A review of the southern African spider beetle genus Scaleptinus Borowski, 2006 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ptininae) and notes on their unusual male genitalia

Abstract

The spider beetle genus Scaleptinus Borowski, 2006 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Ptininae) was created to reclassify two morphologically distinct, scale-covered species of Ptinus known from the arid western regions of Namibia and South Africa. In this same publication, two new species, S. beardae and S. similis, were each described from single male specimens. Morphological examination reveals that S. beardae is within the range of morphological variation seen in S. squamulosus and is here proposed as a junior synonym. Scaleptinus similis appears to be a distinct species based on male genitalia illustrations but is externally similar to S. sericans. All three species are illustrated, including the two Borowski types as well as the sexual dimorphism seen in two species that have known females. Variation in genitalia and scutella are also presented as well as a note on the unusual male genitalia with double parameres as seen in two of the three species. A more complete documentation of the distribution of species via new records for S. squamulosus (Pic, 1908) and S. sericans (Péringuey, 1888) is also given.