Philonthus neoniger Solodovnikov, 2009

Solodovnikov, Alexey, 2009, Xanthopygoides niger Cameron, 1951 (Xanthopygina) belongs to the genus Philonthus Stephens, 1829 (Philonthina): systematic and nomenclatural changes for the African Staphylinini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Staphylinini), ZooKeys 5 (5), pp. 75-80 : 76-77

Philonthus neoniger Solodovnikov , nom. nov. Taxonomy

Philonthus neoniger (the original combination Xanthopygoides niger ) is here moved from the subtribe Xanthopygina to Philonthus , the type genus of the subtribe Philonthina . This transfer is based on the following complex of character states shared by P. neoniger with other members of Philonthus : lack of empodial setae; pronotal hypomeron with superior marginal line deflexed under anterior angle of pronotum, and inferior marginal line becoming obsolete near lateral margin of procoxal cavity, both lines not joining each other ( Fig. 2 ); prosternum fused to pronotum, notosternal sutures indistinct ( Fig. 2 ); no translucent postcoxal process of pronotal hypomeron ( Fig. 2 ); entire ligula; no infraorbital and mandibular ridges on head capsule. Such features of Philonthus neoniger as smooth pronotal disk with only one puncture in each of two dorsal “rows”, dense and rugose punctation of elytra and abdomen, and, especially, a rather peculiar shape of the aedeagus (Figs 3,4) allow it to be unambiguously placed in the subgenus Raucalius Tottenham, 1949 .

Members of the subtribe Xanthopygina , instead, are usually characterized by a complete postmandibular ridge; the inferior marginal line of pronotal hypomeron well separated from the superior marginal line, both lines continuing uninterrupted and separated along the prosternal margin. Also, unlike Philonthina , all members of Xanthopygina have a pair of empodial setae ( Smetana and Davies 2000).

Figures

Figs 2-4. Philonthus neoniger Solodovnikov, nom. nov. Details of structure: 2, prothorax (in vertral view, only left side illustrated, anterior leg removed); 3, aedeagus in dorsal (parameral) view (internal sac evert- ed); 4, aedeagus in lateral view (internal sac everted). Scale bar 1 mm.