Description of eight new <i>Paratrichius</i> Janson, 1881 from Vietnam (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Abstract

Increased availability of recently collected beetle material from Vietnam has stimulated numerous taxonomic studies. Several specimens representing new species of the genus Paratrichius Janson, 1881, were discovered among this material. These are described here as Paratrichius bartolozzii sp. nov., P. caobangi sp. nov., P. dangvanboi sp. nov., P. parvolaetus sp. nov. , P. saetosus sp. nov. , P. triguttatus sp. nov., P. inexpectatus sp. nov. and P. variiscoloratus sp. nov., thereby bringing the total number of known Vietnamese species to 29. The distribution of the species highlights three major areas of endemism for the genus within the country: northern provinces, Central Highlands and southern provinces. To date, no species has been found to inhabit more than one of these areas. Further research in intermediate areas is needed to better clarify boundaries between these areas of endemism.