Systematic revision and phylogenetic assessment of two new Neotropical genera of the rove-beetle subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): Inesius gen. nov. and Rhaegalius gen. nov.

Abstract

Two new genera of Staphylinidae, Inesius gen. nov. (type species Inesius callosipennis (Scheerpeltz)) and the monotypic Rhaegalius gen. nov. (type species Rhaegalius sophia sp. nov.) from the Tropical Andes are described and illustrated using characters of external morphology and male and female genitalia. Philonthus callosipennis Scheerpeltz is transferred to Inesius. Inesius comprises 12 species, of which 11 are new: Inesius asenjoi (Perú), Inesius brunkei (Colombia), Inesius faguensis (Colombia), Inesius forero (Ecuador), Inesius laurae (Colombia), Inesius lopezi (Colombia, Ecuador and Perú), Inesius lynn (Ecuador), Inesius maryzenderus (Perú), Inesius matyi (Ecuador), Inesius schillhammeri (Bolivia) and Inesius zeae (Colombia). Lectotype is designated for P. callosipennis Scheerpeltz. Both genera are revised herein, with keys for identification, diagnoses, a cladogram and a distribution map. The phylogenetic analysis shows Inesius as a monophyletic genus sister to Rhaegalius in a well-supported clade that belongs to a natural group of Neotropical genera of Philonthina (Staphylinini).