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A new genus and two new species of cavernicolous trechines are reported from central Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Haixiaphaenopsgen. nov. is established to place a new species discovered in two limestone caves in northern Qingzhen Shi: H. jinxiaohongaesp. nov. (Dawan Dong cave and Changtu Dong and Dawan Dong caves). This new genus is allied to Zhijinaphaenops Uéno & Ran, 2002. Zhijinaphaenops zhaofeiisp. nov. is described from Zhangkou Dong cave in northern Jiuzhuang Zhen of Xifeng County. In addition, two new localities of the species Zhijinaphaenops jingliae Deuve & Tian, 2015, and two new localities of Sinaphaenops chengguangyuaniMa et al. 2020 are provided. A distribution map for all cavernicolous trechine beetles known in Guiyang is provided.

Two new genera and three new species of cave-adapted ground beetles belonging to the tribe Trechini are established and described: Wulongius qilingergen. nov. and sp. nov. from limestone cave Qiankou Dong (Chongqing: Wulong), Qianotrechus congcongaesp. nov. from cave Shigao Dong (Chongqing: Nanchuan), and Qianlongius zhouigen. nov. and sp. nov. from cave Qianlong Dong (Guizhou: Songtao). Wulongius qilingersp. nov. is a small aphaenopsian beetle with a thin and elongated body, while Qianlongius zhouisp. nov. is a semi-aphaenopsian with a stout body. Both new genera are not closely related to any genus of Trechini occurring in the South China Karst, and so their systematic positions remain unclear.

A new species of blind subterranean ground beetle in the genus Anillinus Casey is described from Florida. Anillinus albrittonorumsp. nov. (type locality: 6 miles NW High Springs, Columbia County, Florida) has a unique structure of female genitalia and occupies an isolated position within the genus. This new species is illustrated with images of the habitus, body parts, and male and female genitalia. Relationships of A. albrittonorum to other members of the genus are discussed.

A new genus and new species of carabid beetle, Yalongaphaenops erwinigen. et sp. nov., is described from mountains SW of Mianning City, Sichuan Province, China. This finding, from one side, extends the known distribution of Chinese hypogean trechines, and from another, it raises the upper limit of their vertical distribution to nearly 4000 m. Photographs of the habitus and major taxonomic characters, including the male genitalia, right mandible, and microsculpture patterns of the integument are supplied. The type locality of the new taxon is mapped. Yalongaphaenopsgen. nov. shows some similarities with the genus Shiqianaphaenops Tian, 2016 from eastern Guizhou and the genus Boreaphaenops Uéno, 2002 described from Hubei, China. However, the direct relationships of the new genus remain unclear. Further new discoveries of hypogean trechines in Sichuan are necessary to evaluate possible variation of major characters in allied taxa. Although Y. erwinisp. nov. was collected at an elevation exceeding 3800 m a.s.l., it conforms to the upper limit of the forest zone being approximately on par with the vertical distribution of some high altitude hypogean trechine species in other parts of the globe.

Cave beetles are endemic to one or few caves and live in a stable subterranean microclimate and permanent darkness. However, not much is known about the food sources of cave beetles and the share of autotrophic sources in their diet. Seven cave beetles were sampled seasonally from five Romanian caves together with a sampling of sediments and climatic measurements. Gut was extracted from the sampled specimens, and Illumina's 16S amplicon-based metagenomics sequencing protocol was applied to identify the gut microbiome. About 50% of the most abundant bacteria genera in the studied sediments are unknown taxa. The core elements of the sediments' microbiome were wb1-P19, Pseudomonas, and Lysobacter, all producers and decomposers of organic matter. Only Acinetobacter was shared for sediments and all cave beetles. The core bacteria in the gut of Leiodidae beetles of all five species were Vagococcus, Dysgonomonas, Candidatus Soleaferrea, and two unknown phylotypes. The cave Carabidae gut was dominated by Carnobacterium in one species and Enhydrobacter in the other, showing different food regimes within the Duvalius genus. Vagococcus was present in the gut microbiome of Leptodirini and Duvalius, a genus which might be involved in adaptation to life in caves, where food is scarce and autochthonous productivity is low. Higher body weight in cave beetles is another helpful strategy to cope with an infrequent food supply, as demonstrated by the presence of obesity-related gut microbiota representatives, Lactococcus and Serratia.

Two new species of Bembidion are described from river shores in North America. One, Bembidion mimbres sp. nov., from the Gila River watershed in the lands of the Mimbres culture in New Mexico and Arizona, is closely related to the widespread Bembidion levigatum . DNA sequences from several linkage groups and morphology provide evidence of the distinctiveness of B. mimbres . The second, Bembidion corgenoma sp. nov., has been the subject of recent genomic and transcriptomic studies. It belongs in the Bembidion transversale subgroup, and occurs from California north to British Columbia, east to Montana and Nevada. The B. transversale subgroup as a whole is reviewed, and morphological characters that distinguish B. corgenoma from the similar and sympatric B. transversale and B. erosum are described and illustrated. DNA sequences of these three species show no consistent differences in 28S, COI, CAD, and Topoisomerase, and a coalescent species delimitation analysis reveals no notable structure within the complex. This is the first known trio of species within Bembidion for which those genes provide no clear signal of species boundaries. A neotype is designated for the one name in the group that lacks a primary type, Bembidium haplogonum Chaudoir. Chromosomes of the new species and their relatives are as is typical for Bembidion , with eleven pairs of autosomes and an XY/XX sex chromosome system.

Duvalius semecensis tarensisssp. nov. from two subterranean sites situated on Mt. Tara (western Serbia) is described, illustrated and compared with its most related congeners. It is provisionally placed in the subgenus Biharotrechus Bokor, 1922. The new subspecies is characterized by a depigmented, medium-sized body, the presence of reduced eyes, deep and complete frontal furrows, two pairs of discal setae in third elytral striae, as well as by the shape of aedeagus. It inhabits caves on Mt. Tara and is endemic of this mountain. Data on the distribution and bionomy of the new subspecies are given. Its closest relative, Duvalius (Biharotrechus) semecensis semecensis Winkler, 1926, is redescribed and we designated its holotype by monotypy. A key for the identification and an annotated catalogue of Serbian Biharotrechus and Duvalius s. str. taxa are also provided.

The genus Tasmanitachoides Erwin, a genus of very small carabid beetle endemic to Australia, is reviewed. Although uncommon in collections, they can be abundant and diverse on banks of fine gravel or coarse sand next to bodies of fresh water; samples from southeastern Australia suggest numerous undescribed species. An initial phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is presented, including 19 of the 32 known species. The inferred phylogeny, based upon one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes, shows the kingi group to be sister to remaining Tasmanitachoides, with the wattsensis group and T. lutus (Darlington) also being phylogenetically isolated. Two new species are described: T. baehrisp. nov., from the Australian Capital Territory, is a member of the kingi group; T. erwinisp. nov., from Tasmania, is a member of the wattsensis group. Identification tools for described and some undescribed species are presented, including photographs of all known species.

Balticeler kerneggerigen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on six fossil specimens preserved in Eocene Baltic amber and imaged using light microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Based on certain characters observed in the fossil species it is considered a “middle grade” Carabidae, outside of the large family Harpalinae (as it possesses a scrobal seta, the lack of which is a synapomorphy of that subfamily), but possessing four synapomorphies that indicate Balticeler belongs to a large clade of carabids including Harpalinae (anisochaetous Grade B antennal cleaner, conjunct mesocoxae, closed procoxal cavities, and a well-developed external lobe of the metepimeron). This remarkable beetle has several striking features, including lack of externally-visible sexually dimorphic characters, lack of lateral borders on the pronotum, and very long and thin mandibles and maxillae. In combination, these states are unique within Carabidae. We consider the presence of a dorsally completely open aedeagal median lobe as a synapomorphy of the fossil species with the subfamily Trechinae, a pubescent and relatively long second antennomere and a 4+2+2 pattern of umbilicate setae as synapomorphies of the supertribe Trechitae, and a quadrisetose clypeus as a synapomorphy with the Trechitae clade Bembidarenini + Trechini sensu Maddison et al. (2019). As it lacks a synapomorphy of Bembidarenini + Trechini, we propose that it is a member of the stem group of that clade.

The hypogean genusDongodytesDeuve, 1993, one of the most cave-adapted genera of ground beetles, is distributed in northern Guangxi, ranging from Mashan through Du’an, Bama, and Fengshan to Tian’e. Review of nominate subgenus Dongodytes Deuve, 1993, with new records forD.fowleriDeuve, 1993 andD.grandisUéno, 1998 are provided. Meanwhile,Dongodytestonywhittenisp. n.is described from a limestone cave in Bama County. This interesting species is dedicated to the late Dr. Tony Whitten, a well-known cave biodiversity conservationist in Asia. A key to all species ofDongodytes(s. str.) is also provided.

The subterranean ground beetle genus Guiaphaenops Deuve, 2002 is taxonomically reviewed. This poorly known genus is different from Guizhaphaenops Vigna Taglianti, 1997 in having convex propleura which is visible from above and elytral chaetotaxy especially the humeral group of the marginal umbilicate series, in which the 1st pore is transversely and backwardly shifted. The second species, G. deuvei Tian, Feng & Wei, sp. n., is described from a limestone cave at Yangli Cun (Village), Lingyun Xian (County), Baise Shi (Prefecture), northwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. A key to the species and a distribution map of Guiaphaenops are also provided.

A remarkable aphaenopsian beetle, a sympatric species of Qianotrechus tenuicollis Uéno, 2000, was newly discovered in Cave Mahuang Dong of Shuanghe Dong cave system, the longest cave system of China in Suiyang County, northern Guizhou Province. To categorize this striking but still unknown species, a new genus and species are proposed: Shuangheaphaenops elegans gen. n., sp. n. Relationships of Shuangheaphaenops and other highly modified aphaenopsian genera from southern China Karsts are discussed.

Almost 200 years of continuous and systematic research in subterranean habitats of the Dinaric Karst and adjoining areas have resulted in the discovery of more than 400 specialized subterranean beetles. Among these, a special place belongs to the morphologically well distinguished and elusive, so called aphaenopsoid trechine beetles, which are characterized by a prolonged head, pronotum and appendages, and widened, ovoid-shaped elytra. Two new species of aphaenopsoid trechines – Derossiellalukicisp. n. from two deep pits on Mt Biokovo, Croatia, and Adriaphaenopspetrimarissp. n. from Pištet 4 Cave, Kameno more, Montenegro – are described, illustrated, and compared with closely related congeners. Identification keys for both genera and an annotated catalogue for all Adriaphaenops species, as well as data on the distribution and the ecology of these remarkable species, are provided and discussed.

Two new species of anophthalmic ground beetles belonging to the subfamily Trechinae are described: Cimmeritodes (Zhecimmerites) parvus Tian & Li, sp. n. and Wanoblemus wui Tian & Fang, gen. n., sp. n. Both were discovered in the limestone caves of Anhui Province in eastern China. Cimmeritodes (Zhecimmerites) parvus was found in caves Ziwei Dong, Xianren Dong and Qingtai Dong, whereas Wanoblemus wui was discovered in cave Baiyun Dong. This is the first record of cavernicolous ground beetles in Anhui Province, eastern China.

A new species of Bembidion (Trichoplataphus Netolitzky) from the Ozark Plateau of Missouri and Arkansas is described (Bembidion ozarkense Maddison and Hildebrandt). It is distinguishable from the closely related species, B. rolandi Fall, by characteristics of the male genitalia, and sequences of the genes cytochrome oxidase I and 28S ribosomal DNA. A brief review of the North American species of Trichoplataphus is presented, including a key to species.

Paralovricia gen. n. beroni sp. n., belonging to the new subtribe Lovriciina, is described from two caves in the Western Rhodopes (Bulgaria): Kraypatnata peshtera, near Smilyan Village (Smolyan Municipality) and Snezhanka, near Peshtera Town (Peshtera Municipality). Three currently known genera, Lovricia Pretner, 1979, Neolovricia Lakota, Jalžić & Moravec, 2009 and Paralovricia gen. n. represent a monophyletic unit supported by important synapomorphies that allows to propose the establishment of the new subtribe Lovriciina, characterized by the following characters: last maxillary palpomeres very long and narrow, basal angles of pronotum without seta, elytra without discal setae, elytral umbilicate series of nine pores in which the main pores are the 2nd, 6th and 9th, apical recurrent striole absent and mesotibial apex expanded outward. Its systematic position within the subfamily Trechinae (sensu Lorenz 2005) is discussed and Lovriciina is placed near Anillina. Key to the genera of the subtribe is proposed. Distribution data and zoogeographical hypotheses are discussed.

Duvalius (sg. Neoduvalius) gejzadunayi sp. n. from Pećina uDubokom potoku cave ( Donje Biševo village near Rožaje, Montenegro), the first known representative of this subgenus from the territory of Montenegro is described, illustrated and compared with the related species of the subgenus Neoduvalius Müller, 1913. This new species is characterised by depigmented, medium sized body, totally reduced eyes, deep and complete frontal furrows, 3–4 pairs of discal setae in third elytral stria, as well as by the shape of aedeagus. Data on the distribution and the ecology of this remarkable species, as well as acheck-list of the subgenus Neoduvalius are also provided. Recently described genera Serboduvalius Ćurčić, S. B. Pavićević & Ćurčić, B.P.M., 2001, Rascioduvalius Ćurčić, S. B. Brajković, Mitić & Ćurčić, B.P.M., 2003, Javorella Ćurčić, S. B. Brajković, Ćurčić, B.P.M. & Mitić, 2003 and Curcicia Ćurčić, S. B. & Brajković, 2003 are regarded as junior synonyms of the genus Duvalius Delarouzée.

One new genus and eight new species of anilline carabids are described from southern Mexico. The new genus, Zapotecanillus gen. n., is established for Z. oaxacanus (type species) sp. n., Z. nanus sp. n., Z. iviei sp. n., Z. ixtlanus sp. n., Z. montanus sp. n., and Z. kavanaughi sp. n. from the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, Z. pecki sp. n. from the Sierra Madre del Sur, and Z. longinoi sp. n. from the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. A taxonomic key for all described species of Zapotecanillus and a cladistic analysis, based on morphological data, are provided. Morphological, behavioral and biogeographical aspects of the speciation in the genus obtained from the resulting cladogram are discussed.

A new species of ground beetle, Bembidion ricei, is described from the Andes mountains of Ecuador east of Quito. It belongs to the georgeballi species group of subgenus Ecuadion, and is most similar to Bembidion georgeballi. A key to the species of the group is provided.

The phylogeny of ground beetles of supertribe Trechitae is inferred using DNA sequences of genes that code for 28S ribosomal RNA, 18S ribosomal RNA, and wingless. Within the outgroups, austral psydrines are inferred to be monophyletic, and separate from the three genera of true Psydrina (Psydrus, Nomius, Laccocenus); the austral psydrines are formally removed from Psydrini and are treated herein as their own tribe, Moriomorphini Sloane. All three genes place Gehringia with Psydrina. Trechitae is inferred to be monophyletic, and sister to Patrobini.Within trechites, evidence is presented that Tasmanitachoides is not a tachyine, but is instead a member of Trechini. Perileptus is a member of subtribe Trechodina. Against Erwin’s hypothesis of anillines as a polyphyletic lineage derived from the tachyine genus Paratachys, the anillines sampled are monophyletic, and not related to Paratachys. Zolini, Pogonini, Tachyina, and Xystosomina are all monophyletic, with the latter two being sister groups. The relationships of the subtribe Bembidiina were studied in greater detail. Phrypeus is only distantly related to Bembidion, and there is no evidence from sequence data that it belongs within Bembidiina. Three groups that have been recently considered to be outside of the large genus Bembidion are shown to be derived members of Bembidion, related to subgroups: Cillenus is related to the Ocydromus complex of Bembidion, Zecillenus is related to the New Zealand subgenus Zeplataphus, and Hydrium is close to subgenus Metallina. The relationships among major lineages of Trechitae are not, however, resolved with these data.