Description of Sphaericus selvagensis n. sp. from the Selvage Islands, and new data on Sphaericus bicolor Bellés (Coleoptera, Ptinidae)

Abstract

Sphaericus (Sphaericus) selvagensis n. sp. is described from the Salvage islands. With Sphaericus (Sphaericus) bicolor Bellés, this new species is only the second ptinid beetle reported from these islands. S. selvagensis belongs to the Sphaericus pilula group, which also includes S. bicolor. However, the transverse shape of the pronotum (with its maximal breadth near the base) and the peculiar morphology of the aedeagus, distinguish S. selvagensis from all other members of the S. pilula group. S. selvagensis lives in all the major islands of the Selvagens archipelago: Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora.