title: Taxonomic review of the Dichotomius (Luederwaldtinia) assifer (Eschscholtz) species-group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
abstract: The Dichotomius assifer species-group, a component of Dichotomius (Luederwaldtinia) is taxonomically revised. The group now contains five species: D. angeloi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in CEMT: BRAZIL, Minas Gerais State, Vargem Bonita, Parque Nacional Serra da Canastra. Mata de Galeria, 28º18'39"S, 46º31'30"W. 865 m a.s.l., 02.XI.2011, MF Souza leg.), and D. louzadai sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in CEMT: BRAZIL, Minas Gerais State, Lima Duarte, Parque Estadual Ibitipoca, VI.2001, FZ Vaz-de-Mello leg.) are described; D. assifer and D. affinis are redescribed and lectotypes are designated. D. machadoi is diagnosed. Illustrations, distributional records, diagnosis and a key for identification of the species in the group are provided. Some aspects of the natural history and biogeography of species in the assifer group are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade. Av. Fernando Correa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.; Email: rafavnunes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade. Av. Fernando Correa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Marcela S G
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia. Av. Fernando Correa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Corresponding author.; Email: vazdemello@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernando Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Vaz-de-Mello
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001938:Brazil; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size