Thaumastodinae Champion, 1924

Yoshitomi, Hiroyuki, 2019, Review of the Asian Thaumastodinae (Coleoptera, Byrrhoidea, Limnichidae), with a phylogeny of the genera, European Journal of Taxonomy 583, pp. 1-45 : 4-6

Subfamily Thaumastodinae Champion, 1924

Thaumastodinae Champion, 1924a: 25

(type genus: Thaumastodus Champion, 1924 [junior synonym of Pseudeucinetus Heller, 1921 ]).

Thaumastodinae – Spilman 1959: 111; 1972: 113 [key to genera]. — Skelley 2005: 119.

Diagnosis

Body elongate to oblong, slightly shining, closely covered with short suberect setae. Eyes ( Fig. 2 ) large, situated on dorso-lateral parts of head, separated narrowly on vertex. Antennae short to relatively short, 7- or 11-segmented, compactly articulated in terminal 6 antennomeres. Basal margin of elytra not crenulate. Tarsal formula 4-4-4 or 4-5-5. Hind legs long, capable of jumping; hind tibiae bearing spines. Sexual dimorphism distinct in fore tarsi (genus Pseudeucinetus ) or in sternite VII.

Key to genera of the subfamily Thaumastodinae

1. Tarsal formula 4-5–5; legs long and slender; antennal insertions situated near eyes ( Fig. 2A ); metaventrite short, not covering metacoxa ( Fig. 3A ); in freshwater environments; Oriental Region................................................................................................. Acontosceles Champion, 1924

– Tarsal formula 4-4-4; legs long and stout; antennal insertions situated near mandibles ( Fig. 2C, E ); metaventrite projecting posteriorly, covering metacoxa ( Fig. 3B ); in both fresh- and saltwater environments...................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Frons distinctly projecting anteriorly, narrow ( Fig. 2 E–F); male fore tarsi enlarged ( Fig. 3E ); in freshwater environments; Oriental Region............................................ Pseudeucinetus Heller, 1921

– Frons gently projecting anteriorly, wide ( Fig. 2 C–D); male fore tarsi normal; on rocky seashores ... ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

3. Antennae 7-segmented; antennal groove on gena absent; Neotropical Region................................... ..................................................................................................................... Martinius Spilman, 1959

– Antennae 11-segmented; antennal groove on gena present; Neotropical and Oriental Regions......... ......................................................................................................................... Mexico Spilman, 1972

Figures

Fig. 2. Head in frontal (A, C, E) and lateral (B, D, F) views. A, D. Acontosceles chujoi Yoshitomi & Satô, 2005. B, E. Mexico masamii (Satô, 1994). C, F. Pseudeucinetus zygops Heller, 1921.

Fig. 3. Metacoxal plates (A–B), hind tibiae (C–D) and male protarsus (E). A, C. Acontosceles chujoi Yoshitomi & Satô, 2005. B, D. Mexico taiwanus (Satô, 1994). E. Pseudeucinetus zygops Heller, 1921.