Description of new species of Spilophorus (Prospilophorus) Holm & Perissinotto, 2010 with revision of the subgenus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Cremastocheilini)

Abstract

Despite two revisions of the genus Spilophorus Westwood, 1848 having been published fairly recently, new findings and closer analyses have revealed the existence of more species than previously reported. A new species of the endemic African subgenus Prosphilophorus Holm & Perissinotto, 2010 has been discovered in Cameroon and is hereby described as S. (P.) superbus sp. nov. A series of new specimens of S. (P.) grandis Schein, 1949 has also been found in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN, South Africa), making it possible to confirm the type locality for this species in South Africa and necessitating the erection of a new species, S. (P.) holmi sp. nov. for the specimens from Tanzania, previously grouped under the former taxon. Finally, two female specimens housed in the Museum of Central Africa (MRAC, Tervuren, Belgium) and other specimens reposited in private collections and previously regarded as belonging to S. (P.) aurifer Westwood, 1874 are here recognized as a separate species and described as S. (P.) congoensis sp. nov. , on the basis of their comparative
differences in dorsal ornamentation, sculpture and shape of the mentum. The genus appears to be of special significance for the biodiversity of the continent, due to its rather unique ecological characteristics of association with bird and ant aerial nests. The suggestion that species may represent highly specialized and isolated relicts, as highlighted in Holm & Perissinotto (2010), seems to be validated and strengthened by these findings.