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ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA MUSEI NATIONALIS PRAGAE
Published 15.xi.2013 Volume 53(2), pp. 633–648 ISSN 0374-1036
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0CC4ABA4-70DA-42BD-9922-45316034E5BA
Aphodiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the Goa,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan (India) with description of
Aphodius (Gilletianus) rajawatorum sp. nov.
David KRÁL & Petr ŠÍPEK
Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Viničná 7, CZ-128 43 Praha 2,
Czech Republic; e-mails: kral@natur.cuni.cz, sipekpetr80@gmail.com
Abstract. Altogether 29 species of aphodiine tribes Aphodiini (24 species) and
Psammodiini (5 species) were recorded in the states of Goa, Maharashtra and
Rajasthan (India) during a faunistic research in 2002–2005. Findings of Aphodius
(Pharaphodius) calo Balthasar, 1971 and A. (P.) redargutus Balthasar, 1971 repre-
sent new country records for India. Species A. (Megatelus) contractus Klug, 1845
and Pararhyssemus coluber (Mayet, 1887) are new for the whole Indo-Pakistani
subcontinent. Aphodius (Gilletianus) rajawatorum sp. nov. from Rajasthan is
described and illustrated. The new species is close to A. (G.) fukiensis Balthasar,
1952, A. (G.) segmentaroides A. Schmidt, 1909 and A. (G.) therondi Balthasar,
1963 exhibiting distinctly narrow, almost parallel-sided protibia.
Key words. Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Aphodiinae, Aphodiini, Psammodiini,
taxonomy, new species, description, distribution, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,
India, Oriental Region
Introduction
Only a very little attention has been paid to the distribution of aphodiine beetles in the
Indian subcontinent. The relatively better-studied areas so far are that of the Himalaya (cf.
e.g. AHRENS & STEBNICKA 1997; BALTHASAR 1964; BORDAT & DELLACASA 1996; DELLACASA &
DELLACASA 2006a; STEBNICKA 1981, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992). Studies dedicated
to the distribution of this group in the states of the northwestern and western parts of India are
still limited: Haryana: MITTAL (1981), Himachal Pradesh (MITTAL 2000, 2005), Uttarakhand
(formerly Uttaranchal): MITTAL (1999, 2005). An annotated checklist of Aphodiinae summa-
rizing all the distributional data available was published by CHANDRA (1999). Some additional
data have been reported in taxonomic studies (cf. e.g. BALTHASAR 1964; MITTAL 1984, 1993b;
PAULIAN 1945; SCHMIDT 1922) and ecological studies (cf. e.g. KAKKAR 2010; MITTAL 1986,
1993a; MITTAL & BHATI 1998; THAKARE et al. 2011).
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
634
During the years 2002 and 2003, a primatologic study concerning the Hanuman langoor
(Semnopithecus entellus (Dufresne, 1797)) (Primates: Cercopithecidae) was carried out near
Dausa in western Rajasthan, India, about 60 km NE by air of Jaipur. For this reason one of
the authors (PŠ) spent several months in India; although he collected data on langoors, he and
his friends also collected beetles and other insects. In 2004 and 2005 he visited the research
site again, and collected some more material of dung beetles.
The study presents results of faunistic exploration of aphodiine beetles, conducted between
2002 and 2005 in the Indian states of Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Altogether 29 species
were recorded (Aphodiini – 24 species, Psammodiini – 5 species). Of this number, fi ndings
of 15 species are fi rst country records for the Goa, fi ve species for the Maharashtra and 22
species for the Rajasthan state. Findings of two species, Aphodius (Pharaphodius) calo Bal-
thasar, 1971 and A. (P.) redargutus Balthasar, 1971 represent fi rst records from India. Two
species, A. (Megatelus) contractus Klug, 1845 and Pararhyssemus coluber (Mayet, 1887),
are new for the whole Indo-Pakistani subcontinent. Among the material we have found also
a new Aphodius (Gilletianus) species described below.
Material and methods
Generic groups taxonomy of Aphodiini agrees with the monograph by DELLACASA et
al. (2001) but the genera are treated as subgenera of Aphodius as is also understood in the
Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera (DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a). Nomenclature was
adopted from DELLACASA & DELLACASA (2006a) for the tribe Aphodiini and from RAKOVIČ et
al. (2006) for the tribe Psammodiini.
Specimens were examined with an Olympus SZ61 stereomicroscope; measurements were
taken with an ocular grid. The habitus photographs were taken using a Canon MP-E 65mm/2.8
1–5× Macro on bellows attached to a Canon EOS 550D camera. Partially focused images
of each specimen were combined using Zerene photo stacker software. Exact label data are
cited for the type material, individual labels are separated by a double slash (//), individual
lines of every label by a single slash (/). Authors’ remarks and additional comments are found
in square brackets.
All material is deposited in the collection of the National Museum Praha, Czech Republic
(NMPC).
Localities visited
Brief characteristics and collecting circumstances are given here for each of the sites. Map of
the localities is provided in Fig. 1. The locality data follow exactly the locality labels.
(1) Goa province, 30 km S of Margao (= Madgaon), Palolem env., 15°00.47′N 74°01.58′E,
0–20 m a.s.l., 14.–22.viii.2002, P. Šípek & M. Fikáček lgt.
The locality is situated on shore of the Indian ocean in the foothills of Western Ghats.
The hills are covered with dense tropical semi-moist secondary forests and bamboo shrubs.
Specimens were collected individually on wet longshore pastures in cow and buffalo
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 635
dungpads near the village. The collections were carried out during the second half of the
monsoon season.
(2) Maharashtra province, 120 km NE of Mumbai, Igatpuri env., 19°42.17′N 73°33.06′E,
600 m a.s.l., 1.–12.viii.2002, P. Šípek & M. Fikáček lgt.
Beetles were collected in cow and buffalo dungpads on pastures in the vicinity of the
town. The pastures were intermixed with secondary shrub formations and planted forest
stretches (mainly Mimosoideae formerly referred to the genus Acacia, Eucalyptus and
fruit trees). The weather was fairly cold and wet during the investigations.
(3) Rajasthan province, 100 km W of Udaipur, Mt. Abu env., 24°35.35′N 72°42.72′E, 1150 m
a.s.l., 24.–27.viii.2002, P. Šípek & M. Fikáček lgt.
The locality is situated on an altiplano in the Arravali mountain range at an altitude of ca
1100 m above sea level. The hills are covered with dense subtropical evergreen and semideci-
duous forests. Specimens were collected individually in cow and buffalo dungpads, during the
end of monsoon season. The weather was wet and relatively cold, even though the monsoon
almost failed in that year.
Fig. 1. Sketch map of India
with marked localities visited
(states of Goa, Maharashtra and
Rajasthan).
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
636
(4) Rajasthan province, 93 km W of Udaipur, Abu road env., 24°29′N 72°47′E, 263 m a.s.l.,
28.viii.2002, P. Šípek lgt.
Specimens collected in cow and buffalo dungpads on a rocky hill behind the city. The
whole area was covered with arid cultural semidesert.
(5) Rajasthan province, 50 km W of Agra, Bharatpur env., 27°12.35′N 77°30.35′E,
205 m a s.1.
Specimens were collected in the vicinity of the Keoladeo National Park in cow and buffalo
dungpads and also in dungheap of the blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766)).
Outside the park there was a cultural semidesert with scattered pastures and dry fi elds. The
area of Keoladeo N.P. is covered with savanna and thorny forest (Mimosoideae formerly refer-
red to the genus Acacia, Prosopis), intermixed with numerous swamps and seasonal ponds.
However, the monsoon failure in 2002 caused almost all ponds and swamps in the park to
dry out. The collections in 2004 were carried out at the beginning of hot season. Specimens
were either collected individually in dung or at light.
Collecting events:
a) 31.viii.–5.ix.2002, P. Šípek & M. Fikáček lgt.;
b) 22.iii.2004, P. Šípek & L. Šejnohová lgt.
(6) Rajasthan province, 30 km N of Dausa, Gola-Ka-Bas env., 27°05.46′N 76°17.18′E, 380 m
a.s.l.
The locality is situated at the foot of Aravalli hills, near the border of the Sariska tiger
reserve. The whole area is covered with a cultural semidesert, with scattered thorny vegeta-
tion (mainly Mimosoideae formerly referred to the genus Acacia and Prosopis), intermixed
with seasonal fi elds on irrigated patches of land. Beetles were collected individually in cow
and buffalo dungpads, in compost and at light (gas cylinder, common and white fl uorescent
bulbs). Collections in 2002 were carried out during the end of monsoon and at the onset of
cold season; however, the moosoon failed completely that year. In 2004 beetles were collected
during the end of cold and at the onset of hot season.
Collecting events:
a) 9.ix.–8.x.2002, P. Šípek lgt.;
b) 9.–31.x.2002, P. Šípek lgt.;
c) 1.xi.2002, P. Šípek lgt.;
d) 19.xi.2002, P. Šípek lgt.;
e) 25.–29.ii.2004, light trap + individual collecting, P. Šípek & L. Šejnohová lgt.;
f) 29.ii.2004, P. Šípek & local collectors lgt.;
g) 1.–23.iii.2004, local collectors – Rajawat family lgt.;
h) 24.–26.iii.2004, P. Šípek & L. Šejnohová lgt.;
i) 26.–30.iii.2004, P. Šípek & L. Šejnohová lgt.;
j) 5.–9.ix.2005, P. Šípek lgt.;
k) 10.ix.–13.x.2005, local collectors – Rajawat family lgt.;
l) 13.x.–8.xi.2005, P. Šípek & local collectors lgt.;
m) 30.x.–11.xi.2005, P. Šípek lgt.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 637
(7) Rajasthan province, 35 km N of Dausa, Nararimata env., 27°08.22′N 76°20.39′E, 461 m a.
s.l.
The basic characteristics of the locality are almost the same as for (6) Gola-Ka-Bas. Beetles
were collected at light (gas cylinder) near a small stream and in a temple complex.
Collecting events:
a) 10.ix.–15.x.2002, light trap, P. Šípek lgt.;
b) 7.–8.xi.2002, P. Šípek lgt.
(8) Rajasthan province, 35 km N of Dausa, Khoh-Dariba env., 27°11′N 76°23′E, cca 500 m a.
s.l., 30.ix.2002, light trap, P. Šípek lgt.
Rocky cultural semidesert with scattered thorny vegetation. Specimens were collected at
ligth (gas cylinder). The whole area with similar conditions to the localities (6) Gola-Ka-Bas
and (7) Nararimata.
Distribution and taxonomy
Comments to species recorded are presented in the survey bellow, for complete account
of material collected in each locality see Table 1.
Tribe Aphodiini Leach, 1815
Aphodius (Aganocrossus) postpilosus Reitter, 1895
Distribution. Oriental species, widely distributed in China (type locality: Shanghai), recor-
ded also from Japan, Laos, South Korea and Vietnam; from India so far reported only from
Sikkim (BORDAT & DELLACASA 1996, DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a). First record for the
states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Aganocrossus) urostigma Harold, 1862
Distribution. Widespread Oriental species distributed from Afghanistan easternmost to China
and Indonesia, also introduced to Australia (cf. e.g. AHRENS & STEBNICKA 1997; BALTHASAR
1964; BORDAT & DELLACASA 1996; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; PAULIAN 1945; SCHMIDT
1922; STEBNICKA 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992). In India known from Assam, Himachal
Pradesh and Uttarakhand (MITTAL 1999, 2000, 2005; PETROVITZ 1968; STEBNICKA 1981). First
records for the states of Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Alocoderus) teyrovskyi Balthasar, 1935
Distribution. Himalayan species, recorded from Afghanistan, India (Darjeeling, Punjab,
Sikkim), Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam (AHRENS & STEBNICKA 1997; BALTHASAR 1964; DELLA-
CASA & DELLACASA 2006a; STEBNICKA 1981, 1986, 1989, 1990). First record for the state of
Rajasthan.
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
638
Table 1. Complete survey of material collected on each locality: Goa: 1 – Palolem; Maharashtra: 2 – Igatpuri; Rajasthan: 3 – Mt. Abu, 4 - Abu road, 5 – Bha-
ratpur, 6 – Gola-Ka-Bas, 7 – Mararimata, 8 – Khoh-Dariba. For complete locality data see Localities visited.
locality No. /
number of specimens collected 1 2 3 4 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 6d 6e 6f 6g 6h 6i 6j 6k 6l 6m 7a 7b 8
Aphodius (Aganocrossus) postpilosus 35
Aphodius (Aganocrossus) urostigma 15 4 1 1
Aphodius (Alocoderus) teyrovskyi 5 161811
Aphodius (Emadiellus) rufopustulatus 1
Aphodius (Gilletianus) costatulus 40 6 2 17 1 20 2 12 1
Aphodius (Gilletianus) rajawatorum sp. nov. 5
Aphodius (Gilletianus) rangoonensis 15 4
Aphodius (Gilletianus) segmentaroides 2
Aphodius (Labarrus) hoabinhensis 2 2 2556 1 4 3 2 17314 910
Aphodius (Loboparius) scheibei 21 3 1 5 1
Aphodius (Megatelus) contractus 127
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) mungo 1
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) parvulus 23 1 2 7
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) rufolaterus 115 1
Aphodius (Neocalaphodius) moestus 4 22 108 3 811152 5
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) avunculus 2
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) carinulatus 13
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) ovatulus 1
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) wichei 12
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) calo 77328 34652
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) cornutus 3 1 27 2 2 2 1 1
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) redargutus 911
Aphodius (Trichaphodius) hindustanicus 11
Aphodius (Trichaphodius) moorei 4
Neotrichiorhyssemus expansicollis 3
Pararhyssemus coluber 11
Rhyssemodes sindicus 14 2 2 24 1 11 1 1 2 11 1 16 6 11
Rhyssemus indicus 5 8 16 1
Rhyssemus inscitus 2 5 3 2 21 1 8 4
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 639
Aphodius (Emadiellus) rufopustulatus Wiedemann, 1823
Distribution. Widespread Oriental species known from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan,
Thailand and Vietnam (BALTHASAR 1964; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006; PAULIAN 1945;
RAKOVIČ 1991; SCHMIDT 1922; STEBNICKA 1989, 1992). In India known from Punjab,Uttarakand
and West Bengal (CHANDRA 1999; MITTAL 1999, 2005; STEBNICKA 1992). First record for the
state of Goa.
Aphodius (Gilletianus) costatulus A. Schmidt, 1908
Distribution. Widespread Oriental species reaching westernmost Afghanistan and easternmost
China and Indonesia (cf. e.g. BALTHASAR 1964; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; PAULIAN
1945; SCHMIDT 1922; STEBNICKA 1986, 1989, 1992). In India recorded from Andhra Pradesh:
Kistna, and Tamil Nadu: Dindigul (CHANDRA 1999; STEBNICKA 1986, 1992). First records for
the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Gilletianus) rajawatorum sp. nov.
(Figs 1, 2A–D, 3B)
Type locality. NW India, Rajasthan province, 50 km W of Agra, Bharatpur env., 27°12.42′N 77°30.48′E, 220
m a. s. l. (Fig. 1).
Type material. HOLOTYPE and PARATYPES Nos 1–4 (all ), labelled: ‘INDIA bor. occ. / RAJASTHAN province / 50
km W. of AGRA / Bharatpur env.: 220m // INDIA 2002 Expedition / 27°12.42’N 77°30.48’E; 31.VIII.–5. IX.2002
/ P. Šípek & M. Fikáček lgt. [printed] // Aphodius (Gilletianus) / rajawatorum sp. nov., / HOLOTYPUS [or] PARA-
TYPUS No. x / David Král & Petr Šípek det. 2011 [red label, printed]’.
Description. Male (holotype; left metatarsomeres 2–5 missing in the specimen). Total body
length 3.3 mm. Body elongately oval, moderately convex, dorsal surface shining; colour
brown, anterior and lateral parts of head, sides of pronotum, apical elytron declivity, and
ventral surface lighter; subapical darker spots of elytron faintly marked (Figs 2A–B, 3B).
Head (Figs 2A–B, 3B) semicircular; clypeus almost semicircular, anterior margin only
weakly sinuate, not considerably upturned, sides regularly round towards small, right-angled
genae, distinctly exceeding large eyes; frontal suture slightly impressed; surface punctures
double, fi ne, superfi cial, evenly distributed, large punctures about three times larger than
small ones.
Pronotum (Figs 2A–B, 3B) more or less rectangular, sides regularly round, distinctly
bordered, posterior angles obtuse, base without border, surface punctation double, coarse
punctures relatively densely distributed, concentrated laterobasally.
Scutellar shield narrowly triangular, impunctate.
Elytra (Fig. 2A) suboval, slightly widened toward apex, minutely macrosetaceous apically,
striae fi nely impressed and punctate, punctures separated by more than once their diameter,
slightly crenate interval margins, intervals moderately convex in basal half, toward apex
becoming completely fl at, sutural interval almost fl at in whole length, surface punctation
superfi cial, fi ne and sparse.
Metaventral disc (Fig. 2B) shiny, flat, glabrous, with longitudinal line distinctly
impressed.
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
640
Table 2. Character matrix distinguishing Gilletianus species close to A. (G.) rajawatorum sp. nov.
character in male /
species A. (G.) fukiensis
Balthasar, 1952 A. (G.) rajawato-
rum sp. nov. A. (G.) segmenta-
roides
A. Schmidt, 1909
A. (G.) therondi
Balthasar, 1963
clypeus outline trapezoidal, anterior
margin distinctly
sinuate, considerab-
ly upturned, sides
almost straight
(Fig. 3A)
semicircular, ante-
rior margin only
weakly sinuate, not
considerably uptur-
ned, sides round
(Figs 2A, 3B)
trapezoidal, anterior
margin very weakly
sinuate, considerab-
ly upturned, sides
almost straight
(Fig. 3C)
trapezoidal, anterior
margin very weakly
sinuate, considerab-
ly upturned, sides
almost straight
(Fig. 3D)
clypeus surface pun-
ctation
simple (Fig. 3A) double (Figs 2A,
3B)
simple (Fig. 3C) double (Fig. 3D)
pronotum outline sides round, pos-
terior angle round
(Fig. 3A)
sides round, poste-
rior angle angular
(Figs 2A, 3B)
sides almost
parallel, posterior
angle round (Fig.
3C)
sides in posterior
third slightly sinua-
te, posterior angle
angular (Fig. 3D)
pronotum surface
punctation
double, coarse
punctures relatively
sparsely distributed,
concetrated lateral-
ly (Fig. 3A)
double, coarse
punctures relatively
densely distributed,
concetrated latero-
basally (Fig. 3B)
double, coarse
punctures relatively
densely distributed,
concetrated lateral-
ly (Fig. 3C)
double, coarse
punctures relatively
sparsely distributed
on whole surface
except for disc (Fig.
3D)
elytron surface shining shining opaque shining
elytron macrosetation entirely glabrous minutely macrose-
taceous apically
distinctly macro-
setaceous laterally
and in apical half
entirely glabrous
shape and punctation of
sutural elytron interval
almost fl at, with
very sparse minute
punctures
moderately convex,
impunctate
almost fl at, with
sparse minute
punctures
almost fl at, with
very sparse minute
punctures
shape of protibia not narrowed basal-
ly (Fig. 3A)
narrowed basally
(Fig. 3B)
not narrowed basal-
ly (Fig. 3C)
not narrowed basal-
ly (Fig. 3D)
shape and direction of
terminal protibial spur
broadly lanceolate,
bent strongly down-
ward
simply thickened,
not strongly bent
downward
simply thickened,
not strongly bent
downward
broadly lanceolate,
not strongly bent
downward
known distribution China: Fujian;
Thailand
India: Rajasthan India: Karnata-
ka, Rajasthan,
Uttarakhand; Laos;
Myanmar; Thai-
land; Vietnam
N Vietnam
Legs. Femora shining, glabrous (Fig. 2B). Protibia considerably narrow, almost parallel,
moreover narrowed in basal quarter, with three triangular teeth externally (Figs 2A–B, 3C),
ventral edge unarmed, terminal spur simply thickened, not strongly bent downward. External
carinae and terminal edge of meso- and metatibia fi mbriate with macrosetae strongly unequal
in length. Tarses long and thin; basimesotarsite hardly longer than exterior terminal spur of
mesotibiae, basimetatarsite approximately one quarter longer than exterior terminal spur of
metatibiae and equal in lenght to next three tarsites combined (Figs 2A–B). Claws feebly
arcuate, almost as long as two preceding tarsites combined.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 641
Fig. 2. Aphodius (Gilletianus) rajawatorum sp. nov., holotype, male. A – habitus in dorsal aspect; B – habitus in
ventral aspect; C–D – aedeagus in dorsal (C) and left lateral (D) aspect.
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
642
Ventrites shining, impunctate, only with few long erect macrosetae (Fig. 2B).
Aedeagus (Figs 2C–D). Parameres simple, shorter than phallobasis, with tuft of long, fi ne
macrosetae subapically, almost acute apically.
Female. Unknown.
Variability. Paratypes (Fig. 2B) vary only slightly in body length (3.2–3.3 mm).
Differential diagnosis. Aphodius (G.) rajawatorum sp. nov. is classifi ed to the subgenus
Gilletianus Balthasar, 1933, as the subgenus was diagnosed by BALTHASAR (1933), DELLACASA
et al. (2001), DELLACASA & DELLACASA (2006b) and OCHI et al. (2010). Within this subgenus it
is close to A. (G.) fukiensis Balthasar, 1952, A. (G.) segmentaroides A. Schmidt, 1909 and A.
(G.) therondi Balthasar, 1963 in having distinctly narrow, almost parallel protibia, only very
weakly widened in distal part (Figs 2–3). The remaining Gilletianus species known from the
Oriental Region possess protibia more or less distinctly triangularly widened distad. These
four species are distinguishable from each other by diagnostic characters given in Table 2.
Fig. 3. Head, pronotum and protibia, , dorsal aspect. A – Aphodius (Gilletianus) fukiensis Balthasar, 1952
(China, Fujian: Kuatun; syntype, NMPC), B – A. (G.) rajawatorum sp. nov. (holotype), C – A. (G.) segmentaroides
A. Schmidt, 1909 (India, Rajasthan: 50 km W of Agra, Bharatpur, NMPC), D – A. (G.) therondi Balthasar, 1963
(Vietnam: Tonkin, Tam Dao, paratype, NMPC); arrows show diagnostic characters mentioned in the description of
the new species and in Table 2.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 643
Etymology. The new species is named in honour of the Rajawat family from Gola-Ka-Bas
(India: Rajasthan) who not only hosted me (PŠ) in their house, but also became our second
family far from our homes.
Collecting circumstances. Collected from cow dung pad. For brief characteristics of locality
see the Localities visited section, localities No. 5a and 5b.
Distribution. India: Rajasthan (Fig. 1).
Aphodius (Gilletianus) rangoonensis Petrovitz, 1970
Distribution. Oriental species, so far known from Bhutan, India (Punjab), Myanmar, Nepal
and Thailand (AHRENS & STEBNICKA 1997; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; PETROVITZ 1970;
STEBNICKA 1986, 1989, 1992). First records for the states of Goa and Maharashtra.
Aphodius (Gilletianus) segmentaroides A. Schmidt, 1909
Distribution. Rarely collected Oriental species, described from Belgaum (India: Karnataka),
further records are from India (Uttarakhand), Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam (BAL-
THASAR 1964; CHANDRA 1999; PAULIAN 1945; SCHMIDT 1922; STEBNICKA 1981, 1992). First
record for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Labarrus) hoabinhensis Balthasar, 1946
Distribution. Widely distributed throughout the Oriental Region, recorded from Bhutan, India
(Tamil Nadu), Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam (AHRENS & STEBNICKA
1997; BALTHASAR 1964; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; STEBNICKA 1981, 1986, 1988, 1989,
1990). First records for the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Loboparius) scheibei Balthasar, 1955
Distribution. So far known from Afghanistan, across the Himalaya to Sikkim (AHRENS &
STEBNICKA 1997; BALTHASAR 1964; DELLACASA 1983; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; STEB-
NICKA 1981, 1986, 1989). First record for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Megatelus) contractus Klug, 1845
Distribution. Probably a typical Saharo-Sindian zoogeographical element in Indian fauna.
So far known from all the Maghreb countries, Chad and Ethiopia, south-eastern Mediterra-
nean (Cyprus, Rhodes and Turkey) and Italy (Pantelleria Island), the Levantine region, to
Afghanistan (ALFIERI 1976; BALTHASAR 1964; BARAUD 1985, 1992; CHIKATUNOV & PAV L Í ČEK
1997; DELLACASA 1986; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a,c; SCHMIDT 1922). First record for
the state of Rajasthan, India and the whole Indo-Pakistani subcontinent.
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) mungo Balthasar, 1946
Distribution. Originally described from ‘Madras’ (= Tamil Nadu: Chennai) (BALTHASAR 1964,
CHANDRA 1999, DELLACASA 1988). First record for the state of Rajasthan.
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
644
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) parvulus Harold, 1871
Distribution. Widespread Afrotropical species reaching desert and semidesert regions of the
Indian subcontinent in Pakistan (BALTHASAR 1964, BORDAT 1990, DELLACASA 1988, DELLACASA
& DELLACASA 2006a, ENDRŐDI 1964) and northern India: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand (MITTAL 1981, 1999, 2000, 2005). First record for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Mesontoplatys) rufolaterus Motschulsky, 1863
Distribution. Distributed in the Indian subcontinent, hitherto known from Sri Lanka (type
locality: Colombo), India: Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu, and Pakistan (BALTHASAR 1964;
DELLACASA 1988; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; MITTAL 1999, 2005; PITTINO 1984a; SCHMIDT
1922). First records for the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Neocalaphodius) moestus Fabricius, 1801
Distribution. Widespread Afrotropical (including Madagascar, Mascarene Islands and Seychel-
les) species reaching the south of the Palaearctic Region (Afghanistan, Iraq and Turkey); from
the Indian subcontinent known so far from Bhutan, India (Andaman Islands, Assam, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand), Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (AHRENS & STEBNICKA
1997; BALTHASAR 1964; BORDAT 1990; CHANDRA 1999; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; DELLA-
CASA & KIRGIZ 1990; ENDRŐDI 1964; MITTAL 1981, 1999, 2000, 2005; PAULIAN 1945; SCHMIDT
1922; STEBNICKA 1981, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992). First record for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) avunculus Balthasar, 1946
Distribution. Described from ‘Madras’ (Tamil Nadu: Chennai) (BALTHASAR 1964, CHANDRA
1999). First record for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) carinulatus Motschulsky, 1863
Distribution. Described from ‘India’ (type locality), known also from Sri Lanka (BALTHASAR
1964, CHANDRA 1999, SCHMIDT 1922, STEBNICKA 1988), and probably erroneously reported
also from China (Guanxi and Taiwan) (DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a). First records for
the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) ovatulus Harold, 1861
Distribution. Described from ‘Ostindien’ [= East India], reported also from ‘Java’ (HAROLD
1861, DELLACASA 1988); so far recorded also from Nepal, Sri Lanka and India (Orissa) (BAL-
THASAR 1964, CHANDRA 1999, DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a, STEBNICKA 1986). First record
for the state of Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Paradidactylia) wichei Petrovitz, 1961
Distribution. Described from Pakistan (Karakoram), known also from India (Tamil Nadu:
Coimbatore) (BALTHASAR 1964, DELLACASA 1988, DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a). First
record for the state of Rajasthan.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 53(2), 2013 645
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) calo Balthasar, 1971
Distribution. So far known only from the Nepali lowlands (Terrai) (DELLACASA & DELLACASA
2006a; STEBNICKA 1986, 1989). First records for the Goa and Rajasthan states and the whole
India.
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) cornutus Wiedemann, 1823
Distribution. So far known from India (described from ‘Bengalen’, further records e.g. from
the West Bengal and Uttarakhand states), Afghanistan and Nepal (BALTHASAR 1964; CHANDRA
1999; DELLACASA 1977; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; SCHMIDT 1922; STEBNICKA 1986,
1989). First records for the states of Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Pharaphodius) redargutus Balthasar, 1971
Distribution. So far known from the Nepali lowlands (Terrai) only (AHRENS & STEBNICKA
1997; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; STEBNICKA 1986, 1989). First records for the states of
Goa and Rajasthan and for the whole India as well.
Aphodius (Trichaphodius) hindustanicus Balthasar, 1935
Distribution. Probably widespread species throughout northern India (e.g. Punjab) and the
Himalaya (Darjeeling, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim and Uttarakhand) (AHRENS & STEBNICKA 1997;
BALTHASAR 1964; CHANDRA 1999; DELLACASA & DELLACASA 2006a; PETROVITZ 1968; STEBNICKA
1981, 1986, 1989, 1990). First records for the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Aphodius (Trichaphodius) moorei Paulian, 1936
Distribution. So far known only from Sri Lanka and southern parts of India without further
precise data (BALTHASAR 1964, CHANDRA 1999, PAULIAN 1936, STEBNICKA 1988). First record
for the state of Rajasthan.
Tribe Psammodiini Mulsant, 1842
Neotrichiorhyssemus expansicollis (Bénard, 1930)
Distribution. Rarely collected species, described from south India: Tamil Nadu (type locality:
Kodicanel (= nowadays Kodaikanal)) (BÉNARD 1930, BALTHASAR 1964, CHANDRA 1999, RAKO-
VIČ 1987, RAKOVIČ & KRÁL 1997); further recorded from Indonesia (Sumatra) and Singapore
(PITTINO 1984b). First record for the state of Goa.
Pararhyssemus coluber (Mayet, 1887)
Distribution. Saharo-Sindian species, so far known from Sub-Saharan Africa (Eritrea, Ethi-
opia, Kenya, Niger, Somalia) and the Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) across
Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia) to Afghanistan and Iran (BALTHASAR 1964;
BARAUD 1985; PITTINO 1984a,b; RAKOVIČ et al. 2006; SCHMIDT 1922). First record for the state
of Rajasthan, India and the whole Indo-Pakistani subcontinent.
KRÁL & ŠÍPEK: Aphodiinae of the Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Scarabaeidae)
646
Rhyssemodes sindicus Pittino, 1984
Distribution. Species known from northern part of the Indian subcontinent (Nepal, Pakistan,
Uttarakhand) and Iran (CHANDRA 1999, PITTINO 1984b, RAKOVIČ et al. 2006). First records for
the states of Goa and Rajasthan.
Rhyssemus indicus Clouët des Pesruches, 1901
Distribution. Described from Sri Lanka, known also from India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal (BALTHASAR 1964, PITTINO 1984b, RAKOVIČ et al. 2006).
First record for the state of Goa.
Rhyssemus inscitus (Walker, 1858)
Distribution. Widespread species distributed from Madagascar throughout the Oriental Regi-
on and Australia, reported so far from India (without further more precise data), Indonesia,
Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, South China, Thailand and Vietnam (BALTHASAR 1964; CHANDRA
1999; PITTINO 1984b, 1990; RAKOVIČ et al. 2006; STEBNICKA 1992). First records for the states
of Goa and Rajasthan.
Acknowledgements
The collector (PŠ) would like to thank to his colleagues who created a wonderful atmosphere
and were very helpful during the stay in India. Martin Fikáček collected a huge amount of the
material studied, and provided us with original of the sketch map of India. Ondřej Abonyi,
Martina Konečná, Tereza Minariková, Jan Pluháček and Lenka Šejnohová created a good
atmosphere during the months in India and kindly tolerated my (PŠ) passion for cow dung.
Special thanks are dedicated to the Rajawat family in Gola-Ka-Bas, who not only hosted us
in their house, but also became our second family far from our homes. We are also indebted
to Dirk Ahrens (Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany) and I. C. Mittal (Kurukshetra
University, India) for provision of some inaccessible literature and to Patrice Bordat (Saint-
Cirq, France) and an anonymous reviewer for kindly reviewing the manuscript. The study
was supported by institutional resources of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of
the Czech Republic for the support of science and research.
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