Phoberus erwinhaafi Strümpher, 2025

Strümpher, Werner P., Huchet, Jean-Bernard & Costa-Silva, Vinícius Da, 2025, Phoberus sulcatus (Thunberg, 1787) sensu lato: in-depth morphological analysis of male genitalia reveals three cryptic species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Trogidae), Zootaxa 5660 (3), pp. 301-329 : 318-326

Phoberus erwinhaafi Strümpher , sp. nov.

( Figs 13–17, 20, 23, 24)

Type locality. Namibia, Khomas Region, Windhoek c. 10 km WSW, Regenstein Farm , 22°36′S 16°59′E; verbatim as in holotype label data below. Located on the central plateau of Namibia, the approximate elevation of this farm is 1,700 m above mean sea level. In the pertinent collecting notebook of Sebastian Endrödy-Younga, collector of the holotype, this locality is annotated with “Farm de Wet”. We could not trace a farm called “De Wet” in Namibia, hence we assume that De Wet, a fairly common Afrikaans surname, was the surname of the owner of, or farmer on, the farm Regenstein when part of the type series was collected there .

Type material (28 type specimens). NAMIBIA: Khomas Region. Holotype ♂ ( TMSA, specimen cleaned, aedeagus extracted) ( Figs 13–17): Rectangle white, printed text: “S.W.Afr. [South West Africa, now Namibia], Windhoek | Regenstein | 22.36S- 16.59E [22°36′S 16°59′E]” || Rectangle white, printed text: “21.1[January].1975,E- Y:562 | groundtrap [pitfall trap], 44day[s] | leg. Endrödy-Younga” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ground traps | with meat bait” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ TROX | sulcatus Thunb. | det. C.H. SCHOLTZ 1979 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ HOLOTYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000864”.

The following specimens are designated as paratypes, representing individuals collected across the distribution range of the new species. During the examination of the type series of Trox instabilis Haaf, 1953 , we identified two specimens (housed in NHMB and NHMW) that match the diagnostic features of the new species; these are included as paratypes. All other examined material (35 specimens), though not part of the paratype series, is herein referred to as “ additional specimens ”.

NAMIBIA: Oshana Region. Paratype 1♂ ( TMSA): Rectangle, white, printed text: “S.Afr., Etosha [Etosha National Park] | Okaukuejo [Rest] Camp [19°11′S 15°55′E] | Dixon, 29.II [February].1976” || Rectangle, white, printed text with handwriting: “ Trox | sulcatus Thunb | det. C.H. Scholtz 1982 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000925”. Otjozondjupa Region. Paratype 1♂ ( NHMW NHMW- ZOO-COL-0000154): Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text: “Farm Okonjati | Okowakuatjiwi” || Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text: “D.S.W.Afrika [Namibia] | J.Schneider ’09” || Rectangle, red cardstock, printed text: “ PARATYPE ” || Rectangle, white, printed text: “ Coll . Mus. | Vindob.” || Rectangle, white, printed text interspersed with handwriting: “ Trox | instabilis Haaf | det.Dr.E. Haaf1953 ” || Rectangle, white, with handwriting: “ Trox sulcatus | Thunberg | Det. Pittino 1989” || Rectangle, white, printed text, curatorial label: “NHMW-ZOO- | COL-0000154” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ”. Erongo Region. Paratype 1♂ ( TMSA): Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text: “ ERONGO Mtns. [ca. 21°42′S 15°24′E] | Namib side [western slopes] | III [March].1956 | W. Hoesch” || Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text with handwriting: “ Trox | instabilis M. [male] | det.Dr.Haaf,1957” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000926”. Khomas Region. Paratypes 5♂, 1♀ ( TMSA): Labels identical to those of holotype but with different determination and database labels: “ PARATYPE: | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000876 [plus WTD0000877 to WTD00000881]”. Paratypes 2♂, 1♀ ( TMSA): Rectangle white, printed text: “S.W.Afr. [South West Africa, now Namibia], Windhoek | Regenstein | 22.36S- 16.59E [22°36′S 16°59′E]” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ 3.12.1974,E-Y:499 | groundtrap [pitfall trap], 48days | leg. Endrödy-Younga” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ground traps | with meat bait” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ TROX | sulcatus Thunb. | det. C.H. SCHOLTZ 1979 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000873 [plus WTD0000874 to WTD0000875]”. Paratypes 2♂, 1♀ ( TMSA): Rectangle white, printed text: “S.W.Afr. [South West Africa, now Namibia], Windhoek | Regenstein | 22.36S- 16.59E [22°36′S 16°59′E]” || Rectangle white, printed text: “7.3 [March].1974;E-Y:724 | groundtrap [pitfall trap], 185day[s] | Endrödy[-Younga] & Breytenb[ach].” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ground traps | with meat bait” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ TROX | sulcatus Thunb. | det. C.H. SCHOLTZ 1982 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000870 [plus WTD0000871 to WTD0000872]”. Paratype 1♂ ( CJBH): Rectangle white, printed text: “NAMIBIA, Khomas Mts. [Mountains], | 35 km W Windhoek, | 22°34′46″S, 16°45′41″E, | 1800 m, 4–9.I.2019, G. Betti lg.” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ”. Paratype 1♂ ( NHMB): Square, yellowing white: “S.W.AFRICA; | Hoffnung. | 1,850 m. | 5.i.1934. | K.Jordan.” || Narrow rectangle, yellowing white: “Brit. Mus. | 1934-288.” || Rectangle, white, printed text interspersed with handwriting: “ PARATYPUS | Trox | instabilis sp.n. | det.Dr.E. HAAF 1953 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ”. Paratype 1♀ ( TMSA): Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text: “Gocheganas 26 [farm, nature reserve] | 22°50′S., 17°11′E | WINDHOEK DISTRICT | 22Feb.–20March 1982 | Preserv.traps | M.-L.Penrith” || Rectangle, white, printed text: “H56959” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000927”. Omaheke Region. Paratype 1♀ ( SDEI, examined through detailed photographs): Rectangle white, handwriting: “Gobabis” [22°27′S 18°58′E] || Rectangle white, printed text: “ Coll .v.Bennigsen” || Rectangle white, handwriting: “Kolbe Oct.” || Rectangle white, printed text: “Dtsch.Entomol. | Institut Berlin” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ Trox | sulcatus Thunb. | det.Dr.E. Haaf 1953 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “SDEI Coleoptera | #303410” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ”. Hardap Region. Paratypes 1♂, 2♀ ( TMSA): Rectangle white, printed text: “S.W.Afr., Nauwkluft | Nauwkluft Park | 24.16 S- 16.15 E [24°16′S 16°15′E]” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ 26.10.1974 | groundtraps [pitfall traps] | leg. Endrödy-Younga” || Rectangle white, printed text: “groundtrap | with faeces bait” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ TROX | sulcatus Thunb. | det. C.H. Scholtz 1979 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000928 [plus WTD0000929 to WTD0000930]”. Karas Region. Paratypes 2♂, 1♀ ( CJBH): Rectangle white, printed text: “Namibia, Karas Region, | Savanna Guest Farm, | 35 km N of Grünau, 1450m, | 27°22′57″S, 18°31′11″E, | 19.II.2012, leg. M.Hornburg” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ”. SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape Province: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Paratype 1♂ ( TMSA): Rectangle white, printed text: “S.Afr., Kalh.Park | Mata Mata | 25.45 S- 20.00 E [25°45′S 20°00′E]” || Rectangle white, printed text: “ 18.12.1974;E-Y:512 | at light | leg. Endrödy-Younga” || Rectangle white, printed text with handwriting: “ Trox | sulcatus Thunb | det. C.H. Scholtz 1982 ” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000931”. Paratype 1♂ ( TMSA): Rectangle, yellowing white, printed text with handwriting: “Twee Rivieren [Rest Camp, 26°28′S 20°37′E] | 12–15 April | det. C.H. Scholtz ’[19]89” || Rectangle, red cardstock, preprinted black text: “ PARATYPE | Phoberus erwinhaafi | det. WP Strümpher 2023 ” || Rectangle white, printed text: “[QR Code] | WORLD | TROGIDAE | DATABASE | WTD0000932”.

Additional material with exact localities (35 specimens). NAMIBIA: Oshana Region . 1♂, 4♀ Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Rest Camp , [19°11′S 15°55′E], i.1978, RG Oberprieler ( SAMC) . Erongo Region. 1♂ Omatjete, near Omaruru [21°03′S 15°30′E], xii.1966, E Kölle ( TMSA) . Khomas Region. 1♂, 1♀ Windhoek , [22°34′S 17°05′E], Nagel ( RMCA) . 1♀ Excelsior 286 [farm], Seeis, Windhoek ENE, [ca. 22°27′S 17°38′E], iv.1978 ( SAMC) . 1♀ Hoffnung , Windhoek E, [22°33′S 17°12′E], 1,850 m, 5.i.1934, K Jordaan ( NHMB) . 2♀ Gocheganas 26 [farm, nature reserve], Windhoek S, 22°50′S 17°09′E, 22.ii–20.iii.1982, M-L Penrith ( SAMC) . 1♂, 1♀ Isabis 19 [farm], Windhoek SW, 22°58′S 16°46′E, 24–25.xii.1974 ( SAMC) . 1♂ Hohenheim farm, Khomashochland , 23°18′S 16°23′E, pitfall traps: 8.iii.1975 - 4.ix.1975, E-Y:729, S Endrödy-Younga ( TMSA) . 1♀ Weissenfels farm, Khomashochland , 23°18′S 16°27′E, pitfall traps: 21.x.1974 - 6.xi.1974, E-Y:403, S Endrödy-Younga ( TMSA) . 2♂, 1♀ idem but 7.xi.1974 - 3.xii.1974, E-Y:452 ( TMSA) . 2♀ idem but 4.xii.1974 - 1.i.1975, E-Y:501 ( TMSA) . 2♂, 1♀ idem but 2.i.1975 - 19.i.1975, E-Y:534 ( TMSA) . 1♂, 3♀ idem but 19.i.1975 - 7.iii.1975, E-Y:551 ( TMSA) . 3♂ idem but 8.iii.1975 - 4.ix.1975, E-Y:727 ( TMSA) . Omaheke Region. 1♂ Gobabis , [22°27′S 18°58′E], iii.1921, Dr Knobel ( SAMC) . Hardap Region. 1♂ Zaris Ranch, Maltahöhe , 24°58′S 16°22′E, 6.iii.1975, FC De Moor ( SAMC) . Karas Region. 1♂ Namib, Kanaan [farm, lodge], Helmeringhausen W, 25°53′S 16°07′E, 7.v.1977, E-Y:1323, hand-collected, dunes, S Mothlasedi ( TMSA) . SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape Province: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park . 1♂ Nossob Rest Camp , 25°25′S 20°36′E, 23.i.1994, CH Scholtz ( TMSA) .

Description of the holotype.

Size: Length: 11.6 mm. Width: 6.6 mm.

Body shape. Convex, elongate oval, elytral margins almost parallel, elytral profile convex, broadly rounded, not strongly declivous posteriorly (with no clear transition to the declivity), attaining maximum height at middle.

Colour ( Figs 13–14): Matt black. Body setae mostly brownish yellow.

Head ( Figs 13–14): Surface sculpted, punctate (medially) to rugulose (laterally), punctures close (interspaces varies between equal to or less than puncture diameters). Clypeus obtusely triangular, feebly convex, disc slightly elevated, apically deflexed and rounded; clypeal margin entire, smooth; clypeogenal and frontoclypeal sutures distinctly raised; frontoclypeal suture complete, with a low indistinct clypeogenal tubercle present on either side, tubercles punctate. Frons raised, with paired, arched, setose frontoclypeal carinae delimiting two semicircular depressions, separated by distinct elevated longitudinal median carina (ridge); carina punctate, arched carinae on frons marked by row of erect, stout seta. Genal angles obtuse; genae shape triangular, wide, recurved, genal surface depressed, coarsely sculpted; genal margin with distinct row of long thin straight setae. Eyes large and bulbous, scarcely visible in dorsal view. Antennal scape rounded, longer than wide, surface punctate, with long light brownish yellow setae; pedicel attached apically; antennal club brown, velutinous; setae around mouthparts dense, yellow to rust-brown. Labrum shape asymmetric; surface of labrum coarsely punctate, each puncture bearing a long stout seta.

Pronotum ( Figs 13–14): Pronotal width only slightly narrower than elytra, widest at base. Lateral margins broad, explanate and curved, irregular, coarsely dentate, attenuate anteriad, with fringes of broad spatulate setae; anterior angles acute, posterior angles almost right angled. Base of pronotum distinctly marginate (bordered) and projecting backward with weakly produced posteromedian lobe; base obliquely truncate laterally behind posterior angles; basal margin with dense fringe of spatulate setae; basal edge with distinct posteromedian notch (at scutellum), edge sinuate on either side of notch. Pronotal surface coarsely sculpted with discrete round punctures, irregularly spaced; punctures close (interspaces varies between equal to or less than puncture diameters), surfaces between punctures dull with superficial fine microreticulation. Median discal area of pronotum distinctly raised, broad anteriorly, narrowing slightly towards base forming crudely shaped triangular disc stretching almost over length of pronotum, somewhat flattened anteriorly and strongly declivous on sides and behind; median pronotal ridges distinct, broad anteriorly, with slight depression in the middle, parallel to median groove, ridges interrupted at approximately two-thirds of the length from the anterior margin by a depression; median groove entire stretching almost over length of pronotum, on anterior third widened into slight rounded depression, then partially constricted at approximately two-thirds of the length from the apex, thereafter widening into slight round depression; median basal tubercles distinct, slightly laterally offset (in line with second elytral costa), not fused to discal ridges; two lateral tubercles present on either side of pronotum, these tubercles almost completely fused to form a broad lateral ridge; distinct lateral carina present below lateral tubercles; all tubercles and ridges setose.

Scutellum ( Fig 13): Oval, longer than wide; surface smooth; apicolaterally rounded; mediobasally depressed, depression weakly sculpted to punctate; margin smooth, tomentose.

Elytra ( Figs 13–14): Elongate, length 2.5 pronotum length, lateral margins subparallel, widest at ca. 0.6 length; profile convex, attaining maximum height approximately in the middle, declivous posteriorly; elytral sides narrow; outer lateral margin dentate over basal third, thereafter margin smooth; setae on basal third arranged in clumps matching the dentation, thereafter setae arranged more uniformly. Humeral calli prominent, bearing small tubercles with short stout setae, humeral angles obtuse, blunt. Sutural margin raised, surface smooth, with low oval to elongate tubercles, widely separated and irregularly distributed along margin, distance between tubercles roughly double or more than length of tubercles; tubercles roughly of similar size for 0.75 elytral length, thereafter decreasing in size until barely discernible; tubercles smooth, dull shiny, each with a posterior setal tuft. Elytral costae distinct, even numbered costae (2, 4, 6, 8) more prominent than odd-numbered (1, 3, 5, 7, 9). Even-numbered costae with raised oval to elongate tubercles, these tubercles smooth, dull shiny, each with a posterior setal tuft; tubercles on costae 2, 4, 6 and 8 fairly evenly spaced along elytral length, distance between tubercles roughly equal to or slightly greater than length of tubercles; costae 2 and 4 with 10 tubercles for 0.75 elytral length (up to apical callosity); weak apical callosity present on fourth costal interval at top of elytral declivity. Odd-numbered costae (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) marked by small round to oval, dull shiny tubercles, each with one or two short setae; tubercles on costae 1, 3, 5 of roughly equal size and height for 0.6 elytral length, thereafter decreasing in size until barely discernible; tubercles on costa 9 much smaller, barely discernible. Costae 1–8 separated from intercostae as slightly elevated bands; costa 9 barely discernible as band. Intercostal surfaces strongly undulate, marked with large round to ovoid punctures (depressions), punctures separated by transverse ridges, punctures closely spaced along elytral length, distance between ovoid puncture roughly equal to the diameter of puncture, punctures on intercosta 10 (adjacent to elytral margin) larger, oval in shape; margins of intercostae 1–6 marked by narrow longitudinal ridges (carinae); ridges on intercostae 7–10 vestigial, barely discernible or lacking.

Metathoracic wings: Complete.

Ventral aspects: Legs ( Figs 13–15): Procoxa narrow, flattened anteriorly, surface rugose and punctate, basal section indumentose. Profemur large, widest basally, marginate on anterior surface with row of straight, forwardpointing setae; ventral surface with regularly spaced round punctures, each with a single short seta, surface dull, with superficial reticulation; dorsal surfaces smooth. Protibia dorsally keeled, terminating with small upwardsprojecting apical process and row of short stout transverse setae; protibial apex divided into two teeth; protibial spur stout, pointed anteriad, flattened laterally, apex slightly curved, slightly longer than third tarsomere; tarsal segments smooth, tarsomeres 1–4 subequal in length, fifth tarsomere longest, with two simple and equal claws; tarsomeres 1–2 bare, without setae, tarsomeres 3–4 laterally with a single short seta on either side, ventrally each with a single long seta; outer tibial margin with two distinct median teeth and four to five smaller basal teeth; outer tibial surface rugose and punctate, each puncture with short straight seta; in lateral aspect the dorsal longitudinal ridge (keel) on protibia dentate, with row of long, straight setae; both the inner and ventral tibial surfaces smooth and shiny, longitudinally with two crude, shallow, almost continuous parallel grooves (formed from rows of coalesced punctures); grooves on inner tibial surface with numerous long thin setae, setae on ventral surface shorter and more sparse. Meso- and metafemora slender; anterior margins rounded, posterior margins somewhat flattened, ventral face rugose, with regularly spaced round punctures, each with single stout seta; dorsal surfaces smooth. Mesotibia and metatibia slender, outer margins dentate and with short, stout yellow setae; inner surface smooth, glabrous, upper and lower margins with long straight setae; outer margin on apex of both meso- and metatibia with row of closely spaced stout backward pointing setae (comb); inner margin of meso- and metatibia with two apical spurs, upper spur slightly longer than second tarsomere, lower spur slightly longer than first tarsomere; tarsomeres of both meso- and metatibia smooth; tarsomeres 1–4 subequal in length, anterior margin of each segment with four spinelike setae, two ventrally, one dorsally and one on outer margin; fifth tarsomere as long as tarsomeres 2–4 combined, with two simple and equal claws.

Proepisterna: Surface glabrous, with fine, scattered setae, basal margin distinctly raised, marginate, margin punctate with long thin setae; disc with short medial longitudinal carina. Epipleura : Broad basally, narrowing apically, weakly concave along entire length, surface mostly smooth, mid-longitudinal row of short setae along entire length; outer margin denticulate, inner margin distinctly marginate, margin tomentose with scattered short setae. Mesosternum: Sunken below metasternite, with distinct basolateral depression on either side (visible on cleaned specimens); surface rugose and coarsely punctate on basal half (approximately areolate), each puncture with single seta; surface of distal half smooth, sparsely punctate; mesosternal apophysis prominent between mesocoxae, extending almost the length of mesocoxa, narrow (thinly triangular), pointed, with medial longitudinal ridge (keeled), surface tomentose. Mesepisternum: surface weakly undulating, rugulose, sparsely setose, distal margin raised, thick. Metepisternum: surface weakly concave along entire length, strongly rugulose, with scattered thin (shorter) and thick (longer) setae along entire length, outer margin marginate, slightly raised and tomentose. Metasternum: Convex, about 1.7 times as wide as long; surface rugose and coarsely punctate, with evenly scattered short thick setae, faintly tomentose on discal area; lateral and anterior margins marginate, raised, tomentose; distal margin smooth; metaventral plate sunken along mesocoxal margin forming a narrow basin-like depression, metasternal apophysis prominent between mesocoxae, raised, keeled-like; metaventral disc rhomboidal (discrimen), visibly depressed medially, outer margin with small median pointed triangular projection; plate strongly declivous posteriorly, transverse margin strongly sinuate on either side of median depression, declivity rugulose and without setae. Abdominal ventrites: Five visible sternites (IV–VIII); sternite IV narrow, perpendicular to other sternites, concave, surface undulate, rugose, basal margin marginate, with short triangular apophysis between metacoxae; sternites V–VII with surfaces coarsely sculpted with arch-shaped grooves, grooves forming almost concentric semi-circular pattern, surface between grooves dull shiny, remainder of surface smooth, glabrous, with row of fine punctures running parallel to the distal margin, punctures irregularly spaced, each with short seta, lateral margins setose; sternites V–VII with small lateral depressions; distal margin of sternite V straight, subparallel with distal margin of sternite IV, distal margins of sternite V and VII slightly concave; sternite VIII with distal margin convex, setose, surface finely sculpted, feebly punctate.

Male genitalia ( Figs 16, 20, 23): Symmetrical, slender, strongly sclerotised. Phallobase subovate in dorsal view, arched in lateral view, slightly longer than parameres. Parameres slender, long, extending beyond phallus, in dorsal aspect curved inward; parameres thin in basal half, more thickened in apical half ( Figs 16, 20); apex narrowed, pointed, always projecting forward (never inward or down) ( Figs 20h, 23s); parameres in lateral aspect slender, almost straight (never curved or convex), sides subparallel (never expanded medially; Figs 16, 23t), apically slender, narrowed, apices short, only feebly decurved (almost straight, never strongly decurved or projecting downward as in Phoberus sulcatus ), projecting forward ( Fig 23s). Phallus divided into two symmetrical lobes ( Figs 16, 20); lobes broad basally, surface there slightly depressed ( Fig. 20l), lobes strongly narrowing in apical third, outside margin distinctly notched at apical third ( Fig. 20j), apex of phallus narrow, rounded, projecting upward (cf. keeled) ( Fig. 20i); inner margins of lobes feebly concave to almost straight (never strongly concave), parallel and close ( Fig. 20k); two bladelike projections and hooks visible between parameres and phallus.

Variation. Size: length 10.1–12.8 mm, width 5.4–6.6 mm. Arrangement, number and shape of tubercles on the even- and odd-numbered costae variable between individuals. Secondary characteristics are limited to the protibia (if not worn down): in males, the apex of the protibia is bidentate (teeth narrow, equal); protibia of males narrower than in females; females have the protibal apex not distinctly bidentate (teeth partly fused, outer tooth wide, round), protibia slightly broader than in males. No other differences were observed in the external morphology of either males or females.

Diagnosis. Phoberus erwinhaafi Strümpher , sp. nov., is most similar to P. instabilis revalidated and new combination, but males of the new species can be distinguished from the latter by the following combination of characteristics: the parameres in lateral profile are more slender, fairly straight and not expanded medially ( Fig. 23t); apices are also shorter and straighter ( Fig. 23s); Furthermore, in Phoberus erwinhaafi Strümpher , sp. nov. the lobes on the phallus are broad and the inner margin weakly concave and close, not straight as in P. instabilis revalidated and new combination (compare Figs 19g and 20k). Also, see Table 1 for additional characteristics.

Geographic distribution. The species is known from Namibia and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape province of South Africa ( Fig. 24).

Natural history. There are collection records from carrion (meat). Based on label data, Phoberus erwinhaafi

Strümpher, sp. nov. is primarily active in the austral summer (September to May). Immature stages are unknown. Etymology. This new species is named after Dr Erwin Haaf, German entomologist associated with the Museum

G. Frey ( Germany), in recognition of his significant contributions to the study of Trogidae .