Extending the geographic and altitudinal range of Popilius gibbosus (Burmeister, 1847) (Coleoptera: Passalidae) with taxonomical comments

Marcus Bevilaqua,Claudio Ruy Vasconcelos Da Fonseca

doi:10.11606/1807-0205/2022.62.002

Marcus Bevilaqua, Claudio Ruy Vasconcelos Da Fonseca

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2022.62.002

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Abstract

Popilius gibbosus (Burmeister, 1847) was known only from localities in the Cordillera Oriental of the northern Andes in Colombia and Venezuela and the southern section in Colombia between 1,350-3,000 m. Herein, we provide the first record for Bolivia at low elevations (< 1,000 m), thus extending the geographic and altitudinal range of this species. Information about characters not yet used and the first description of the aedeagus are provided, accompanied with figures of those characters that facilitate the identification of the species. An identification key for Popilius species in Bolivia and a P. gibbosus distribution map are also provided.

Highlights

Popilius Kaup, 1871 is a Neotropical genus of Passalidae belonging to the Proculini tribe which, according to the most recent concept promoted by Boucher (2006), comprises 15 species, distributed from the intertropical region of South America, including Trinidad and the Isthmus of Panama
Beza-Beza et al (2020) do not corroborate this hypothesis, claiming that Popilius species are mixed with others of Petrejoides Kuwert, 1896
Boucher (2006) still considered that the genus is subdivided into two groups of species with morphological and biogeographic differences: the “marginatus” group, extra-Andean, dependent on low to medium altitudinal forests (< 1,500 m); and the “hebes” group, intra-Andean north

Summary

Introduction

Popilius Kaup, 1871 is a Neotropical genus of Passalidae belonging to the Proculini tribe which, according to the most recent concept promoted by Boucher (2006), comprises 15 species, distributed from the intertropical region of South America, including Trinidad and the Isthmus of Panama. Based on a phylogenetic analysis for Proculini, Boucher (2006) considered the genus a natural group supported by one autapomorphy: the lower apical spines of the meso- and metatibiae with a beveled apex. Beza-Beza et al (2020) do not corroborate this hypothesis, claiming that Popilius species are mixed with others of Petrejoides Kuwert, 1896. Gillogly (2005) reported that almost all species of Popilius have an extremely limited range in distance or altitude. The second group includes Popilius gibbosus (Burmeister, 1847) with distribution on the eastern Boucher (2006) still considered that the genus is subdivided into two groups of species with morphological and biogeographic differences: the “marginatus” group, extra-Andean, dependent on low to medium altitudinal forests (< 1,500 m); and the “hebes” group, intra-Andean north (from 1,000 to more than 3,000 m above sea level). Gillogly (2005) reported that almost all species of Popilius have an extremely limited range in distance or altitude.

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