A checklist of the genusBlosyrus Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) of the world

 

G. Mahendiran 1& V.V. Ramamurthy 2

 

1,2 National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India

1 mahi.iari@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 vvr_ento@iari.res.in

 

 

 

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3494.4682-6  | ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:441628DB-A3F2-4329-815F-F677706C7BB2

 

Editor: R.M. Sharma (Retd.), Pune, India.    Date of publication: 26 August 2013 (online & print)

 

Manuscript details: Ms # o3494 | Received 22 January 2013 | Final received 13 June 2013 | Finally accepted 24 July 2013

 

Citation: G. Mahendiran & V.V. Ramamurthy (2013). A checklist of the genus Blosyrus Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) of the world. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(12): 4682–4686; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3494.4682-6

 

Copyright: © Mahendiran & Ramamurthy 2013. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

 

Funding: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI senior research fellowship)

 

Competing Interest: Authors declare no competing interest.

 

Acknowledgements: The first author gratefully acknowledges the Indian Agricultural Research Institute for awarding senior research fellowship for study purpose.

 

 

 

For table  -- click here

 

 

The family Curculionidae comprises about 4,600 genera and 51,000 described species.  It is larger than any other in weevils and comprises in excess of 80% of all weevil species (Oberprieler et al. 2007).  The broad-nosed weevils of the subfamily Entiminae with more than 12,000 described species, are the largest group of weevils and they are distributed world wide, mostly in tropical parts.  They include many agriculturally important pests (Yunakov & Nadein 2006).

Blosyrus Schoenherr is one of the important genera within the tribe Blosyrini (Curculionidae: Entiminae).  The genus BlosyrusSchoenherr was first described as a subgenus of Thylacites by Schoenherr(1826) under the broad group Gonatoceri, and later it was elevated to a genus (Schoenherr 1833).  Jekel (1875) described Blosyrinus a subgenus of Blosyrus, while Marshall (1916) synonymized it with Blosyrus.  Similarly, the subgenera BlosyridiusFaimaire (1891) and Maes Fairmaire (1888) were synonymized with Blosyrusby Emden & Emden (1939).

Marshall (1916) included it under the group Blosyrides of the subfamily Brachyderinae under the division Adelognathi.  Emden (1944) categorized it under the tribe Blosyrini of the subfamily Brachyderinae.  But, Thompson (1992) demoted Brachyderinae to a tribe of Entiminae and Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal (1999) categorized it under the tribe Blosyrini. Thus, Blosyrus is now under the tribe Blosyrini of the subfamily Entiminae of Curculionidae.  As on date, 101 species of Blosyrus are known globally, of which eight are known from India.

Analyses of the fauna described during the different periods indicate that most of the species were described between 1807 to 1984.  More than half of the species were described during 1907 to 1958.  Except for a few isolated descriptions, no comprehensive studies have been undertaken during recent times.

A scrutiny of current valid species of Blosyrus indicates that Haff (1958) described 26 species including 10 subspecies from Ethiopian and Madagascar regions.  Hustache described 16 species including two infraspecific groups.  Marshall described 15 species in total, out of which two are from India. Faust (five species), Voss, Quedenfeldt, Fairmaire (four species each), Boheman, Ancey (three species each), Aurivillius, Olivier, Fahraeus, Jekel, Petri, Peringuey and Kolbe (two species each), Harold, Gerstaecker, Hartmann, Herbst, Sharp and Duvivier (one species each) were the other contributors.

The distribution pattern of the species indicates that Blosyrus diversified only in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia regions.  Out of 101 species, 92 occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Congo is the single largest country representing 23 species followed by Tanzania with nine species and Angola and India with eight species each.  The Indian species are recorded mainly from the states of West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

While a great deal of taxonomic work is needed, a review of exiting literature is necessary to facilitate future studies on the genus. The checklist includes 101 species under the genus Blosyrus (Table 1).  All currently accepted species epithets are annotated with taxonomic references, notes on published distribution and species group synonyms. And the synonyms are listed under their respective alphabetical order.

 

Checklist

Blosyrus Schoenherr, 1826: 99; Marshall, 1916: 31

Blosyridius Fairmaire, 1891: 298; Emden & Emden, 1939: 210

Blosyrinus Jekel, 1875: 149; Marshall, 1916: 31

Maes Fairmaire, 1888: 28; Emden & Emden, 1939: 210

Type species: Curculio oniscus Olivier, 1807: 355.

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Alonso-Zarazaga, M.A. & C.H.C. Lyal. (1999). A world catalogue of families and genera of Curculionoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) (excepting Scolytidae and Platypodidae). Entomopraxis, S.C.P., Spain, 315pp.

Ancey, C.F. (1881). Descriptions des Coleopteres nouveaux. Le Naturaliste 1(3): 485–486.

Ancey, C.F. (1882). Contributions a la Faune de l’Afrique Orientale. Descriptions de coléoptères nouveaux. Le Naturaliste 2 (4): 54–55.

Aurivillius, C. (1912). Collections recueillies par M. Maurice de Rothschid en Abyssinie et dans l’Afrique Orientale. Bulletin du Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle 18(6): 351–368.

Boheman, C.H. (1859). Coleoptera. In: Kongliga Svenska Fregatten Eugenies Resa Omkring jorden under befall afC.A. Virgin Ahren 1851–1853. Vetenska-pliga iakttagelser pa H.M. Konung Oscar Den Forstes befallning. K. Svenska Vetenskaps Akademien Stockholm. P.A. Norstedt and Soner, 1858–68, 617pp+IXpls.

Brancsik, K. (1893). Beitrage zur Kenntniss Nossibes und dessen Fauna nach Sendungen und Mittheilungen des Herrn P. Frey. II. Jahresheft des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereines des Trencsener Comttates [1892–3] 15–16: 202–258.

Chevrolat. L.A.A. (1882).Diagnoses de Coleopteres des iles Adaman. Le Naturaliste2(12): 93–94.

Duvivier, A. (1892). Melanges entomologiques. XI. Diagnoses de Coleopteres nouveaux du Congo. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique 3: 163–167.

Emden, F. van & van F. Emden (1939).Curculionidae: Brachyderinae III. In: Schenkling, S. (ed.). Coleopterorum Catalogus auspicis et auxilio W. Junk, 164: 197–327, 1–59 [Index brachyderinarum].

Emden, F.I. van. (1944). A key to the genera of Brachyderinae of the world. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11)11: 503–532, 559–586.

Fahraeus, O.I. (1871). Coleoptera Caffrariae, annis 1838–1845 a J.A. Wahlberg collecta. Curculionides. Ofversigt af Kongliga Vetenskaps-Akademiens Forhandlingar, Stockholm 28(1): 3–69.

Fairmaire, L. (1871). Notes sur les Coleopteres recueillis par Charles Coquerel a Madagascar et sur les cotes d’ Afrique 3e partie. Annales de la Societe entomologique de France (5) 1(1/2): 29–78.

Fairmaire, L. (1880). Description de quelques Coleopteres de Nossi-Be. Annales de la Societe entomologique de France 5(5): 321–340.

Fairmaire, L. (1888). Coleopteres de l’interieur de la Chine (suite). Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique 32: 7–46.

Fairmaire, L. (1891). Coleopteres de l’Afrique orintale. Annales de la Societe entomologique de Belgique, Bull. 35: 279–307.

Fairmaire, L. (1902). Materiaux pour la Fauna coleopterique de la region malgache. 12e Note. Annales de la Societe entomologique de France 71: 325–388.

Faust, J. (1882). Russelkafer aus dem Amurgebiet. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 26: 257–295.

Faust, J. (1885). Neue asiatische Russelkafer (aus Turkestan) III. (Coleopteran). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 29(1): 161–190.

Faust, J. (1886). Verzeichniss auf einer Reise nach Kashgar gesammelter Curculioniden. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 47(4–6): 129–157.

Faust, J. (1897). Beschreibung neuer Coleopteran von Vorder und Hinterindien aus der Sammlung des Hrn. Andrewes in London. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 2: 337–388.

Faust, J. (1899). Curculioniden aus dem Congo-Gebiet in der Sammlung des Brusseler Koniglichen Museums. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique 43: 388–436.

Faust, J. (1895). Viaggio di Leonardo Fea in Birmania e regioni vicine. LX. Curculionidae. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova 34: 153–370.

Gerstacker, A. (1871). Beitrag zur Insektenfauna von Zanzibar. III. Coleoptera. Archiv fur Naturgeschichte 37(1): 42–86.

Haaf, E. (1958).Uber die Systematik, Verbreitung und Schadlichkeit der Blosyrus Arten der aethiopischen und Madagassischen region (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Entomologische Arbeiten aus dem Museum G. Frey 9(3): 936–1067.

Harold, E.V. (1879). Bericht uber die von A.V. Homeyer und pogge in Angola und im Lunda-Reiche gesammelten Coleopteren. Coleopterologische Hefte 16: 1–224.

Hartmann, F. (1904). Neue Russelkafer aus Ostafrika. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (2): 369–419.

Herbst, J.F.W. (1797). Natursystem aller bekannten in und auslandischen insekten, al seine Fortsetzung der von Buffonschen Naturgestchichte. Der Kafer. Vol. 7. Berlin, Pauli, xi +346 pp.

Hustache, A. (1923). Curculionides nouveaux du Congo. Revue Zoologique Africanine11(2): 148–181.

Hustache, A. (1931). Curculionides nouveaux de l’ Afrique Equatoriale (Ie partie). Sbornik entomologickeho oddeleni narodniho Musea v Praze 9: 11–83.

Hustache, A. (1934). Une nouvelle serie de Curculionides du Congo Belge. Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines 25(2): 241–289.

Hustache, A. (1937). Curculionides du Congo. Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines 30: 181–260.

Hustache, A. (1938). Curculionides rapports de l’ Angola par la Mission scientifique Suisse. Bulletin de la societe neuchateloise des sciences naturelles 62(1937): 63–83.

Hustache, A. (1939a). Curculionidae. Exploration du Parc National Albert, Mission G.F. de Witte (1933–1935) 28: 1–50.

Hustache, A. (1939b). Coleoptera, Curculionidae. Missione Biologica nel Paese dei Borana 2(1): 617–640.

Jekel, H. (1875). Coleopteran Jekeliana adjecta Eleutheratorum Bibliotheca Enumeration systematique & synoymique des Coleopteres europeens & exotiques composant la collection de Henri Jekel. Observation critiques. Descriptions d’Especes nouvelles. Reproduction et traduction de genres et especes publies dans des Ouvrages rares Francais et Etrangers de maniere a former insensiblement la Bioliotheque du Coleopteriste.Livraison 2. Autographie Typomorphe de l’Auteur, Paris, 101–196pp.

Kolbe, H.J. (1883). Neue Coleoptera von Westafrika. Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift 27(1): 15–36.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1909). Ruwenzori expedition reports 14, Coleoptera Part. 4. Transactions of the Zoological Society 19: 227–232.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1916). Coleoptera. Rhynchophora: Curculionidae. In: Shiply, A.E. (ed.), The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Taylor and Francis, London, xv+367pp.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1927). New injurious Curculionidae (Coleoptera). Bulletin of Entomological Research 17(3): 199–218.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1935). Contribution a l’etude de la faune du Mozambique. Voyage de M.P. Lesne (1928–1929). 21. Coleoptera: Curculionidae. Memorias e Estudos do Museo Zoologico da Universidade de Coimbra 81(1): 1–53.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1937). New injurious Curculionidae (Coleoptera). Bulletin of Entomological Research 28(3): 467–477.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1939a). Curculionidae (Coleoptera) collected in Northen Rhodesia by Professor L. Cipriani, Redia Florence25: 289–302.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1939b). New tropical African Curculionidae (Coleoptera). Annals and Magazine of Natural History 11(3): 561–583.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1950). New East African Curculionidae (Coleoptera). Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society 19(5)(1947-48): 145–153.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1955). Contributions a l’etude de la faune entomologique due Ruanda-Urundi (Mission P. Basilewsky 1953), LXVI. Coleoptera, Curculionidae. Annales du Museum du Congo. Belge (ser. 8), Zoloogie 40: 240–295.

Marshall, G.A.K. (1958). On the Curculonidae (Coleoptera) of Angola. III. Publicacoes Culturais da Companhia de Diamantes de Angola 38: 111-153.

Oberprieler, R.G., A.E. Marvaldi & R.S. Anderson (2007). Weevils, Weevils, Weevils everywhere, pp. 491–520 In: Zhang, Z.Q. & W.A. Shear (eds.). Linnaeus Tercentenary: Progress in invertebrate taxonomy, Zootaxa 1668: 1–766.

Olivier, A.G. (1807). Entomologie, ou Histoire Naturelle des insectes, avec leurs caracteres generiques etspecifiques, leur description, leur synonymie, et leur figure enluminee. Coleopteres, Vol. 5. Paris, Desray, 612pp.

Peringuey, L. (1888). Second contribution to the South African Coleopterous fauna. Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society 4(2): 67–190; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21560382.1884.9526202

Petri, K. (1920). Revision der Curculioniden Gattung Gasteroclisus Desbrochers. Verhandlungen und Mitteilungen der Siebenburgischer Verein für Naturwissenschaften 68: 87–88.

Quedenfeldt, G. (1888). Verzeiechniss der von Herrn Major a. D. von Mechow in Angola und am Quango-strom 1878-1881 gesammelten Curculioniden und Brenthiden. Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift 32(2): 271–308.

Kollar, V & L. Redtenbacher. (1848). Aufzahlung und Beschreibung der von Freiherrn Carl V. Hugel auf seiner Reise durch Kaschmir und das Himaleyagebirge gesammelten insecten (Hugel, C.von (ed.)). Kaschmir und das Reich der Siek4(2): 587–865.

Redtenbacher, L. (1868). Coleopteran. Reise der Oesterreichischen Fragatte Novara um die Erde, in den Jahren 1857-59, unter den Befehln des Commodore B. von Wullerstorf-Urbair. 1864-1875. Zoologisher Theil 1867, 2(1)4: 145–175.

Schoenherr, C.J. (1826). Curculionidum dispositio methodica cum generum characteribus descriptionibus atque observationibus variis seu Prodromus ad Synonymiae Insectorum, partem IV, Lipsiae. Fleischer, x+338pp.

Schoenherr, C.J. (1833). Genera et species curculionidum, cum synonymia hujus familiae. Species novae aut hactenus minus cognitae, descriptionibus a Dom. Leonardo Gyllenhal. C.H. Boheman, et entomologis aliis illustratae 1(2): 383–681.

Schoenherr, C.J. (1840). Genera etspecies curculionidum, cum synonymia hujus familiae. Species novae aut hactenus minus cognitae, descriptionibus a Dom. Leonardo Gyllenhal. C.H. Boheman, et entomologis aliis illustratae 1(2): 465–970.

Schoenherr, C.J. (1845). Genera etspecies cuculionidum, cum synonymia hujus familiae. Species novae aut hactenus minus cognitae, descriptionbus a Dom. Leonardo Gyllenhall, C. H. Boheman, et entomologis aliis illustratae 8(2): 1–504.

Sharp, D. (1896). The Rhynchophorous Coleoptera of Japan. Part IV. Otirrhynchidae and Sitonides and a genus of doubtful position from the Kurile Islands. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1: 81–115.

Thompson, R.T. (1992). Observations on the morphology and classification of weevils (Coleopteran: Curculionidae) with a key to major groups. Journal of Natural History 26(4): 835–891; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222939200770511

Voss, E. (1962).Attelabidae, Apionidae, Curculionidae (Coleoptera: Rhynchophora). Exploration du Parc National de l’Upemba. Mission G.F.de Witte 44: 1–380.

Voss, E. (1968). Beschreibung einer athiopischen und zweier Orientalischer Curculioniden (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoolgischen Museum, Hamburg 3(60): 25–28.

Yunakov, N.N & K.S. Nadein (2006). New taxa of geophilic Entiminae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Balkan Peninsula, Caucasus and Central Asia. Entomologishce Abhandlungen 63(1–2): 77–98.