Five new species of Aptenocanthon Matthews (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from tropical Australia, with notes on distribution

10 Pages·2000·2.9 MB·English

FIVE NEW SPECIES OF APTENOCANTHQN MATTHEWS (COLLOPTBRA:
SCARABAEIDAE: St ARABAEINAE) FROM TROPICAL AUSTRALIA. WIT H NOT S
ON DISTRIBUTION I
R.LSTORFY & G.B. MONTEl ITT
Storey, R.I. & Monteith, Ci.B 2000 12 31: Live new species of.ipiauictintlum Matthews
fColeoptera: Scarabaeidae: ScarabaeinaeO from tropical Australia, with notes on
distribution. Memoirs oj ilu- Duett/slain,1 Museum 46(1): 349-358. Brisbane. ISSN
0079-8820.
Eivenewspeciesoftheflightlessscarubueinegenus -tpnupcanllioiiMatthewsaredescribed
from northern Australia:jimara sp. nov. from the Northern Territory, kahuru sp. nov,
wollitinhiiisp, 11<»v.. w&tycwsp. nov. and spa wohsp. nov. from momtains jn the*Va tropics
ofnorthernQueensland. \keyisgiventotheeightspecies in isthefir"st
record ofthe genus away from the east coast. Biolog; and distribution an discussed.
Caleaptera Scarabaeidae, Scarahaeiriae, Apienocanthon, dung beetles, taxonomy,
ramfoivM. flightless
RasaIStorey,DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,POBm Australia:
Geoffre) h ifonti th,Qlk OBaxl ;" B fe 1101 I; tral
6October2i
Matthews (1974) erected Aptenacanthoti lo includeacomprehensiveconsiderationofrel
contain two small, flightless, canthontne dung genera in the mentophiline section asdefined bj
beetles from mountain rainforests in central, Matthews [1974): Since such studies are in
coastal New South Wales, namely A. hopsani progress,at several levels, byother workers, this
(Carter) from the Barrington Tops region and ./. papersimply names and diagnoses these species
rOSSi Matthews from the Blue Mountains. The to place them on record as part ofthe recently
distributional dimension of the genus was discoveredmountaindiversityofthcWet Tropics.
expandedradicallywith the laterdiscovery of / METHODS AND MATERIALS
inunteithi Storey on the summit of the highest
mountains in tropical Australia, in the Wet Terminology and format for descriptions arc
Tropics region ofnorthern Queensland, almost similartothose usedby Storey1 1984).Theuse of
2,OU()km north of the NSW species (Storey. the term 'hypomcral stria' followsthatofReid &
1984). Subsequently, intensive surveysofall the Storey (2000) for Temnoptectron Wesrwood.
mountain systems in the Wet Tropics by the The followingabbre\ialions forcollection
Queensland Museum, have revealed another A used: ANIC. Australian National Insect
new species, all with allopatrie distributions on Collection. Canberra. Australia; ITAHC, H. cV A
otherhigh altitude mountain ranges. In addition, Ilowden Collection. Ottawa. Ontario, Canada:
an undeseribed species has been located in the QM. Queensland Museum. Brisbane, Australia;
ANIC collection from lowland, monsoonal QP1M, Department o\~ Primary Industries.
rainforest in the Northern Territory. Mareeba, QId. Australia. Collectors arc
abbreviatedas follows: DC,D..I.Cook;GM,G.B.
When Storey described A. nionleiihi he noted Monteith; SM. S.R. Monteith; GT, G.I
that it deviated from the generic definition in Thompson; 111, H.A. .lanet/.kt; SII. S. Hamlet;
several ways. There is also considerable DY, D.K. Yeates; PR, P. Bouchard.
morphological diversity among the new species
SCARABAEIDAE
described here, and some ofthem furtherextend
SCARABAEINAI
the accepted concept of Apienocanthon.
SCARABAEIN1
Ilowever, they all share a similarbody form, and CANTTIONINA
for those where males are known, all have ft
similar form ofthe foretibial apex with its inner Aptenocanthon Matthews
angleexpandedand bearingashortbrush ofstifl
setae bent dm\nwardsatrightanglestotheupper !.. oaaithon Matthews 1974:53.
tibial surface. A proper assessment ofthe status type SPECIES. Panehit latp&m Garter, t$3fi by
oftheseputah\especiesn\'Apienoranrlionshould .. ion.
iSO MliMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
KhY TO SPEClESOg APT&NQCANTHOto
I. V-.-ntfjl aspectul piuili'H.i . ul , M,,,; i ilslriu
oneachsideextending,forwardashortdistancefromiltc
hind margin towards the femoral depressions and
fiaralleHothepronotalmargir 2
ventral aspect of prothorax withou sudi hypomenil
striae:nortfiQueensland . . , .6
i. iXusLiI Surface pi head with distinct recurved
epipleurul line strong!} earinitc; pyfiidiura \>.n
ctrcuUu'puacl'ur«s;NorfliorH fcrriion. //WKirusp.nOv.
mi .
: i.irc di head i. cpiptcural II
lygiditunWithoutcircularpunctures.
;
isteii) Vusti Ij .1
il]lmiid'jm'lni.iletwithlailtidngeempa(rpit: .Hti ijiulepupr.eirl
ii '"miii.acarinaic,broadl; rounded:northi cnslaitd
p.nov.
I'\eidial(OTOVC.ifpresent,not Icriniuulinc inpits,n each
end;psciidqiiplcuralmarginusuallycaiinaie . ... 4
tidepipl 'iii cqi v i I ' Ii mi .ii itriac;
] r.linn wtdei than hit rti
n?o//i(inAMsp.jiov.
P u ki'ipleuraol duraeachwith I distinct Stria tlui '
P ii. .ieyelnnuerlliaiMvide:NS\V . . $
lytra with intervals flat, glabrous; later.il
I., pipieuial nwgSzu sharp)) fciined bi >i i '. r
edgeoftpipleurastrong.lvsinuate. . Afii/MWrifCarter)
l.lylral witli interval.-, convex, densely setose: lateral J-'Ui. I. AptciWLLintium jiniwu, hfilotype, dotsal
flseinJcplplcUral marginsnotcannate, hroadlv rounded. view
epiplcuranormal raffIMatthews
6. I'yjjdium with a di-i dge; portion ofeye. nitid, impunelatc- Dorsal portion
Ixtri I mm . . m ,.: .. uui .[, small, about 5 facet rows in width,
kiilii,r,i9p iiov separated by about 8 eye widths, caiithus
slmniacimwmeakulnyifnonrrm"lyScedonvIHeUxt,Utwtfiltihulouitt gri" . 7 ninacrormopwletaeb.oAupticaolnes-etghmierndtolfelnagbtihalpoaflpisescmaolnld.
7, Striae on dorsal surface n! el)ira line butdistinct, each
with small puncturespresent: Intervals slightly comes; segment.
mm i ,-,,. i , i, „gtn -5n3m u'.'/iiv/rsp.no* Pruftoitim Surface slightly flattened, about 2 3
Xltiar on dorsal -.iiilaLC of elytra tlltltOSl rllaied. times as wide as long. Anteriorangles quadrate,
itnpunctale;intervalsflat;smallerspacie'sD,imIlorinii;lit Storeyn apices acute; lateral angles broadly obtuse
rounded: posterior angles obtuse. Anterior edge
Vpienocanthon jimara sp, nov. finely margined on lateral one-third only,
(Figs i, ZE.6A) posterior edge not margined; lateral edge with
narrowly doubled margin from lateral angles to
MATERIAL. HOI.OTYI'f: ?, Northern Territory, posterioi angles. Surfacenilid with largeocdlalc
r|a2in4fo7r'eSstl,s2berslIes'aLtLeU,trAoNaIltfoS4p7ibit{rm \NK't. R W l.r.K.,, dpiuanmcettuerre,smoesatchwitshepbasrhaotretdrebcyurvleesdssettha.an one
DESCRIPTION. I cimilc. total length J.3mm; Efytrort. Striae shallow, narrow, crenulate.
maximum width2.7mm, colour brown, edges of puncturesnotdiscernible. Intervalsnilid,convex
ehtra a little lighter, antetmae yellow. in centre, with large ocellate punctures along
Head. Clypeal teeth small, shallow, with broad marginsnexttostriae; eachpuncturewithashort
U-shaped excavation between, rest of margin setarecurving towardscentreofinterval, Dorsal
feebly convex to the obtuse, indistinct genae; surface with 7 striae (seventh visible in basal
anterior edge indistinctly margined. Dorsal one-third). Strongly deflcxed outside seventh
surface subnitid. reticulate near clypeal apex, stria to form apseudepipleuron which isearinatc
moderatelypun h punctureseparated by ind distinct for about four-firths length ol
|
abouthalfadiameter; punctureseach withashort elytron. Pseudepipleuron with 2 distinct striae
anteriorly directed seta; a circular marking neat and D058)bly a third ne\l 10 margin with
liteinnerapexofeacheye,.thorn thesizeofdorsal epiplcuron: epiplcurai border strongly earinatc.
NEWAPTENOCANTHONDUNG BEETLES 351
FIG. 2.Aptenocanlhonspp., pygidium.A, kaburasp.
nov.; B, speewah sp. nov.; C, w'myar sp. nov.; D,
woolumbinsp. nov.; E,jimarasp. nov.
Distinct setate punctures on pseudepipleural
surface,notocellate; setaeshorterthanondorsal
surface. Epipleuron wide at base, narrowing
graduallytowardsapex,alittledepressedatlevel
of metatibia; surface reticulate, with large
shallowpunctures and fine indistinct setae.
Pygidium. Broad, apex rounded, with basal
FIG. 3. Aptenocanthon kabura, 2 holotype, dorsal
groove distinct on central one-halfonly, surface view.
with medium-sized punctures, each with a fine
seta. permanent spring system a little to the east of
Venter. Ventral surface of pronotum with NourlangieRock in KakaduNational Park. This
hypomeral striae distinct, extending from is the only known occurrence ofthe genus away
posterior edge to about one-half distance to from the eastcoast ofthe continent. The species
anterior femoral depressions; surface with can be easily recognized by the obvious dorsal
medium-sized punctures each with a short seta. setae on head and elytra, the distinct hypomeral
Mesosternum short. Meso- and metasternum carinaontheventralsideofthepronotum.andthe
nitid, subnitid laterally on metasternum, with presenceof6visible sternitesontheabdomen. It
numerous ocellate punctures each with a short has some resemblance to a small species of
seta, punctures and setae stronger posteriorly. Tesserodon Hope, and its generic placement
Sternites finely reticulate, visible segments 2-5 should be regarded as provisional. The specific
with a row of medium-size punctures along name is an Aboriginal word forhair.
anterioredge, andalongposterioredge laterally; Aptenocanthon kabura sp. nov.
segment 6 with similar punctures over entire
(Figs 2A, 3, 6B, 8)
surface; punctures with short, fine setae.
Legs. Fore tibiae with inner apical spur short, MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: 2, QMT54702, Qld, Mt
G
acute, ventral surface of femur with dense Finnigansummit,viaHelenvale,3-5.xii.1990.D.Cook,
medium-size punctures with short recurved Thompson & L. Roberts, 1050 m, pitfall traps. In QM;
wseittahe.aMefsinoefesmetuar.niMteitdawfitehmosrmaallwpiutnhctnuurmeesreoaucsh rQPaaPirInafMtoy.rpees:t 2pi,tsfaallmetrlaocpal(itAy,NI19C-2D2ajtv.a19N8o2,2G5M,01D72Y14&).DCI,n
punctures each with afine seta.
Male. Notknown. DESCRIPTION. Female. Total length 3.8mm;
maximum width 2.5mm; colour black except
REMARKS. The unique holotype is from leaf head, legs, abdominal sternites dark brown;
litter in a remnant rainforest patch fed by a antennaeyellow.
352 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
with small punctures; intervals weakly convex,
with scattered fine punctures each with a very
fine seta, more obvious towards apex. Surface
deflexed outside of 7th stria forming a
pseudepipleuron about three-quarters length of
elytron; its surface finely reticulate with one
basalstrianeardorsalmargin,asecondstrianear
the centre and traces of a third adjacent to
epipleuron. Epipleuron finely reticulate, broad,
widestnearcentre,graduallynarrowingtoapex.
Pygicliuni. Broad, convex, apex rounded, with
strong groove along basal margin and weaker
groove near remaining margin, thus enclosing
1.0mm disc. Surfacenitid,glabrouswithscatteredsmall
punctures.
Venter. Presternum subnitid with large ocellate
punctures in posterior half; hypomeral striae
absent. Mesosternum broad, nitid with large
horseshoe-, or circular-shaped punctures
laterally. Metasternumnitid, centralportionwith
fine punctures, posterior margin and lateral
wings with medium to large horseshoe-shaped
punctures. Abdominal sternites nitid, fifth and
sixth visible segments fused in centre half,
segments2-4withlargecircularpuncturesalong
FIG. 4. Aptenocanthon spp., head, dorsal view. A, anterior margins, these also present over entire
winyarsp. nov.; B, woohimbinsp. nov. surface ofsegment 5/6.
Legs. Inner apical spur ofprotibiae short, acute;
Head. Clypeal teeth short, apices rounded, all femora nitid with small finely setate
U-shaped excavation between, also smaller punctures.
U-shapedemarginationsjustlateraltoeachtooth; Male. Not available.
restofmarginvery feeblyconvex togenaewhich
are obtuse, rounded; edge finely margined. REMARKS. ThisspecieshaselytrasimilartoA.
Dorsal surface nitid, glabrous, with dense, hopsoniCarterbuthasadifferentshapedanterior
medium-size punctures separated by less than margin ofthe head, widerdorsal portions ofthe
one diameter, reduced near clypeal margin, on eyes and, likeA. monteithiStorey andA winyar
clypeal teeth and on small triangular markings sp. nov., lackshypomeral striaeontheunderside
central from each eye. Dorsal portion of eyes oftheprothorax.Thespeciesisknownonly from
shortabout3 facetrows long,maximum width6 thesummitofMtFinnigan,an isolatedmountain
facetrows;eyesseparatedbyabout6eyewidths. south of Cooktown which has many other
Labial palpi with terminal segment small, endemic species. It appears to be genuinely rare
cylindrical, about one-half length of second becauseintensivecollectingon severalvisitshas
segment. yielded only two specimens, both in pitfall traps
Pronotum. Slightly flattened; anterior angles setinrainforestat 1050m.Thespecificnameisan
quadrate, apices subacute; lateral angles broadly Aboriginal word for head, in reference for the
unusualshapeoftheanteriormarginofthehead.
obtuse; posterior angles obtuse; anterior edge
finelymargined; lateral edgewithsinglemargin; Aptenocanthon monteithi Storey, 1984
posterioredge unmargined. Dorsal surface nitid, (Figs 6C, 8)
glabrouswithnumerousmedium-sizepunctures,
separated by 1-2 diameters, reduced in centre of NEW MATERIAL. (40) N Qld: 1$, Bellenden Rer,
disc and becoming a row of large ocellate SummitTVStation, 1560m, 29.iv.-2.v.l983, GM & DY;
punctures alongposteriormargin. lc?l9, same data, litter berlesate; 29, same locality,
28.viii.-8.x.1991,GM&HJ,pitfalltraps;29,LambsHead,
Elytron. Dorsal surface nitid with 7 impressed 10kmWEdmontoal200m,8.i.-22.ii.l990,GMGT&HJ,
striae, each broad, shallow, strongly catenulate rainforest pitfalls; 1<J19 same data except 10.xii.l989-
1
NEWAPTENOCANTHONDUNG BEETLES 353
head, legs, abdominal sternites dark brown.
Antennaeyellow.
Head. Clypeal teeth short, blunt, with U-shaped
excavation between; rest of margin uniformly
convex to genae; edge finely margined. Head
surfacenitid,glabrous, withnumerouspunctures
separated by 1 diameter or a little less. Dorsal
portion ofeyes about as wide as long (7 facets),
separated by about 10 diameters. Labial palpi
with apical segment small, blunt, about half
diameter and about two thirds length ofsecond
segment.
Pronotum. Weaklyconvex,ratioofwidthatbase
(widest point) to length at middle about 1.7.
Anterior angles quadrate, apices weakly
protruding; lateral angles broadly obtuse;
posterior angles obtuse, subquadrate. Whole
perimeter finely margined. Surface nitid,
glabrous, covered with medium-size simple
punctures, separated by 1-2 diameters, smaller
andlessdenseincentreofdisc;punctureseffaced
along lateral edges.
Elytron. Convex, finely reticulate, with 7 striae
ondorsalsurface;stria7terminatingatabouthalf
FIG. 5. Aptcnocanthon spp., male fore legs, dorsal elytral length; striae simple, practically
view. A, speewah sp. nov.; B, winyar sp. nov.; C, impunctate on disk but with small punctures
wottumbinsp. nov.
towards sides, intervals flat, with finepunctures.
Pseudipleural carina absent but elytron roundly
811990; AS Lamb Range, 19km SE Mareeba, 1200m,
3.x.1988, GM & GT, litter berlesate and pitfall;Ml 9, deflexedoutsideseventhstria. Epipleuronbroad,
pKiatufarlil;CIk,dL1a9,mbMtRaF,is1he1r90smu,mm6i-t10,.i1i3.6109m98,,SG.iiM.l9&98D,CG,Mfi&sh c8;ursvurefdacoeutfwianerldys,retmiecrulgaitne,ggwliatbhrorues,mniamnptunocftastteri.a
DC, litterberlesate; 18c?52, Mt Battle Frere, top camp, Pygidium. Nitid, smooth, very finely punctate; a
1500m, 29-30.xi.1998. GM, dung trap. In QM. QP1M, deep transverse groove runs parallel to upper
HAHC.
margin andterminates in apitat each end.
REMARKS.Thesenewrecordsdonotextendits Venter. Presternum reticulate, with a group of
range beyond the four mountain massifs from obscure ocellate punctures near posterior edge;
which it was originally described. Its altitudinal hypomeral striae present, extending from hind
rangeisthehighestinthegenus,nothavingbeen margin about two thirds distance to femoral
recorded below about 100m. depressions. Mesosternum nitid, posterior half
1
with sparse ocellate punctures. Metasternum
Aptenocanthon speewah sp. nov. nitid,veryfinelypunctateoncentralportionwith
(Figs 2B, 5A, 6D, 7A, 8) impressed, close-spaced, horseshoe-shaped
punctures on lateral wings. Abdominal sternites
MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: 6, QMT54713, N Qld, reticulate,visiblesegments5 and6semi-fusedin
16"55'S 145°40'E, Mt Williams, 900-1000m, centre, segments 2-5 with obscure medium-size
2-3.xii.1993. Cook, Monteith & Janetzki. In QM. punctureslaterallyonanteriormargin,segment6
PARATYPES: (86) 10(5259, same data as holotype; with large, scattered punctures over most of
1 6162,samelocality, 1000m,27.xi.1997-6.ii.1998,GM surface.
& DC, rainforest pitfall; \S, same locality, 28.xi.1997, Legs. Foretibiawithinnerapicalangleproduced
2GA7NM-I2,8C.,xbiHe.rA1l9He9sC7a,,tGeDMPeIx&M.lDiCtt,erd;un1g3tdra1p.02In,QMs,amdeupllioccaatleistyi,n ainnnderbeaapriicnaglastpuufrtoshfodrto,wnwwiadred,-bdliurnetc.tAeldlbrfiesmtloersa;
nitidwith very fine punctures, glabrous.
DESCRIPTION.Male. Totallength4.0-4.2mm; Female. Lacking expanded fore tibial angle and
maximum width 4.2mm; colour black except with spur longer, narrow, acute.
354 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
REMARKS. This species lacks
the carinate pseudepipleural
foldalongtheedgeoftheelytra
which is normally typical of
Aptenocanthon. However the
elytracurve from the dorsum to
theplaneofthe pseudepipleural
surfaceatthesamepointlaterad
of stria 7. This indicates that
absence of the carina is sec-
ondary.Thesouthernspecies,A.
rossi, has also lost the carinate
margin. In other respects,
including the male tibial
structure, A. speewah accords
with Aptenocanthon. The
species is known only from the
summit rainforest on Mt
Williams, a peak which forms
the eastern end of the range FIG. 6.Aptenocanthon spp., epipleural region ofleft elytron, anteriorto
separating the valleys of the left. A,jimara sp. nov.; B, kabitra sp. nov.; C, monteithi Storey; D,
Barron RiverWand Freshwater speewahsp. nov.; E, winvarsp. nov.; F,woolomhinsp. nov.
Creek 10km of Cairns. Its
name commemorates 'The
Speewah1, a pioneering name for the district at DESCRIPTION. Total length6.2mm;maximum
the northern base ofMtWilliams. width 4.2; colour brown, disc ofelytra darker,
antennaeyellow.
Aptenocanthon winvarsp. nov. Male. Head. Clypeal teeth short, subacute, close
(Figs2C,4A, 5B, 6E, 7B, 8) together, U-shaped excavation between; rest of
marginfeeblyconvextogenae,whichareobtuse;
edge finely margined. Surface nitid, glabrous,
MATERIAL.HOLOTYPE: 6 QMT54676.Queensland: withnumerousmedium-sizepuncturesseparated
1170°0203m",S215.4x5i".4179'9E4,,MGtMBoantttelietFhr,,erien.swUipfptleertgBuoaunlod.erInCQavMe., banyte0ri.o5r-1mardgiianm,etcelry;peapluntecettuhraensdesfmfaalcleedlypatliocnagl
8PcA?R4A9T,YsPaEmSe:lo(c1al8i3t)yQelxdc:ep7tcJI23.V$.,19s9a5m,eGdMata&asD.hoSlloatnyepye;; smmaarlkli,nagbionutfro8ntfaocfeteyreso.wsDoirnsallenpgrtohtioannsdowfiedyteh,s
Id, same locality except 8.xii.l990, GM, GT, DC & R. separated by about 10 eye widths; canthus
S8.hxeirii.dla9n9;0,1G9M,,MGtT,BDarCtle&FRr.erSeh,erSiwdiafnt;le5tcJC3a9v,e,179°0401m',S incomplete. Labial palpi with apical segment
small,narrow,cylindrical,aboutone-thirdlength
145°32'E, Vine Creek, Majors Mt, 1060m, 4-6.ii.1999,
GM&DC,dungpitfall;2c?,samedata,butdinguspitfall; ofsecond segment.
GIdM,s&amSeM,datdau,nbgutpiftfiaslhl;pi5t<fa?l,l;sa1m3e,dsaatma,ebluotcafliutnyg,u1s5-p1it8f.ailvl,; pPorionnto)tutmo,lCenogntvhexa,t rmaitdiodloefwaibdotuhtat2.b4a.seAn(twiedreisotr
8c$39, same data, but dead insectNpiNtfaWll;M, Upper anglesquadrate, apicesacute, protruding; lateral
Boulder Creek, 850m, 11km of Tullv,
411.45x5i-i"I.915.91x8'i9E.,,19Gs8M4u,,mmGGitTM,&7kD1m1.C1,Spi&otffalMGl.Tt8;0k0o1mo9;r,oIosSmaomo1le9,,l1o17c0°a5l5i04tm'y,S, asmnuigbdlqdeulsaed;rblaratoteae.rdallAyentodbegtreuiswoeir;thepdsogisentgelrfeiionmrealryagnimgnla;erspgoiosnbtetedursieot,ro
3.xi.1998,GM,dungtrap,dusk5-7.30pm;9c?179.same edge with fine margin at lateral quarters only.
locality,3.xii.1999,GM,dungtrap,night,7.30-10pm;386 Surface nitid, glabrous, covered with medium-
339, same locality, 3-4.xii.1998, GM, dung trap, size simple punctures, separated by 0.5-1
night/dawn, 10pm-7.30am; 19, same locality,4.xii.l998, diameters, smaller and less dense in centre of
GM,dungtrap,dusk,6-7.30pm; 12cJ 109,samelocality, disc; punctures effaced along lateral edges,
41-95,.xisia.ml9e98l,ocGalMit,y,d3u.nxTgi.tlr9a9p,8,niGaMht,, 7D.C30p&m-P5B.;30a1m9;,3Mdt pionsdtiestriinocrtmahrogrisne.shoe-shaped punctures along
Macalister, Cardwcll Range. 850m, 18.xii.1986 -
1411987, GM, GT & SH, RF, pitfall trap. In QM, with Elytron. Convex, finely reticulate, with 7 striae
duplicates inANIC, HAHC,QPIM. on dorsal surface; striae fine, narrow, with small
356 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLANDMUSEUM
Elytron. Subconvex, nitid,
glabrous. Seven distinct striae
ondorsal surface,thesenarrow,
finely punctate with small
punctures, these vaguely
crenulating striae near apex.
Intervals flat, impunctate.
Surface deflexed outside
seventh stria forming pseude-
pipleuron above epipleuron,
edge rounded, formed to about
three-quarters lengthofelytron,
with 2 short fine striae, surface
nitid, glabrous, impunctate.
Epipleuron subnitid, glabrous,
broad,widestaboutmiddlethen
gradually narrowingto apex.
Pygidium. Convex, nitid,
glabrous with scattered minute
punctures. Anterior edge with
distinct groove along entire
length, rest of edge distinctly
margined only.
Venter. Presternum subnitid, FIG. 7. Aptenocanthon spp., apex ofaedeagus with parameres, left and
glabrous; hypomeral striae right views. A,speewahsp. nov.; B, winyarsp. nov.; C, woolumbin sp.
present, running from posterior nov.
edge about one-halfdistance to
femoral depressions, area medial ofstriae with of Townsville, Queensland. It is very comon
narrow, crescent-shaped punctures. Meso- there and was taken using dung-baited pitfalls,
sternum narrow, nitid, glabrous with unbaited pitfalls and berlesate extraction in
crescent-shaped punctures on lateral one-thirds. rainforest. Unlike A. monteithi Storey and
Metasternumnitid, glabrous, centreportionwith A.winyarsp.nov. fromtheBellenden-KerRange
minute punctures, small and simple punctures and Atherton Tablelands further north, A.
along posterior margin, large and horseshoe- wollumbin has hypomeral carinae on the
shaped on lateral wings. Abdominal sternites prothorax,sternites5and6oftheabdomenfused
subnitid, glabrous, sternites 5 and 6 fused in in the centre and a stroNngSWbasal groove on the
centre half. Small circular punctures along pygidium,asdothetwo speciesA. hopsoni
anterioredgesofsegments2-4, segment5/6with CarterandA. rossiMatthews. Thespecificname
largercircularorhorseshoe-shapedpunctures on is anAboriginal word for 'high mountain'.
entire surface. DISTRIBUTION OFWETTROPICS
Legs. Foretibiawithinnerapicalangleproduced SPECIES
andbearingatuftofdownward-directedbristles;
spurshort, blunt; anteriorventral surface offore With five ofthe eight species occurringthere,
femora with very small punctures and posterior the Wet Tropics isnowrevealedto be the centre
ventral surface with medium-size punctures. ofdiversityforagenusinitiallythoughtconfined
Hind tibia with a blunt, inwardly-directed to southern Australia. Therange ofall species is
tubercleattheapex.Meso-andmetafemoranitid, showninFig. 8A.Allareallopatricandrestricted
glabrous with scatteredminute punctures. to wet rainforests at altitudes in excess ofabout
Malegenitalia. As illustrated in Fig. 7C. 900m. Three are confined to discreet summit
Female. Asformalebutlackingspecialisationof zones ofsingle isolatedpeaks: A. woolumbin on
fore and hindtibiae. Mt Elliot, A. speewah on Mt Williams and A.
kabura on Mt Finnigan. The remaining two, A.
REMARKS.A. wollumbinsp.nov.isknownonly monteithi and A. winyar. have more extensive
from an isolated population in the summit rain- ranges on the mountain complexes which
forestofMtElliot(1000-1200m),justsouthwest surround the Atherton Tableland in the central
NEW APTENOCANTHONDUNG BEETLES 355
punctures, intervals very feebly convex, Persistant collecting outside the caves has failed
punctate, with fine punctures. Elytron sharply to detect it in the epigeal habitat. By contrast, at
deflexed outside seventh stria forming pseude- other sites such as Vine Creek and near Mt
pipleuron; surface finely reticulate, glabrous, Kooroomool it is abundant in the leaflitter and
impunctate with 2 strong striae running most of comes in large numbers to exposed baits
length of pseudepipleuron. Epipleuron broad, includingdung,carrion,decayingmushroomand
constant width for three-quarters length then dead insect. It is strictlynocturnal in activity.
narrowing to apex; surface finely reticulate,
glabrous, impunctate. Aptenocanthon wollumbin sp. nov.
(Figs 2D, 4B, 5C, 6F, 7C, 8)
Pygidium. Pygidium smooth, nitid, uniformly
convex and lacking grooves; surface with MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: 6", QMT54749. Qld, Mt
stcraatntsevreerdsesrmeatlilc,ulasthiaoln;loawnpaurnrcotwurreasisaedndmasrogmien GElliMootnNtPe,itNh,EGQldTh(oUpmppesroNnor&thS.CkH,am1l0e0t0,m)p,it3fa-l5l.xtiria.pls9.86I,n
present all round. QM. PARATYPES: (143) Qld: 363 329, same data as
holotvpe;2d 29, samedatabut2-5.xii.1986; 17<5 119,
Venter. Presternum reticulate, with a group of samedatabut25-27.iii.1991,GM& DC, pitfallanddune
obscure ocellate punctures near posterior edge; traps; \3 19. same data but 3.xii.l986-15.ii.l987, GM,
hypomeral striae absent. Mesosternum nitid, GT & SH, RF pitfall traps; 23 19, same data but
with posterolateral group ofocellate punctures. 25-27.iii.1991, GM & DC; 19, 19^0'S, 146"57'E, Ml
Metastemum nitid, very finely punctate on Elliot summitarea. 1000-1200m, 3.xii.1986, GM, GT&
central portionwith ocellatepunctures on lateral SH; 93 119, same locality, 1150m, i.-26.iii.l99l, A.
wings. Abdominal stemites reticulate, visible Graham, pitfall and intercepttraps, fern glade; 23, same
segments 5 and 6 not fused in centre, segments locality, 13.xii.1990,A.Graham,handcollecting;33 39,
2-5 with obscure medium-size punctures same locality, i.-26.iii.l99l, A. Graham, pitfall and
intercept traps, rainforest; Id 19, same locality,
aswiLlcaenintagntdetsehrt.rbaevelraFealepoyrridryicenooafglbntisinasbceapitunauuprtfruweetnirncomtiatfhoerurdrdriooenimwwsnua,n,emrwraggacalpirupaundtibn,ec-rc.adotlsiuuAseralr.genlecmgsflteeleenamdttpoerbrror6aaildslunwtyicl.iteetsidh;d 2sdG\16uTa43.p6,mil"ieiI5icQ9.8la-,'otM1cEes2a,s.laivMimBt.nyelet,r9A19llEN21oel.,cIslvaia.ClDotit,1Cet,9y,,9INN(p11Eio,A1tfDH5saCl0l7Clom2,p3,a&e,Qn,2Pd6D.1rI.iia0iMnii0Btn..e0ef1armo9ctr,9eyep1;s5t,t.3txGcril?aiiMp.t2stle,&99r.8r,6aD,iI1nCn9Gf;°oMQr2e16Ms'?t&,S,;
Malegenitalia. As illustrated in Fig. 7B. DESCRIPTION. Total length 4.0-4.6mm,
maximum width 2.7-3.lmm, colour black, legs
Female. As formale but lacking produced inner dark brown, antennae yellow.
angle andbristle-tuft; foretibial spur longer.
Male. Head. Clypeal teeth small, subacute,
REMARKS.A. winyarsp.nov. isveryclosetoA. shallow U-shaped excavation between; rest of
monteithi Storey and can be distinguished by its marginfeeblyconvextoobtuse,indistinctgenae;
larger size, more distinct elytral striae, more anterior edge margined. Dorsal surface nitid,
convexelytral intervalsanditseyeshape.Itisthe glabrous, covered with medium-size punctures
most widespread Wet Tropics species, ranging separated by 0.5-1 diameters. Dorsal portion of
from MtBartleFreresouthtothesouthernendof eye, very small, about 1 facet row in length on
the Cardwell Range and east to the end of the frons;widthabout3 facetrows;eyesseparatedby
Walter Hill Range. Both A. winyar and A. 12-13 eye widths; canthus incomplete. Labial
monteithihavebeenrecordedon Mt Bartle Frere, palpi with apical segment cylindrical, narrow,
however their habitats do not overlap with A. short, abouthalfthe length ofsecond segment.
monteithi found only near the summit (above Pnmotum. Convex, ratio width (maximum at
about 1500m) and A, winyar much lower posterior margin)to length (at centre line) about
(850-1000m). 1.8. Anterior angles quadrate, subacute, apices
There is some habitat variation overthe range feebly protruding, lateral angles obtuse, broadly
ofA. winyar.OnMtBartleFrereithasbeentaken rounded, posterior angles obtuse, rounded.
only in the complete dark zone of deep, Anterioredge completely margined, lateral edge
underground, erosional boulder caves, up to 20 with single margin, posterior edge margined in
metres below the surface. There it lives in lateral one-quarter only. Surface nitid, glabrous
association with mounds of bird guano which with medium-size punctures separated by 0.5-1
form beneath nesting colonies of the Wliite- diameters, finer in centre ofdisc, minute along
rumped Swiftlet (Colloealia spodiopygius). lateral margins.
NEWAPTENOC tNTHON DUNG BEETLES 357
4Cooktow<>
^TemnopfBatrontinntgani
Apfenocanthonkabura
^Temnppiecl/vnmonteitni
r-Tamnop/ec/ronlemsense
ossman
Apteflocanthonspdewah
Cairns
MaiftbM
Aptenocsnthonfflc
Aptenocanthcn
18 S
pectron
'involucre
^Townavtll*
Contours
^ApfenocanfOonspp
1000metres
500metres iptmDG&flf/ioAiveMUmb/n
200metres
FIG. S.A,distributionofAptenacanthonspp. in theWetTropicsregionofnorthQueensland; B.schematicview
ofdistribirtionoM/wnoonW/jewsppi comparedtothatoi flightless linforestspeciesofT&nnoplectroninthe
i
WetTropics.
Wet Tropics. Neither occurs on the Tableland to be a niche available for a small, convex.
itselfwhich, at around 700-SOOm. is apparently v\ingless canihoninedung beetle in high altitude
belowthealtitudinalrequirementforthegenus. rainforests and this has been filled by one orthe
othergenus on different isolated mountain systems
The absence of Aptenacanthon from certain
during the climatic and vcgctational fluctuations
apparently amenable range systems in the Wet v\hich have occurredoverlime intheregion.The
Tropics,suchasthe PalumaRangeand theCarbine only locality where both Aptenacanthon and
Tableland, iscurious. Howevercomparison with flightless, rainforest Temnoplectfon oc
the distribution of ecologically and physically together is on die summit ofMt Finnigan. There
psliemicltarranfl(iRgehtildes&s spSteocrieeys,i2n00th0e) giennduicsatTeesmtnhoa-t tehxetraebmuenldyanratreT.A.ftknanbiugranai AilslsoytmhpeartrWiectwTirtohpitchse
tthheersee mtwaoytbuexacoomppelraetmienngt.arTihteyreofardcisftoruirbustpieocnieosf Ahapbfietnso,cawnitthhoonutspeccoimepseatrieti\oenn. cfroommmoHnigihn
otPthhfaeelsumCramaelargli,bRoiawnnnie-.gnegT.TlaeTbis.lsn,evlloeralwanuiidcsn,erfneosr7eeMsaRtmetaiTtndehtmee&niwotsSphttioefrcrRetoeyrmiofdnrtoh&imen swFTuiiertnmvnhniiovgpiTal.nnegcfmtiaartnoyntnih,igenaiThnchiiagetheeartsanhtrdaetanleiittsni(stdSueondefoedtai,cvmoakimaalpybaeubtlrbieaenigonnowtnehMllatylt
Storey fromtheThornton-Sorrow mountainsand mountain system.
T.finnigani Reid & Storey on Ml Finnigan and
nearby peaks. If the distributions of these are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
mapped in comparison with Apfenocanthon
species (Fig. SB) a clear pattern of mutually We are grateful to Geoff Thompson oi' the
exclusive occurrence is revealed. There appears Queensland Museum for preparation of the
558 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
figures and maps, other than Fig. 4. The Rain- REID, C.A.M. & STOREY, R.I.2000. Revisionofthe
forest CRC and the Wet Tropics Management dung beetle genus Temnoplectron Westwood
Authority provided some ofthe funds for field (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeini).
work. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46(1):
LITERATURE CITED 253-297 (thisissue).
MATTHEWS,E.C. 1974.Arevisionofthescarabaeine STOREY, R.l. 1984. AnewspeciesofAptenocanthon
dung beetles ofAustralia II. Tribe Scarabaeini. Matthews from north Queensland (Coleoptera:
Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Memoirs of the
Series24:1-211. Queensland Museum21(2): 387-90.