Agoliinus sigmoideus
(Van Dyke, 1918)
Agoliinus sigmoideus is a of scarab beetle in the Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae. It was described by Van Dyke in 1918. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America, specifically British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiine dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Agoliinus sigmoideus: /əˈɡɔl.iˌaɪ.nəs sɪɡˈmoʊ.ɪˌdi.us/
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Identification
The specific epithet "sigmoideus" refers to an S-shaped (sigmoid) character, likely describing a distinctive morphological feature such as a tibial spur, genital structure, or other used in . Accurate identification requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with . The Agoliinus is distinguished from related aphodiine genera by characters of the , pronotum, and male genitalia.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest of North America: known from British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA. Records indicate presence in coastal or near-coastal regions of these jurisdictions.
Similar Taxa
- Agoliinus tumidulusCongeneric with overlapping distribution in western North America; separation requires detailed examination of male genitalia and specific sigmoid structures referenced in the species epithet.
- Other Aphodiinae genera (e.g., Aphodius, Ataenius)Superficially similar small scarab beetles; Agoliinus is distinguished by clypeal and pronotal characters, and typically smaller size and more slender build than many Aphodius .
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Agoliinus was established to accommodate previously placed in Aphodius or related genera, based on phylogenetic and morphological studies of the Aphodiinae. The species was originally described as Aphodius sigmoideus by Van Dyke in 1918 before transfer to Agoliinus.
Data deficiency
This has zero observations in iNaturalist and appears rarely in collections. Basic biological data including associations, seasonal activity, and larval development remain unrecorded in accessible literature.