Synthesis of Current Knowledge of the Morphology of the Larval Stages of Paederinae (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae), with a First Insight into the Mature Larva of Pseudomedon Mulsant & Rey, 1878, in the Light of a New Systematic Division

Abstract

This is the first morphological description of the mature larva (L2) of the genus Pseudomedon, belonging to the tribe Lathrobiini and subtribe Medonina. Detailed illustrations of its structural features are provided. Based on earlier published and new data, 10 and 18 diagnostic larval morphological characters for Paederinae and Pseudomedon, respectively, are proposed. In the light of the new tribal system established for the subfamily Paederinae and based on the current knowledge (including Pseudomedon) concerning the larval morphology of these staphylinids, a comparative analysis of the traits at different taxonomic levels was carried out: intertribal—between Lathrobiini and Paederini sensu nov., intersubtribal (Lathrobiini)—between Medonina and Lathrobiina, and intrasubtribal for Medonina. As a consequence, 12 intertribal, 2 intersubtribal and 3 intrasubtribal distinguishing features were selected. These features, appearing on the head, antennae and mouthparts of the larvae, confirm the validity of the recent proposals to alter the systematics of these staphylinids at higher taxonomic levels. Our proposed practical identification key to Paederinae larvae at the generic level is a synthesis of the current knowledge of Paederinae larvae, including new data. The work also gives a thorough review of the literature and the state of knowledge of the morphology of Paederinae larvae.

A New, Flightless Species of Medon (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from High Appalachia, with Intraspecific Phylogeographic Analysis and Description of its Associated Larva

“…The larva of M. icarus conforms to diagnostic characteristics of Paederinae previously cited (Kasule 1970; Newton 1990; Staniec et al 2022), having three characteristic paired trichobothria on the basal corner of the stipes, on the side of head behind the ocelli, and at the posterolateral corner of the pronotum. It further conforms with diagnoses of Lathrobiini and Medonina presented in Staniec et al (2022), having a relatively large maxillary mala, a bulbiform and fimbriate labial ligula, lack of lateral epipharyngeal denticles, and lacking a median tooth on the nasale. Some of these characters conflict with those described for M. “nr.…”

“…Newton (1990) illustrated the larval head of Sunius confluentus (Say), which is conceivably sympatric with M. icarus in some lower elevation localities. They are similar in gross structure, but the Sunius mandibles are illustrated as finely serrulate (which is also the case in Pseudomedon obsoletus (Nordmann); Staniec et al 2022), whereas the inner margin is smooth in M. icarus.…”

“…Frania did not illustrate these for Medon specifically, however, so some ambiguity in just what was meant remains. The M. icarus larva also does not key directly to Medon in Staniec et al (2022), as there is only a single row of teeth along the anterior margin of the buccal cavity. With only two larvae described from a diverse, Holarctic, and questionably monophyletic genus such as Medon , little more can be said about generic characterization.…”

Forest leaf litter beetles of Taiwan: first DNA barcodes and first insight into the fauna

“…Chen (voucher 20-10HS313).Comments. The larvae of Pinophilini are poorly understood(Staniec et al 2022) Paulian (1941). described and illustrated a larva of Pinophilini from Brazil; however, the genus to which the larva belongs was not determined Grebennikov and Newton (2009).…”