A new species and distribution records of Dichotomius Hope, 1838 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in Colombia.

Dichotomius (Dichotomius) quadrilobatus new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Dichotomiini), from western Amazonia (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) is described and its putative systematic position within the Dichotomius boreus species group is discussed. An updated identification key to the species of the Dichotomius boreus species group is provided. Additionally, Dichotomius (Selenocopris) fortepunctatus Luederwaldt, 1923 is recorded for the first time in Colombia.

Scarabaeinae dung beetles from Ecuador: a catalog, nomenclatural acts, and distribution records.

The Ecuadorian territory is divided into four natural regions: the coastal lowlands, the Andean highlands, the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos Islands. Each of these regions has its own ecosystems and specific vegetation. The purpose of this work is to compile an updated catalog of the Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of Ecuador that includes distributional data and several nomenclatural acts. We compiled data from 25 scientific collections, with the examination of 13,550 scarabaeines; additionally, 390 bibliographic references were reviewed for their taxonomic histories. The Scarabaeinae fauna from Ecuador is represented by 33 genera and 223 species, with 45 range-restricted species; 27 species were erroneously recorded from the country. The following nomenclatural acts are made: (A) two new status as valid species: Canthon (Glaphyrocanthon) ohausi Balthasar, 1939, stat. n., and Deltochilum (Calhyboma) arrowi Paulian, 1939 stat. n.; (B) one new synonym: Uroxysmagnus Balthasar, 1940 = Uroxyslatesulcatus Bates, 1891, syn. n.; (C) two revalidated names: Canthidium (Canthidium) orbiculatum (Lucas, 1857) and Dichotomius (Luederwaldtinia) fortepunctatus (Luederwaldt, 1923); and (D) ten lectotypes designated for: Choeridiumorbiculatum Lucas, 1857; Choeridiumcupreum Blanchard, 1846; Canthidiumcoerulescens Balthasar, 1939; Canthonangustatus Harold, 1867; Canthonangustatusohausi Balthasar, 1939; Deltochilumtessellatum Bates, 1870; Pinotusfortepunctatus Luederwaldt, 1923; Pinotusglobulus Felsche, 1901; Uroxyslatesulcatus Bates, 1891; and Uroxysmagnus Balthasar, 1940. The type specimens related to the new nomenclatural acts are illustrated and the maps of the geographical distribution of all species are provided.

Junction formation of Cu(3)BiS(3) investigated by Kelvin probe force microscopy and surface photovoltage measurements.

Recently, the compound semiconductor Cu(3)BiS(3) has been demonstrated to have a band gap of ~1.4 eV, well suited for photovoltaic energy harvesting. The preparation of polycrystalline thin films was successfully realized and now the junction formation to the n-type window needs to be developed. We present an investigation of the Cu(3)BiS(3) absorber layer and the junction formation with CdS, ZnS and In(2)S(3) buffer layers. Kelvin probe force microscopy shows the granular structure of the buffer layers with small grains of 20-100 nm, and a considerably smaller work-function distribution for In(2)S(3) compared to that of CdS and ZnS. For In(2)S(3) and CdS buffer layers the KPFM experiments indicate negatively charged Cu(3)BiS(3) grain boundaries resulting from the deposition of the buffer layer. Macroscopic measurements of the surface photovoltage at variable excitation wavelength indicate the influence of defect states below the band gap on charge separation and a surface-defect passivation by the In(2)S(3) buffer layer. Our findings indicate that Cu(3)BiS(3) may become an interesting absorber material for thin-film solar cells; however, for photovoltaic application the band bending at the charge-selective contact has to be increased.