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Amphistomus trispiculatus
Distribution
Gibralter Range, East of Glen Innes, New South Wales and Mt. Tamborine, Queensland. In closed forest at 600-1100m elevation.
Description
Total length 4-6mm. Colour dark brown.
Head: Dorsal parts of eyes very small. Tubercles absent, but indicated by two tufts. Densely covered in medium-sized shallow punctures.
Prothorax: Surface alutaceous, covered with medium-sized punctures. Tubercles generally not prominent, with several indicated by a line of longer setae or tuft only. 2 more prominent tubercles present laterally.
Elytra: Foreshortened. Tubercles along 1st elytral interval very small, mostly tufts. Intervals 3, 5 and 7 with 2-3 tubercles, none on posterior edges. Pseudepipleura with traces of small tubercles. Lateral edges strongly serrate. Surface alutaceous. Striae fine to broad, superficial, with very large, very shallow punctures.
Hind wings: Absent.
Sterna: Mesosternum without median ridge, metasternum not depressed. Mesometasternal suture indistinct. Ventral surfaces moderately densely covered with medium sized punctures.
Legs: Hind trochanter with a very strong tooth. Hind edge of middle femur not serrate. Hind femur with 2 teeth, one on outer posterior marginal line, the other on inner line. Hind tarsal segments about as wide as long; 1st segment distinctly shorter than 2nd and 3rd combined.
Abdomen: Sternites without tubercles. Pygidium with only 1 very prominent tubercle at apex of disc.
Sexual dimorphism
Female: Tubercles on head less prominent. Hind legs without teeth.
References
Matthews, E.G. (1974) A revision of the Scarabaeine dung beetles of Australia. II. Tribe Scarabaeini. Aust. J. Zool. Suppl. Ser. 24: 1-211.
Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Rebecca Harris & Dr. Chris Reid