Genus of beetles
Gazella scarab (Onthophagus gazella ) males; note variation in horn size Onthophagus is a genus of dung beetles in the Onthophagini tribe of the wider scarab beetle family, Scarabaeidae .[4] It is the most species-rich and widespread genus in the subfamily Scarabaeinae (the 'true' dung beetles), with a global distribution.
Etymology
The Genus name derives from the Greek onthos , meaning dung, and phagos , meaning eater.[5]
Taxonomy
This genus includes around 30 subgenera and over 2,200 species.[1] [6] Some of the former subgenera of Onthophagus (including Proagoderus , Diastellopalpus , Digitonthophagus , and Euonthophagus ) are now widely recognized as genera.[7]
Subgenera
These subgenera are in accordance with the Catalog of Life and the World Scarabaeidae Database (2023).[6]
Afrostrandius Moretto, 2009 - tropical Africa
Altonthophagus Kabakov, 1990 - Palearctic
Amphionthophagus Martín-Piera & Zunino, 1983 - Palearctic
Bicornonthophagus Tagliaferri & Moretto, 2012 - tropical Africa
Colobonthophagus Balthasar, 1935 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Cryptonthophagus Dierkens, 2022 - tropical Africa
Drepanonthophagus Dierkens, 2022 - tropical Africa
Endrodius Balthasar, 1959 - Oriental
Eremonthophagus Zunino, 1979 - Palearctic
Exonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 - Palearctic
Furconthophagus Zunino, 1979 - Palaearctic, Oriental, tropical Africa
Gibbonthophagus Balthasar, 1935 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Gonocyphus Lansberge, 1885 - tropical Africa
Hikidaeus Ochi & Kon, 2016 - Oriental
Indachorius Balthasar, 1941 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Indonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 - Palaearctic, Oriental, tropical Africa
Macronthophagus Ochi, 2003 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Matashia Matsumura, 1938 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Micronthophagus Balthasar, 1963 - Oriental, Palaearctic, tropical Africa
Onthophagiellus Balthasar, 1935 - Oriental
Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 - worldwide
Palaeonthophagus Zunino, 1979 - Palearctic
Paraphanaeomorphus Balthasar, 1959 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Parentius Zunino, 1979 - Palearctic
Phanaeomorphus Balthasar, 1935 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Pseudophanaeomorphus Ochi, 2007 - Oriental
Serrophorus Balthasar, 1935 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Sinonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 - Palearctic
Strandius Balthasar, 1935 - Palaearctic, Oriental, tropical Africa
Sunenaga Ochi, 2003 - Palaearctic, Oriental
Trichonthophagus Zunino, 1979 - Palaearctic, Oriental, tropical Africa