THE GENUS THORECTES MULSANT, 1842: A RECTIFICATION REGARDING ITS TYPE SPECIES AND SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT ITS TAXONOMY (COLEOPTERA, GEOTRUPIDAE)

Abstract

A rectification is made to the authors’ previous statement about the reason why Scarabaeus laevigatus sensu Mulsant, 1842 (= Scarabaeus intermedius O.G. Costa, 1839) is the validly designated type species of Thorectes Mulsant, 1842. The history of the taxonomy of Thorectes Mulsant, 1842 is briefly reviewed, and reasons are adduced why the authors believe that the split of the genus, beyond eventually the recognition of two or perhaps three subgenera, is neither necessary nor desirable.