Phytosus filiformis MOTSCHULSKY, 1860: 587 MULSANT & REY, 1873 BONDROIT, 1913: 299 BENICK, 1953: 60 BENICK, 1953: 61 BENICK, 1953: 62 BENICK, 1953: 63 M. apicalis BENICK, 1953: 68 BENICK, 1953: 69 BENICK, 1953: 72 BENICK, 1953: 72 BENICK, 1953: 73 SCHEERPELTZ, 1954a: 152 M. apicalis Meotica gerhardlinkei SCHEERPELTZ MUONA (1991) The mother of synonyms: on the Meotica species of the Palaearctic Region (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Oxypodini) Assing, Volker Vogel, Jürgen Linzer biologische Beiträge 2019 2019-12-20 51 2 731 772 72ZKY (MOTSCHULSKY, 1860) MOTSCHULSKY 1860 [151,587,1347,1370] Insecta Staphylinidae Meotica Animalia Coleoptera 6 737 Arthropoda species filiformis   ( Figs 1-5)     Phytosus filiformis  MOTSCHULSKY, 1860: 587f.    Meotica capitalis MULSANT & REY, 1873: 176 f.; nov.syn.    Meotica soniae  BONDROIT, 1913: 299; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica orbicularis  BENICK, 1953: 60f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica apicalis  BENICK, 1953: 61f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica hoelzeli  BENICK, 1953: 62f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica clavata  BENICK, 1953: 63f.; synonymy with  M. apicalisby BENICK (1968).    Meotica ermischi  BENICK, 1953: 68f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica foveolata  BENICK, 1953: 69f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica globulosa  BENICK, 1953: 72; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica fageli  BENICK, 1953: 72f.; nov.syn.    Meotica bohemica  BENICK, 1953: 73f.; synonymy with M. capitalisby VOGEL (1991).    Meotica bucephala  SCHEERPELTZ, 1954a: 152; synonymy with  M. apicalisby MUONA (1991).    Meotica gerhardlinkeiSCHEERPELTZ, in litt.: see  MUONA (1991).  Type material examined:   M. orbicularis: Holotype ♂: "♂ / Carlshafen,  30.X.32, Hess. [word illegible] Folwaczny /  Meotica orbicularisG. BckTypus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 / Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing2018" ( MHNG).   M. apicalis:  Syntypes: 1♀: " ♀/ M. Pfaundler, Birket  IV.41/  Meotica apicalis ♀G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing2018" ( MHNG);  1♂: " ♂/ Geesthacht, Oberelbe,  9.4.52Dr. Lohse /  Meotica apicalis ♂G. Benick Typus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017/  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing2018" ( MHNG).   M. hoelzeli:  Lectotype♂, present designation: " ♂/ Steiermark, Wind. Bühel, 4.79 Hölzel /  Meotica Hölzeli ♂G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick /  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 / Lectotypus ♂  Meotica hoelzeliBenick, desig. V. Assing 2018 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing2018" ( MHNG).   M. clavata:  Lectotype ♂, present designation: "Kongsvinger, A. Strand /  Meotica clavata ♂ G. BckTypus / Coll. G. Benick /  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 / Lectotypus ♂  Meotica clavataBenick,desig. V. Assing 2018 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing2018" ( MHNG).  Paralectotype ♀: same data as holotype.   M. ermischi:  Holotype ♀: " ♀/ Umgeb. Düsseldorf, K. Ermisch / Meerer Busch, 20.11.84, Schilf /  Meotica ErmischiG. BckTypus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).   M. foveolata:  Holotype♂: "♂ / Ammendorf, 1.5.17, F. Bischof /  Meotica foveolataG. BckTypus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).   M. globulosa:  Holotype ♀: " ♀/ Nordtirol, Pechlaner / Thierburg, 8.11.36 /  Meotica globulosa♂ G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).   M. fageli:  Syntype ♀[?] [dissected prior to present study; primary sexual characters missing]: "For. de Soignes, Quatre-Bras,  8-vii-1947, G. Fagel /  Meotica Fageli♂ G. Bck Typus / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).   M. bohemica:  Holotype♂ [dissected prior to the present study; aedeagus missing]: "♂/ Bilichov. 1.V.913, Bohemia. col. A. Procházka/  Meotica bohemica♂ G. Bck typus [sic] / Coll. G. Benick/  Meotica filiformisdet. J. Vogel, 2017 /  Meotica filiformis(Motschulsky), det. V. Assing 2018" ( MHNG).  Additional material examined:  SWEDEN: 1♀, Ystadtenv., Sövde,  2.I.1984, leg. Assing(cAss). SPAIN: 1♂, Aragón, Sierra de Albarracín, 1968 (?), leg. Franz(cVog).   FRANCE: 2♀♀, Moret-sur-Loing, Fontainebleauenv., 1884, leg. Royer(cVog);  1♀, Orval,  20.VI.1955, leg. Derenne( MHNG); 1♂, Alpes-Maritimes, Caille,  20.III.and IV.1959, leg. Ochs( MHNG);  1♀, Alpes-Maritimes, Péoneenv., Valberg,  V.1954, leg. Ochs( MHNG).   BELGIUM: 1♂, Huy( Ben-Ahin),  19.IV.1949, leg. Fagel(cVog); 1♂, Ardennes, Seilles,  19.VIII.1945, leg. Fagel( MHNG).  GERMANY: numerous specimens from numerous localities.   SWITZERLAND: 1♂, Genèveenv.,  22.X.1962, leg. Besuchet(cVog);  1 ex., Genève, Veyrier, 1968, leg. Besuchet( MHNG);  1 ex., Genève, La Laire, 1964, leg. Comellini( MHNG);  1 ex., Jura, Le Noirmont, 1973, leg. Besuchet( MHNG);  Vaud, Saint-Livres, 1965, leg. Toumayeff( MHNG);  1 ex., Luzern, Flühli,  8.V.1992, leg. Kiener( NMB);  1 ex., Bern, Thörishaus,  13.VII.1992, leg. Kiener( NMB).   AUSTRIA: T i r o l: 1 ex., Forchach,  22.IV.1941, leg. Kofler( TLMF),  1 ex., Angerberg,  15.IV.1962, leg. Zschästak( TLMF);  1 ex., Kramsach,  17.VI.1983, leg. Kahlen( TLMF). Niederösterreich: 1♂, 1♀, Erbreichsdorf, 1941, leg. Franz( MHNG); 1♂, Orth an der Donau, Donauauen, 1966, leg. Franz(cVog); 1♂, Langenzersdorf, leg. Mandl(cVog);  2 exs., Baumgarten an der March,  2.IV.1994, leg. Kahlen( TLMF);  2 exs., Marchegg, 28.II. &  1.IV.1994, leg. Kahlen( TLMF). Burgenland: 1♀, Zurndorf, 1926, leg. Franz(cVog). Steiermark: 1♀, Grazenv.,  27.II.1992, leg Kreissl(cVog).  Comment:  Meotica capitaliswas described based on type material from Lyon and is the type species of the genus group name CryptusaMULSANT & REY, 1873, originally established as a subgenus of  Meotica. This type material was looked for, but not found in the Rey collection. The only specimen from Lyon located in this collection is conspecific with  M. apicalis( MUONA 1979), which is now a junior synonym of  M. filiformis(NIKIKITSKY et al. 1998). MUONA (1979)suggested that "the name  Meotica capitalisshould not be used any more, as its identity can no longer be determined". Such an appeal, however, is taxonomically meaningless; the name is currently listed as a nomen dubium in the Palaearctic Catalogue (SCHÜLKE & SMETANA 2015). We conclude that the original type material is conspecific with the non-type specimen from Lyon, which, according to MUONA (1979), belongs to  M. apicalis. It follows that M. capitalisis a junior synonym of  M. filiformisand Cryptusaa junior synonym of  Meotica.  In the description of M. orbicularis, which is based on a unique specimen from "Carlshafen (Weser)", BENICK (1953)tentatively sexed the holotypeas a female. The specimen is in fact a male and conspecific with  M. filiformis. The original description of  M apicalisis based on "Typen" from "Geesthacht Oberelbe" and "Birket b. München", as well as on additional material from " Burgenland: Zurndorf, Wolfratshausen und Grünwald .... Geramis ( Tirol), Schleissheim b. München, Rheinprovinz (Hild. Heide), Schellbruch b. Lübeck, Schönberg, Mecklenburg" and " Kärnten" ( BENICK 1953). The examined syntypesconfirm that the previously established synonymy with  M. filiformisis correct.   Meotica hoelzeliwas described based on "ein Pärchen" from "Windisch-Bühel, Steiermark" ( BENICK 1953). The examined male is designated as the lectotypeand conspecific with  M. filiformis.   Meotica clavatawas described based on "ein Pärchen" from "Kongsvinger in [sic] nördlichen Norwegen" ( BENICK 1953). The examined male is designated as the lectotypeand conspecific with  M. filiformis. The original description of M. ermischiis based on a unique female collected "bei Düsseldorf in [sic] Meerer Busch" ( BENICK 1953). The holotypeis conspecific with  M. filiformis. In the description of M. foveolata, which is based on a unique specimen from "Ammendorf", BENICK (1953)tentatively sexed the holotypeas a male. The specimen is in fact a male and conspecific with  M. filiformis. In the original description of M. globulosawhich is based on a unique specimen from "Thierburg in der Nähe Innsbrucks", BENICK (1953)erroneously sexed the holotypeas a male. An examination of this specimen revealed that it is in fact a female and conspecific with  M. filiformis.   Meotica fageliwas described based on two syntypesfrom "Forêt de Soignes bei Quatre-Bras" which BENICK (1953)sexed as a male and a female and of which he retained the former. The syntypein the Benick collection was dissected prior to the present revision and the genitalia are missing. Nevertheless, based on external characters, the specimen is conspecific with  M. filiformis. In the original description of  M. bohemica, which is based on a unique specimen from "Bilichow, Bohemia", BENICK (1953)erroneously sexed the holotypeas a female. An examination of this specimen confirmed the previously established synonymy.  Diagnosis: Body usually dark-coloured. ♂: sternite VIII ( Fig. 1) strongly transverse, with weakly convex posterior margin; median lobe of aedeagus ( Figs 2-3) approximately 0.3 mm long and of distinctive shape; ventral process stout in lateral view; apical lobe of paramere blackish.  ♀: posterior margin of sternite VIII strongly convex ( Fig. 4); spermatheca of distinctive shape ( Fig. 5).  Confirmed distribution: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, British Isles, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Ukraine. 4853681357 1932-10-30 MHNG Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel & V. Assing Hess Carlshafen 7 738 2 2 holotype 2595615574 1941-04 MHNG Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel & V. Assing Meotica Birket 7 738 1 1 syntype 2595615663 1952-04-09 MHNG Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel & V. Assing Oberelbe Geesthacht 7 738 1 1 syntype 4853681320 MHNG G. Bck & V. Assing J. Vogel & V. Assing Holzel / Meotica Holzeli Wind. Buhel 7 738 3 3 Steiermark lectotype 2595619897 MHNG G. Bck & V. Assing J. Vogel & V. Assing Coll. G. Benick / Meotica Kongsvinger, A. Strand / Meotica 7 738 3 3 lectotype 4853681317 [151,516,731,753] 7 738 2595615566 MHNG K. Ermisch & Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel 7 738 2 2 holotype 2595615550 MHNG Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel 7 738 1 holotype 2595615536 MHNG G. Bck Typus & Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel 7 738 2 2 holotype 2595615686 1947-07-08 MHNG Coll. G. Benick J. Vogel For. de Soignes Quatre-Bras 7 738 1 1 syntype 2595615624 MHNG A. Prochazka & Coll. G. Benick Czech Republic J. Vogel Bohemia 7 738 1 holotype 4853681337 1984-01-02 Assing Sweden Ystadt Sierra de Albarracin Sovde 7 738 1 1 4853681308 1984-01-02 Franz Sweden Ystadt Sierra de Albarracin Sovde 7 738 1 1 2595615548 [272,1005,1196,1218] Royer France Fontainebleau Moret-sur-Loing 7 738 2 2 2595615672 1955-06-20 MHNG Derenne France Orval 7 738 1 1 2595615613 1959-03-20 1959-04-20 1959-03-20 MHNG Ochs France Caille Alpes-Maritimes 7 738 1 2595615540 [357,1055,1244,1266] 1954-05 MHNG Ochs France Alpes-Maritimes Valberg Peone 7 738 1 1 2595615547 [196,830,1267,1290] 1949-04-19 Fagel Belgium Ben-Ahin Huy 7 738 1 2595615693 1945-08-19 MHNG Fagel Belgium Seilles Ardennes 7 738 1 2595615545 [197,839,1315,1338] 1962-10-22 Besuchet Switzerland Geneve 7 738 1 Geneve 2595615554 MHNG Besuchet Switzerland Veyrier 7 738 1 Geneve 2595615590 [468,954,1340,1362] MHNG Comellini Switzerland La Laire 7 738 1 Geneve 2595615544 MHNG Besuchet Switzerland Le Noirmont 7 738 1 Jura 2595615534 [596,1055,1364,1386] MHNG Toumayeff Switzerland Saint-Livres 7 738 1 Vaud 2595615555 [197,672,1388,1410] 1992-05-08 NMB Kiener Switzerland Fluhli 7 738 1 Luzern 2595615610 1992-07-13 NMB Kiener Switzerland Thorishaus 7 738 1 Bern 4853681343 [341,1001,1412,1434] 1941-04-22 1962-04-15 1941-04-22 TLMF Kofler & Zschastak Austria Angerberg Forchach 7 738 2 4853681348 1941-04-22 1962-04-15 1941-04-22 TLMF Kofler & Zschastak Austria Angerberg Forchach 7 738 2 4853681304 1983-06-17 TLMF, MHNG Kahlen Austria Kramsach 7 738 2 1 4853681315 [281,1015,1459,1482] 1983-06-17 TLMF, MHNG Franz Austria Kramsach 7 738 2 1 2595615552 Franz Austria Donauauen Orth an der Donau 7 738 1 2595615569 [704,1054,1483,1506] Mandl Austria Langenzersdorf 7 738 1 2595615673 [197,804,1508,1530] 1994-04-02 TLMF Kahlen Austria Baumgarten an der March 7 738 2 4853681305 1992-02-27 1994-04-01 1992-02-27 TLMF Kahlen Austria Marchegg Graz Zurndorf 7 738 4 2 4853681301 [499,1059,1532,1554] 1992-02-27 1994-04-01 1992-02-27 TLMF Franz Austria Marchegg Graz Zurndorf 7 738 4 2 4853681354 [197,783,1556,1578] 1992-02-27 1994-04-01 1992-02-27 TLMF Kreissl Austria Marchegg Graz Zurndorf 7 738 4 2