Genus Liparocephalus Mäklin, 1853

[Japanese name: Oozu-umi-hanekakushi-zoku]

Liparocephalus Mäklin, 1853: 191 (original description, type species: L. brevipennis); Ahn, 1997: 80 (redescription, diagnosis, key to species); Maruyama & Ahn, 2000: 571 (key to males). For other references, see Ahn (1997).

Diagnosis. This genus can be easily distinguished from other Japanese genera of Liparocephalini by its robust and large body (Figs. 3A–C). The closest resemblance is observed in Diaulota . While the respective monophyly of Liparocephalus is supported (Ahn et al., 2010), differentiating it from Diaulota presents a challenge, with body size being the main distinguishing character. Nevertheless, our study has demonstrated that they can be distinguished based on the shape of their parameres, particularly the apical lobe. In Liparocephalus, it is a broad and triangular form (Figs. 2B & C), whereas in Diaulota, it appears slender and rectangular (Figs. 2E–G).

Distribution. Japan: Hokkaidô, Honshû, Shikoku, Kyûshû; Russia (Kuril Islands); Canada; USA.