Oriental Bolboceras: Introduction to the genus and taxonomy of the nigricans group of species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae)

Abstract

The taxonomy of the genus Bolboceras Kirby, 1819 (= Indobolbus Nikolajev, 1979) is discussed. The Oriental members of the genus as currently conceived have not been revised for the past 160 years. Operational groups of species are proposed, including the Bolboceras nigricans group. In this group B. nigricans Westwood, 1848 and five new Oriental group members are here keyed, diagnosed, and illustrated. The new species proposed are: Bolboceras schulzei (Bangladesh, India), B. malabaricum (India), B. extraneum (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan), B. insulare (Sri Lanka), and B. mimicans (Myanmar). In an Appendix a single new species is described in the Bolboceras perpunctatum group, to consolidate the key to the Bolboceras species groups – B. perpunctatum (India). A list of names of all Bolboceras species is given, indicating a formal retransfer of some from Indobolbus to Bolboceras, following a 2006 ruling of the ICZN on the use of the name Bolboceras.