Colophon scholtzi sp. nov.: a newly described highly threatened stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from South Africa

Authors

  • Joshua Durie Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  • Pryke James Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3148-5744
  • Basson Reinier Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  • Francois Roets Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3849-9057

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2024/a18313

Keywords:

Apterous, Cape fold mountains, Cape High-mountain stag beetle, Fynbos Biome

Abstract

A highly threatened and range-restricted, mountain-relic stag beetle species in the genus Colophon Gray, 1832 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), Colophon scholtzi Roets & Durie sp. nov. is described from a peak in the Riviersonderend Mountain range of South Africa. It is morphologically allied to species in the Colophon stokoei Barnard, 1929 species complex that are confined to the neighbouring Hottentots-Holland Mountain range. Colophon scholtzi seems highly range-restricted and rare as no living specimens have been observed on the single peak from where the only known fragments were collected, despite repeated surveys over the past 12 years.

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References

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Published

2024-06-14

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How to Cite

1.
Colophon scholtzi sp. nov.: a newly described highly threatened stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from South Africa. Afr. Entomol. [Internet]. 2024 Jun. 14 [cited 2024 Oct. 5];32. Available from: https://www.africanentomology.com/article/view/18313