Micropsephodes bahamaensis, a new species of Anamorphinae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae) from the Bahamas, with a key to the New World genera of Anamorphinae

A new species of anamorphine endomychid, Micropsephodes bahamaensis Shockley is described from a small series of 3 specimens collected on North Andros Island in the Bahamas. Besides being the only species known from the Bahamas, M. bahamaensis is readily recognizable from its congeners based on its much larger size, more elongate habitus and features of the galeae and maxillary palpomere IV. Keys to the known species of Micropsephodes and to the adults of the genera of Anamorphinae that occur in the Western Hemisphere are provided

Discolomopsis dominicana : a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber

Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), is described and illustrated based on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicana sp. nov. is designated as the type species for the genus

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

\u3ci\u3eMicropsephodes bahamaensis\u3c/i\u3e, a new species of Anamorphinae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae) from the Bahamas, with a key to the New World genera of Anamorphinae

A new species of anamorphine endomychid, Micropsephodes bahamaensis Shockley is described from a small series of 3 specimens collected on North Andros Island in the Bahamas. Besides being the only species known from the Bahamas, M. bahamaensis is readily recognizable from its congeners based on its much larger size, more elongate habitus and features of the galeae and maxillary palpomere IV. Keys to the known species of Micropsephodes and to the adults of the genera of Anamorphinae that occur in the Western Hemisphere are provided

\u3ci\u3eDiscolomopsis dominicana\u3c/i\u3e, a new genus and species of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) from Dominican amber

Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), is described and illustrated based on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicana sp. nov. is designated as the type species for the genus

Glesirhanis bercioi, a new genus and species from Baltic amber (Coleoptera: Endomychidae: Leiestinae) with a checklist and nomenclatural notes regarding fossil Endomychidae

Shockley, Floyd W., Alekseev, Vitaly I. (2014): Glesirhanis bercioi, a new genus and species from Baltic amber (Coleoptera: Endomychidae: Leiestinae) with a checklist and nomenclatural notes regarding fossil Endomychidae. Zootaxa 3755 (4): 391-400, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3755.4.

Delphastus hirtulus Kirsch, new combination

<i>Delphastus hirtulus</i> (Kirsch), new combination <p>Figs. 2–5, 9</p> <p> <i>Alexia hirtula</i> Kirsch, 1876: 132. (in part)</p> <p> <i>Rhymbus hirtula</i> (Kirsch): Csiki, 1901: 42. (in part) <i>Rhymbus hirtulus</i> (Kirsch): Csiki, 1910: 53. (in part) <i>Bystus hirtulus</i> (Kirsch): Strohecker, 1953: 22. (in part)</p> <p> <b>Type material.</b> Lectotype (here designated to ensure nomenclatural stability): “Poznzn [<i>sic</i>, apparent misspelling of Pozuzu, a river in Peru] Coll Kirsch [green label] / Typus [red label] / Staatl. Museum für Tierkunde, Dresden / Lectotype <i>Alexia hirtula</i> Kirsch, 1876, des. F.W. Shockley & N.J. Vandenberg, 2010 [red label]” (male). Paralectotypes: 3, all with identical labels, “Pozuzu Coll. Kirsch [green labels] / Staatl. Museum für Tierkunde, Dresden / Paralectotype <i>Alexia hirtula</i> Kirsch, 1876 [yellow labels].” Additional labels have been added to differentiate among the 3 paralectotypes: 1, a disarticulated, cleared specimen, returned in genitalia vial on original pin, “#1 / <i>Delphastus hirtulus</i> (Kirsch), 1876, det. F.W. Shockley & N.J. Vandenberg, 2010” (female); 1, an intact point-mounted specimen, “#2 / <i>Microscymnus</i> n.sp., det. F.W. Shockley & N.J. Vandenberg, 2010” (male); and 1, a partial point-mounted specimen lacking head, thorax and one elytron, “#3 / Scotocryptini (Leiodidae), probably <i>Aglyptinus</i> sp., det. F.W. Shockley & N.J. Vandenberg, 2010” (sex not determined) (SMTD).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Delphastus hirtulus</i> can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of a short clypeus (Fig. 2) and distinctly punctate elytra bearing long erect hairlike setae sparsely distributed over the dorsal surfaces (Fig. 9), and the presence of a dense patch of short, decumbent setae on the lateral margin of the elytra beginning just above the epipleural fovea for reception of the metafemoral apex (Fig. 4). <i>Delphastus anthracinus</i> Gordon resembles this species in dorsal color pattern, vestiture, and general body form, but can be easily distinguished by the elongate clypeus which lends a nearly triangular shape to the head (Fig. 1). <i>Delphastus hirtulus</i> can be distinguished from other “micrococcinellidae” of the New World by the traits mentioned above together with the generic characteristics of an expanded prosternum concealing the mouthparts, angulate tibiae, trimerous tarsi, and antennal club composed of a single elongate segment.</p> <p> <b>Redescription. Lectotype (male).</b> Length 1.5 mm, width 1.0 mm. Form ovoid, slightly elongate, broadest in basal half, tapered posteriorly (Figs. 3–5). Color on dorsal surfaces deep reddish brown, nearly black, paler reddish brown near anterior and lateral margins of pronotum; head orange-brown; venter dark reddish brown except lighter brown on abdominal ventrites II–V, especially near external margins; appendages yellow brown. Dorsal surfaces polished, shiny, distinctly punctate, with sparse pubescence consisting of long erect to suberect yellowish hairlike setae; dense patch of shorter decumbent hairlike setae near lateral margin of elytron in apical 2/3. Head (Fig. 2) transverse, oval, tapered toward clypeus, evenly convex in lateral view (Fig. 4), weakly opisthognathous in repose, with intermixed fine and coarse punctures mostly concentrated in band between eyes (Fig. 2), with few decumbent hairs present (specimen apparently abraded); clypeus short, shallowly arcuate, projecting beyond ventral cusp of emargination for antennal insertions by about 1/4 distance separating ventral cusps. Pronotum with unevenly scattered, intermixed fine and coarse punctures; punctures separated by less than one to several puncture diameters; with scattered decumbent to erect hairlike setae. Elytron with disc evenly punctate; punctures fine, separated by 3– 5 times their diameter; some punctures bearing long, erect, hairlike seta ¾ or more length of lateral pronotal margin, estimated number of setae 65, of which only about a dozen remain due to abrasion (see setal map Fig 9 and description based on paralectotype, below), remaining punctures each bearing microseta scarcely projecting beyond rim of puncture; dense elongate pubescent patch of more than 20 short decumbent setae near lateral margin beginning just above epipleural fovea for reception of metafemoral apex, continued posteriorly to area above hind margin of 4th abdominal ventrite (Fig. 4); lateral margin of elytron slightly undulate, with weakly raised lateral bead; epipleuron with depression for reception of mid-, hind femora. Prosternum convex with anterior margin arcuate, with few very fine scattered punctures. Meso-, metasternum obscured by glue and paper point. Abdomen with intercoxal process of ventrite I with few fine scattered punctures; ventrites II–IV finely rugostriate; ventrite V with narrow rugostriate band near base, remainder polished with moderately coarse scattered setiferous punctures separated by 3–5 times their diameter; each seta about ¼ to 1/3 length of segment along midline. Meso-, metatibiae with median cusplike angulation on outer margin of ventral face.</p> <p> <b>Paralectotype #1 (female).</b> Similar to male except head, pronotum entirely dark reddish brown, nearly black. Dissection and clearing provided the following information not observable in the point-mounted, undissected lectotype. Elytron with approximately 65 punctures each bearing long erect hairlike seta ¾ or more length of lateral pronotal margin (count based on scattered remaining setae and setal bases of broken setae, Fig. 9), forming about 7 striae: 4 uniseriate discal striae, 2–3 somewhat confused marginal/submarginal striae; lateral patch of short decumbent setae not seen (apparently abraded). Mesosternum with shallow intermediate-sized punctures. Metasternum with coarse to intermediate-sized punctures separated by less than to 5 times their diameter; punctures more deeply impressed in median half of sclerite, nearly obsolete laterally. Details of female genitalia not clearly observed in dissection.</p> <p> <b>Original Latin description (Kirsch 1876):</b> <i>“Subhemisphaerica, nigra, capite prothoracisque lateribus saepe rufescentibus, hujus angulis posticis subrectis, scutello triangulari; elytris levissime parce punctatis, pilis longis erectis sparse obsitis pedibus flavis. Long. 1½, lat. 1 Mill.”</i> (English translation: Subhemispherical, black; head and prothorax with sides often reddish, its [the prothorax’] hind angles nearly straight [=right angled]; scutellum triangular, elytra very sparsely punctate, everywhere sparsely covered with long erect hairs; legs yellow. Length 1 ½, width 1 mm.)</p>Published as part of <i>Shockley, Floyd W. & Vandenberg, Natalia J., 2011, Notes on the taxonomic identity of Bystus hirtulus (Kirsch) and transfer from Endomychidae to Coccinellidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), with designation of a lectotype for Alexia hirtula Kirsch, pp. 62-68 in Zootaxa 2868</i> on pages 64-65, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/201518">10.5281/zenodo.201518</a&gt

Phylogeny and classification of Cucujoidea and the recognition of a new superfamily Coccinelloidea (Coleoptera: Cucujiformia)

A large-scale phylogenetic study is presented for Cucujoidea (Coleoptera), a diverse superfamily of beetles that historically has been taxonomically difficult. This study is the most comprehensive analysis of cucujoid taxa to date, with DNA sequence data sampled from eight genes (four nuclear, four mitochondrial) for 384 coleopteran taxa, including exemplars of 35 (of 37) families and 289 genera of Cucujoidea. Maximum-likelihood analyses of these data present many significant relationships, some proposed previously and some novel. Tenebrionoidea and Lymexyloidea are recovered together and Cleroidea forms the sister group to this clade. Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea are recovered as sister taxa and this clade (Phytophaga) forms the sister group to the core Cucujoidea (Cucujoidea s.n.). The nitidulid series is recovered as the earliest-diverging core cucujoid lineage, although the earliest divergences among core Cucujoidea are only weakly supported. The cerylonid series (CS) is recovered as monophyletic and is supported as a major Cucujiform clade, sister group to the remaining superfamilies of Cucujiformia. Currently recognized taxa that were not recovered as monophyletic include Cucujoidea, Endomychidae, Cerylonidae and Bothrideridae. Biphyllidae and Byturidae were recovered in Cleroidea. The remaining Cucujoidea were recovered in two disparate major clades: one comprising the nitidulid series + erotylid series + Boganiidae and Hobartiidae + cucujid series, and the other comprising the cerylonid series. Propalticidae are recovered within Laemophloeidae. The cerylonid series includes two major clades, the bothriderid group and the coccinellid group. Akalyptoischiidae are recovered as a separate clade from Latridiidae. Eupsilobiinae are recovered as the sister taxon to Coccinellidae. In light of these findings, many formal changes to cucujiform beetle classification are proposed. Biphyllidae and Byturidae are transferred to Cleroidea. The cerylonid series is formally recognized as a new superfamily, Coccinelloidea stat.n. Current subfamilies elevated (or re-elevated) to family status include: Murmidiidae stat.n., Teredidae stat.n., Euxestidae stat.n., Anamorphidae stat.rev., Eupsilobiidae stat.n., and Mycetaeidae stat.n. The following taxa are redefined and characterized: Cleroidea s.n., Cucujoidea s.n., Cerylonidae s.n., Bothrideridae s.n., Endomychidae s.n. A new subfamily, Cyclotominae stat.n., is described. Stenotarsinae syn.n. is formally subsumed within a new concept of Endomychinae s.n