Mariana Chani-Posse

Towards a natural classification of the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini): a phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical genera

Philonthina, the largest subtribe of the rove beetle tribe Staphylinini, is a hyperdiverse group in the Neotropical Region, accounting for about half of the genera of the subtribe. Despite such diversity, Neotropical Philonthina have never been analysed phylogenetically, deterring formulation of a modern classification of the Staphylinini. A cladistic analysis of Neotropical Philonthina was performed based on 110 morphological characters and 77 terminal taxa. Representatives of Philonthina from other regions and other main lineages of Staphylinini, Arrowinini and Platyprosopini were included to test their relationships with Neotropical Philonthina. The major results are the monophyly of 11 of the 17 endemic Neotropical genera of Philonthina, the placement of Holisus Erichson (Hyptiomina) into this clade showing a sister group relationship to myrmecophile genera, and the position of Erichsonius Fauvel outside of Philonthina within Staphylinini. Six of the current seven species of Endeius Coiffait & Sáiz group with Neotropical species of Philonthus Stephens. The separation of Gondwana about 65 my and major landscape modifications in the vast interior of northern South America during the past 25 my is proposed to explain the evolution of the endemic Neotropical genera of Philonthina. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Erichsonius Fauvel, 1874 now placed as incertae sedis in Staphylinini; Endeius Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968, n.syn. of Philonthus Stephens, 1929 and Endeius nitidipennis (Solier, 1849) placed as incertae sedis in Philonthina. The following new combinations are proposed: Philonthus franzi (Sáiz, 1971), comb.n., Philonthus loensis (Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968), comb.n., Philonthus lugubris (Sáiz, 1971), comb.n., Philonthus ovaliceps (Coiffait, 1981), comb.n., Philonthus punctipennis (Solier, 1849), comb.res. and Philonthus subpunctipennis (Coiffait & Sáiz, 1968), comb.n.Philonthus herberti, n.nov., is proposed for Philonthus franzi Schillhammer, 1998 , which is a junior secondary homonym of Philonthus franzi (Sáiz, 1971).

An illustrated key to the New World genera of Philonthina Kirby (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with morphological, taxonomical and distributional notes

An illustrated key to the 29 genera of Philonthina currently known in the New World is provided, based on adult morphological characters. Updated information on the morphology, taxonomic history, bionomics and distribution of the Philonthina in the study area is also provided.

Flohria Sharp—a Relictual Genus of the Subtribe Philonthina from the Americas (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae)

ABSTRACT Flohria subcoerulea (LeConte), a relictual genus and species of the subtribe Philonthina (tribe Staphylinini) from the Americas, is redescribed and illustrated, its distribution documented, and lectotypes designated. The phylogenetic position of the genus within Philonthina, as well as its potential age and origin, is discussed.

Checklist and taxonomic changes for Central and South American Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

A checklist of all described species of Philonthina, a subtribe of the staphylinid tribe Staphylinini, known to occur in Central and South America (CASA) is presented. Included for each species, and for synonyms known from CASA, is a reference to the original description, type locality and type depository, and for each species the known distribution within and outside CASA. Type material was sought in the main European and American collections where it is deposited (BMNH, MNHUB, IRSNB and FMNH) and is summarized for all indigenous CASA species, with lectotypes designated for 16 names and confirmation of holotypes and prior designation of lectotypes when necessary. Based on recent phylogenetic work in Philonthina and our revision of types of CASA species of Philonthus Stephens, 1829 and Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837, some taxonomic changes are proposed. Thirty-one species of Philonthus are transferred to Belonuchus (16), Gabrius Stephens 1829 (14), and Bisnius Stephens 1829 (one) resulting in the following new combinations: B. abnormalis (Sharp 1885), B. celatus (Sharp 1885), B. corticalis (Sharp 1885), B. extremus (Sharp 1885), B. infimus (Sharp 1885), B. iteratus (Sharp 1887), B. latecinctus (Sharp 1885), B. lucilius (Sharp 1885), B. muticus (Sharp 1876), B. optatus (Sharp 1885), B. platypterus (Sharp 1885), B. rufiventris (Sharp 1887), B. rufocaudus (Sharp 1885), B. rufopygus (Sharp 1885), B. serraticornis (Sharp 1876), B. supernus (Herman 2001), G. approximans (Sharp 1885), G. armatipes (Sharp 1885), G. atricolor (Sharp 1885), G. championi (Sharp 1885), G. dampfi (Bernhauer 1929), G. elegans (Sharp 1885), G. forsterianus (Scheerpeltz 1960), G. misellus (Sharp 1885), G. nugax (Sharp 1885), G. ovaticeps (Sharp 1885), G. peruvianus (Bernhauer 1916), G. planulatus (Sharp 1885), G. rusticus (Sharp 1885), G. serpens (Sharp 1885) and Bi. subaeneipennis (Bernhauer 1916). Endeius nitidipennis Solier 1849 is transferred to Gabrius, resulting in the following new combination, G. nitidipennis (Solier 1849). Leptopeltus carchiensis Chani-Posse Asenjo 2013 is proposed as junior synonym of Philonthus divisus Sharp 1891, which is transferred to Leptopeltus Bernhauer 1906 resulting in a new combination: Leptopeltus divisus (Sharp 1891). Belonuchus penetrans Silvestri 1946 is transferred to Pridonius Blackwelder 1952 as a new combination. Lectotypes are designated for Atopocentrum mirabile Bernhauer 1906, Philonthus armatipes Sharp 1885, Ph. atricolor Sharp 1885, Ph. championi Sharp 1885, Ph. misellus Sharp 1885, Ph. planulatus Sharp 1885, Ph. rusticus Sharp 1885, Ph. serpens Sharp 1885, Ph. abnormalis Sharp 1885, Ph. celatus Sharp 1885, Ph. infimus Sharp 1885, Ph. latecinctus Sharp 1885, Ph. muticus Sharp 1876, Ph. platypterus Sharp 1885, Ph. rufocaudus Sharp 1885 and Ph. rufopygus Sharp 1885. Of the 543 currently known species of Philonthina reported from CASA, at least 14 are believed to be adventive from elsewhere, 56 may occur naturally elsewhere, and 473 (87%) are evidently endemic to this region. Of the 31 genera represented by these described species, 20 (65%) are endemic to CASA. One genus, Gabronthus Tottenham 1955, is adventive. However, the actual philonthine fauna of CASA will undoubtedly be much larger, and the generic composition highly modified, when the fauna is fully explored and studied within a phylogenetical framework.

A catalog of the types of Staphylinidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) deposited in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Buenos Aires (MACN)

The type specimens (all current categories) of Staphylinidae deposited in this Museum are listed; names are recorded, most of them represented by name-bearing types (primary types). The specific and subspecific names are alphabetically ordered in a single list, followed by the generic names (and subgeneric ones, if they were stated) spelled as they were published; later combinations and/ or current binomina are mentioned insofar these are known to the authors. Two lists are added: 2. Specimens labeled as types of names not found in the literature and probably never published, or published as nomina nuda; and 3. Specimens labeled as types, but not originally designated as such. An appendix provides a systematically arranged list of all names discussed, with indication of where they are discussed in the text.