Taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in the pelidnotine scarabs (coleoptera: scarabaeidae: rutelinae: rutelini)

Abstract

The taxonomy and nomenclature of several species-group names for the pelidnotine scarabs (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) are clarified. Two replacement names are proposed for homonyms in the genus Pelidnota MacLeay: Pelidnota francoisgenieri Moore and Jameson, new name, for Pelidnota genieri Soula, 2009 and Pelidnota vladimalyi Moore and Jameson, new name, for Pelidonota malyi Soula, 2010. Two replacement names are proposed for homonyms in the genus Patatra Soula: Neopatatra Moore and Jameson, new name and new synonym, for Patatra Soula, 2009 and Patatra synonyma Moore and Jameson, new name and new synonym, for Patatra mathani Soula, 2009. The genus Minilasiocala Soula is a new synonym of Microogenius Gutierrez. The nomenclature of the genus Hoplopelidnota F. Bates is clarified, and Hoplopelidnota armata Ohaus is a new synonym of Hoplopelidnota metallica Laporte. The genus Pelidnotopsis Ohaus is considered a new synonym of Chrysina Kirby. The following names are unavailable: Epichalcoplethis vazdemelli Soula, Mecopelidnota willersi Soula, Pelidnota demergesi Soula, Pelidnota vladislavmalyi Soula, and Sorocha damasoi satipoensis Soula. Chrysina henrybatesi Hawks, 2001 is considered a nomen nudum and an unavailable name. Two names are emended: the spelling of Plusiotis turckheimi Ohaus is emended to Chrysina tuerckheimi and Chalcoplethis kirbyi misionesensis Soula (an incorrect original spelling) is emended to Chalcoplethis kirbii misionesensis. The status of infrasubspecific names in the pelidnotine scarabs is discussed. The name Pelidnota semiaurata var. citripennis (Ohaus) is elevated to Pelidnota semiaurata citripennis (Ohaus), new status. Parhoplognathus parvulus var. rubripennis Ohaus is infrasubspecific and an unavailable name. The name Parhoplognathus rubripennis should be attributed to Soula and not Ohaus. The three varieties of Pelidnota cuprea described by Ohaus are infrasubspecific and are unavailable names. A list of subsequent incorrect spellings in the pelidnotine scarabs, a list of lapsus calami from Soula's four volumes on the pelidnotines, and a list of genera included in the pelidnotine scarabs sensu Soula are provided.