Sistemática, biogeografia e comportamento em Deltochilum (Aganhyboma) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

This work is a monograph of dung beetles of the subgenus Deltochilum (Aganhyboma) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and the group “valgum” species, traditionally placed in the subgenus Deltohyboma. Based on morphological phylogenetic studies, the description of the subgenus Aganhyboma is extended to incorporate the group “valgum” species. Thus, this taxon corresponds to a monophyletic group. Sixteen new species are described in the subgenus, which is now composed of 26 species. The division of Aganhyboma in two major species groups (trisignatum and valgum) and five species complexes (trisignatum, viridescens, acropyge, finestriatum and valgum) is proposed. The following information is presented for each species where appropriate: detailed literature review, synonymies, description or redescription, data of the studied material, important illustrations of morphological characters, and maps of geographical distribution. A historical biogeographic analysis is provided through the study of area cladograms incorporated into a panbiogeographic perspective. Some hypotheses are presented on the subgenus evolution and biogeographic regions of South and Central America. Finally, the first laboratory study on the feeding behavior for a species of the trisignatum group was developed. This study reveals details of predation behavior, present in all species of this subgenus in which feeding behavior was studied.