH AFRICA: Transkei (Eastern Cape), Alexandria For. St., 33.43°S 26.23°E, 5.xii.1987, groundtraps with faeces bait, 2 days, leg: Endrödy-Younga. (1♀ SANC) Transkei (Eastern Cape), Wavecrest, 25.xi.1981, leg: Doube .

Etymology: The species name reflects the geographical distribution of the species, which is restricted to the southern part of South Africa.

Distribution: Sisyphus australis sp. n., has been recorded along the coastline in association with shaded vegetation of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa (Fig. 13).

Remarks: Detailed study of type and non-type material of S. gazanus and S. costatus have revealed a species complex composed of S. costatus; S. australis sp. n.; S. inconspicuous sp. n. and S. gazanus . The main distinguishing features for the species complex are present- ed in Table 1. Furthermore, the shape of the parameres (Figs. 12 A–E) and the distributions (Fig. 13) are useful to separate the four species belonging to the gazanus complex.