Abstract
The third instar larvae and the pupae of Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910 (Phileurini), recently synonymized with Surutu jelineki Endrődi, 1975 (Cyclocephalini), are described and illustrated, and some life history information is given. The larvae were collected and reared in bromeliads in rain forests of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. The systematic position of this monotypic genus is reassessed at the tribe level by considering larval and adult morphological characters. Both character sets, being described and illustrated, suggest the placement of Platyphileurus in the tribe Oryctini.
Highlights
IntroductionThe enigmatic Platyphileurus felscheanus / Surutu jelinekiThe rhinoceros beetle Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910 (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) was described twice as a new species, first under this name in the tribe Phileurini and 65 years later as Surutu jelineki by Endrődi (1975) in the tribe Cyclocephalini. Grossi et al (2010) recently synonymized those two names.The monotypic genus Platyphileurus Ohaus, 1910 is known only from Brazil (Grossi et al 2010) with one erroneous record from the Ilha do Principe (West Africa) (Endrődi 1977). Grossi et al (2010) extended the known distribution of the species from Santa Catarina (Ohaus 1910) and Rio de Janeiro (Endrődi 1985) to the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Paraná.Platyphileurus felscheanus can be recognized by its flat body, especially anteriorly, by the elytra being laterally dilated posteriorly, by lacking horns or tubercles on the head and pronotum, and by lacking a longitudinal furrow on the pronotum (Figs 26–28)
We explore whether characters of the immatures provide indications of the tribal placement of the genus
The immature beetles were fixed in 70% ethanol, in Kahle’s solution, or in boiling water, and in the last case preserved in 80% ethanol; some larvae were kept alive to be reared
Summary
The enigmatic Platyphileurus felscheanus / Surutu jelinekiThe rhinoceros beetle Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910 (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) was described twice as a new species, first under this name in the tribe Phileurini and 65 years later as Surutu jelineki by Endrődi (1975) in the tribe Cyclocephalini. Grossi et al (2010) recently synonymized those two names.The monotypic genus Platyphileurus Ohaus, 1910 is known only from Brazil (Grossi et al 2010) with one erroneous record from the Ilha do Principe (West Africa) (Endrődi 1977). Grossi et al (2010) extended the known distribution of the species from Santa Catarina (Ohaus 1910) and Rio de Janeiro (Endrődi 1985) to the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Paraná.Platyphileurus felscheanus can be recognized by its flat body, especially anteriorly, by the elytra being laterally dilated posteriorly, by lacking horns or tubercles on the head and pronotum, and by lacking a longitudinal furrow on the pronotum (Figs 26–28). The enigmatic Platyphileurus felscheanus / Surutu jelineki. The rhinoceros beetle Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910 (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) was described twice as a new species, first under this name in the tribe Phileurini and 65 years later as Surutu jelineki by Endrődi (1975) in the tribe Cyclocephalini. The monotypic genus Platyphileurus Ohaus, 1910 is known only from Brazil (Grossi et al 2010) with one erroneous record from the Ilha do Principe (West Africa) (Endrődi 1977). Platyphileurus felscheanus can be recognized by its flat body, especially anteriorly, by the elytra being laterally dilated posteriorly, by lacking horns or tubercles on the head and pronotum, and by lacking a longitudinal furrow on the pronotum (Figs 26–28).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
