Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) flavicornis ( Boheman 1860 )

Deschodt, Christian M., Davis, Adrian L. V. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2015, Status changes, new synonymies, key and descriptions of seven new species in the subgenus Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) Balthasar 1965 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), Zootaxa 3931 (4), pp. 505-527 : 525

Scarabaeus (Scarabaeolus) flavicornis ( Boheman 1860)

The recorded range of this species is from Lamberts Bay [32° 5’S 18°19’E] in the south ( South Africa) to Liuwa plains [14°38’S 22°37’E] in the north ( Zambia). Interstriae of specimens from the farm Florida [28° 09’ S 21°40’E] in the Northern Cape are strongly shagreened along the edge of the striae, giving them a dull appearance ( Fig. 12 ). In contrast, specimens from the Liuwa Plains are very smooth and relatively shiny ( Fig. 12 ). We believe that this is merely a cline as a specimen seen from Karibib [21°56’S 15°51’E] ( Namibia) shows intermediate sculpture ( Fig. 12 ). There is very little difference between aedeagi from Zambian and Northern Cape specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Electron micro-graphs showing the microgranulation that is present in the elytral interstriae of S. (S.) flavicornis from the Farm Florida, Karibib and Liuwa Plains.