Plagiogonus MULS., 1842

Bellmann, Axel, 2023, Plagiogonus hielkemai nov. sp., a new Afrotropical Plagiogonus MULSANT, 1842 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 55 (1), pp. 3-7 : 5

Key to the species of Plagiogonus MULS. from Afrotropical Region (based on the key of BORDAT, 2005)

1 Clypeus anteriorly widely rounded beside middle sinuation. ..............................................2

– Clypeus anteriorly angulate or denticulate beside middle sinuation....................................4

2 Apical swelling of intervals 7 and 9 weak. Elytral intervals plan apically, 3.4-4.2 mm; South Africa. ..................................................................... P. separatus (PETROVITZ, 1962)

– Apical swelling of interval 7 and 9 strong elevated. Elytral intervals distinct convex apically. ...............................................................................................................................3

3 Elytra with short pubescence, 4.4 mm; Namibia. ................................. P. hielkemai nov.sp.

– Elytra glabrous, 2.9-3.2 mm; Kenya, Tanzania. .......................... P. tertius (BORDAT, 1992)

4 Anterior part of clypeus strongly granulated and with long setae. Lateral margins of pronotum and elytra ciliate, 2.8-3.4 mm; Namibia, Botswana, South Africa. ....................... ........................................................................................... P. hirticeps (PÉRINGUEY, 1901)

– Anterior part of clypeus at most weakly granulated and with short setae. Lateral margins of pronotum and elytra not ciliate..........................................................................5

5 Elytral striae very wide, their punctures strongly impressed apically, elytral intervals carinate apically, 3.3-3.7 mm; Malawi, Kenya........................ P. critchlowi BORDAT, 2005

– Elytral striae very fine on disc and with barely visible punctures apically, elytral intervals convex apically. ....................................................................................................6

6 Elytra light reddish brown; fine clypeal punctuation, raspy and setigerous in front of the epistome; punctation double on sides of disc, 2.9-3.3 mm; Somalia. .............................. ...................................................................................... P. clypeodentatus (BORDAT, 1990)

– Elytra dark reddish brown; clypeal punctation fine, simple, not setigerous; pronotal punctation simple even on sides of disc, 2.6-3.0 mm; South Africa...................................... ....................................................................................................... P. sextus BORDAT, 2019