Catalogue |
Corresponding author: Francesco Vitali ( vitalfranz@cerambycoidea.com ) Academic editor: Andrey Frolov
© 2019 Francesco Vitali.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Vitali F (2019) Catalogue of the types of the Scarabaeidae in the National Museum of Natural History of Luxembourg (Coleoptera). ZooKeys 814: 95-114. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.814.32059
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The types of Scarabaeidae deposited in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History of Luxembourg are reported for the first time along with some historic and taxonomic remarks: Entypophana biapicata Moser, 1913; Metabolus thibetanus Moser, 1914 (currently, Pseudosymmachia); Autoserica annamensis Moser, 1915 (currently, Maladera); Euphoresia alboparsa Moser, 1913; Hybocamenta ferranti Moser, 1917; Microserica flaveola Moser, 1911; Triodonta lujai Moser, 1917 (currently, Triodontella); Trochalus ferranti Moser, 1917; Anomala condophora Ohaus, 1913 (currently, Mimela); Amaurina ferranti Moser, 1911 (currently, Leucocelis); Amaurina vittipennis Moser, 1909; Cetonia (Eucetonia) kolbei Curti, 1914; Lomaptera dichropus viridipes Moser, 1908; Cosmovalgus ferranti Moser, 1912.
Coleoptera , Scarabaeidae , holotypes, syntypes, National Museum of Natural History of Luxembourg
This paper represents the second part of the catalogue of the types of Coleoptera deposited in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History of Luxembourg (MNHNL); the first part, concerning the Cerambycoidea, was published in a previous article (
Images of two types (Figs
The collection of the exotic Scarabaeidae with over 3800 specimens represent more than 1100 identified species and subspecies and includes 24 types (4 holotypes and 20 syntypes) belonging to 14 species.
Since 1902, private donations from Luxembourgish and foreign entomologists, besides several acquisitions, have formed the present-day collection. Concerning the early and important donations, 23.7% is represented by the specimens collected by Edouard-Pierre Luja (1875–1953) from Mount Morrumbala (Mozambique), Stanley Falls and Kondué (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and João Monlevade (Brazil) between 1898 and 1924 (
A second contribution (11.7%) comes from British and German specialists (especially Julius Moser, Friedrich Ohaus, Gilbert John Arrow, Karl-Maria Heller and Karl Jordan), who probably exchanged their material for Luja’s duplicates, which may explain why they described new species based on Luja’s specimens in their collections.
Other contributions come from Ferrant himself (7%), Pierre Hastert (4.9%) and the colonial tutor Paul Sausseau (1873–1912), who sent material from Ambositra, Madagascar (3.3%). The Princess Hilda of Luxembourg (1897–1979) donated material (3.7%) from Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the labels, she is mentioned as “Princess Hilda-Schwarzenberg” following her marriage with Adolf, 10th Prince of Schwarzenberg.
Nevertheless, the greater part of this collection (28.9%) comes from the acquisitions of the Museum; the majority of them are constituted by the material bought by Ferrant in 1915 (23.8%) and especially those bought after Ferrant’s retirement in 1924 (34%). Most specimens were thought to have been purchased as identified from the Winkler Catalogue, but the German entomologist Eugen Hintz (before WWI) and Luja (after Ferrant’s retirement) are certainly among the sellers.
Concerning the study of this collection,
Entypophana biapicata Moser, 1913a: 295 (type locality: “Neu-Bethel, Usambara”).
Usambara / Neu Bethel / VII.1903 // Entypophana / biapicata Mos. / cotype ♀ [handwritten by Moser] // Donateur 1188d / J. Moser, / Berlin II.1917 // 3197, 1♀.
This species was described from an unknown number of specimens of both sexes measuring between 18 and 19 mm collected by Henri Dupré at Neu-Bethel, Usambara, in October 1903. The type locality is today named Mnazi and it is located in the Tanga region (Tanzania) between the Mkomazi National Park and the West Usambaras Lushoto Mountain Reserve. Dupré was a missionary in the Berlin-based protestant Bethel Mission, also known as Berlin III, Evangelische Missionsgesellschaft für Deutsch-Ostafrika (
The specimen preserved in the MNHNL does not correspond to the original description in the collecting date (July rather than October) but it was collected prior to the quoted type and belonged to the descriptor. Moreover, it carries Moser’s handwritten label of cotype, suggesting that the author donated this specimen to Ferrant and considered it as a cotype.
Metabolus thibetanus Moser, 1914: 71 (type locality: “Poo, Thibet”).
Thibet / Poo // Metabolus / thibetanus Mos. / Cotype [handwritten by Moser] // Donateur 944a / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 2531, 1♂.
This species was described from an unknown number of specimens measuring between 10 and 11 mm in body length. The type locality, Poo, also known as Pu, Pooh or Spuwa, is located at 2,662 m altitude in India, Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur District. The German tibetologist August Hermann Francke (1870–1930) visited this village in July 1910 (
Being preoccupied by Metabolus Bonaparte, 1854 (Aves),
Pseudosymmachia thibetana (Moser, 1914):
Autoserica annamensis Moser, 1915: 351 (type locality: “Phuc-Son, Annam”).
Annam / Phuc-Son / Nov[ember]-Dez[ember] / H. Fruhstorfer // Autoserica / annamensis / Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // Donateur 809a / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 2236, 1♂; ditto, // Donateur 809b / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 2237 1♀.
There are four different localities named “Phúc-Son” in Vietnam, but only one located in Annam belongs to the Anh Sơn District, Nghe An Province. Corresponding to the labels, the German entomologist Hans Fruhstorfer (1866–1922) explored this locality between November and December 1899 (
Maladera annamensis (Moser, 1915):
Euphoresia alboparsa Moser, 1913b: 180–181 (type locality: “Kasai: Kondué”).
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 868a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Euphoresia / alboparsa Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // 2352, 1♂; ditto, Donateur 868b / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // 2353, 1♀.
The species was described from an unknown number of specimens measuring 12 mm in body length, which Luja collected during his third mission in Kondué.
The specimens preserved in the MHNL do not show the wording “type” as some of Moser’s other species, but, considering the fact that Moser used different kind of labels, the specimens should be considered as syntypes.
Hybocamenta Ferranti Moser, 1917: 223 (type locality: “Kondué”).
Hybocomenta Ferranti Heuertz, 1954: 32 misspelling
Kondué / Kassai / Congo Luja // Donateur 863a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Hybocamenta / Ferranti Mos. Type [handwritten by Moser] // 2342, 1♂.
This species was described from a male specimen, measuring 8 mm in body length, collected by Luja during his third mission in Kondué. As for other species, Moser was inaccurate, as he failed to include Kasai in the original description.
Microserica flaveola Moser, 1911b: 525 (type locality: “Kina Balu”).
Kinabalu / Borneo, 1500 m / H. Rolle, Berlin, SW. 11 // Microserica / flaveola Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // Donateur 826a / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 2274, 1♂; ditto, Donateur 826b / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 //, 2275, 1♀.
This species was described from an unknown number of specimens from both sexes measuring 4.5 mm in length. The type locality is Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in the Bornean Crocker Range (Sabah, Malaysia). The beetles, which Moser had purchased from the well-known German dealer Franz Hermann Rolle (1864–1929), were possibly collected by Fruhstorfer, who explored Mount Kinabalu in 1899.
Triodonta Lujai Moser, 1917: 197–198 (type locality: “Kondué, Congo Belge”); Heuertz, 1954: 32.
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 861a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Triodonta / Lujai Mos. / n. sp. [handwritten by Moser] // 2338, 1♂.
The species was described from an unknown number of specimens of both sexes measuring from 5.5 to 7 mm in body length. Luja had collected these during his third mission in Kondué.
The genus Triodonta Mulsant, 1842, being preoccupied by Triodonta Bory de Saint Vincent, 1827 (Colpodidae, Regnum Chromista), was substituted by Triodontella by
Triodontella lujai (Moser, 1917):
Trochalus Ferranti Moser, 1917: 199–200 (type locality: “Kassai, Congo Belge”); Heuertz, 1954: 32.
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 858a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Trochalus / Ferranti Mos. n. sp. [handwritten by Moser] // 2332, 1♂; ditto, Donateur 858b / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // 2333, 1♀; ditto, Donateur 858c / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // 2334, 1♀; ditto, Donateur 858d / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // 2335, 1♀.
The species was described from an unknown number of specimens (“ich widme diese Art dem Konservator V. Ferrant in Luxemburg, welcher mir einige Exemplare gütigst überlief”) from both sexes measuring 6 mm in body length. Luja had collected these during his third mission in Kondué.
The type locality is “Kassai” and none of the specimens preserved in the collection of the MNHNL come from this locality. However, Kondué is located in the Kasai region and some specimens in the museum show old labels referring “Kondué / Kassai / Congo, Luja” (see e.g. the following species). Considering Moser’s imprecision in mentioning type data (see Lomaptera viridipes), it is likely that “Kassai” included both types of label.
Anomala condophora Ohaus, 1913: 207 (type locality: “Kondué”).
Kondué / Kassai / Congo Luja // Det. F. Ohaus 1912 / Anomala ♀. / condophora / Ohaus Cotype [handwritten by Ohaus] // Donateur 1025a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V. 1907 // 2746 // 1♀.
Mimela condophora (Ohaus, 1913):
Amaurina Ferranti Moser, 1911a: 125 (type locality: “Zambèze”).
Amarina Ferranti Ferrant, 1911: 255; Heuertz, 1954: 32 misspelling.
M[ont]. Morrumbala / Zambèze 1899 / Ed. Luja // Donateur 1415a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g VI.1902 // Amaurina / Ferranti Mos. Type [handwritten by Moser] / J. Moser determ. 1911 [printed] // 3882, 1♂.
The collection label contains an incorrect date, as Luja was employed by the Portuguese Company of Zambezi in a coffee plantation on Mount Morrumbala (Mozambique) from spring 1900 to January 1902 (
Leucocelis (Amauroleucocelis) ferranti (Moser, 1911):
Amaurina vittipennis Moser, 1909: 323 (type locality: “Sankuru, Kassai”).
Sankuru / Congo-Belge 1901 / Ed. Luja // Donateur 1416a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Amaurina / vittipennis / Moser [handwritten by Moser] // 3883, 1♂.
The species was described from an unknown number of specimens, measuring 9 mm in body length, which Luja collected in “Sankuru” and “Kassai”. Such localities must be referred to the current provinces Sankuro and Kasai in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at that time united in the former province Kasai-Oriental.
In spite of the original labels, Luja collected these specimens from August 1898 to 1899, when Baron van Eetveld, general secretary of the Independent State of the Congo, employed him to collect living plants for the Universal Exposition of Paris 1900 (
As for Euphoresia alboparsa, the specimen preserved in the MHNL does not show the wording “type” as some of Moser’s other types, but it should be deemed to be a syntype.
Cetonia (Eucetonia) kolbei Curti, 1914: 125 (type locality: “Cina, Tsingtau, Linkun”).
Tsingtau / Prof. Hoffmann // Juni // det. Curti / Kolbei m[ihi] // EucetoniaKolbei Curti [handwritten by Kolbe?] // Acquisition du Musée / 2352a 1920 // 14220, 1ex.; ditto, Acquisition du Musée / 2352b 1920 // 14221, 1 ex.
Both specimens did not have the labels of type but the labels “det. Curti / Kolbei m[ihi]” clearly indicate type material.
Even if not reported in the original description, the types were collected by a certain “Prof. Hoffmann”, which should not be confused with the best-known professor William E. Hoffmann of Lingnan University, Canton (1896–1989). Ten persons were named Hoffmann in the list of the German military present in Tsingtao in that period (
Eucetonia, originally described as genus (
Lomaptera dichropus viridipes Moser, 1908: 88 (type locality: “Deutsche Neu-Guinea, Huon-Golf”).
D[eutsche] Neu-Guinea / Sialum [handwritten] // Lomaptera / dichropus Lsbg. / subsp. viridipes Moser / Cotype [handwritten by Moser] // Donateur 1306a / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 3593, 1♂; ditto, Donateur 1306b / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 3594, 1♀; ditto, Donateur 1306c / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 3595, 1♀; ditto, Donateur 1306d / J. Moser, / Berlin III.1917 // 3596, 1♀.
The species was described from an unknown number of specimens measuring from 21 to 25 mm. The type locality “Huon-Golf” (currently, Huon Gulf) is the large gulf in eastern Papua New Guinea belonging to Marobe Province. However, Sialum (at one time, Helena-Hafen) is located at north of the Huon peninsula, beyond that gulf.
Cosmovalagus Ferranti Ferrant, 1911: 255 nomen nudum, misspelling.
Cosmovalgus
Ferranti
Moser, 1912: 574 (type locality: “Kondué, Congo-belge”);
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 1452a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // Cosmovalgus / Ferranti Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // 3978, 1♂.
Though two males of the collection carry the label of type, the species was described from only one male (“Der vorliegende ♂ ist…”) measuring 10 mm in body length. Luja collected these specimens during his second mission in Kondué. As for Euphoresia alboparsa and Amaurina vittipennis, both specimens preserved in the MNHNL do not show the wording “type”, but considering that Moser did not use standardised labels, the one bearing Moser’s label should be deemed as the holotype.
Bilga
pictipennis
Fairmaire, 1893: 137–138 (type locality: “Oubanghi”);
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 846a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // 2311, 1♂; ditto, Donateur 846b / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // 2312, 1♀.
These specimens cannot be Fairmaire’s types due to obvious chronological reasons.
Autoserica
flaviventris
Moser, 1916: 246–247 (type locality: “Kassai”);
Kassai / Kondué / Congo Ed. Luja // Donateur 807a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // Autoserica / flaviventris Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // 2229, 1♂; Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 807b / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // 2230, 1♀.
Maladera flaviventris (Moser, 1916):
Autoserica
ruficeps
Moser, 1916: 243–244 (type locality: “Kisantu and Kondué”);
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo- Donateur 806a-e / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1907 // Belge // Autoserica / ruficeps Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // 2225–2228, 2♂, 2♀.
Maladera ruficeps (Moser, 1916):
Euphoresia
kassaiensis
Moser, 1916: (type locality: “Kondué, Kassai”);
Ed. Luja / Kondué / Congo-Belge // Donateur 867a / Ed, Luja, / Lux[em]b[our]g V.1911 // Euphoresia / kassaiensis Mos. [handwritten by Moser] // 2351, 1♂.
In the last three cases, the true types were sent for identification by Henri Schouteden, who worked for the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium (
Analysing the presence of the type material in the collections of the exotic Coleoptera preserved in the MNHNL, the collection of Scarabaeidae shows a far fewer number of types in comparison to that of Cerambycoidea (
Nonetheless, if the number of specimens collected by Luja in Kondué is compared, the scarabs are much fewer than the cerambycids (831 vs 1660). Luja’s cerambycids represent 51.5% of the exotic specimens while Luja’s scarabs represent only 21.7%. This suggests that Luja collected fewer scarabs, possibly prioritizing aesthetically beautiful but presumably already described species. Considering the relative percentage of scarab species (excluding Passalidae and Lucanidae) conserved in the MNHNL to scarabs worldwide (
This paper has been financially supported by the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle of Luxembourg since April 2018. Many thanks to Jean-Michel Guinet, curator of the zoological collection of the MNHNL, for his friendly support and continuous collaboration, to Aleš Bezděk, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic) for having kindly provided part of the concerned literature, and to Daniel Heffern, Houston (USA), for his valuable linguistic revision of the text.