The genera Ectospinula Opitz, new genus, and Prosymnus Laporte, which comprise a monophyletic group within Korynetinae, are reviewed. Ectospinula is monotypic and includes E. graduata Opitz, new species. Prosymnus comprises P. adustus Opitz, new species, P. arsus Opitz, new species, P. astrictus Opitz, new species, P. brevipenis Opitz, new species, P. livens (Boheman), P. mulleri Opitz, new species, P. rudis (Boheman), and P. testaceiventris Pic. Five new synonymies are established: P. livens (Boheman) (= P. burgeoni Pic, P. rufipennis Pic); P. rudis (Boheman) (= P. cribripennis Laporte, P. villosus Gorham); P. testaceiventris Pic (= P. maculipennis Pic). Lectotypes are designated for P. livens, P. rudis, and P. testaceiventris and for the junior synonyms P. burgeoni, P. rufipennis, P. cribripennis, P. tomentosus, P. villosus, and P. maculipennis. According to morphological analysis, Prosymnus species are thought to be carnivorous on other insects. It is postulated that the ancestors of Ectospinula and Prosymnus evolved in southern Africa, south of the Sahara, prior to the Miocene when woodland/forest habitats had not yet given way to the more open-woody grasslands. Included in this treatise are a discussion of natural history, keys to genera and species, and a phylogenetic tree with discussion of phylogenetic interpretations.
How to translate text using browser tools
21 September 2016
Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Korynetinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part III. The African Genera Ectospinula Opitz, New Genus, and Prosymnus Laporte
Weston Opitz
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
The Coleopterists Bulletin
Vol. 70 • No. 3
September 2016
Vol. 70 • No. 3
September 2016
checkered beetles
keys
new species
phylogeny
taxonomy