Relationships between the ground-living Tenebrionidae recorded in the southern Namib and Kalahari are investigated. Relationships within each of the ecosystems are presented from a seasonal and diel periodicity point of view, the latter in relation to habitat occupancy. Relationships between the two systems were studied primarily from an ecological equivalence point of view with brief mention of phylogenetic connection. Subsequent results, especially with regard to specialization, species commonness and ecological equivalence, give rise to brief discussions on the historic development of the two regions. Keywords: Coleoptera, ecology, groundliving, Kalahari, southern Namib, Tenebrionidae.