Tribe Bythinoplectini Schaufuss, 1890

Museums

Regional Maps

• Bythinoplectini Schaufuss, L.W. 1890. System-Schema der Pselaphiden, ein Blick in die Vorzeit, in die Gegenwart und in die Zukunft. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 33: 101-162, plate [plate].

  Type genus:

   Bythinoplectus Reitter, 1882.

Introduction

This large group of seventy-five genera is tropical in distribution, with three genera recorded from Australia: Orlandia in the subtribe Pyxidicerina; and Dichocoryna and Zethopsus in the subtribe Bythinoplectina. The two subtribes are basically separated by whether the lateral margins of the head in front of the eyes extend anteriorly to partially enclose the subantennal excavations (Pyxidicerina), or are open laterally immediately anterior to the eyes (Bythinoplectina) (Chandler 2001: 75).

Diagnosis

Head with prominent frontal rostrum, deep lateral subantennal excavations holding retracted maxillary palpi; maxillary palpi oddly formed and asymmetric, third and fourth segments often subequal in size, articulation of fourth segments with third segments usually near middle. Abdomen with paratergites adjacent to tergite IV distinct. Tarsi with two distinct tarsomeres, second tarsomeres extremely reduced and visible only as small pieces on the dorsum of the first tarsomeres (see Coulon 1989), basal tarsomeres much shorter than apical tarsomeres. Aedeagus asymmetric, lacking parameres, often with two small elongate sclerites at base.

ID Keys

Key to Genera (Chandler 2001: 75).

1. Head with excavations below antennal insertions opening anteriorly, lateral margins extending anterior to eyes; with eleven antennomeres, antennal clubs formed by two freely-articulating apical antennomeres; maxillary palpi with third segments smaller than fourth segments (Fig. 41) … (Pyxidicerina) Orlandia Comellini

Head with excavations below antennal insertions open laterally immediately anterior to eyes; with 9-10 antennomeres, antennal clubs formed by single antennomeres or two fused antennomeres; maxillary palpi clearly visible, with third segments larger than fourth segments (Figs. 39-40) … (Bythinoplectina) 2

2. (1) Head and pronotum rugosely sculptured; with ten antennomeres, clubs formed by single apical antennomere (Fig. 40) … Zethopsus Reitter

Head and pronotum smooth; with nine antennomeres, apical two antennomeres fused and forming antennal clubs (Fig. 39) … Dichocoryna Comellini

Diagnosis References

Chandler, D.S. 2001. Biology, morphology, and systematics of the ant-like litter beetle genera of Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Gainesville, FL : Memoirs on Entomology, International Vol. 15 viii + 560 pp. [Date published 30 April 2001] [75]

Coulon, G. 1989. Révision générique des Bythinoplectini Schaufuss, 1890 (= Pyxidicerini Raffray, 1903, syn. nov.) (Coleoptera, Pselaphidae, Faroninae). Mémoires de la Société Royale Entomologie de Belgique 34: 1-282 [58]

Jeannel, R. 1949. Les Psélaphides de l'Afrique Orientale (Coleoptera). Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 29: 1-226 [20] (as Pyxidicerini)

Jeannel, R. 1951. Psélaphides de l'Angola (Coléoptères) recueillis par M. A. Barros Machado. Publicaçoes Culturais da Companhia de Diamantes de Angola 9: 1-125 [14]

Raffray, A. 1904. Genera et catalogue des Psélaphides. (1903). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 72: 484-604 [500] (as Pyxidicerini)

Raffray, A. 1908. Coleoptera fam. Pselaphidae. 1-487, pls i-ix in Wytsman, P. (ed.). Genera Insectorum, 64th fascicule. Rome : Wytsman. [21] (as Pyxidicerini)

General References

Chandler, D.S. 2001. Biology, morphology, and systematics of the ant-like litter beetle genera of Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Gainesville, FL : Memoirs on Entomology, International Vol. 15 viii + 560 pp. [Date published 30 April 2001]

History of changes