No abstract

A morphological data set for the histerid beetle subfamily Saprininae comprising 95 adult morphological characters scored (multistate coding) from 72 terminal taxa and four outgroups was developed in order to analyse and determine the relationships amongst the genera and subgenera of the Saprininae subfamily. Cladograms were rooted with exemplars of Dendrophilinae (genus Dendrophilus), Bacaniini (genus Bacanius), Abraeinae (genus Chaetabraeus), and Anapleini (genus Anapleus). Parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses were performed based on the type species of each genus and subgenus of the Saprininae occurring around the world, with the exception of three taxa: Paramyrmetes foveipennis (type species of the genus Paramyrmetes), Satrapister nitens (type species of the genus Satrapister) and Xerosaprinus (Auchmosaprinus) laciniatus (type species of the subgenus Auchmosaprinus) that were not available. In addition, in order to test the monophyly of several questionable genera, multiple exemplars were added in a few cases. The analysis also included an exemplar of an apparently undescribed genus. The results of the analysis confirm the monophyly of the subfamily supported by two unique synapomorphies: (1) presence of sensory structures of the antenna; and (2) presence of the antennal cavity, as well as several other weaker synapomorphies. However, the phylogeny inferred here shows mostly low support for the deeper branches and consequently no major changes in the Saprininae classification are proposed. The presented cladogram is discussed together with its implications for the evolution of the subfamily. The most informative characters and their respective states are outlined. Multiple shifts in lifestyles have evolved during the evolutionary history of the group. Taxa found near the root of the cladogram are mostly nidicolous or myrmecophilous, and inquiliny is presumed to be the plesiomorphic lifestyle of the subfamily. The nidicolous lifestyle has undergone several transformations to other lifestyles and myrmecophily has evolved three times independently during the evolution of the subfamily. Termitoxeny has evolved two times independently in the group whereas ecological adaptation for life in caves has likewise evolved two times independently. The analyses yielded a large clade of predominantly psammophilous taxa; psammophily is thought to have evolved once and has been subsequently lost several times.

Members of Leperina Erichson (Trogossitidae: Gymnochilini) from New Zealand, New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island are morphologically similar to members of the endemic Juan Fernandez Island genus Phanodesta Reitter, sharing at least one obvious character, elytral carinae that are beaded and contain well-defined punctures. To test the monophyly of Leperina and Phanodesta, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of the genera of the tribe Gymnochilini by a cladistic analysis of 22 terminals and 47 adult characters rooted with one genus of trogossitine. Leperina is rendered paraphyletic by the placements of Seidlitzella Jakobson and Phanodesta. Kolibacia n.gen. (type species Leperina tibialis Reitter) is described for east Palaearctic species included formerly in Leperina (two new combinations); New Zealand Leperina and other species from New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island (Ostoma pudicum Olliff) are transferred to Phanodesta (six new combinations); and the remaining species are retained in Leperina. The following species are described as new: Phanodesta carinata n.sp., P. manawatawhi n.sp., P. oculata n.sp. and P. tepaki n.sp. Leperina ambiguum Broun is transferred to Grynoma Sharp resulting in a new combination and three new synonymies for New Zealand trogossitines: Leperina interrupta Brookes n.syn. and Leperina sobrina (White) n.syn. [= Phanodesta farinosa (Sharp)], and Trogosita affinis White n.syn. (= Tenebroides mauritanicus Linnaeus). A key to the New Zealand species and a checklist for the species of the Kolibacia, Leperina and Phanodesta are provided. The derived placement of Juan Fernandez Phanodesta in the phylogeny is evidence for long-distance dispersal from Australasia. A tally of all Juan Fernandez Islands Coleoptera shows derivation mostly from Chile and South America, with few from the southern Pacific region, rarely from Australasia.

Many histerid beetles are necrophilous on carrion during both active and advanced stages of decomposition. In this study, 13 species of Saprinus were recorded on carrion from Lebanon, containing eight that are new for the Lebanese fauna. The following Saprinus species are newly recorded from Lebanon: 1) Saprinus (S.) caerulescens caerulescens (Hoffmann, 1803); 2) S. (S.) calatravensis Fuente, 1899; 3) S. (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807); 4) S. (S.) godet (Brullé, 1832); 5) S. (S.) maculatus (P. Rossi, 1792); 6) S. (S.) strigil Marseul, 1855; 7) S. (S.) submarginatus J. Sahlberg, 1913; and 8) S. (S.) tenuistrius sparsutus Solsky, 1876. The peak activity was recorded, key for the species is provided, and habitus images and male genitalia are illustrated in order to facilitate their taxonomic identifications. Saprinus species are diverse and common on animal carcass; they were likewise collected from a human cadaver in Lebanon. Preliminary comments on biology and distribution of the studied species are given. Our paper represents the first faunistic study on Histeridae from Lebanon. A rigorous research program regarding the biology of Saprinus in Lebanon and the neighbouring countries would greatly improve the knowledge of the diversity, activity, and possible forensic value of Saprinus.

Six species of the genus Gnathoncus Jacquelin du Val, 1857 occur in the region of Southeast Asia: G. brevisternus Lewis, 1907, G. semimarginatus Bickhardt, 1920, G. viet­namicus Kryzhanovskij, 1972, G. rotundatus (Kugelann, 1792), G. nannetensis (Marseul, 1862), and the newly described G. sechuanus sp. nov. (China: Sichuan). Two rare species, G. brevisternus and G. semimarginatus, are redescribed; all species are figured and keyed. The lectotype of Gnathoncus brevisternus is designated and the species is newly reported from Vietnam and Nepal.