Acanthoglossa hirta ( KRAATZ 1859)

Assing, V., 2009, On the identity of some Acanthoglossa and Hypomedon species, primarily from the Mediterranean region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 41 (2), pp. 1161-1173 : 1166-1167

Acanthoglossa hirta ( KRAATZ 1859) ( Figs 8-13 )

Acanthoglossa hirta KRAATZ 1859: 144 f. T y p e m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Lectotype ♀: "158 / Ceylan / Acanthogl. hirta Kr. / Holotypus / coll. Kraatz / coll. DEI Müncheberg / Lectotypus ♀ Acanthoglossa hirta Kraatz , rev. V. Assing 2009" (SDEI). A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d 1♀, "Sumatra" (SDEI); 1♀, NE Sumatra,

Tebing-tinggi, leg. Schultheiss ( SDEI) ; 233, 1♀, South Korea, Jejudo, 5.V.1983, leg. Kwang

Seob Lee (cSch, cAss).

C o m m e n t s: The original description of A. hirta , the type species of Acanthoglossa KRAATZ 1859 , is based on an unspecified number of syntypes without specification of locality ( KRAATZ 1859). One of these syntypes, a female, is deposited in the Kraatz collection at the SDEI. In using the term " Holotypus " for this specimen in a type catalogue, GAEDIKE (1981) unintentionally designated it as the lectotype. The habitus, the labrum, the labium, and the male sexual characters of the lectotype and additional specimens from Sumatra and South Korea are illustrated in Figs 8-11 .

According to SMETANA (2004), Acanthoglossa is currently attributed to the subtribe Acanthoglossina . This subtribe was originally established (as Acanthoglossi) by COIFFAIT (1982), who included two genera, Acanthoglossa and Chloecharis LYNCH ARRIBÁLZAGA 1884, today a junior synonym of Hypomedon MULSANT & REY 1878 . SMETANA (2004), however, lists Hypomedon in the subtribe Medonina . According to COIFFAIT (1982), the Acanthoglossina are distinguished from other subtribes of the Paederini by the morphology of the labium. Based on the present study, these differences are not confirmed and a separation of Acanthoglossina from Medonina seems unjustified. I have been unable to find any significant differences suggesting that Acanthoglossa should be the sister group or a more distant relative of the Medonina . Consequently, Acanthoglossina is placed in synonymy with Medonina . Moreover, based on an examination of the external morphology, the shape of the labrum, and the morphology of the aedeagus, Cephisus orientis, Acanthoglossa longipennis , and A. deserticola are undoubtedly congeneric. Also, Acanthoglossa deserticola is highly similar to the genotype of Acanthoglossa , A. hirta . The only difference in the mouthparts between the genotypes of Acanthoglossa and Cephisella is the number of long lateral setae on the labium ( A. hirta : one on either side, C. orientis: two or three on either side). These findings suggest that all the above species are congeneric, that consequently they should all be attributed to the senior name Acanthoglossa , and that Cephisella represents a junior synonym of Acanthoglossa .

As far as the generic affiliations of the Mediterranean species currently attributed to Acanthoglossa, Cephisella , and also Hypomedon are concerned, several additional problems remain:

1. The morphology of the labrum (anterior margin in the middle sinuate, but not dentate), the ventral aspect of the head (gular sutures widely separated) and other external characters of Hypomedon debilicornis (WOLLASTON 1857) , type species of Hypomedon , and H. galilaeus ( BORDONI 1980) are similar to those of Acanthoglossa orientis and A. hirta . Also, in other respects, no significant differences were observed suggesting that they should belong to different genera. The main morphological differences (habitus, length of elytra, microsculpture, etc.) may be attributable to intrageneric variation. However, this should be clarified in the context of a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genera of Medonina .

2. Based on the morphology of the labrum (anterior margin clearly dentate on either side of median excision) and of the aedeagus, Acanthoglossa rufa KRAATZ 1859 , a species recently referred to Cephisella (see LECOQ 1986) and recorded also from Oman ( ASSING 2008b), is evidently not congeneric with Acanthoglossa hirta . Its true generic affiliations are unknown.

Figures

Figs 8-13: Acanthoglossa hirta KRAATZ (8-9, 10: syntype): (8) habitus; (9) forebody; (10) labium; (11) labrum; (12) male sternite VIII; (13) aedeagus in lateral view. Scale bars: 8: 1.0 mm; 9: 0.5 mm; 12: 0.2 mm; 10-11, 13: 0.1 mm.