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Issue: Vol. 5750 No. 3: 21 Jan. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-01-21
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5750.3.5
Page range: 400-414
Abstract views: 26
PDF downloaded: 1

Myrmecophily in focus: taxonomy and systematics of Termitoquedius Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Staphylinini) with descriptions of two new species

Laboratorio de Entomología; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA); CCT CONICET Mendoza; Argentina; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Naturales; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Buenos Aires; Argentina
CONICET; División Entomología; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Buenos Aires; Argentina
Laboratorio de Entomología; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA); CCT CONICET Mendoza; Argentina
Coleoptera Atlantic Forest incertae sedis Neotropical region Philonthina Tropical Andes Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena

Abstract

The genus Termitoquedius Bernhauer, 1912 (Staphylininae: Staphylinini) comprises myrmecophilous rove beetles with a Neotropical distribution. Until recently, it included only two species from Brazil recorded in association with army ants of the genus Eciton Latreille, 1804. Recent phylogenetic analyses have assessed its systematic placement, initially recovering the genus as incertae sedis within Staphylinini and later placing it within the Neotropical lineage of the subtribe Philonthina (Staphylinini). Based on this phylogenetic evidence, Termitoquedius is formally transferred to Philonthina, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of myrmecophily within the subtribe. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for its type species, Termitoquedius iheringi Bernhauer, 1912. Two new species are described: Termitoquedius ecitonis sp. nov. from Peru and Termitoquedius andinus sp. nov. from Bolivia. These, along with additional records from Colombia and Ecuador, represent the first records of the genus for these four countries. A taxonomic key, diagnostic characters, descriptions or redescriptions, illustrations, and a distributional map are also provided for all Termitoquedius species treated in herein.

 

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How to Cite

Rodríguez-Melgarejo, M., Marvaldi, A.E. & Chani-Posse, M. (2026) Myrmecophily in focus: taxonomy and systematics of Termitoquedius Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Staphylinini) with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa, 5750 (3), 400–414. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.3.5