A new genus and species of flightless, microphthalmic Corythoderini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Cambodia, associated with Macrotermes termites

Abstract

Eocorythoderus incredibilis, a new genus and new species, of Corythoderini is described. This new species was found in fungus gardens of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen, 1858) in Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The new taxon is a flightless, microphthalmic species and the first corythoderine associated with Macrotermes Holmgren, 1910. The beetles were observed being carried by worker termites. Eocorythoderus is probably closely related to the genera Corythoderus Klug, 1845 and Paracorythoderus Wasmann, 1918 (also Corythoderini). Some character states shared with the distantly-related termitophilous scarab genus Termitotrox Reichensperger, 1915 (Termitotrogini) are noted, and proposed as convergent. Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press.