taxonID	type	description	language	source
DB6A7053FF00B1035FA4FCCB6DEFD3C0.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Sphaeroplotina hainanensis Miytake, 1969.	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF00B1035FA4FCCB6DEFD3C0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Sphaeroplotina is similar to Plotina, but can be distinguished from the latter as follows: body rounded and nearly hemispherical (Figs 1 a – c, 3 a – f); terminal palpomere parallel-sided, apically slightly narrowed (Figs 1 i, 3 i); ventrite 7 in male broadly and deeply emarginate at apex (Figs 5 a – b); elytral epipleuron reaching the elytral apex (Figs 1 d, 4 g). In Plotina: body oval; terminal palpomere strongly dilated; ventrite 7 in male subtruncate medially at apex (Figs 5 c – d); elytral epipleuron distinctly incomplete.	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF00B1035FA4FCCB6DEFD3C0.taxon	description	Description. Body rounded, nearly hemispherical, dorsal surface glabrous (Figs 1 a – c, 3 a – f). Head exposed dorsally, comparatively small (Figs 1 c, 3 c, 3 f). Eyes dorsally 0.4 – 0.5 × length of head capsule, with ocular canthus extending slightly into eyes (Fig 4 c). Frons wide and flat, not emarginate. Antennae relatively long and stout, with 10 antennomeres: antennomere 1 large and bent; 2 shorter and narrower than 1; 3 somewhat triangular, distinctly longer than wide; 4 – 6 as wide or wider than long; 7 transverse, broadening apically, forming a short support for club; 8 – 10 gradually dilated, forming an elongate oval club. Antennomere 10 rounded apically (Figs 1 f, 4 b). Clypeus narrowing anteriorly, with anterior margin straight. Labrum partially hidden under clypeus, transverse (Fig. 4 d). Mandible robust, with a subapical tooth just behind apical tooth, molar teeth in both mandibles are asymmetrical (Figs 1 g – h, 4 f – g). Maxilla with cardo short; palpomere 2 subquadrate; palpomere 3 quadrate to weakly transverse; terminal palpomere elongate parallel-sided, apically obliquely truncate and sometimes slightly narrowed (Figs 1 i, 3 i). Labial palps with 3 palpomeres; apical palpomere as long as penultimate one; mentum trapezoidal, narrowed basally (Figs 1 j, 4 e). Pronotum strongly convex; anterior margin broadly and rather deeply emarginate; anterior angle of pronotum prominent; lateral edge smooth; basal marginal line along the edge distinct but incomplete (Figs 1 c, 3 c, 3 f). Prosternum T-shaped with board lateral wings; prosternal process 0.7 × coxal diameter, with arcuate carinae extended laterally (Figs 1 e, 3 h). Prosternum in front of coxae about 2 × as long as basal width of prosternal process (Figs 1 e, 3 h). Procoxal cavity transverse. Mesoventral process broad, 1.3 – 1.4 × as wide as mesocoxal diameter, meso-metaventral junction forming a straight line, with suture visible (Fig. 3 g). Elytral epipleuron complete to apex, surface nearly horizontal and flat without distinct foveae (Figs 1 d, 3 g). Metaventrite with discrimen incomplete (Fig. 3 j). Protibia distinctly broadened without apical spurs, mid tibia with single apical spur, hind tibia with two apical spurs. Meso- and metatibiae slender, shallowly excavated for reception of tarsi, tarsi pseudotrimerous, tarsal claws simple without basal tooth (Figs 1 l – m, 3 k – l, 4 a). Abdomen with five visible ventrites in both sexes; ventrite 1 slightly longer than ventrite 2, posterior margin straight or weakly arcuate; ventrite 7 in male broadly and deeply emarginate at apex (Figs 5 a – b). Abdominal postcoxal lines complete, strongly and unevenly curved, nearly reaching posterior margin of ventrite 1, with outer part of line subparallel to abdominal side, oblique dividing line absent (Figs 1 k, 4 h).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF00B1035FA4FCCB6DEFD3C0.taxon	distribution	Distribution. China	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF03B1035FA4FE536D41D5D9.taxon	description	(Figs. 1, 2, 5 a, 6) Chinese name: Ñ ḢṞÖüm	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF03B1035FA4FE536D41D5D9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other species of Plotinini by the extraordinary pattern on the elytra (Figs 1 a – c). The structures of the male genitalia are similar to S. varimarginata sp. nov., but can be distinguished from the later by having penis guide which is slightly longer than parameres, and stout in ventral view with widest part about 1.52 × of its basal width.	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF03B1035FA4FE536D41D5D9.taxon	description	Description. TL: 3.75 – 4.13 mm, TW: 3.30 – 3.59 mm, TH: 1.97 – 2.06 mm, TL / TW: 1.12 – 1.19, PL / PW: 0.25 – 0.33, EL / EW: 0.94 – 1.02. Body moderately large, broadly oval, moderately convex, shining and glabrous (Figs 1 a – d). Head reddish brown with maxillary palpi and labrum yellowish brown (Figs 1 c – d). Pronotum reddish brown, with a transverse black spot at base, scutellar shield black (Figs 1 a – c). Ground color of elytron reddish brown, with two large yellow spots at base and apex; each elytron with six dark spots as show in Figure 1 a (Fig. 1 a). Ventral surfaces yellow to black; discrimen of metaventrite, area around coxae and external border of epipeura dark (Fig. 1 d). Legs yellowish brown (Figs 1 d, 1 l – m). Head moderately small, 0.38 × of elytral width (EW / HW = 2.62); frontal surface of head capsule slightly convex; punctures on frons fine, with long setae in punctures; eyes small, broadly oval, widest interocular distance 0.57 × width of head (Fig. 1 c). Pronotum 0.61 × as wide as elytra (EW / PW = 1.65), pronotal punctures fine, similar to those on head. Punctures on elytra moderately large, irregular, and obviously larger than those on pronotum (Fig. 1 a). Surface of prosternum slightly shagreened, punctures moderately large, with sparse short setae. Mesoventrite slightly shagreened, punctures fine, with several short setae. Metaventrite broad, punctures fine but distinctly larger near discrimen, with short sparse setae (Fig 1 d). Abdominal postcoxal lines complete, almost touching posterior margin of ventrite 1 (Fig. 1 k). Male genitalia: Penis long and slender, penis capsule with short outer process and long inner one, apex of penis pointed (Figs 2 a – b). Penis guide in lateral view short and stout, widest at base, tapering to apex, apex pointed; parameres arcuate, slightly longer than penis guide, sparsely setose on apical and inner surfaces, and with a tuft of long setae at their bases (Fig. 2 c); penis guide in ventral view stout, widest at basal 2 / 5, distinctly narrowed at base, with widest part about 1.52 × of basal width, apically rounded with a small protuberance (Fig. 2 d). Female genitalia: Coxites elongate, triangular; styli distinct with terminal setae (Fig 2 f); spermatheca with a subrounded nodulus and a slender cornu (Fig. 2 e). Specimens examined. China: 1 ♂, Wuzhishan National Natural Reserve, Hainan, 24. VII. 2006, Wang XM leg (SCAU); 1 ♀, Jianfengling National Natural Reserve, Hainan, 1983, Huang YX leg (SCAU).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF03B1035FA4FE536D41D5D9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. China (Hainan) (Fig. 6).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF03B1035FA4FE536D41D5D9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species is similar to Paraplotina tamdaoensis Hoàng, 1982 in structures of the male genitalia, but can be distinguished from the later by the small protuberance at the apex of penis guide in ventral view (Fig 2 d). In P. tamdaoensis, penis guide in ventral view apically rounded without protuberance (Hoàng 1982; Wang et al. 2012).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	description	(Figs. 3, 4, 5 b, 6) Chinese name: K ṚṞÖüm	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. This species is similar to S. hainanensis in structures of the male genitalia, but can be distinguished from the later by having rather short penis guide which is apparently shorter than parameres, and slender in ventral view with widest part about 1.08 × of its basal width. In S. hainanensis, penis guide is slightly longer than parameres and its widest part is about 1.52 × of its basal width in ventral view.	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	description	Description. TL: 3.87 – 4.18 mm, TW: 3.19 – 3.67 mm, TH: 1.93 – 2.16 mm, TL / TW: 1.13 – 1.21, PL / PW: 0.27 – 0.28, EL / EW: 0.99 – 1.06. Body moderately large, broadly oval, moderately convex, shining and glabrous (Figs 3 a – f). Head and pronotum reddish brown (Figs 3 a – f). Scutellar shield reddish brown with black borders (Figs 3 a, 3 c, 3 d, 3 f). Ground color of elytra reddish brown, with large yellow irregular spots at base and apex and each elytron with five dark spots in male as show in Fig. 3 a and four dark spots in female as show in Fig. 3 d. Ventral surfaces yellow to reddish brown; median discrimen of metaventrite dark (Fig. 3 g). Legs reddish brown (Figs 3 g, 3 k – l, 4 a). Head moderately small, 0.38 × as wide as elytra (EW / HW = 2.62); frontal surface of head capsule slightly convex; punctures on frons fine, with long setae in punctures; eyes small, broadly oval, widest interocular distance 0.53 × width of head (Fig. 4 c). Pronotum 0.61 × of elytral width (EW / PW = 1.65), pronotal punctures fine, similar to those on head (Figs 3 c, 3 f). Punctures on elytra moderately large, irregular and obviously larger than those on pronotum (Figs 3 a, 3 d). Surface of prosternum slightly shagreened, punctures moderately large, with sparse short setae (Figs 3 g, 3 j). Mesoventrite slightly shagreened, punctures fine, with several short setae. Metaventrite broad, punctures fine but distinctly larger near discrimen, with short sparse setae (Figs 3 g – h). Abdominal postcoxal lines complete, almost touching posterior margin of ventrite 1 (Fig. 4 h). Male genitalia: Penis long and slender, penis capsule with short outer arm and long inner one, apex of penis pointed (Figs 4 i – j). Penis guide in lateral view short and stout, widest at base, tapering to apex, apex pointed; parameres arcuate, longer than penis guide, sparsely setose on apical and inner areas, and with a tuft of long setae at bases (Fig. 4 k); penis guide in ventral view stout, widest at 1 / 2 length, tapering to rounded apex, with widest part about 1.08 × of basal width (Fig. 4 i). Female genitalia: Coxites elongate, triangular; styli distinct with terminal setae (Fig 4 n); spermatheca with a rounded nodulus and a slender, curved cornu (Fig. 4 m). Types. Holotype: China: 1 ♂, Xiaohuangshan, Nanling National Natural Reserve, Guangdong, [24 ° 55 ′ 42 ″ N 113 ° 0 ′ 58 ″ E], 1320 – 1600 m, 19. VI. 2017, Huo LZ leg (SCAU). Paratypes: 1 ♀, Protection Station, Nanling Na- tional Natural Reserve, Guangdong, [24 ° 56 ′ 13 ″ N 113 ° 0 ′ 13 ″ E], 997 m, 16. VI. 2017, Huo LZ leg (SCAU); 2 ♀♀, Qinshuigu, Nanling National Natural Reserve, Guangdong, [24 ° 54 ′ 53 ″ N 113 ° 2 ′ 15 ″ E], 482 – 778 m, 18. VI. 2017, Huo LZ leg (SCAU); 1 ♀, Huangniping, Shimentai National Natural Reserve, Guangdong, 7. X. 2004, Wang XM leg (SCAU).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	distribution	Distribution. China (Guangdong) (Fig. 6).	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	description	Variation. Sexual dimorphism evident. In female, lateral elytral margins remarkably expanded externally and elytron with four spots. In male, lateral elytral margins very narrow and elytron with five spots.	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
DB6A7053FF05B1095FA4FB926CB4D32C.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet varimarginata derives from the Latin words varius (= various) and marginatus (= marginal), referring to the variable external borders of the elytra between males and females. It is a noun in apposition	en	Tong, Junbo, Chen, Jianjun, Zhang, Xiaoning, Chen, Xiaosheng, Wang, Xingmin (2020): A contribution to the genus Sphaeroplotina Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae Plotinini). Zootaxa 4859 (3): 419-428, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4859.3.7
