James S. Ashe

Leaf litter inhabiting beetles as surrogates for establishing priorities for conservation of selected tropical montane cloud forests in Honduras, Central America (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae, Curculionidae)

Thirteen tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) in Honduras and adjacent El Salvador were evaluated for species diversity and endemism in leaf litter inhabiting Curculionidae (weevils) and Staphylinidae in June and August of 1994. Totals of 26,891 specimens representing 293 species of Curculionidae, and 7349 specimens representing 224 species of Staphylinidae, were collected. Regional endemism was high with 173 species (58.7% of total) of Curculionidae and 126 species (56.3% of total) of Staphylinidae, restricted to single sites. Measures of diversity (number of observed species [Sobs]; number of endemic species) and estimates of biodiversity (Chao 2, first and second order Jackknife and Bootstrap richness estimators) are given for each site for Curculionidae and Staphylinidae. Priority-areas analyses based on Sobs (‘Greedy’), Sobs, Chao 2, number of endemic species, site complementarity and higher taxonomic diversity (Curculionidae only) are presented. Weak or lack of correlation was noted between site area and site diversity for either Curculionidae or Staphylinidae. The optimum sequence for site conservation was determined based on Sobs (‘Greedy’). Four sites are identified as the highest conservation priorities; Parque Nacional Montecristo, P.N. La Muralla, P.N. Santa Barbara and P.N. Comayagua. Identification as high priority sites supports their designation as Parques Nacionales rather than the less diverse Reservas Biologias or Reservas Vidas Silvestres. While closely approximating performance of Sobs (‘Greedy’), no one of Sobs, number of endemics, Chao 2 or site complementarity give results equivalent to the optimum sequence based on Sobs (‘Greedy’) and the latter is concluded to be the best method for establishing conservation priorities in TMCF. Results of the analyses based on one of Curculionidae or Staphylinidae differ in the ordering of site priorities based on each of Sobs, Chao 2 or number of endemics at each site, with at best, weak positive correlations between results based on each taxon. Data from other taxa are necessary to determine if one of Curculionidae or Staphylinidae emerges as the better surrogate for general patterns of biodiversity in TMCF. Conservation strategies in Central America should emphasize the importance of TMCF particularly in view of high regional endemism. In formulating these strategies, consideration needs to be given to the preservation of many small regional preserves rather than fewer larger preserves. Data from inventories of other taxa should be included where available and all biological data should be integrated with social and cultural issues of regional importance.

Phylogeny of the tachyporine group subfamilies and ‘basal’ lineages of the Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) based on larval and adult characteristics

Abstract.  This paper reports the conclusions of studies into the phylogeny of tachyporine group subfamilies and the ‘basal’ lineages of the subfamily Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) based on both larval and adult morphological data (133 adult characters, twenty‐seven larval characters). Representatives of forty species of the tachyporine group were used in the analysis, including representatives of the Aleocharinae, Trichophyinae, Habrocerinae, Phloeocharinae, Olisthaerinae, and Tachyporinae. The Aleocharinae included representatives of the tribes Gymnusini, Deinopsini, Mesoporini, the ‘subfamily’ Trichopseniinae, and representatives of nine major tribes in the ‘higher’ Aleocharinae (Athetini, Hoplandriini, Falagriini, Lomechisini, Oxypodini, Aleocharini, Myllaenini, Homalotini, and Hypocyphtini). Analyses were performed first with adult characters alone and then with both larval and adult characters in a simultaneous analysis. The analysis based on adult characters produced eighty‐five equally parsimonious trees (length = 499, consistency index = 42; retention index = 69). In the consensus tree, the Tachyporinae are not monophyletic, and the sister‐group relationship between the Trichophyinae + Habrocerinae and the Aleocharinae is not resolved. The Aleocharinae are monophyletic, but, among the ‘basal’ Aleocharinae, the relationships of Gymnusini + Deinopsini, the Mesoporini, and the Trichopseniinae are unresolved. The combined adult and larval data, using Tachinus as the outgroup, produced six equally parsimonious trees (tree length = 588; consistency index = 43; retention index = 69). The strict consensus tree of the combined larval and adult data supports the following conclusions: (1) larval characters substantially stabilize the tree; (2) the subfamily Tachyporinae is not supported to be monophyletic; (3) the subfamilies Trichophyinae and Habrocerinae are sister groups, and together they are sister to the Aleocharinae; (4) the ‘basal’ Aleocharinae are not a monophyletic group, but the ‘higher’ Aleocharinae are monophyletic; (5) the sister group of the remaining Aleocharinae is a lineage made up of genera currently in the tribes Gymnusini and Deinopsini; (6) within the Gymnusini–Deinopsini lineage, the monophyly of the Gymnusini is weakly supported, but the monophyly of the Deinopsini is strongly supported; (7) the subfamily Trichopseniinae is strongly supported to be a member of the ‘basal’ Aleocharinae; (8) the Myllaenini are resolved well within the ‘higher’ Aleocharinae; (9) strong support for the monophyly of some tribes of ‘higher’ Aleocharinae suggests that morphological characters provide substantial phylogenetic signal for analysis of higher‐level phylogeny of the Aleocharinae in spite of the preliminary nature of the analysis at this taxonomic level.

Larvae of Trichophya and phylogeny of the tachyporine group of subfamilies (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with a review, new species and characterization of the Trichophyinae

Abstract. Larvae of the staphylinid subfamily Trichophyinae are described for the first time based on larvae of a new species of Trichophya from the southwestern United States. Adults and larvae of the new species, Trichophya texana Ashe & Newton (type locality Texas, Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park), are described and illustrations of both provided. Also given are a key for separation of the Nearctic species of Trichophya, a checklist of the known World fauna of the Trichophyinae (including first report of the genus from Mexico and Guatemala), and a characterization of the subfamily Trichophyinae based on both larvae and adults. The relationships of major genera and higher taxa in the tachyporine group of staphylinid subfamilies are analysed cladistically using larval characters. No larval characters were found that provide evidence for the monophyly of the tachyporine group; no evidence was found for the monophyly of the Tachyporinae; Charhyphus, Olisthaerus and Phloeocharis (Phloeocharinae + Olisthaerinae) form a monophyletic group; the Trichophyinae and Habrocerinae are sister groups and together probably are the sister group to the Aleocharinae; the Aleocharinae are confirmed to be monophyletic based on larval characters; and Gymnusa + Deinopsis form the sister group to the remainder of the Aleocharinae.

Phylogeny of the Myllaenini and related taxa (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Myllaenini Ganglbauer and related genera is presented. Monophyly of the Myllaenini is tested, and the tribe is hypothesized to be a monophyletic group consisting of nine genera (Myllaena Erichson, Amazonopora Pace, Dimonomera Cameron, Bryothinusa Casey, Philomina Blackwelder, Polypea Fauvel, Brachypronomaea Sawada, Rothium Moore and Legner, and Lautaea Sawada), based on the synapomorphy of antero‐lateral angles of mentum prolonged into spinose processes. A history of the classification of the Myllaenini is discussed. The data set for phylogenetic analysis comprised 99 characters representing 297 character states derived from adult morphology. The analysis agrees on the monophyly of the Myllaenini and the monophyly of the Pronomaeini Ganglbauer (Pronomaea Erichson, Pseudomniophila Pace, Nopromaea Cameron and Tomoxelia Bernhauer). The tribe Dimonomerini (Dimonomera Cameron) is confirmed to be a member of the Myllaenini. Masuriini is a possible sister group of the Myllaenini. Stylopalpus Cameron shows a sister group relationship to the Pronomaeini. Several other clades are also consistently recovered. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Dysacrita are ambiguous. The rogue genus Diglotta Champion is not recovered as a member of the Myllaenini or Pronomaeini. On the contrary, it forms a monophyletic clade with the liparocephaline genera Halorhadinus Sawada and Amblopusa Casey. Evolution of the defensive gland on abdominal tergite VII among aleocharine lineages is reconsidered, and the origin of an intertidal habitat in the Myllaenini is discussed.

Probable mutualistic association between staphylinid beetles (Amblyopinus) and their rodent hosts

The nature of the relationship between amblyopinine staphylinid beetles and the mammals upon which they are found has been an enigma since the group was first described in 1875 (Solsky 1875). The Amblyopinini include some forty species placed in five genera, and have been found almost exclusively in the fur of small mammals in the Neotropics and Australia (Seevers 1955). This habit differs significantly from that of other members of the large and diverse family Staphylinidae, most of which are free-living predators. As a result of this, and reports of epidermal damage to the host, amblyopinines have been accepted to be obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites (Seevers 1955, Marshall 1981, Kim & Adler 1985). However, many reported behavioural facets appear to be inconsistent with this conclusion. For example, it has been reported that hosts ignore both the presence and movements of these beetles through their fur and across highly sensitive areas such as the eyes and vibrissae (P. Hershkovitz, quoted in Seevers 1955). This suggests that the interaction between amblyopinines and their hosts cannot be simply interpreted as adversarial. We investigated the ecology and host-beetle interactions among populations of highland rodents in Costa Rica during March-May 1986. Some aspects of these interactions were reported in Ashe & Timm (in press). These results are outlined here and additional information is provided which allows us to pro-

Diurnal/Nocturnal Activity of Rove Beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama Assayed by Flight Intercept Trap

Abstract A flight intercept trap was used for 12 days on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, to assay the diversity of staphylinid beetles, and to provide data on which are diurnal and/or nocturnal. The trap was sampled twice over a 24 h period, providing data for diurnal/nocturnal activity for these beetles. In total 1,349 specimens and 35 genera of Staphylinidae were caught, representing nine subfamilies. Of these 1,349 specimens, 1036 (76.8%, P < 0.01 t-test) were caught during the day, and 313 (23.2%) were caught during the night. Aleocharinae is the most abundant subfamily (57.5%), followed by Staphylininae (13.1%). Details are given for the diurnal/nocturnal activity of each taxon captured.

Discovery of the Remarkable Larvae of Hoplandriini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Abstract A distinctive and highly modified but previously unassociated type of aleocharine staphylinid larva was shown by rearing to belong to Hoplandria klimaszewskii Génier, 1989, providing the first knowledge of any larva of the tribe Hoplandriini. Larvae of this species are described, with notes on their feeding and locomotory behavior. Their unique features are extremely large down-turned antennal sensory appendage; very elongate legs with two and one spatulate setae on each pro- and mesofemur, respectively; abdomen very elongate, with tergum and sternum of segment IX fused into a single sclerotized tube uniformly covered with short setae; meso- and metanota and abdominal terga and sterna without anterior cariniform lines; hypertrichous setal patterns (compared with other Aleocharinae) present on all but the head; extremely short urogomphi; and lack of pygopodial gripping structures. The field-collected last instar constructed an apparently silken cocoon covered with soil particles within which it pupated, as known in other Aleocharinae. Along with the reared specimen, other material studied extends the range of H. klimaszewskii from far southern to northeastern Illinois (Cook County, new county record). Larvae from México, Peru, Madagascar, and New Zealand very similar to H. klimaszewskii and presumably representing other hoplandriine taxa have also been seen, although Hoplandriini have not been recorded from New Zealand.

Revision of the intertidal aleocharine genus Pontomalota Casey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships

A systematic revision of the aleocharine genus Pontomalota is presented. Pontomalota is redescribed, and two species are recognized, one of which is described as new (P. terminalia Ahn and Ashe, Type locality-Point Reyes, North Beach, California). P. californica Casey, P. nigriceps Casey, P. luctuosa Casey, and P. bakeri Bernhauer are shown to be color variants of one species and are synonymized under the name P. opaca (LeConte). A key is provided for separation of the known species of Pontomalota, and illustrations of diagnostic features are provided. The geographical body color variation of P. opaca from British Columbia to Baja California is described. In general, the body color of P. opaca varies from black in the north (Canada, Washington to N. California) to light brown in the south (S. California, Baja California) along a more or less continuous dine. Based on mouthpart structure and genitalic structure, as well as narrowly separated mesocoxal cavities and elytra shorter than pronotum, Pontomalota is hypothesized to be more closely related to tribe Phytosini than tribe Athetini. Within the Phytosini, members of Pontomalota are very similar to those of Thinusa Casey in a number of characters.

Revision and phylogeny of the Neotropical genus Philothalpus Kraatz (= Eugastus Sharp and Allostenopsis Bernhauer) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xanthopygina)

The staphylinid genus Philothalpus is revised. The species of Allostenopsis Bernhauer and Eugastus Sharp are shown to be congeneric with Philothalpus fervidus (the type species of Philothalpus ), and consequently, Allostenopsis Bernhauer and Eugastus Sharp are placed as junior synonyms of Philothalpus Kraatz. Allostenopsis kraatzi Bernhauer is shown to be a junior synonym of A. antennaria Bernhauer. Seventeen species are described as new: P. asymmetros sp. n. from Ecuador, P. bilobus sp. n. from French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname, P. brooksi sp. n. from Colombia, Ecuador and Panama, P. chloropennis sp. n. from Panama, P. chotaenus sp. n. from Colombia, P. ecuadorensis sp. n. from Ecuador, P. falini sp. n. from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, P. loksos sp. n. from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, P. mauroprasinus sp. n. from Guyana, P. nitidus sp. n. from Brazil, P. osanus sp. n. from Costa Rica, P. pecki sp. n. from Brazil and Peru, P. porphyros sp. n. from Ecuador, P. portokalis sp. n. from Ecuador, P. rufus sp. n. from Panama, P. rugosus sp. n. from Panama, and P. stravos sp. n. from Ecuador and Peru. Lectotypes are designated for Eugastus mundus Sharp, Philonthus fervidus Erichson, and Stenopsis kraatzi Bernhauer. Distributional maps, a key and illustrations of structural features including aedeagi are provided for the identification of the known species. Phylogenetic analysis of three outgroup and 21 ingroup taxa based on 43 characters resulted in three equally most parsimonious trees (CI = 0.48, RI = 0.66). The monophyly of Philothalpus is supported by high Bremer support and bootstrap values.

Systematics, distribution, and host specificity of Amblyopinus Solsky 1875 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae) in Mexico and Central America

The Mexican and Central American species of Amblyopinus Solsky 1875, adults of which are usually found in the fur of rodents, are revised. All species are fully described, and keys and illustrations of diagnostic features are provided to aid in their identification. A substantial quantity of new host and distributional data is provided. Five species, one of which consists of two subspecies, are known from Mexico and Central America Amblyopinus emarginatus Seevers 1955 (sanborni group) occurs in the montane regions of northwestern Panama and Costa Rica where it occurs on Oryzomys albigularis. In addition, four species and two subspecies of the jelskii group occur in Central America and Mexico: A. isabellae Barrera 1966, Sierra Madre del Sur in Mexico (host[s] various species of Peromyscus and Neotoma); A. barrerai Zaragoza Caballero & Sanchez Hernandez 1993, Sierra Madre de Oaxaca in Mexico (host[s], Peromyscus species, especially P. melanocarpus); A. schmidti schmidti Seevers 1944, highlands of Chiapas an...