The subfamily Thorictinae (Coleoptera, Dermestidae) from Saudi Arabia.

In this study, the Saudi Arabian Thorictinae beetle species, Thorictus riyadhensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., T. shadensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., T. sharafi Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., T. hanifahensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. are described, illustrated, and compared with related species. Three other species: T. castaneus Germar, 1834; T. foreli Wasmann, 1894; and T. peyerimhoffi Chobaut, 1904 are excluded from the fauna of Saudi Arabia. A list of Thorictinae species from the Arabian Peninsula is provided. Jiří Háva, Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem, Hathal M. Aldhafer.

Introduction

Agassiz, 1846, with 189 described species worldwide, is a myrmecophilous subfamily of the family () (Háva 2020a, 2021). Its members can be recognized by their small size, strongly convex and strongly hardened bodies, reduced or absent eyes, absent wings, and their rounded hind coxae that do not reach the outer edge of the metasternum (Háva 2004; Leschen et al. 2010). are currently divided into two tribes, Thaumaphrastini and , and include four genera: Reitter, 1875, Andreae, 1967, Andreae, 1967, and Germar, 1834 (Háva 2020a). The genus comprises only five species (Herrmann et al. 2011). Two species in and seven species in are known (Háva 2020a). The genus currently includes 175 species and subspecies from the Palearctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical Regions (Háva 2015a, 2020a).

fauna, in the Arabian Peninsula in general and in Saudi Arabia in particular, is poorly studied due to the lack of adequate dedicated investigation and scant published records for this group. So far, only four species are known from the Arabian Peninsula (Háva 2010, 2021; Abdel-Dayem et al. 2017). Chobaut, 1904 was the first species to be described from Saudi Arabia (Háva 2010) and is now excluded from the Saudi fauna due to misplacement of the type locality “Kasr-er-Rabbat”, to Saudi Arabia. The second species, , was described by Háva (2010) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. In their work on the beetle fauna of Rawdhat Khorim National Park, Central Saudi Arabia, Abdel-Dayem et al. (2017) reported Reitter, 1875, Germar, 1834, and Wasmann 1894. However, and are now excluded from the Saudi fauna due to misidentifications. Recently, Háva (2021) described from Oman.

While examining myrmecophilous dermestid specimens from Saudi Arabia, four new species of were determined and are described below. The present study follows the revision of from the Afrotropical Region (Háva 2013, 2014, 2015b, 2020b).

Material and methods

Measurements

The size of beetles’ bodies or body parts can be useful in species recognition; thus, the following measurements were made. Total length (TL): linear distance from anterior margin of pronotum to apex of elytra, pronotal width. (PW): maximum linear transverse distance and elytral width. Elytral width (EW): maximum linear transverse distance. All measurements are given in millimeters. Locality labels are cited in the original version.

The ant species used in the present paper are identified by Dr Mostafa R. Sharaf (Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) and the nomenclature follow the online catalogue (Bolton 2020).

Specimens of the species described were labeled as follows: “HOLOTYPE” [or “PARATYPE,” respectively] ’ sp. nov. Jiří Háva & MS Abdel-Dayem det. 2021.”

Male genitalia were not studied. The differential diagnosis of the aedeagi is often problematical and interspecific variation is currently very poorly defined (John 1963). The two species groups considered here were first established by John in 1963.

Acronyms of depositories

Jiří Háva, Private Entomological Laboratory and Collection, Únětice u Prahy, Prague-West, Czech Republic;

King Saud University Museum of Arthropods, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results

Family Latreille, 1804

Subfamily

Tribe

Genus

Reitter, 1875

28EF2FAC-EA8C-503D-AAEE-60482C896BB1

Material examined.

Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Riyadh; Nov. 1989; Habib leg.; on ground; J. Háva det.; JHAC • 1 ex; Riyadh, 5 Oct. 1989; in animal dung; J. Háva det.; KSMA.

Remarks.

Cosmopolitan species (Háva 2020a). In Saudi Arabia, this species is only distributed in the Riyadh Province (Fig. 1) and it has been reported at Rawdhat Khorim National Park, Ramah, Riyadh (Abdel-Dayem et al. 2017).

Figure 1.

Map of Saudi Arabian provinces and distribution of species.

Tribe Agassiz, 1846

Genus

Háva, 2010

54C999BE-5A34-57C6-BB25-3AF7C3CD4BD2

Fig. 2

Figure 2.

Habitus dorsal aspect of Háva, 2010.

Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Eastern Province, Khuris; []; J. Háva det.; KSMA.

Remasrks.

An endemic species to Saudi Arabia that was originally described from the Eastern Province (Háva 2010) (Fig. 1). The species was erroneously published by Abdel-Dayem et. al (2017) as Germar, 1834, a Mediterranean species that has been reported in Algeria, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, and Syria (Háva 2015a).

Háva & Abdel-Dayem sp. nov.

B92425C4-9A4E-53A5-900B-9BBE4F397B67

http://zoobank.org/6018C111-2A2F-43D8-A506-E885A4B9120A

Figs 3 , 4

Figure 3.

Habitus dorsal aspect of sp. nov. Háva & Abdel-Dayem a specimen from Wadi Hanifah b specimen from Rhodet Khorim.

Figure 4.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. a head lateral eye b ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum; Háva, 2010 c head lateral eye d ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum.

Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Riyadh Province, Wadi Hanifah, WHS04 [location near Waseel]; ; alt. 694.942 m; 29 Apr. 2015; Abdel-Dayem M et al. leg.; pitfall trap; KSMA. Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Riyadh Province, Az Zulfi, Rawdat Al Sabalh; ; alt. 670 m; 31 Jan. 2016; Abdel-Dayem M et al. leg.; pitfall trap; KSMA • 1 ex; Riyadh Province, Rhodet Khorim; ; alt. 572 m; 28 Apr. 2012; pitfall trap, ; KSMA • 1 ex; same collection data as preceding; 9 Jun. 2012; pitfall trap, ; KSMA • 1 ex; same collection data as preceding; 26 May 2012; pitfall trap, ; JHAC • 1 ex; same collection data as preceding; 26 May 2012; PT, ; KSMA • 1 ex; same collection data as preceding; 10 Dec. 2011; pitfall trap; KSMA.

Description of holotype.

Body small, brown covered by long, yellow setae on dorsal surfaces and short setae on ventral surfaces. Measurements (mm): TL 2.9, PW 1.9, EW 1.9. Head finely punctate with long yellow setae. Labial palpi entirely brown. Antennae brown, with 11 antennomeres; antennal club compact, with three antennomeres. Pronotum as finely punctate as head and covered by long yellow setation. Lateral margin of pronotum not dentate. Pronotum in posterior part near scutellum without bumps. Ventral posterior pronotal angles with long yellow setation. Scutellum not visible from above. Elytra very finely punctate covered by long yellow setation. Each elytron in anterior part near humeri with one large bump. Epipleuron finely punctate, anterior angles with long yellow setation. Prosternum finely punctate. Mesosternum finely punctate, mesosternal bulge. Metasternum finely punctate. Visible abdominal ventrites very finely punctate and covered by long yellow setae. First abdominal ventrite without anterior, longitudinal striation. Legs brown, covered by yellow setae.

Variability.

Body measurements (mm): TL 2.5–2.9, PW 1.5–1.9, EW 1.5–1.9.

Differential diagnosis.

The new species belong to the species group, from Saudi Arabia. There is currently only one known species, Háva, 2010 but the new species differs from it in the abovementioned characteristics.

Etymology.

Named according to type locality: Riyadh Province.

The species was erroneously published by Abdel-Dayem et al. (2017) as Wasmann, 1894. is a North African species, occurring in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia (Háva 2015a), so it is excluded from the fauna of Saudi Arabia.

Ecological notes.

The holotype was found in Wadi Hanifah at an area with loam soil covered by M. Bieb. () and (L.) Prantl () (Fig. 5). The ant species (Fabricius 1804), (Collingwood & Agosti, 1996), (André, 1881), (Forel, 1892), and (André, 1881) were collected with the holotype in the same pitfall trap. The paratype was found in loam area covered with (Aiton) W.T. Aiton () and (L.) C. A. Mey. () at Rawdat Al Sabalh (Fig. 6). While at Rhodet Khorim, the paratypes were collected from a sandy area using pitfall traps under canopies of Benth. (), (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, and Roem. & Schult. () (Fig. 7). Ant species of (Fabricius, 1798), Forel, 1904, Sharaf & Aldawood, 2015, (André, 1881), (André, 1881), (André, 1881), Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, (Forel, 1892), Forel, 1911, Emery, 1877, and (Forel, 1902) were caught with the paratypes from the same pitfall traps. was collected during December and January, and from April to June.

Figure 5.

Habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. holotype in Wadi Hanifah, Ad Diriyah, Riyadh Province, at an elevation of 695 m. M. Bieb. () in the bottom right corner, and (L.) Prantl () in the foreground.

Figure 6.

Habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. paratype in Rawdat Al Sabalh, Az Zulfi, Riyadh Province, at 670 m elevation. (Aiton) W.T. Aiton () in background, and (L.) C. A. Mey. () in the foreground and among the shrubs.

Figure 7.

Habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. paratype in Rhodet Khorim, Ramah, Riyadh Province, at an elevation of 572 m. Trees of Benth. () in the background, shrubs of (Aiton) W. T. Aiton () and (Burm. f) Wight & Arn. (), shrub of Roem. & Schult. () in the left corner of the bottom, and Decne. () in the foreground and middle.

Geographical distribution.

This new species is known from Najd Plateau, Central Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Province (Fig. 1), at Wadi Hanifah (Ad Diriyah), Rawdat Al Sabalh (Az Zulfi), and Rhodet Khorim (Ramah).

species group

Háva & Abdel-Dayem sp. nov.

042022D2-1ADE-5903-BE9E-E293CDF5EEB0

http://zoobank.org/613E430C-72E7-4983-8FD9-A9A4A2F47E54

Figs 8 , 9

Figure 8.

Habitus dorsal aspect of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.

Figure 9.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. a head lateral eye b ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum, (Reitter 1908) c head lateral eye (according to John 1963) d ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum (according to John 1963).

Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Riyadh Province, Wadi Hanifah, WHS01 [location near Waseel]; ; alt. 707.051 m; 12 Oct. 2015; Abdel-Dayem M et al. leg.; pitfall trap; KSMA.

Body small, brown covered by long yellow setae on dorsal surfaces and short setae on ventral surfaces. Measurements (mm): TL 2.8, PW 1.6, EW 1.6. Head finely punctate with long yellow setae. Labial palpi entirely brown. Antennae brown, with 11 antennomeres, antennal club compact with three antennomeres. Pronotum as finely punctate as head, covered by long yellow setation. Lateral margin of pronotum not dentate. Pronotum in posterior part near scutellum without bumps. Ventral posterior pronotal angles with long yellow setation. Scutellum not visible from above. Elytra very finely punctate covered by long yellow setation. Each elytron in anterior part near humeri with one very small bump. Epipleuron finely punctate, anterior angles with long yellow setation. Prosternum finely punctate. Mesosternum finely punctate, mesosternal bulge. Metasternum finely punctate. Visible abdominal ventrites very finely punctate, covered by long yellow setae. First abdominal ventrite with anterior, longitudinal striation. Legs brown, covered by yellow setae.

The new species is similar to Reitter, 1908 (Egypt) but differs from it by the abovementioned characteristics.

Named according to type locality: Wadi Hanifah.

This species was found in an area with loam texture, which is dominated by DC. () and some Benth. () (Fig. 10). The single specimen was collected by pitfall trap in October, along with the ant species (Fabricius, 1798), (Fabricius, 1804), Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, (André, 1881), (Forel, 1892), André, 1881, Emery, 1881, (Linnaeus, 1758), and (Forel, 1902) in the same trap.

Figure 10.

Habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. holotype in Central Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Province, Wadi Hanifah, at 707 m elevation. . () in the middle foreground and DC. () on the right.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. is known only from its type locality in central Saudi Arabia, at Wadi Hanifah in the Ad Diriyah Governorate, Riyadh Province (Fig. 1).

Chobaut, 1904

F1EB7144-355C-5A7B-ADBC-A6D7F5B2EDAC

Chobaut (1904) described the species from “Kasr-er-Rabbat in Arabia”, a locality located in Jordan (Tronquet 1998). The species is excluded from the fauna of Saudi Arabia.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem sp. nov.

4A351517-5B4E-533A-B88D-40962DA2773C

http://zoobank.org/B2CC6ACC-DA67-49F7-A14D-4BA09F608F0B

Figs 11 , 12

Figure 11.

Habitus dorsal aspect of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.

Figure 12.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. a head lateral eye b ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum, John, 1963 c head lateral eye d ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum, Reitter, 1881 e head lateral eye (according to John 1963) f ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum (according to John 1963).

. Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Al Bahah, Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve; ; alt. 1474 m; 5 Jul. 2014; Al Dhafer H, Fadl H, Abadel-Dayem M, El Torkey A, El Gharbawy A leg.; pitfall trap; KSMA. . Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Al Bahah, Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve; ; alt. 1563 m; 23 Apr. 2014; Al Dhafer H, Fadl H, Abad Eidayem M, El Torkey A, El Gharbawy A leg.; pitfall trap; KSMA • 1 ex; same collection data as preceding; ; alt. 1225 m; 23 Apr. 2014; Al Dhafer H, Fadl H, Abad Eidayem M, El Torkey A, El Gharbawy A leg.; pitfall trap; JHAC.

Body small, brown covered by short yellow setae on dorsal surfaces and short setae on ventral surfaces. Measurements (mm): TL 2.1, PW 1.1, EW 1.2. Head finely punctate with short yellow setae. Labial palpi entirely brown. Antennae brown, with 11 antennomeres, antennal club compact with three antennomeres. Pronotum as finely punctate as head, covered by short yellow setation. Lateral margin of pronotum not dentate. Pronotum in posterior part near scutellum without bumps. Ventral posterior pronotal angles without long yellow setation. Scutellum not visible from above. Elytra very finely punctate covered by short yellow setation. Each elytron in anterior part near humeri with one very small bump. Epipleuron finely punctate, anterior angles with short yellow setation and small bump. Prosternum finely punctate. Mesosternum finely punctate, mesosternal bulge. Metasternum finely punctate. Visible abdominal ventrites very finely punctate, covered by short yellow setae. First abdominal ventrite with anterior, longitudinal striation. Legs brown, covered by yellow setae.

Body measurements (mm): TL 2.1–2.2, PW 1.0–1.1, EW 1.1–1.2.

The new species belongs to the species group and is very similar to two other species: John, 1963 (Ethiopia) and Reitter, 1881 (Egypt, Syria), but differs from them by the abovementioned characteristics.

Named according to type locality: Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve.

The adult beetles were found during April and July at elevations of 1225–1563 m in the Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve. The specimens were collected by pitfall traps in steep slopes covered with vegetation dominated by thorn woodlands and shrubs of Barbary fig or cactus pear, (L.) Mill. () (Figs 13, 14). This new species was caught with ant species of (Emery, 1915), sp., (Emery, 1901), Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, Bolton, 1987, sp., and (Smith, 1851) in the same pitfall traps.

Figure 13.

thorn woodlands, the type locality of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. holotype at Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve on the Shada Mountain, Baha Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia, at an elevation of 695 m.

Figure 14.

Barbary fig or cactus pear shrubs, (L.) Mill., the type locality of paratype of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. at Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve on the Shada Mountain, Baha Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia, at 1563 m elevation.

This species is only known from the type locality in the Shada Al Ala Nature Reserve, on the Shada Mountain, in the west of the Sarawat Mountains at Al Mekhwah, Baha Province (Fig. 1).

Háva & Abdel-Dayem sp. nov.

FD63B466-80D7-5E57-9728-BD979D857994

http://zoobank.org/75B52C5E-77B0-4BE7-9074-48B32BFE779C

Figs 15 , 16

Figure 15.

Habitus dorsal aspect of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.

Figures 16.

Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. a head lateral eye b ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum, John, 1965 c head lateral eye d ventral setation on pronotum and metepisternum (according to John 1963).

Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Baha Region, Alqamh Park, Belgershi; ; alt. 1931 m; 17 May 2010; Dr M.R. Sharaf leg.; KSMA. Saudi Arabia • 1 ex; Baha Region, Amadan, Mandaq; ; alt. 1881 m; 19 May 2010; Dr M.R. Sharaf leg.; KSMA • 1 ex; Baha Region, Shohba forest; ; alt. 2324 m; 14 May 2010; Dr M.R. Sharaf leg. JHAC.

Body small, brown covered by short yellow setae on dorsal surfaces and short setae on ventral surfaces. Measurements (mm): TL 2.1, PW 1.1, EW 1.2. Head finely punctate with short yellow setae. Labial palpi entirely brown. Antennae brown, with 11 antennomeres, antennal club compact with three antennomeres. Pronotum as finely punctate as head, covered by short yellow setation. Lateral margin of pronotum not dentate. Pronotum in posterior part near scutellum without bumps. Ventral posterior pronotal angles without long yellow setation. Scutellum not visible from above. Elytra very finely punctate covered by short yellow setation. Each elytron in anterior part near humeri with one very small bump. Epipleuron finely punctate; anterior angles with short yellow setation. Prosternum finely punctate. Mesosternum finely punctate, mesosternal bulge. Metasternum finely punctate. Visible abdominal ventrites very finely punctate, covered by short yellow setae. First abdominal ventrite with anterior, longitudinal striation. Legs brown, covered by yellow setae.

Body measurements (mm): TL 2.1–2.2, PW 1.0–1.1, EW 1.1–1.2.

This new species is similar to John, 1965 (Ethiopia), but differs from it by the abovementioned characteristics.

The specific epithet is a Latinized noun in the genitive case in the masculine form based on the honorific name “Dr Mostafa Sharaf,” who collected the specimens of this species.

This new species inhabits areas at elevations of 1881–2324 m within the African pencil cedar forest, Hochst. ex Endl. () in the Baha Province (Figs 17, 18). All specimens were collected by hand-picking under stones during May. Host unknown.

Figure 17.

Photo of African pencil cedar forest, Hochst. ex Endl. (), living habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. holotype at Alqamh Park, Belgershi, Baha Province, in the mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia, at 1931 m elevation.

Figure 18.

Living habitat of Háva & Abdel-Dayem sp. nov. paratype in the mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia, Baha Province, within the African pencil cedar forest, Hochst. ex Endl. () of Shohba forest at 2324 m elevation.

This species is known only from its type locality in the mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia, at Alqamh Park, Amadan, and Shohba Forest in the Baha Province (Fig. 1).

Discussion

The study of the insect fauna of Saudi Arabia began with Buttiker and Wittmer (1979) who surveyed insects throughout the country. These surveys leading the entomological exploration of Saudi Arabia carried on for well over a half century thereafter. However, the fauna remains insufficiently known due to a lack of adequate dedicated survey. Based on the examination of the literature records (Háva 2010, 2021; Abdel-Dayem et al. 2017) and collected specimens, the total number of species known from Saudi Arabia now stands at six species (Table 1). These species belong to two genera Reitter, 1875 and Germar, 1834 under two tribes Thaumaphrastini and , respectively (Háva 2020a). Of these species, four are new to science, namely Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov., and Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov. A cosmopolitan species Reitter, 1875 is known and only Háva, 2010 is endemic to the Saudi fauna. Herein we exclude three species from the fauna of Saudi Arabia, either due to erroneous publication such as Germar, 1834 and Wasmann, 1894 (Abdel-Dayem et. al 2017) or taxonomic misplacement such as Chobaut, 1904 (Háva 2010). Although the Arabian Peninsula occupies almost twice the area of Iran, the number of species recorded from the Arabian Peninsula (7 species Háva 2020a) is less than that recorded from Iran (10 species; Háva and Švarc 2020). No common species are shared between the two regions.

Table 1.

List of species from the Arabian Peninsula. Indication: recorded (*), not recorded (–), excluded (X).

	Kuwait	Saudi Arabia	Yemen		Oman	United Arab Emirates	Qatar
			Continental Yemen	Soqotra Island
Subfamily Thorictinae
Tribe Thorictini
Thorictus arabicus Háva, 2010	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus hanifahensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus omanensis Háva, 2021	–	–	–	–	*	–	–
Thorictus riyadhensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus shadensis Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus sharafi Háva & Abdel-Dayem, sp. nov.	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Tribe Thaumaphrastini
Thorictodes heydeni Reitter, 1875	–	*	–	–	–	–	–
Excluded species
Thorictus castaneus Germar, 1834	–	X	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus foreli Wasmann, 1894	–	X	–	–	–	–	–
Thorictus peyerimhoffi Chobaut, 1904	–	X	–	–	–	–	–

The male genitalia are very important for differential diagnoses in insect taxonomy. But interspecific variation in male genitalia within species of leads to problems in the differential diagnosis of the aedeagi (John 1963). Thus, we did not investigate the male genitalia of the studied specimens in this work.

We reported the ant species captured with the beetle species from the same pitfall trap. The host species of ants were not recognized during this study due to the fact that these specimens were collected accidentally from field surveys. The species are phoretic and obligate myrmecophiles, either generalists or specialists (Lenoir et al. 2013) and they are considered detritivorous (Sánchez-Piñero and Gómez 1995). The members of are generally associated with various species (Lenoir et al. 2013).