Cartwrightia
Cartwrightia is a genus of scarab found in Latin America. It was named and circumscribed in 1958 by Federico Islas Salas., three species are recognized: C. intertribalis, C. cartwrighti, and C. islasi. They can be found in the nests of leafcutter ants or in dung.
Taxonomic history
The Mexican entomologist Federico Islas Salas circumscribed the genus Cartwrightia in 1959 for his newly-described species C. intertribalis. The generic name is in honor of the American entomologist Oscar Ling Cartwright. In 1967, Cartwright himself described two additional species in this genus: C. islasi, whose specific name honors Islas, and C. cartwrighti, which Cartwright named after his brother.Taxonomy
Cartwrightia is in the subfamily Aphodiinae of the scarab family Scarabaeidae, although entomologists are not all in agreement as to which tribe it should be placed in. American entomologist has described this genus as "unusual", "distinct", and in need of additional study as to its taxonomic classification. Its characteristics are similar to those of various tribes, including: Eupariini, Odontolochini, and Rhyparini.In 1967, Cartwright wrote this genus "superficially appears most closely allied to Rhyparus in the tribe Rhyparina", but placed this genus in the tribe Eupariina. Others who have placed it in Eupariina include the Italian entomologist, the American entomologist and the Canadian-Australian entomologist, Skelley, and Mexican entomologist.
and colleagues, however, disagreed with this, placing it in Rhyparini as the mouthparts and head shape exclude it from the tribe Eupariini. The Swedish entomologists Hege Vårdal and Mattias Forshage have also placed this genus in Rhyparini.