Abstract:
In this paper we describe new taxa and discuss others previously described from
arid south-west Africa. Descriptions are provided for a new monotypic genus
(Variuscorpus Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz gen. n.) and three new species,
Variuscorpus erongoensis Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz sp. n., Namakwanus
endroedyi Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz, sp. n., and Scarabaeus (Kheper)
kalaharicus Davis, Deschodt and Scholtz, sp. n. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus)
hottentorum Péringuey is examined and the validity of its name and type locality
are discussed. The recently described Scarabaeus (Kheper) namibicus Krajcik 2006
is synonymised with Scarabaeus (Kheper) cupreus Castelnau 1840. Distribution
records are provided for all cited taxa and closely related species are discussed.
