Revision of the Euops quadrifasciculatus-group (Coleoptera : Curculionoidea : Attelabidae) from the Australian region, with a discussion of shifts between Nothofagus and Eucalyptus host plants

Abstract

This revision of the ‘quadrifasciculatus-group’ of Euops Schoenherr contains four previously described species for which lectotypes are designated: Euops bakewelli Jekel, E. corrugatus Lea, E. insularis Voss and E. quadrifasciculatus Lea. Six species are described as new: Euops goilala, sp. nov., E. hoppla, sp. nov., E. lakekamuensis, sp. nov., E. micros, sp. nov., E. oberprieleri, sp. nov. and E. reidi, sp. nov. Detailed descriptions are provided for all species, the characters relevant for their identification are illustrated, and a key for their identification is given. The group is known from Australia, New Guinea and the Kei islands of Maluku. The record of E. insularis Voss for Aru Island is not valid. Two Australian species (E. bakewelli and E. oberprieleri) are reported from Eucalypus host plants, one Papuan species (E. lakekamuensis) is known from another myrtacean host, and for the remainder of the quadrifasciculatus-group no host data are available. The sister-group of the quadrifasciculatus-group, the pygmaeus-group of New Guinea, feeds exclusively on Nothofagus. Three different scenarios are proposed, which could have led to the observed pattern of host association; they are discussed in the light of present knowledge on phylogeny and zoogeography of Euops.