Tribe Trogastrini Jeannel, 1949

Museums

Regional Maps

• Trogastrini Jeannel, R. 1949. Les Psélaphides de l'Afrique Orientale (Coleoptera). Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 29: 1-226 [75].

  Type genus:

   Trogaster Sharp, 1874.

Introduction

Four genera of Trogastrini are known from Australia, with three of these being placed in the Trogastrina, and a genus is placed in the Rhexiina for the only collection of this group outside of the New World. Twenty-five genera are known for the world (Chandler 2001: 85).

Diagnosis

Head often transverse; genae often convexly swollen, covered with dense beard of setae; first antennomeres at least as long as next two combined, often geniculate at junction between first and second antennomeres. Prosternum elongate, often broadly and shallowly impressed laterally to receive genae of head when head deflexed; procoxae elongate, at least twice as long as wide. Elytra with apicolateral locking notch. Basic mesothoracic foveal pattern: two separate median mesosternal foveae; simple lateral mesosternal foveae overlapping at apices. Abdomen with small paratergites adjacent to tergite IV. Legs with posterior tarsal claws reduced, spiniform to setiform.

ID Keys

Key to Genera.

1. Pronotum long, constricted near apex to form distinct neck, paranotal carinae clearly curved in lateral view (Rhexiina) … Austrorhexius Chandler

Pronotum broadly rounded at apex, not forming neck, paranotal carinae straight or slightly curved in lateral view (Trogastrina) … 2

2. (1) Head venter broadly concave, lacking gular/genal brush of setae; discal stria reaching elytral midpoint … Tomeplasus Chandler

Head with genal areas of venter convex, with dense genal brush of setae; elytra lacking discal stria … 3

3. (2) Head base obliquely sloping beneath pronotum in lateral view, basolateral angles truncate in dorsal view; head as wide as pronotum; visible tergite 1 (IV) of abdomen longer than length of 2-3 (V-VI) together … Platomesus Chandler

Head with basal angles nearly square in lateral view, basolateral angles broadly rounded in dorsal view; head narrower than pronotum; visible tergite 1 (IV) of abdomen shorter than length of 2-3 (V-VI) together … Mesoplatus 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] [84]

Jeannel, R. 1950. Coléoptères Psélaphides. Faune de France. Paris : Lechevalier Vol. 53 iii 421 pp. [146]

Jeannel, R. 1955. Les Psélaphides de l'Afrique australe. Mémoires du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] ns, Série A: Zoologie 9: 1-196 [61]

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