Versicorpus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. Versicorpus is endemic to Namibia and is only found at the Mount Erongo. This is a monotypic genus with only one species, Versicorpus erongoensis.[1]

Versicorpus
Scientific classification
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Versicorpus

Deschodt, Davis & Scholtz, 2011
Species:
V. erongoensis
Binomial name
Versicorpus erongoensis
Deschodt, Davis & Scholtz, 2011

Versicorpus probably live in close association with rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis Pallas). These Hyraxes have communal toilets or dung middens. These middens are probably a stable and dependable food source for Versicorpus in a resource scarce environment. Versicorpus erongoensis is a flightless dung beetle that is probably closely related to Dicranocara Deschodt & Scholtz and Namakwanus Scholtz & Howden.

References

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  1. ^ Christian M. Deschodt, Adrian L.V. Davis & Clarke H. Scholtz (2011). "New dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) taxa from arid south-western Africa" (PDF). Insect Systematics & Evolution. 42 (3): 277–294. doi:10.1163/187631211X568173. hdl:2263/19586.