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Type: Article
Published: 2013-10-22
Page range: 245–266
Abstract views: 41
PDF downloaded: 5

Revision of Neotropical genera Microraphes Franz, Heteroscydmus Franz and Mimoscydmus Franz (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Museum of Natural History, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland.
Insecta Coleoptera Staphylinidae Scydmaeninae Cyrtoscydmini Microraphes Heteroscydmus Mimoscydmus Amimoscydmus Microscydmus Neotropical taxonomy

Abstract

Neotropical ant-like stone beetle genera Microraphes Franz, Heteroscydmus Franz and Mimoscydmus Franz are revised. Microraphes pygmaeus Franz, Heteroscydmus yapacariensis Franz and Mimoscydmus brasiliensis Franz are redescribed; Mimoscydmus baruerii Franz is transferred to a new genus Amimoscydmus gen. nov., resulting in Amimoscydmus baruerii (Franz) comb. nov. Together with the large genus Microscydmus Saulcy & Croissandeau all these taxa comprise the smallest known Cyrtoscydmini, with the body length typically below 1 mm, and often as small as nearly half a millimeter. All treated genera are redefined, and morphological structures of all species are illustrated. Unusual transformations of the ventral prothoracic structures found in this group of Scydmaeninae are discussed as putative effects of miniaturization.