The probable larva of an undescribed species of Edrabius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and its implications for the systematics of the tribe Amblyopinini.

Abstract

Larval staphylinids collected from the nest of the Chilean tuco-tuco, Ctenomys maulinus brunneus, are presumed to be those of an undescribed species of Edrabius, adults of which are known to occur on this host. These larvae are described and illustrations are provided for their identification. The larvae are characteristic of the subfamily Staphylininae; however, they do not have a combination of characteristics which allows unambiguous placement into one of the described tribes of this subfamily. Edrabius larvae share the greatest number of characteristics with larvae of the tribe Staphylinini, and, among these, with members of the subtribe Xanthopygina. Importantly, they differ from larvae of the tribe Quediini, to which the amblyopinines were believed to be related, in a number of significant ways. However, Edrabius may not be a part of a monophyletic lineage with the remainder of the South American amblyopinines.