Sisyphus goryi Harold 1859

Daniel, Gimo M., Davis, Adrian Lv., Sole, Catherine L. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2020, Taxonomic review of the tribe Sisyphini sensu stricto Mulsant, 1842 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in southern Africa, including new species descriptions, Insect Systematics & Evolution 51 (1), pp. 1-61 : 23

Sisyphus goryi Harold 1859 ( Figs. 5 , 6D ).

Harold 1859:224; Harold 1869:984; Péringuey 1902:106–7; Kolbe 1914: 317; Arrow 1927:460; Haaf 1955:362–3; Ferreira 1972:797; Schäfer & Fischer 2001:53–4; Schäfer & Fischer 1992:121–2.

Sisyphus hirtus Wiedeman, 1823

Wiedeman 1823:21; Gory 1833:14; Harold 1869:984; Arrow 1909:518–9; 1927:460; Haaf 1995:362–3; Schäfer & Fischer 2001:53–4; Schäfer & Fischer 1992:121–2.

S. pygmaeus Dejean, 1837

Dejean 1837: 151; Klug, 1862:219; Harold 1869:984; Haaf 1955:362–3.

Type locality: Senegal

Size: Male: length: 7–4.0 mm, width: 3.4– 2.2 mm. Female: Length: 7.0– 3.9 mm, width: 3.1– 2.4 mm.

Diagnosis: S. goryi is similar to Sisyphus bicuariensis sp. n. However, it differs by the uniform brown colour of the setae compared to the bicoloured setae in S. bicuariensis sp. n. The male genitalia of both species differ ( Figs. 6 A, D ). Furthermore, it should be noted that larger S. goryi specimens resemble those of S. caffer . However, S. goryi bears well-developed tufts of setae, which emanate from below the abdominal epipleurae ( Fig. 5H ) (>10 single setae), which differ to those in S. caffer where the tufts consist of few single setae (<10).

Examined non-type material: See Supplementary information.

Morphological variation

Head. Antennal club varies in colour between brown or black. Clypeus. In some specimens, especially old ones, the lateral edge of the clypeus is worn completely smooth; the third indentation is absent; and the medial surface bears a metallic sheen. Sternites. Some populations are completely hairless on the latero-posterior edge of the mesosternum. Pygidium. Setae are evenly distributed in some individuals whereas in others they are arranged in a trident pattern.

Populations from highlands and areas of shaded vegetation, such as Inyanga ( Zimbabwe), Manyara ( Tanzania) and Meru ( Kenya) are distinctly larger in size and may, in some cases, resemble S. caffer .

Distribution: S. goryi is widespread in the Afrotropical region and is associated with a great range of habitats from shaded to open vegetation. Moreover, it has been recorded at a range of different altitudes ( Fig. 7 ). The geographical distribution and morphological variation suggest a species complex. However, as we could not access the type material of S. goryi , the putative species complex currently remains undetermined pending further study.

Remarks: The original name of Sisyphus hirtus Gory, 1833 , is preoccupied by Sisyphus hirtus Wiedmann, 1825 (Indian species). Gory’s junior homonym was, therefore, renamed as Sisyphus goryi Harold, 1859 . Subsequently, Péringuey (1901) synonymized S. caffer Boheman, 1857 , and S. sordidus Boheman, 1857 , with S. goryi , whereas, Haaf (1955) and Ferreira (1972) synonymized S. goryi with S. crispatus Gory, 1833 . Based on morphological and biogeographical evidence we have, here, revalidated S. caffer , S. sordidus and S. goryi following the unpublished revision of Paschalidis (1974).

Figures

Fig. 5. Images of the habitus of the goryi species-group: A. S. bicuariensis sp. n; with enphasis of the black and gray setae on pronotum and elytra; B. S. caffer; C. S. genierorum; D. S. goryi; E. S. sordidus.F. Pronotal setae originate from the posterior edge or between ocellate points. G. Pronotal setae arise from the centre of ocellate punctures, commonly seen in S. genierorum, S. sordidus; S. perissinottoi; S. manni and S. swazi sp. n. H. Tufts of setae on the epipleurae visible from above.

Fig. 6. Images of the aedagi of the goryi species-group: A. S. bicuariensis sp. n; B. S. caffer; C. S. genierorum; D. S. goryi; E. S. sordidus.

Fig. 7. Distribution map for the goryi species-group.