Novapus

Novapus bifidus, from Allsopp & Hudson (2019).

Belongs within: Dynastinae.

Novapus is an Australian genus of dynastine beetles characterised by an apically constricted clypeus, broadly exposed mandibles, a posteriorly angulate clypeofrontal ridge (producing a triangular elevation or horn in the male), and the pronotum bearing a large impression or excavation but no anteromedian tubercle in the male.

Characters (from Carne 1957): Reddish brown to reddish black. Mentum broad at base, narrowing strongly towards apex; ligula rounded or very weakly bilobed. Maxillae with galeae well developed but with dentition much reduced; palps not conspicuous. Labrum transverse, strongly setose, level with or slightly surpassing apex of clypeus. Mandibles simple, obtusely rounded, strongly exposed, dorsally reflexed. Antennae 10-segmented, club shorter than shaft, the first 2 segments setose. Clypeus narrowed towards apex, sides concave (viewed dorsally), distally truncate, the anterior truncate face subquadrate, rectangular or (rarely) bidentate. Ocular canthi short, thick, setose. Head punctate; clypeofrontal ridge posteriorly angulate. Pronotum transverse, widest in anterior half, surface usually conspicuously punctate, anterior angles acute, anterior margin membranous in middle but rarely so at sides; basal ridge never completely obsolete. Epipleura with sparse lateral setae confined to basal third; disc of elytra punctate or smooth. Postcoxal prosternal process stout, columnar, obliquely truncate, densely setose. Coxae with abundant vestiture. Fore tibiae tridentate, broad; tarsi with first and fifth segment subequal in length; claws simple. Hind legs stout; femora clothed in long hairs; tibiae with basal carinae often obsolete; spurs unequal. Hind tarsi slender, first segment moderately dilated. Propygidium lacking stridulating ridges; pygidium transverse, usually setose across base. Male with clypeofrontal ridge giving rise to stout, often distally bifid, cephalic horn, rarely to a low triangular elevation. Pronotum usually with a large excavation. Female with pronotum with or without small anteromedian or a pair of slight anterolateral impressions; pygidium often appreciably convex.

<==Novapus Sharp 1875 CW92
    |--*N. crassus Sharp 1875 (see below for synonymy) CW92
    |--N. adelaidae Blackburn 1888 CW92
    |--N. bifidus Carne 1957 CW92
    |--N. carnei Endrödi 1974 CW92
    |--N. laticollis Blackburn 1890 CW92
    |--N. macfarlandi Carne & Allsopp 1987 CW92
    |--N. nitidus Blackburn 1895 CW92
    |--N. obscurus (Macleay 1871) [=Oryctes obscurus] CW92
    |--N. parvus Lea 1919 CW92
    |--N. rugosicollis Blackburn 1890 CW92
    |--N. simplex Sharp 1875 [incl. N. chararus Carne 1957] CW92
    `--N. undarus Carne 1957 CW92

*Novapus crassus Sharp 1875 [incl. N. armatus Lea 1917, N. rugicauda Arrow 1914, N. striatopunctulatus Blackburn 1888] CW92

*Type species of generic name indicated

REFERENCES

Carne, P. B. 1957. A Systematic Revision of the Australian Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Division of Entomology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia: Melbourne.

[CW92] Cassis, G., & T. A. Weir. 1992. Dynastinae. In: Houston, W. W. K. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia vol. 9. Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea pp. 383–425. AGPS Press: Canberra.