A new species of Uroxys Westwood, 1842 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from central Brazil, and taxonomical remarks on Uroxys epipleuralis (Boucomont, 1928)

Uroxys punctatus, new species, is described from central Brazil based on taxonomic characters in the cephalic and pronotal punctations and in the male genitalia. A comparative diagnosis with U. epipleuralis (Boucomont, 1928), a morphologically similar species, is provided. A lectotype is designated for U. epipleuralis from a series of four syntypes. Uroxys thoracalis Balthasar, 1940 is newly established as a junior subjective synonym of U. epipleuralis, whereas the previously proposed synonymy between the latter and U. dureti Martnez, 1947 is confirmed. Both nomenclatural acts are based on the study of the respective type specimens. A detailed literature review, illustrations of diagnostic characters, and distributional data for each species are provided.

Assessment the Impacts of Sea-Level Changes on Mangroves of Ceará-Mirim Estuary, Northeastern Brazil, during the Holocene and Anthropocene

Predictions of the effects of modern Relative Sea-Level (RSL) rise on mangroves should be based on decadal-millennial mangrove dynamics and the particularities of each depositional environment under past RSL changes. This work identified inland and seaward mangrove migrations along the Ceará-Mirim estuary (Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil) during the mid-late Holocene and Anthropocene based on sedimentary features, palynological, and geochemical (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, C/N) data integrated with spatial-temporal analysis based on satellite images. The data indicated three phases for the mangrove development: (1°) mangrove expansion on tidal flats with estuarine organic matter between >4420 and ~2870 cal yrs BP, under the influence of the mid-Holocene sea-level highstand; (2°) mangrove contraction with an increased contribution of C₃ terrestrial plants between ~2870 and ~84 cal yrs BP due to an RSL fall, and (3°) mangrove expansion onto the highest tidal flats since ~84 cal yr BP due to a relative sea-level rise. However, significant mangrove areas were converted to fish farming before 1984 CE. Spatial-temporal analysis also indicated a mangrove expansion since 1984 CE due to mangrove recolonization of shrimp farming areas previously deforested for pisciculture. This work mainly evidenced a trend of mangrove expansion due to RSL rise preceding the effects of anthropogenic emissions of CO₂ in the atmosphere and the resilience of these forests in the face of anthropogenic interventions.

A taxonomic revision of the South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini)

The South American species of Pseudocanthon Bates, 1887 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini) are reviewed. In this work, 10 valid species and two subspecies are recognized for the genus. Among these species, five are recorded in South America, including three new species: P. perplexus (LeConte, 1847), P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847), P. vazdemelloi new species, P. pantanensis new species, and P. chaquensis new species. A lectotype is designated for P. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1847). In this revision, each species is analyzed as follows: a detailed literature review, an identification key for the South American species, a diagnosis, descriptions, illustrations of key morphological characters, list of examined material, and geographic distribution.

Brazilian Atlantic rainforest endangered biodiversity: a new species of the Dichotomius sericeus (Harold, 1867) species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Dichotomius valoisae new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Dichotomiini) from Santa Luzia do Itanhi, Sergipe, Brazil, is described based on external differences from its congeners. Diagnostic characters and a brief discussion about its conservation status are provided, as well as an updated identification key to the Dichotomius sericeus (Harold) species group.

A new Peruvian species of Scybalocanthon Martínez, 1948 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae, Deltochilini) and some remarkable intrapopulational variation in the endophallus of S. pinopterus (Kirsch, 1873)

Scybalocanthon ashei sp. nov. from Madre de Dios, Peru, is described based on differences in external and male genital morphology. Its diagnostic characters and an updated identification key to the species of the genus are provided as well as new distributional data for the following species: S. acrianus Silva & Valois, 2019, S. aereus (Schmidt, 1922), S. kaestneri (Balthasar, 1939) and S. pinopterus (Kirsch, 1873).

A taxonomic revision of the genus Scybalocanthon Martínez, 1948 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini)

The genus Scybalocanthon Martínez, 1948 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Deltochilini) is revised and now consists of 23 valid species. Eight new species are described: S. acrianus new species, S. adisi new species, S. arnaudi new species, S. chamorroi new species, S. federicoescobari new species, S. haroldi new species, S. martinezi new species, and S. papaxibe new species. Scybalocanthon uniplagiatus (Schmidt, 1922) new combination is placed in the genus for the first time. The following species previously assigned to Scybalocanthon are here placed in the genus Canthon Hoffmannsegg, 1817: Canthon arcabuquensis (Molano Medina, 2010) new combination, Canthon balachowskyi (Martínez Halffter, 1972) new combination, Canthon luctuosus Harold, 1868, Canthon magnus (Molano Parrales, 2015) new combination, and Canthon nigellus Schmidt, 1922. Scybalocanthon imitans (Harold, 1868) is a new junior subjective synonym of S. sexspilotus (Guérin-Méneville, 1855) and S. zischkai Martínez, 1949 is a new junior subjective synonym of S. aereus (Schmidt, 1922). Lectotypes are designated for S. aereus (Schmidt, 1922), S. cyanocephalus (Harold, 1868), S. darlingtoni (Paulian, 1939), S. kaestneri (Balthasar, 1939), S. maculatus (Schmidt, 1920), S. moniliatus (Bates, 1887), S. pinopterus (Kirsch, 1873), S. pygidialis (Schmidt, 1922), S. trimaculatus (Schmidt, 1922), and S. uniplagiatus (Schmidt, 1922). A neotype is designated for S. sexspilotus (Guérin-Méneville, 1855). A detailed literature review, synonymies, diagnosis, key for species identification, illustration of key morphological characters, as well as data of the studied material and geographic distribution are provided for each species.

Dung beetles in a Caatinga Natural Reserve: a threatened Brazilian dry-forest with high biological value

ABSTRACT The Caatinga is an endemic and threatened dry-forest biome distributed across northern Brazil. We evaluated the conservation value of a Caatinga Natural Reserve (NR) - Floresta Nacional (FLONA) Contendas do Sincorá - using Scarabaeinae dung beetles as a biodiversity indicator. Specifically, we contrasted two zones impacted by two distinct intensity of selective logging that happened inside the NR until 1997. Dung beetles were collected 14 years after logging, using baited pitfall traps within three main habitats (riparian forest, regenerating Caatinga or arboreal Caatinga) found in two zones (Preservation and Management Zones). A total of 1,214 individuals from 21 species were sampled. The two zones presented distinct species composition, although the habitats did not exhibit such differences. Our results indicated that the secondary areas are in a conservation status similar to arboreal Caatinga and riparian forest, 14 y after logging. Furthermore, we identified seven habitat-indicator species, two of them typical to Caatinga biome, highlighting the importance of updates in NR management plan considering the Scarabaeinae regional diversity management.

The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project

The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

A taxonomic review of the Neotropical genus Hansreia Halffter & Martínez, 1977 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae)

The taxonomy of the genus Hansreia Halffter & Martínez is reviewed. The genus consists of six species, including three new species: H. peugeoti sp. nov., H. grossii sp. nov., H. krinskii sp. nov. Lectotypes are designated for Hansreia affinis (Fabricius 1801), H. oxygona (Perty 1830) [here considered a valid species] and H. coriacea (Schmidt 1922). The species status of H. coriacea is recognized. A detailed literature review, synonymies, description, illustration of key morphological characters as well as data of the studied material and geographic distribution is provided for each species.

A revision of the genus Aphengium Harold, 1868 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Ateuchini)

Aphengium Harold, a dung beetle genus endemic to the Atlantic forests of Brazil, comprises four valid species: A. sordidum Harold, 1868, A. cupreum Shipp, 1897, A. ibateguara sp. nov., A. curtum sp. nov.. In this revision of the genus each species is analyzed as follows: a detailed literature review, a diagnosis, illustrations of key morphological characters, a listing of material examined and geographic distribution. A lectotype is designated for A. sordidum, and a neotype for A. cupreum.

A revision of the Deltochilum subgenus Aganhyboma Kolbe, 1893 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The species of the Deltochilum subgenus Aganhyboma, endemic to Central and South America, are reviewed. The species have been divided into complexes, with a brief diagnosis presented for each. A key for identification of 26 currently recognized species is provided in English and Portuguese. Two major groups within the subgenus are recognized (trisignatum and valgum). The first is represented by species typically belonging to the subgenus Aganhyboma (Deltochilum (A.) trisignatum, D. (A.) kolbei, D. (A.) violaceum, D. (A.) cupreicolle and D. (A.) viridescens new status) and three new species described here (D. (A.) amandaarcanjoae, D. (A.) viridicatum and D. (A.) titovidaurrei). The second group (valgum) is represented by: D. (A.) valgum, D. (A.) longiceps new status, D. (A.) acropyge new status, D. (A.) acanthus, D. (A.) icaroides and D. (A.) icariforme), previously assigned to the subgenus Deltohyboma. Twelve new species are described for the valgum group (D. (A.) schefflerorum; D. (A.) streblopodum; D. (A.) feeri; D. (A.) larseni; D. (A.) arturoi; D. (A.) finestriatum; D. (A.) cangalha; D. (A.) alpercata; D. (A.) ritamourae; D. (A.) kolleri; D. (A.) paresi; D. (A.) subrubrum). A lectotype is designated for D. (A.) trisignatum and D. (A.) icariforme. A detailed literature review, synonymies, description, illustration of key morphological characters, data of the studied material and geographic distribution is provided for each species.

The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species’ threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project – and avert – future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups – including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems – http://www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.

A new giant species of Deltochilum subgenus Deltohyboma (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Colombia, with notes on D. spinipes Paulian, 1938

Deltochilum (Deltohyboma) gigante sp. nov., from Parque Nacional Las Cuevas de los Guácharos, Huila, Colombia is described based on differences in external and genital morphology. Its diagnostic characters are provided and illustrated. Lectotype and paralectotypes for D. spinipes, a close relative to the new species, are designated.

New records, threatens and conservation status for Dichotomius schiffleri Vaz-de-Mello, Louzada & Gavino (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): an endangered dung beetle species from Brazilian atlantic forest ecosystems

Dichotomius schiffleri Vaz-de-Mello et al is often cited as endemic to the preserved coastal sandy-dune vegetation (restinga) of Guriri Island, Espírito Santo state, and is included in the Brazilian List of Endangered Fauna as "critically endangered" (CR). However, we recorded its occurrence in twelve additional sites along the coasts of Espírito Santo, Bahia, Sergipe and Pernambuco. The geographic distribution of D. schiffleri is limited to the coastal Atlantic Forest domain, mainly in preserved restinga patches. We recommend that D. schiffleri remains in the List of Endangered species, but in the "endangered" (EN) category, according to the IUCN criteria.

Study of the dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) community at two sites: Atlantic forest and clear-cut, Pernambuco, Brazil

The aim of this study was to compare the dung beetle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) community structure at two sites in the Charles Darwin Ecological Refuge in Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil. Dung beetles were collected in 2006 using monthly samples from 48 pitfall traps baited with human dung and bovine carrion. The dung beetle communities from the study sites were compared in terms of abundance, species richness, and diversity (Shannon index). Seasonality was analyzed by Spearman correlation between rainfall data and community parameters. In total, 2,560 individuals belonging to 40 species, 16 genera, and 6 tribes were collected. Species richness was higher for the clear-cut area compared with the forest habitat. Estimators of species richness suggested a total richness of 42-47 species in the entire study area. A positive correlation was observed between monthly rainfall and total abundance of individuals for the clear-cut area but not for the forest habitat. This study contributes to a better understanding of Scarabaeinae ecology in the Atlantic rainforest of northeastern Brazil.