Tribe Proterini Jeannel, 1949

Museums

Regional Maps

• Proterini Jeannel, R. 1949. Les Psélaphides de l'Afrique Orientale (Coleoptera). Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 29: 1-226 [41].

  Type genus:

   Proterus Raffray, 1897.

Introduction

Thirty-four genera are now placed in the Proterini. Previously this group was only known from Africa and the Oriental Region, but is now known from the Neotropical Region. This tribe is best characterized by the deep longitudinal sulcus and carina extending posteriorly from the subhumeral fovea along the flank of each elytron (Leleup 1986: 508), and the first visible sternite (III) being at least half as long as the second (IV) (Chandler 2001: 385).

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

PSELAPHIDAE: Pareuplectops Jeannel, 1957 [single Australian species removed to Euparops Kurbatov & Cuccodoro, 2009]

Diagnosis

Head with antennomeres I short; with dorsal postantennal pits or with postantennal setose slits distinct at lateral margins (Proterus Raffray and Pseudoterus Raffray with only thin black lines); with ocular-mandibular carinae, often with ocular-labial carinae; with gular foveae separated (Proterus with foveae close in deep pit). Pronotum with lateral margins often protruding or ridged in basal halves; paranotal carinae variably present. Elytra with subhumeral foveae, sulcus extending posteriorly from foveae above prominent marginal carina to elytral apices. Metacoxae protruding to flat at articulations with metatrochanters. Abdomen compressed and with distinct paratergites, or sometimes cylindrical with paratergites indistinguishably fused to tergites and sternites except for short lateral carinae on first two visible abdominal tergites (IV-V); 1 (IV) with deep basal sulcus. Visible sternite 1 (III) clearly visible, at least half as long as 2 (IV) at midline; 2 (IV) with deep basal sulcus. Tarsi with single claw, lacking posterior tarsal claws.

ID Keys

Key to Australian genera of Proterini (Chandler 2001: 386).

1. Pronotum with median impression or sulcus on disc, with thin median carina extending from base to antebasal impression; head lacking dorsal postantennal pits … Pseudoterus Raffray

Pronotum with disc convex, lacking median carina at pronotal base; head with dorsal postantennal pits … 2

2. (1) Abdomen lacking paratergites, lateral margins rounded; antennal clubs formed from apical three antennomeres; pronotal margins with tooth adjacent to lateral antebasal foveae … Pareuplectops Jeannel

Abdomen with angulate lateral margins, paratergites distinct and free for first three visible tergites (IV-VI); antennal clubs apparently formed by antennomeres XI; pronotal margins slightly concave adjacent to lateral antebasal foveae … Gnesion Raffray

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] [385]

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]

Leleup, N 1986. Mission entomologique du Dr. Ivan Löbl en Côte-d'Ivoire. Coleoptera Pselaphidae VII. Goniacerini et Proterini. Recueil Zoologique Suisse 93: 507-571

History of changes