Supertribe Euplectitae Streubel, 1839

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Supertribe Euplectitae Streubel, 1839

Euplectidae Streubel, A.B. 1839. Ueber die Stellung der Brachyelytren oder Staphylinen im natürlichen System. (Ein Beitrag zur Classification der Käfer. Isis von Oken, Jena [1839]: 126-138 [135].
Type genus:
Euplectus Leach, 1817.

Introduction

Eight tribes are placed in the Euplectitae: the world-wide Euplectini and Trichonychini; pantropical Dimerini and Bythinoplectini; Holarctic and Neotropical Mayetiini; Holarctic, Neotropical and Australian Trogastrini; and the Neotropical Jubini and Metopiasini. Generic overlap with New Zealand cannot be established at this time, except to observe that several Australian genera appear to occur in New Zealand. The Euplectitae currently holds 419 genera (Chandler 2001: 54).

Diagnosis

Trochanters of second and third pairs of legs with angle of joint to femora acute, dorsal extension of femora close to coxal articulations; tarsal claws unequal, with posterior claws smaller, often setiform; second and third tarsomeres clearly longer than first tarsomeres, second tarsomeres often longer than third tarsomeres. Thorax with hind coxae contiguous or close at middle, rarely distinctly separated. Aedeagus usually asymmetric, parameres often reduced or lacking, many genera with a dorsal diaphragm and internal musculature.

ID Keys

Key to Australian Tribes (Chandler 2001: 54).

1. Head with prominent, narrow frontal rostrum about one-third head width, lateral margins of rostrum nearly parallel; area below antennal insertions and anterior to eyes deeply excavate and receiving maxillary palpi when retracted (Fig. 41); tarsi with two segments (Fig. 22) … Bythinoplectini

Head with antennal rostrum broader if prominent, half of head width or greater; lacking deep excavation below antennal insertions; with three tarsomeres (Fig. 21) (only Dimerini with two tarsomeres, rare) … 2

2. (1) With two tarsomeres, tarsal claws single, lacking setiform posterior claws (Fig. 22); body elongate; head with median frontal fovea and vertexal foveae subequal in size, foveae connected by V-shaped sulcus; frontal rostrum prominent, about one-half head width; (Fig. 38) … Dimerini

With three tarsomeres, posterior claws reduced, often setiform, may be not be visible (Fig. 21); head lacking median frontal fovea; frontal rostrum usually broad and low … 3

3. (2) Head clearly transverse, wider than long, venter often densely setate with genal/gular beard; first antennomeres at least as long as next 2-3 antennomeres; tarsi often with reduced posterior claws visible (Fig. 23) … Trogastrini

Head usually as long as wide or longer, venter with genal/ gular setae short and usually sparse; first antennomeres at most as long as next two antennomeres; tarsi often lacking readily visible posterior claws (Fig. 21) … 4

4. (3) Antebasal sulcus of pronotum lacking (present in introduced genus Euplectus), antebasal foveae free; often with tooth on lateral margins adjacent to lateral antebasal foveae (lacking in Euplectus and Dorrigo); discal stria of elytra lacking or very short; abdomen with visible tergite 1 (IV) longest (or nearly so in Okella); body usually elongate and lateral margins parallel (Figs. 33-34); males with seventh visible ventral segment longitudinally divided into two subequal halves (tergites IX) (Fig. 13) … Euplectini

Antebasal sulcus of pronotum usually distinct, at least near median antebasal fovea (if lacking then lacking tooth adjacent to lateral antebasal foveae); seldom with distinct tooth adjacent to lateral antebasal foveae; discal striae may be present and elongate (Fig. 66); abdomen usually with tergites subequal in length or visible tergite 1 (IV) longest; males with seventh visible ventral segment consisting of three sclerites, median sclerite (penial plate) largest and usually ovoidal (Figs. 14-15) … Trichonychini