Genome sequencing reveals extraordinary cephalic horns in the Madagascan dung beetle genus Helictopleurus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae): insight from a revision of fungicola species group

• Published in: ZooKeys Vol. 1033; no. 540; pp. 63 - 79
• Main Authors: Rossini, Michele, Montreuil, Olivier, Grebennikov, Vasily, Tarasov, Sergei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 22-04-2021; Pensoft
• Subjects: Beetles; Biodiversity & Conservation; Cenozoic; Identification and classification; Identification key; Life Sciences; Madagascar; Molecular systematics; Natural history; Phylogeny; Scarabaeidae; Systematics; Taxonomy; Madagascar; mitogenomics; fungicola species group; Madagascar; dung beetles; Heterosyphus; Scarabaeinae; male horns
• ISSN: 1313-2989; 1313-2970
• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1033.63527

In this study, we test and corroborate the phylogenetic position of
within
using mitogenomes and nuclear loci. Our recent samplings revealed that males of the former
Paulian, 1975 (today under
d'Orbigny, 1915) have extraordinary bilateral clypeal horns which are exclusive within the genus. We provide a taxonomic review of the
species group of
and discuss the systematic position of
within the group. The male phenotype of
is described and photographs of the body and genitalia of the members of the
group are given, as well as a diagnostic key to species of the group.
is considered to be a distinct species within the genus (
).
d'Orbigny, 1915
is established as a junior synonym of
(Fairmaire, 1899).