Phylogenetic review of the tribal system of Aleocharinae, a mega‐lineage of terrestrial arthropods in need of reclassification

Abstract

Recently published molecular and total evidence phylogenies of the mega‐diverse rove beetle subfamily Aleocharinae defined a backbone for the greatly needed further detailed phylogenetic research and large‐scale reclassification of this lineage. Given the enormous species diversity of Aleocharinae, wise taxon sampling is crucial for such research. To facilitate that and place future systematic investigations on a solid phylogenetic basis, here we provide a review of all 62 current tribes of Aleocharinae based on information from 191 references, where we summarize all outstanding phylogenetic questions ever considered about each tribe. For each tribe, we provide current diagnoses as they are understood now and, where possible, we stress emerging monophyletic clades within or across the current legacy tribes and provide their diagnostic features too.

New Genus and Species of High-Altitude Flightless Diestotini from the West Indies (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

“…In the most recent work (Asenjo et al 2019), Diestotini were expanded by the addition of six genera, again with no discussion. Orlov et al (2020Orlov et al ( , 2021 provided further discussion as to the past placement of Diestota and how it currently fits into the tree.…”

“…Orlov et al . (2020, 2021) provided further discussion as to the past placement of Diestota and how it currently fits into the tree.…”

Structure of an ant-myrmecophile-microbe community

“…Nevertheless, the closest of all the pairings was Sceptobius and Liometopum, suggesting that strong ecological and behavioral ties between highly divergent insect species can override this potential phylogenetic effect. Parker, 2017;Orlov, Newton, & Solodovnikov, 2021).…”

The thoracic anatomy of Pselaphus heisei (Pselaphinae, Staphylinidae, Coleoptera)

“…Over 10,000 pselaphine species have been described so far in over 1000 genera (see Newton & Chandler, 1989, and numerous later additions), which places them as the second most species‐rich rove beetle subfamily, after Aleocharinae (Orlov et al, 2021). Pselaphinae are common and abundant predators of the forest floor, with a majority of species associated with upper soil layers and rotten wood (e.g., Chandler, 2001).…”

“…Over 10,000 pselaphine species have been described so far in over 1000 genera (see Newton & Chandler, 1989, and numerous later additions), which places them as the second most species-rich rove beetle subfamily, after Aleocharinae (Orlov et al, 2021).…”