First occourence of the family Glaresidae in Italy, with description of the new species Glaresis gentile from Sardinia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaresidae)

Abstract

Glaresis gentile sp. nov. is described from southwestern Sardinia, Italy, providing the first record of the family Glaresidae from Italy. The new species is compared with the other western European species and with some other taxa described from North Africa. It appears to be closest to the poorly known Iberian G. thiniensis Verdú & Galante, 2001, whose aedeagus morphology is precised. Finally, a key to the European species is provided. Key words: Scarabaeoidea, Glaresidae, Glaresis, new species, taxonomy, Sardinia, Spain, sand dunes