Based on literature and recent samplings, 22 species of Phanaeini Scarabs are recorded from French Guiana in the genera Coprophanaeus (5 species), Dendropaemon (8 species), Diabroctis (1 species), Oxysternon (4 species), Phanaeus (3 species) and Sulcophanaeus (1 species). A key of genera and species, adapted to French Guiana’s fauna is provided. Principal ecological traits are summarized: diet, activity rhythm and estimated degree of scarcity. Collecting localities are also provided. The species are pictured, including Dendropaemon refulgens for which we show the second known specimen.

MITARAKA

Pseudosparna ubirajara sp. nov. is described from southern French Guiana and illustrated. It is compared with other Pseudosparna and the key to species is updated.

MITARAKA

Eupromera pascali sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Lamiinae) is described from French Guiana. The species is illustrated and compared to close species. A key for species of Eupromera is updated.

MITARAKA

A new Zeale Pascoe, 1866, Zeale granvillei sp. nov., is described from open areas at Mitaraka Mounts, French Guiana. The key to the species of Zeale is updated and the different forms of the new species are illustrated. A list of the material from Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris) in this genus is provided. Some aspects of its behavior are given, including its possible host plant, Ichtyothere granvillei H. Robinson (Asteraceae).

MITARAKA

Seasonality and community structure of Phanaeini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in French Guiana : study by mass sampling using large flight interception traps. Phanaeini is a neotropical tribe of scarabs mostly dung or carrion feeders, generally of large size. This paper analyses data collected with large window flight interception traps set on nine forest sites in French Guiana with a primary goal of biotic inventory. The study deals with three main questions: 1) What is the spatial structure of communities and are there some species indicators of secondary forests and others of pristine conditions? 2) What is the temporal structure of the community and is there a stable pattern of seasonality between years and sites? 3) Between close species, is there a temporal asynchrony? Our samples contain more than 9,700 identified specimens, nine complete year series on four sites including a four years continuous survey near Cayenne. We found a significantly lower diversity (Shannon and Simpson index) on the most fragmented and hunted sites. A more equitable repartition of species and a relative abundance of the larger species appear typical of undisturbed sites. Other observations reinforce the hypothesis that there is a fast and huge modification in Phanaeini community structure on the most accessible and disturbed sites. Seasonal pattern shows an abundance peak at the beginning of the rainy season (December or January), a medium abundance during the rainy season with sometimes secondary peaks and a low to very low activity during the dry season. The pattern is rather consistent between years but changes with sampling site. It is however different from the results of other studies using pitfall baited traps in Amazonian and Guyanese forests. These studies show much less clear temporal pattern or no seasonal change. There is no obvious pattern of niche sharing by phenological differences between species. The methodological differences of sampling between baited traps and window flight traps are eventually discussed. Due to its passive way of collecting, interception trap is considered as quite relevant for studying flight activity spatio-temporal patterns of Scarabaeinae. This aspect may explain some differences in seasonality patterns compared to other studies.

MITARAKA