Revision of the Western Cape endemic genus Stegopterus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Trichiini)

By

Ricchiardi, Enrico
Perissinotto, Renzo
Strümpher, Werner

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-2-26

Original Publication

African invertebrates : a journal of biodiversity research

Volume

66

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

151--191

Subjects

Afrotropical Realm , Cape Floral Region , diagnostic key , montane relics , new species , South Africa

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Council of the Natal Museum 2001-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.66.140593

 

Abstract

Stegopterus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840 is a Trichiini genus endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Until now, it has been regarded as comprising only four species, namely S. vittatus (Fabricius, 1775), S. suturalis (Gory & Percheron, 1833), S. septus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840 and S. obesus Burmeister, 1842. Our study of historical specimens housed in museums and private collections, along with new specimens collected recently, has revealed that there are at least 15 species in this genus of which 11 are new, with S. obesus relegated to incertae sedis (see updated species list below). What is most interesting is that the genus has radiated within a rather restricted region, between the South and West coasts and the Cape Fold Mountains (CFM). This reflects a typical Fynbos distribution, similar to that already described for other insect groups. On the basis of synapomorphy, Stegopterus has now been subdivided into two species groups, namely “vittatus” and “septus.” In this work, 11 new species are described, diagnosed and illustrated, and their geographic distributions are mapped: Stegopterus agulhassp. nov., S. cochraneaesp. nov., S. endroedyisp. nov., S. fuscussp. nov., S. hexrivierisp. nov., S. kromrivierisp. nov., S. lamellussp. nov., S. langebergicussp. nov., S. pallidulussp. nov., S. paardebergisp. nov., S. rotundicepssp. nov. A key for accurately identifying species of Stegopterus is provided. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: S. septus Burmeister & Schaum, 1840, Trichius suturalis Gory & Percheron, 1833 (now S. suturalis) and Cetonia vittata Fabricius, 1775 (now S. vittatus).