Chilamblyopinus piceus, a new genus and species of amblyopinine (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from southern Chile, with a discussion of amblyopinine generic relationships

Abstract

Taxonomic history of staphylinid beetles of the tribe Amblyopinini is discussed. Chilamblyopinus piceus, a distinctive new genus and species, is described and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided. A key to currently recognized genera in the Amblyopinini is provided. A preliminary reevaluation of relationships among genera currently included in the Amblyopinini suggests that substantial changes in the classification may be required. Myotyphlus, which occurs in the Australian region, shares derived characters both with some members of the genus Quedius, which occur in the Australian region and with the amblyopinine genus Edrabius, which occurs in the Neotropics, as do all other amblyopinines. The monophyly of the lineage which includes these two genera is uncertain. Few characters other than structural reductions and association with mammalian hosts suggest that Myotyphlus and Edrabius are a part of a monophyletic lineage with other South American amblyopinines. In contrast, Amblyopinodes, Amblyopinus, Chilamblyopinus, and Megamblyopinus form a well supported monophyletic lineage of strictly South and Central American taxa. Chilamblyopinus appears to be the most basally derived. Megamblyopinus is a sister group to Amblyopinodes and Amblyopinus. Amblyopinodes is highly autapomorphic; however, Amblyopinus cannot be shown to be monophyletic, and may be a paraphyletic taxon in relation to Amblyopinodes. Additional characters and a more firmly established outgroup for the Amblyopinini as a whole are required for resolution of these problems.