A big phylogenomic tree with bigger taxonomic implications for the world's biggest rove beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylinini, Platydracus-group)

Abstract

We conducted the first comprehensive systematic study of the rove beetle genera forming the Platydracus group within the subtribe Staphylinina, based on Anchored Hybrid Enrichment phylogenomics targeting 1229 loci and 138 terminal taxa with a post-analysis assessment of morphological characters. We confirmed the monophyly of this globally distributed group of 400+ described species of large and striking predatory rove beetles, further adjusted its composition and reclassified its species into 12 monophyletic genera. Four new genera are described: Bubastis gen. nov., Lunata gen. nov. (with L. mirabilis sp. nov.), Attadracus gen. nov. and Primor gen. nov. (with P. ater sp. nov.). The composition of several genera was changed, resulting in numerous new combinations. Additionally, we propose the following new synonyms: Leistotrophus Perty stat. rev. [= Ontholestes Ganglbauer syn. nov.]; Philetaerius Sharp stat. rev. [= Thoracostrongylus Bernhauer syn. nov.]; Platydracus Thomson, C. G. stat. rev. [= Bafutella Levasseur syn. nov., Boothia Rougemont syn. nov., Euristus Fauvel syn. nov., Pancarpius Bondroit syn. nov., Paragastrisus Bernhauer syn. nov., Saniderus Fauvel syn. nov., Chaetodracus Müller, G. (subgenus of Platydracus) syn. nov., Nesiolinus Bernhauer (subgenus of Platydracus) syn. nov., Paraplatydracus Levasseur (subgenus of Platydracus) syn. nov., Poikilodracus Scheerpeltz (subgenus of Platydracus) syn. nov.]. Lastly, Chitocompsus Bernhauer stat. rev. [=Tropoplatydracus Levasseur (subgenus of Platydracus) syn. nov.], formerly a subgenus of Platydracus, was raised to genus level. Morphological diagnoses, using newly found and well-illustrated characters, accompany each genus account. A key to the groups of genera within Staphylinina and to all genera within the Platydracus group is presented.