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Audisio, Paolo, Cline, Andrew Richard, Mancini, Emiliano, Trizzino, Marco, Lamanna, Francesco, Antonini, Gloria (2011): A new species of southern African pollen beetle and discussion of the taxonomic position of Jelinekigethes Audisio & Cline, 2009 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae). Zootaxa 2909: 47-56, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.204545

Jelinekigethes dichromus Audisio & Cline, sp. nov. (Figs 2, 5���6, 8) Diagnosis. Small-sized (length 1.8���2.1 mm), shining black species with head and pronotum usually reddish, strongly contrasting to blackish elytra, with orange brown legs. In general appearance (Fig. 2) similar to J. danielssoni Audisio, 1995, but slightly wider and shorter, with peculiar reddish colouration of the pronotum of most known specimens, and characterized by a markedly different shape of the male and female genitalia (see Figs 3���8). Description. Short, wide (Fig. 2) L:W = 1.8: 1, moderately convex, small-sized (length: 1.90 mm; width: 1.0 5 mm); metallic dark brown or blackish, with reddish head (eyes darker) and pronotum, yellowish front legs and antennae (club darker), middle and hind legs yellowish to castaneous. Pubescence golden, rather distinct but short and recumbent. Setae on lateral margin of pronotum and elytra scarcely visible. Head with moderately deep punctures nearly as large as eye facets, separated by half to one diameter, surface between punctures smooth and shining; front margin of clypeus transversely truncate and not bordered, with lateral angles rather blunt. Fronto-geneal grooves distinct. Frons without tentorial impressions. Antennae medium-sized, club small, with short pubescence; third antennal segment elongate, slightly shorter than second. Pronotum moderately convex, 1.70 X as wide as long, moderately rounded at sides, more strongly narrowed anteriorly than posteriorly, broadest in middle or at posterior third (Fig. 2), with posterior angles almost completely rounded; sides narrowly bordered. Posterior margin slightly sinuate on either side of scutellum; discal punctures as on head or slightly larger and deeper, surface between them smooth and shining. Scutellum rather large, with exposed portion finely punctate; interspaces with traces of microreticulation. Elytra 1.05���1.10 X wider (combined width) than long, scarcely arcuate at sides, arcuately narrowed towards apex, broadest in middle or at basal two fifths, ~ 1.15 X as wide as pronotum; humeri moderately raised; punctures smaller and shallower than on pronotum, surface with strongly marked transverse strigosity; spaces between punctures smooth and shining. Prosternal antennal furrows nearly as long as second antennal segment, oblique, and distinct. Prosternal process subparallel, moderately widened towards a truncately rounded apex, distinctly wider than antennal club; punctures moderately deep, smaller than eye facets, separated by nearly one diameter; surface smooth. Mesosternum with posterior edge straight. Metaventrite almost flat, with no sexual dimorphism; punctures simple, moderately deep, typically as large as eye facets, separated by one diameter or more, surface smooth and shining. Posterior edge of last abdominal ventrite appearing simple in both sexes Protibiae moderately elongate, outer edge minutely serrate, with a series of 7���10 small, narrowly triangular, relatively even teeth; teeth progressively larger distad (Fig. 2); inner edge of protibiae simple and appearing straight in both sexes. Protarsi in female specimens nearly as wide as first antennal segment, slightly wider in male specimens. Tarsi of normal shape, all being rather short, posterior tarsomeres much shorter than antennae (Fig. 2). Metatibiae moderately elongate, inner edge simple and appearing straight in both sexes; outer edge of both meso- and metatibiae arcuate and regularly shaped. Meso- and metafemora with a simple posterior edge in both sexes. Tegmen (Fig. 5) relatively small, slender, with few and peculiarly long setae at apex, and short, linear median excision; median lobe of aedeagus long (Fig. 6), strongly narrowed and spatulate at distal third, apex moderately acuminate, apical portion markedly declined downwards when observed in lateral view. Ovipositor as figured (Fig. 8), unicolorous yellowish, small and short, apex arcuately narrowed with peculiarly large and asymmetric styli; outer subdivision of coxites short and wide; 'central point' placed at distal three sevenths, with long and wide ventral spicule. Female: Externally differing from male only by slightly narrower protarsi. Variation. Body sizes: length: 1.80���2.05 mm; width: 1.05���1.18 mm. One male paratype shows head and pronotum darker, i.e. blackish-brown like elytra. Type material. HOLOTYPE, male, Republic of South Africa: Limpopo, Strydpoortberge, Wolkberg Nature Reserve, 24.03.20 S, 30.00.41E, trail to the waterfall, 1400 / 1450 m, 22.II. 2007, on small, unidentified flowering undershrubs, P.Audisio & M.Biondi leg. (TMSA). Paratypes: 3 males, 2 females, same data as holotype (CAR, NMP). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek dichromos (= bicoloured), which emphasizes the usually contrasting coloration of head and pronotum (reddish) and elytra (black). Geographic distribution. Thus far the species is only known from the type locality in the Limpopo Province (Fig. 11). Biology. The type specimens were collected in late February by sweeping in bushveld along a rocky xeric slope from flowers of small bushes belonging to an unidentified plant family. Unfortunately, due to technical problems it was not possible to take a picture of the plant, and the single collected voucher of the host-plant was later lost along the trail. All host plants were localized along a short section of a trail, at 1400���1450m. The host plants were represented by small undershrubs (80���120 cm tall) with thin, long, right angled vertical stems that were partly ligneous but without branches below the distal third of the stem. Each plant was distally adorned with a nearly globular foliage of about 25���30 cm in diameter, formed by small (1���1.5 cm long), elliptic, Buxus -like leaves probably in an alternate arrangement, with entire margins, and some of them bearing, close to the base, a single, very small (~ 3 mm length, and ~ 2 mm wide) whitish funnel-shaped or campanulate flower in a nearly axillary position with probably 4 or 5 short petals at its distal third., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Cline, Andrew Richard, Mancini, Emiliano, Trizzino, Marco, Lamanna, Francesco & Antonini, Gloria, 2011, A new species of southern African pollen beetle and discussion of the taxonomic position of Jelinekigethes Audisio & Cline, 2009 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae), pp. 47-56 in Zootaxa 2909 on pages 50-52, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.204545

Meligethes foddaii Audisio, De Biase & Trizzino, sp. nov. (Figs 1, 3, 7–8) Diagnosis. Small-sized (length 1.78–2.02 mm), body shiny black, legs and antennae blackish to chestnut brown. Maximum pronotal width near posterior angles (Fig. 1). Similar to the widespread European species M. lugubris recently re-described by Audisio (1993), but with interspaces between dorsal punctures on pronotum and most of elytra smooth and shining. Median lobe of aedeagus distinct, slightly more parallelsided distad (Fig. 8), and tegmen darker, distinctly more pigmented than median lobe. Differentiated from the closely related M. gagathinus by smaller, more elongate, and more parallel-sided body (length 2.1–2.6 mm in M. gagathinus, 1.8–2.0 in M. foddaii sp. nov.), elytral sides less arcuate (Figs 1–2), more extruded paramere apices (Figs 7, 9), and more narrow prosternal process (Figs 3–4). Type material. Holotype ♂: Italy, Sardinia, Medio Campidano province, Domusnovas, Lago Siuru, 390 m, 39.22.12 N, 8.36.59 E, 19.V.2008, P. Audisio, M. Trizzino, G. Nardi & M. Bardiani leg., on apical (nonflowered) stems of Mentha insularis Requien (= Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. subsp. insularis (Req.) Greuter; Lamiaceae) (CAR). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 4 ♂, 5 ♀♀ (CAR, NMP); Italy, Sardinia, Medio Campidano province, Villacidro, near Montimannu dam, 256 m, 39.24.02 N, 8.41.56 E, 6.IX.2006, G. Nardi leg., grassnetting on flowers of Mentha insularis, 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (CAR, CNBFVR). Other material examined. Italy, Sardinia, Nuoro province, Oliena, near San Giovanni, 150 m, 6.VI.1995, F. Angelini leg., 1 ex (CAR); Italy, Sardinia, Nuoro province, Gennargentu Massif, Montarbu Forest, Mount Tonneri, 1300 m, 2.V.1983, P. Audisio leg., 2 ex (CAR); ibidem, 989 m, 16.V.2008, P. Audisio & M. Trizzino leg., 1 ex (CAR); Italy, Sardinia, Cagliari province, Geremeas, Geremeas river, 150 m, 18.VI.1976, C. Meloni leg., 2 ex (CAR); Italy, Sardinia, Cagliari province, Elmas near Cagliari, 10 m, 1.X.1973, P. Leo leg., 1 ex (CAR); France, Corsica, Casta, 270 m, 22.VII.1976, A. Sette leg., 5 ex (CAR). Description. Male [measurements refer to holotype]. Length 1.90 mm; width (at elytral widest point) 1.00 mm. Body elongate, narrow, transversely convex and moderately parallel-sided (Fig. 1), black and shining, with short and fine silvery to golden-olivaceous pubescence. Legs and antennae blackish. Head with dorsal punctures as large as or slightly smaller than an eye facet, moderately impressed, separated by nearly one diameter, surface smooth and shining; front margin of clypeus straight, completely bordered, with almost right angles. Fronto-genal grooves narrow and shallow, but distinct. Antennae small, of normal size for group (cf. Fig. 1), with third segment slender, longer than second; antennal club small. Pronotum only moderately narrowed anteriorly, 1.65 times as wide as long, broadest close to posterior angles (cf. Fig. 1); sides narrowly bordered; posterior angles slightly obtuse but distinct. Posterior base faintly sinuate on either side of scutellum; pronotal punctures and surface smooth and shining, each puncture nearly as large as an eye facet and separated by one diameter or less. Scutellum medium-sized, densely and uniformly punctate; surface exhibiting a faint trace of reticulate microsculpture. Elytra (cf. Fig. 1) nearly 1.17 times as long as wide, broadest in basal fifth, scarcely wider than pronotum (1.06) and nearly twice as long; feebly raised, humeral striae absent; elytral punctures in basal half as on head and pronotum, but slightly coarser and more elongate, exhibiting a feeble transverse rugosity and with a shiny surface between punctures. Elytral punctures becoming finer and shallower towards their hind end. Ventral surface black, with sparse fine silvery pubescence. Prosternal antennal furrows strongly raised. Prosternal process rather long, moderately wide and parallel-sided (cf. Fig. 1), subtruncate at apex, as wide as posterior tibiae. Metasternum moderately convex (punctures as on head and pronotum, surface shiny), with a barely distinct and posteriorly widened longitudinal impression on posterior two-thirds, and a well-raised elongate medial tubercle. Caudal marginal line of posterior coxal cavity closely following posterior edge, turning back just before outer end. Last visible abdominal sternite with a markedly raised obtuse projection, distally concave, as in males of M. lugubris and M. gagathinus. Protibiae (cf. Fig. 1) with outer edges finely crenulate from basal third, with subapical group of 5–7 sharp teeth, the first and penultimate tooth markedly bigger than the rest; protarsi barely as wide as antennal club; metatibiae narrow, inner edges not sinuate (cf. Fig. 1); tarsal claws simple. Genitalia. Tegmen as in Fig. 7, rather strongly sclerotized and dark, with a shallow, V-shaped median excision, and apex markedly projected distad and scarcely pubescent; median lobe of aedeagus elongate, narrow, nearly 2.4 times as long as wide (cf. Fig. 1), less sclerotized and paler than tegmen, widest in distal three-fifths, parallel-sided distad and proximad, apex subtruncate and minutely incised. Male genitalia exhibiting a rather unusual contrast between the rather strongly pigmented, blackish-brown tegmen, and the orange-yellowish and scarcely pigmented median lobe. Female. Protarsi more narrow (~0.7 times as wide) than in male. Metasternum not impressed longitudinally. Ovipositor nearly indistinguishable from that of M. lugubris (fig. 160 l in Audisio 1993), yellowish, with apical suture of coxites slightly darker, apex acuminate, styli relatively short and inserted at a distance from apex equal to their length; outer subdivision of coxites moderately long and narrow; “central point” placed at distal three fifths, without ventral spicule; transverse suture nearly straight; external angles of basicoxites moderately sharp. Variability. Length 1.78–2.04 mm. Dorsal punctures slightly variable in density, but usually conforming to the pattern described. Antennae, tibiae and tarsi frequently paler, at least partially nut-brown. Comparative notes. Meligethes foddaii sp. nov. exhibits a dorsal habitus (Fig. 1) similar to that of small specimens of M. lugubris (widespread in Europe and peninsular Italy), but with a much shinier dorsal surface. The new species is also recognizable by the proportionally larger male genitalia, the more strongly pigmented and darkened tegmen, and by the more parallel-sided shape of the distal portion of the median lobe of the aedeagus (Figs 5–8). Easily distinguishable from the closely related M. gagathinus (widespread in Europe and peninsular Italy) by the smaller, narrower, and more parallel-sided body (Figs 1–2), by the parameres more protruding laterad to the distal portion of tegmen (Figs 7–10), by the narrower prosternal process (Figs 3–4), and by the slightly narrower male protarsal plate (Figs 1–2). Geographic distribution. All known specimens are from the above-mentioned localities in Sardinia and Corsica. This species appears not to be particularly rare, and could be more widely distributed, in suitable habitats, throughout both islands. Biological notes. The type and non-type specimens were all collected from apical stems of the common plant Mentha insularis Requien [= Mentha suaveolens Ehrh ssp. insularis (Req.) Greuter] (Lamiaceae), a subendemic W-Mediterranean species known to occur in the Corso-Sardinian plate and Balearic Islands, in wet places near lakes and ponds, and on the edges of river banks, from sea level up to 1300m (Gennargentu Massif). The adults are active on host-plants from early May to late November, two-three months before flowering time, but reproduction appears to be extremely tardive for a Mediterranean Meligethes, occurring mainly between late July and early October. Etymology. This species is named after our Sardinian friend and colleague Dr. Sebastiano Foddai (Department of Vegetal Biology, Sapienza University of Rome), whose main scientific research is devoted to the biochemistry of secondary substances extracted from Sardinian endemic plant species., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Biase, Alessio De, Trizzino, Marco, Mancini, Emiliano & Antonini, Gloria, 2009, A new species of Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae) of the M. lugubris complex from Sardinia *, pp. 386-393 in Zootaxa 2318 on pages 387-390, {"references":["Audisio P. (1993) Coleoptera Nitidulidae - Kateretidae. Fauna d'Italia, vol. 32. Calderini, Bologna, XVI + 971 pp."]}

Hydraena rosannae Audisio, Trizzino & De Biase, sp. nov. (Figs 1, 7–8, 11) Diagnosis. Small-sized (length 1.94–2.21 mm), elongate orange species with yellowish to orange legs and antennae; pronotum 0.62–0.81 times width of combined maximum elytral width (Fig. 1). Similar to the widespread Sardinian H. tyrrhena Binaghi, 1961 and to the Corsican H. evanescens Rey, 1884, recently redescribed by Audisio and De Biase (1995), but with a much less deep emargination on dorsal profile of aedeagus (in lateral view), slightly more inflated apical portion of male hind tibiae, and slightly sinuose and dilated middle portion of male front tibiae (Fig. 1). Type material. Holotype ♂: Italy, Sardinia (Medio Campidano province), above Villacidro, Cannisoni River, 390 m a.s.l., 39.24. 37.28 N, 8.38. 27.39 E, 19.V.2008, M. Trizzino, P. Audisio, G. Nardi & M.Bardiani leg. (CAR). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 2 ♂, 3 ♀♀ (CAR, CDL, CDM). Description. Male [measurements refer to holotype]. Length (apex of labrum – apex of pygidium) 2.21 mm; breadth (at elytral widest point) 0.70 mm, pronotal breadth 0.57 mm. Elongate, scarcely convex (Fig. 1), orange with shiny reflections. Legs, antennae and lateral edges of pronotum yellowish to pale orange. Labrum with deep, V-shaped notch anteriorly; margins very slightly upturned. Fronto-clypeal suture almost straight. Middle of frons moderately densely punctate, interstices shining; lateral portions of frons densely and rugosely punctate, punctures and interstices microreticulate; paraocular grooves shallow. Eyes moderately large, protruding, with more than 20 facets visible in dorsal view. Maxillary palpi very long, about twice as long as distance between eyes. Antennae small, of normal shape for members of the Haenydra lineage (Fig. 1). Pronotum nearly exagonal, about 1.15 times wider than long; anterior margin slightly concave; anterior angles slightly obtuse; lateral margin moderately produced at middle, strongly convergent at anterior angle, sinuately convergent at posterior angle; lateral rim minutely crenulate; disc moderately convex, sparsely to moderately densely punctate, more densely punctate near anterior and posterior margins, smooth and punctate between punctures, foveae hardly perceptible; anterior and posterior sublateral foveae well impressed, elongate; lateral portion of pronotum evenly deflexed, sparsely punctate (Fig. 1). Elytra elongate, nearly 1.8 times as long as their combined width, slightly and regularly arcuate at sides, apically produced and only very weakly declivitous; moderately declivitous laterally; with seven rows of punctures between suture and shoulder; strial punctures moderately large, distinctly impressed and forming regular lines moderately deeply impressed in middle of each elytron; punctures rather densely arranged within lines; intervals and interstices almost flat and glabrous or superficially microreticulate; intervals slightly wider than one puncture diameter; explanate margin and pseudepipleura relatively narrow and long, not reaching apex (Fig. 1). Pygidium in male as in Fig. 1. Mentum and submentum microreticulate. Transverse genal ridges not very prominent, glabrous. Prosternum with median keel. Mesoventrite with a pair of sublateral distinct glabrous streaks; very deeply impressed between disc and posterior process. Metaventral disc shallowly impressed between well developed, posteriorly divergent plaques. First ventrite without glabrous areas behind metacoxal sockets; abdominal sternites III–VI more or less entirely covered with hydrofuge pubescence; abdominal sternites VII and VIII largely glabrous. Aedeagus (Figs 7–8): main piece (length ca. 472 µm) oriented as in Figs 7–8, with only two small, short, and hardly distinct setae on left side, apparently without setae on right side; distinctly bisinuous in apical half (dorsal view); with subtruncate projection before the middle (dorsal view), and with proximal obtuse projection on dorsal side of apical fifth; apical third short and thick (lateral view), apex acute; dorsal outline (lateral view) with a very wide and shallow arcuate emargination at distal third; prebasal tooth (lateral view) not very prominent. Phallobase more or less symmetrical (in dorsal view). Distal mobile lobe small, elongate, composed of two parts: an elongate piece and a very thin and short flagellum. Secondary sexual characters. Male elytral apices convergent posteriorly, slightly conjointly rounded (Fig. 1); in female only slightly more acuminately convergent (with small sutural notch). Male femora slightly more strongly built. Male protibiae slightly but distinctly dilated and hardly curved along their inner edge. Male mesotibia not dilated subapically, with a row of short spines and 11–12 minute denticles along their inner edge. Male metatibia slightly but distinctly dilated in distal half, with fringe of very long hairs along their inner edge. Female. Last abdominal tergite and sternite as in Figs 9–10. Variability. Length variable between 1.94 and 2.21 mm. Distribution. Known with certainty only from the Sulcis-Iglesiente area around Villacidro (Medio Campidano province), SW Sardinia. Biological notes. The type specimens were collected under stones in a stream with relatively fast-running water, on a granodioritic substrate, at nearly 400 m a.s.l. Etymology. This species is named after Mrs Rosanna Calabrò (M.T.’s wife)., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Trizzino, Marco, Biase, Alessio De, Mancini, Emiliano & Antonini, Gloria, 2009, A new species of Hydraena (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) of the H. evanescens complex from Sardinia *, pp. 281-289 in Zootaxa 2318 on pages 283-285, {"references":["Binaghi, G. (1961) Materiali per lo studio della Hydraena italiane. Le Hydraena dell'Isola d'Elba e notizie sulla coleotterofauna acquatica associata (4 ° Contributo). Bollettino della Societa Entomologica Italiana, 91, 66 - 77.","Rey, C. (1884) Notices sur les Palpicornes et diagnoses d'especes nouvelles ou peu connues. Revue d'Entomologie, 3, 266 - 271.","Audisio, P. & De Biase, A. (1995) Materiali per un'analisi biogeografica delle specie italiane dei generi Hydraena Kugelann ed Haenydra Rey (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae). Fragmenta Entomologica, 27, 163 - 189."]}

3. Odontholariopsis Audisio & Cline, gen. nov. (Figs. 3 a–h) Type species. Meligethes nebulosus Reitter, 1872: 247 (by present designation) [= Odontholariopsis nebulosus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov.]. Generic description and diagnosis. Inclusive species vary greatly in size (1.4–2.8 mm length), and share the following combination of characters. Body color and pubescence: pubescence golden to silvery-whitish or brownish, short and fine, recumbent, sparse, never obscuring the variably colored (reddish, brown, blackish, or brown with yellowish elytra: Figs. 3a; Figs. 129–130 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO (1995)) dorsal body surface; pronotal and elytral sides narrowly flattened, typically the same color as disk. Lateral margin of pronutum and elytra with a series of usually distinct setae, each seta 0.7–0.8× as long as those on elytral disc; posterior margin of pronotum comprising moderately long, distally trifid or tetrafid microsetae, microsetae uniformly also along middle region anterior to scutellum (Fig. 3e). Dorsal habitus: body moderately convex, variably shaped, usually moderately short and wide, oval, in some species exceptionally short and wide (Figs. 3a; Figs. 6–9 and 129–130 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995); dorsal punctures on discal portion of pronotum as large as or larger than eye facets, shallowly impressed and densely distributed; anterior margin of clypeus slightly arcuately emarginate, simple, i.e. always without small distinct medial bulge, and not distinctly bordered (Fig. 3b), with circum-ocular furrows (occipital sulci) on dorsal side of head absent (Fig. 3b); eyes large and usually moderately projecting laterally (Figs. 3a, b); pronotum with faintly distinct posterior angles, rounded to obtuse and never directed posteriorly (Fig. 3a); scutellum regularly punctured in most of exposed portion; elytra with simple punctation, never transversely strigose; elytral humeral angle moderately distinct, not protruding laterally (Fig. 3a); elytral humeral striae usually not distinct; elytral pre-sutural striae visible, originating at scutellar vertex, terminating at elytral apex, and delimiting a faintly distinct, flat, not raised sutural border on each elytron, border widest at posterior third, slightly narrower than proximal width of 3 rd antennomere; elytral apices truncately rounded in both sexes (Fig. 3a); pygidium partially exposed, moderately convex, apically rounded in both sexes (Fig. 3a; Figs. 6–9 and 129–130 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995). Ventral habitus: antennal furrows markedly delimited, nearly parallel-sided, or slightly divergent posteriorly; mentum subpentagonal (Fig. 3c); prosternal antennal furrows of anterior margin of prosternum scarcely raised and short, but distinct (Fig. 3c); prosternal process relatively narrow, but with strongly dilated subapical portion 2.3–2.5× as wide as maximum width of 1 st antennomere, apex blunt (Fig. 3f); lateral borders of prosternal process delimiting shallowly impressed but distinct furrows, distally terminating before predistal lateral expansions (Fig. 3f); posterior margin of mesoventrite simple, never medially incised (Fig. 3f); moderately expressed sexual dimorphism on metaventrite, with variably developed impressions; first two visible abdominal ventrites simple in both sexes, without tufts of setae; caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities simple, parallel and contiguous to posterior margin of metacoxal cavities, without arched impression of outer ‘axillary’ line (as in Fig. 4k); ‘axillary’ space on first abdominal ventrite moderately developed, ‘axillary’ angle widely obtuse (as in Fig. 4k); small, short, and shallowly impressed arched impressions on basal portion of last visible abdominal ventrite mostly concealed by distal portion of penultimate visible abdominal ventrite (Fig. 3h). Appendages: male 1 st antennomere 0.8–1.0× as long as protibial width excluding distal teeth (Figs. 3a, c); 3 rd antennomere in both sexes peculiarly short, usually only 1.7–1.8× as long as wide, and nearly 0.7× as long as but distinctly thinner than 2 nd antennomere (Figs. 3a, c); 4 th and 5 th antennomeres in both sexes subequal, short, nearly as long as wide; antennal club compact, small, simple, comprising last 3 antennomeres in both sexes (8 th antennomere moderately widened, nearly 0.7× as wide as 9 th antennomere) (Figs. 3a, c), much narrower than width of protibiae, not sexually dimorphic; labial palpi short in both sexes (Fig. 3c), terminal segment 1.4–1.5× as long as wide; maxillary palpi moderately long and slender in both sexes (Fig. 3c), terminal segment 1.9–2.0× as long as wide; mandible small-sized (Fig. 3c), apex typically acuminate, not sexually dimorphic; tarsal claws simple, never toothed at base (Fig. 3d); tarsi of normal size and shape, 0.6–0.7× as long as corresponding tibiae (Figs. 3a, d); protibiae with a series of usually moderately large, uneven, scarcely acuminate teeth on lateral margin (Figs. 3a; Figs. 78–80 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995); meso- and metatibiae on lateral margin bearing an apparently simple and usually even row of large and robust spurs, with peculiar U-shaped sinuosity at distal third, usually armed by additional outer spur (Fig. 3d; Figs. 91–92 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995); meso- and metatibiae of variable width, usually moderately wide and flat (Fig. 3a; Figs. 6–9 and 91–92 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), never distinctly subtrapezoidal or axe-shaped; tarsal plates of prolegs moderately wider in males; strongly manifested sexual dimorphism in meso- and metafemoral shape, metafemoral margins in males bearing a single large, triangular or finger-like projection, reduced to a faintly distinct gibbosity in females (Fig. 3g; Figs. 100, 102– 104 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995). Male genitalia: processes along inner side of parameres absent (Figs. 25–26 and 39 –44 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), usually with shallow excision along distal margin, without deep median longitudinal desclerotization from proximal portion of tegmen and extending to medial distal V-shaped excision; median lobe of aedeagus variable, without lateral emargination, rounded, subtruncate to obtusely emarginate distally. Female genitalia (ovipositor): variably shaped, usually small; styli usually long and relatively large, simple, cylindrical, moderately pigmented, inserted close to apex of contiguous gonostyloids; each gonostyloid lightly sclerotized and more darkly pigmented distally, with a simple, never indentate outer portion of basicoxites (Figs. 48–51 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), and a single, variably shaped, pigmented and moderately sclerotized arcuate area along outer subdistal portion of gonostyloids. ‘Central point’ of ovipositor usually centrally located, without proximad directed spicule. Etymology. The generic name is derived from a combination of the Greek ‘οδούς, οδοντος’ (= tooth), and Lariopsis, to emphasize the peculiarly shaped and toothed posterior margin of meso- and metafemora in males, and its placement within the Lariopsis generic complex. Gender masculine. Biology. All species strictly associated for larval development with inflorescences of Mesembryanthemaceae, especially Carpobrotus N. E. Br., Cephalophyllum (Haw.) N. E. Br., Ruschia Schwant., Lampranthus N. E. Br., Delosperma N. E. Br., and allied genera (KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995, and unpublished data). Phylogenetic position. Odontholariopsis gen. nov. is likely more closely related to Asterogethes gen. nov., and less so to Lariopsis and Neolariopsis gen. nov., but forming with them the newly defined Lariopsis generic complex, which is supported with evidence from both adult morphology and molecular datasets (TRIZZINO et al. 2009). Phylogenetic relationships of Odontholariopsis gen. nov. with Acanthogethes, Clypeogethes, and other ancestral Meligethinae genera remain unclear, and are only weakly supported by molecular data. Taxonomy and geographic distribution. Odontholariopsis gen. nov. includes four described species distributed in Southern Africa (KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995). Odontholariopsis aurimaculatus (Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape Odontholariopsis haagii (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape, S Namibia Odontholariopsis nebulosus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape Odontholariopsis sphaeroideus (Kirejtshuk & Easton, 1988) comb. nov. South Africa: W and E Cape

2. Asterogethes Audisio & Cline, gen. nov. (Figs. 2 a–n) Type species. Meligethes arcuatus Reitter, 1872: 252 (by present designation) [= Asterogethes arcuatus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov.]. Generic description and diagnosis. Inclusive species vary greatly in size (1.7–3.6 mm length), and share the following combination of characters. Body color and pubescence: pubescence golden to silvery-whitish, moderately elongate, suberect, partially obscuring the variably colored (yellowish, reddish, brown, blackish-brown, or brown with yellow spots on elytra: Figs. 2a, b) dorsal body surface; pronotal and elytral sides strongly narrowed and flat, yellowish and frequently paler than pronotal disk. Lateral margin of pronotum and elytra with series of long, erect setae (Fig. 2d), each seta usually as long as those on elytral disc; posterior margin of pronotum comprising moderately long, usually distally trifid or tetrafid microsetae (Fig. 2m), microsetae also uniformly distributed on middle region anterior to scutellum. Dorsal habitus: body moderately convex, variably shaped, moderately short and wide, oval, or more narrow and parallel-sided (Figs. 2a, b); dorsal punctures on pronotal disc larger than eye facets, usually deeply impressed and densely distributed; anterior margin of clypeus moderately arcuately emarginate, simple, i.e. without small distinct bulge at middle, and not bordered (Figs. 2a, b, c), with circum-ocular furrows (occipital sulci) on dorsal side of head absent (Fig. 2c); eyes large and usually moderately projecting laterally (Figs. 2a, b, c); pronotum with faintly distinct posterior angles, rounded to obtuse and never directed posteriorly (Figs. 2a, b); scutellum regularly punctate in most of exposed region; elytra with simple punctation, never transversely strigose; elytral humeral angle faintly distinct, not protruding laterally (Figs. 2a, b); elytral humeral striae not distinct; elytral pre-sutural striae visible, originating at scutellar vertex, terminating at elytral apex, and delimiting a faintly distinct, flat, not raised sutural border on each elytron, border widest at posterior third, slightly narrower than proximal width of 3 rd antennomere; elytral apices truncately rounded in both sexes (Fig. 2a); pygidium partially exposed, moderately convex, apically rounded in both sexes (Figs. 2a, b). Ventral habitus: antennal furrows distinctly delimited, nearly parallel-sided, or slightly diverging posteriorly; mentum subpentagonal (Fig. 2d); antennal prosternal furrows on anterior margin of prosternum nearly obliterated (Fig. 2d); prosternal process relatively narrow, but subapical portion strongly dilated, 2.4–2.6× as wide as maximum width of 1 st antennomere, with arcuately convex apex (Fig. 2n); posterior margin of mesoventrite simple, never incised at middle (Fig. 2n); lateral borders of prosternal process not delimiting furrows, terminating at base of prosternal process (Fig. 2n); sexual dimorphism variable but usually distinctly manifested, frequently with more or less distinct impressions on metaventrite in males; first two visible abdominal ventrites simple in both sexes, without tufts of setae; caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities always simple, parallel and contiguous to posterior margin of metacoxal cavities, without deep arched impression of outer ‘axillary’ line (Fig. 2f); ‘axillary’ space on first abdominal ventrite moderately developed, ‘axillary’ angle widely obtuse (Fig. 2f); small, short, and shallowly impressed arched impressions on basal portion of last visible abdominal ventrite, frequently covered by distal portion of penultimate visible abdominal ventrite (Fig. 2g). Appendages: male 1 st antennomere 0.7–0.9× as long as width of protibiae, excluding distal teeth (Figs. 2a, b, d); 3 rd antennomere in both sexes usually only 1.9–2.0× as long as wide, 0.7–0.8× as long but distinctly thinner than 2 nd antennomere (Fig. 2d); 4 th and 5 th antennomeres in both sexes subequal, short, nearly as long as wide; antennal club compact, small, simple, no sexual dimorphism present, comprising last 3 antennomeres in both sexes (8 th antennomere moderately widened, 0.6–0.7× as wide as 9 th antennomere) (Fig. 2k), much narrower than width of protibiae; labial palpi moderately long in both sexes (Fig. 2d), terminal segment 1.8–1.9× as long as wide; maxillary palpi moderately long and slender in both sexes (Fig. 2d), terminal segment 2.2–2.3× as long as wide; mandible usually small (Figs. 2a, b), ~1.2–1.3× longer than wide, comprising moderately acuminate apex, no sexual dimorphism present; tarsal claws simple, never toothed at base (as in Fig. 3d); tarsi of variable size and shape, 0.6–0.8× as long as corresponding tibiae (Figs. 2a, b); protibiae with a series of usually large, basally widened, uneven, more or less sharp teeth on lateral margin (Figs. 2a, b; Figs. 126 a–e in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995); meso- and metatibiae with lateral margin bearing a nearly double and usually uneven row of large and robust spurs (Fig. 2h), without U-shaped sinuosity at distal third; meso- and metatibiae moderately slender, flat (Figs. 2a, b), never distinctly subtrapezoidal or axe-shaped; sexual dimorphism variably expressed in metatibiae, i.e. simple or distinctly sinuate in males (Figs. 2a, b; Figs. 87–90 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), and with tarsal plates of prolegs slightly wider in males; posterior margin of male metafemora with 2–3 minute tubercles (Fig. 2e; Figs. 101, 105 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995). Male genitalia: processes along inner side of parameres absent (Figs. 21–24 and 27–28 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), distal margin nearly transversely truncate, and without deep median longitudinal desclerotization from proximal portion of tegmen to medial distal Vshaped excision; median lobe of aedeagus without lateral emargination, bluntly acuminate anteriorly, without distal minute emargination. Female genitalia (ovipositor): variably shaped, usually small; styli usually short but distinct, simple, cylindrical, subtruncate, not distinctly pigmented, inserted at apex of nearly contiguous gonostyloids; lateral portion of basicoxites simple, never indentate (Figs. 52–54 in KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995), and faintly distinct arcuate area along lateral subdistal portion of gonostyloids. ‘Central point’ of ovipositor centrally located, proximally directed spicule absent. Etymology. The generic name is derived from the host-plant family of all inclusive species, i.e. Asteraceae, and from ‘- gethes ’, emphasizing the association with this botanical family as well as its phylogenetic relationship with Meligethes. Gender masculine. Biology. The three inclusive species are strictly associated for larval development with inflorescences (capitula) of Asteraceae, in particular Arctotis L., Osteospermum L., Dimorphoteca Vaill. ex Moench, Othonna L., and allied genera (KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995; AUDISIO unpublished data). Phylogenetic position. Asterogethes gen. nov. is closely related to Odontholariopsis gen. nov., Neolariopsis gen. nov., and Lariopsis, with which it forms the newly circumscribed Lariopsis - complex of genera. This complex is supported by evidence from both adult morphology and molecular data (TRIZZINO et al. 2009). But phylogenetic relationships of Asterogethes gen. nov. with Acanthogethes, Clypeogethes, and other ancestral Meligethinae remain unclear. Taxonomy and geographic distribution. Asterogethes gen. nov. includes three species with the following restricted distributions in Southern Africa (KIREJTSHUK & AUDISIO 1995). Asterogethes arcuatus (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape Asterogethes endroedyi (Kirejtshuk & Audisio, 1995) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape, S Namibia Asterogethes rufiventris (Reitter, 1872) comb. nov. South Africa: W Cape

6. Clypeogethes Scholz, 1932 stat. nov. (Figs. 6 a���e, k���n) Clypeogethes Scholz, 1932: 97 (described as a subgenus of Meligethes Stephens, 1830). Type species. Meligethes (Clypeogethes) leonhardi Scholz, 1932: 97 (by monotypy) [= Meligethes elongatus (Rosenhauer, 1856: 98) = Clypeogethes elongatus (Rosenhauer, 1856) comb. nov.]. Generic redescription and diagnosis. Inclusive species vary greatly in size (1.2���3.3 mm length), and share the following combination of characters. Body color and pubescence: pubescence usually short and fine, recumbent, golden to silvery-whitish or leaden-brown, never obscuring the variably colored dorsal body surface (brown, blackish, reddish, dull bluish or blackish, in a few cases with orange spots on elytra) (Fig. 6a); pronotal and elytral sides narrowly flattened, typically the same color as disc. Lateral margin of pronutum and elytra with a series of faintly distinct, small and short setae, each seta usually 0.3���0.5�� as long as those on elytral disc; posterior margin of pronotum with long, usually distally bifid or rarely trifid microsetae, microsetae uniformly distributed on middle region anterior to scutellum (as in Fig. 7g). Dorsal habitus: body moderately convex, elongate, oval (Fig. 6a); dorsal punctures on discal portion of pronotum usually fine, nearly as large as eye facets, shallowly impressed and more or less densely distributed; anterior margin of clypeus more or less deeply sinuately emarginate, simple, i.e. without small distinct bulge medially, and distinctly bordered; circum-ocular furrows (occipital sulci) on dorsal side of head complete, fine but distinct (Fig. 6m); eyes large and usually moderately projected laterally (Figs. 6a, m); pronotum with faintly distinct posterior angles, rounded to obtuse and never directed posteriorly (Fig. 6a); scutellum regularly punctured in most of exposed portion; elytra with simple and fine punctation, never transversely strigose, occasionally with faint traces of orange peel-like rugosity; elytral humeral angle narrowly rounded, faintly distinct, not protruding laterally (Fig. 6a); elytral humeral striae usually indistinct; elytral pre-sutural striae visible, originating at scutellar vertex or slightly posterior to apex, terminating at elytral apex, and delimiting on each elytron a faintly distinct, flat, unraised sutural border; border widest at posterior third, usually distinctly narrower than proximal width of 3 rd antennomere; elytral apices truncately rounded in both sexes (Fig. 6a); pygidium partially exposed, moderately convex, apically rounded in both sexes (Fig. 6a). Ventral habitus: antennal furrows markedly delimited, nearly parallel-sided, or slightly divergent posteriorly; mentum subpentagonal (Fig. 6n); prosternal antennal furrows on anterior margin of prosternum moderately raised and short (Fig. 6n); prosternal process relatively narrow, subapical dilated portion 2.1���2.2�� as wide as maximum width of 1 st antennomere, apex usually bluntly acuminate (as in Fig. 7d); lateral borders of prosternal process delimiting shallowly impressed but distinct furrows, distally terminating over predistal lateral expansions; posterior margin of mesoventrite simple, never incised medially (as in Fig. 7d); male impressions on metaventrite moderately developed; first two visible abdominal ventrites usually simple in both sexes, without tufts of setae; caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities always simple, parallel and contiguous to posterior margin of metacoxal cavities, without deep arched impression of outer ���axillary��� line (as in Fig. 7f); ���axillary��� space on first abdominal ventrite moderately developed, ���axillary��� angle obtuse (as in Fig. 7f); large and moderately deeply impressed arched impressions on basal portion of last visible abdominal ventrite, frequently partially covered by distal portion of penultimate visible abdominal ventrite (Fig. 6k). Appendages: male 1 st antennomere 0.8���1.0�� as long as width of protibiae excluding distal teeth; 3 rd antennomere in both sexes usually 1.9���2.1�� as long as wide, only 0.8���0.9�� as long as but distinctly thinner than 2 nd antennomere (Figs. 6a, m, n); 4 th and 5 th antennomeres in both sexes subequal, short, slightly longer than wide; antennal club compact, small, simple, comprising last 3 antennomeres in both sexes, sexual dimorphism absent (Figs. 6a, n), distinctly narrower than width of protibiae; labial palpi relatively short in both sexes (as in Fig. 7c), terminal segment 1.7���1.8�� as long as wide; maxillary palpi moderately long and slender in both sexes (as in Fig. 7c), terminal segment 2.4���2.7�� as long as wide; mandible usually mid-sized (Fig. 6a), apex moderately acuminate, no sexual dimorphism; tarsal claws never toothed at base (as in Fig. 5e); tarsi of normal size and shape, 0.6���0.7�� as long as corresponding tibiae (Fig. 6a); protibiae with a series of usually small, even, sharp teeth on lateral margin (Figs. 6a, n; Figs. 127 d-f in AUDISIO 1993b); meso- and metatibiae on lateral margin bearing a moderately even row of fine pegs (Fig. 6a), without U-shaped sinuosity at distal third; meso- and metatibiae of variable width, usually moderately flat, but narrow and slender (Fig. 6a), never distinctly subtrapezoidal or axe-shaped; no sexual dimorphism in tibial shape; tarsal plates of prolegs sligthly wider in males; posterior margin of metafemora simple in both sexes, without tubercles or projections. Male genitalia: processes along inner side of parameres absent (Figs. 6d, e; Fig. 136 in AUDISIO 1993b), usually with arcuately emarginate distal margin, without deep median longitudinal desclerotization from proximal portion of tegmen extending to medial distal Vshaped excision; median lobe of aedeagus variable, without emargination laterally, rounded, subtruncate to acuminate distally, without distal minute excision or emargination. Female genitalia (ovipositor): variably shaped, usually small; styli usually short but distinct, simple, cylindrical, frequently distinctly pigmented, inserted close to apex of contiguous gonostyloids; each gonostyloid lightly sclerotized and distally pigmented, with a simple, never indentate outer portion of basicoxites (Figs. 6b, c; Figs. 155 a���g in AUDISIO 1993b), and a single, narrow, scarcely pigmented and sclerotized arcuate area along outer subdistal portion of gonostyloids. ���Central point��� of ovipositor usually centrally located, with or without proximad directed spicule. Etymology. The generic name is derived from ���clypeus���, to emphasize the markedly arcuately emarginate anterior margin of the clypeus, and from ���- gethes ���, to emphasize its phylogenetic relationship with Meligethes. Gender masculine. Biology. All species are strictly associated for larval development with flowers of Brassicaceae, especially Alyssum L., Aurinia Desv., Moricandia DC., Hesperis L., and Matthiola R.Br. (EASTON 1957a; AUDISIO 1993b, and unpublished data; AUDISIO et al. 2000). Phylogenetic position. Available molecular and morphological datasets suggest a clearly monophyletic clade including Clypeogethes and Xerogethes gen. nov. (both genera developing on Brassicaceae). See comments within Acanthogethes, for possible relationships of Clypeogethes and Xerogethes gen. nov. with members of the Lariopsis generic complex and Acanthogethes. Taxonomy and geographic distribution. Herein, Clypeogethes includes seven described species distributed from western Europe and North Africa to Middle Asia. Most known species are distributed in eastern Mediterranean countries (AUDISIO 1993b; AUDISIO et al. 2000; JEL��NEK & AUDISIO 2007). Clypeogethes chlorocyaneus (Jel��nek & Audisio, 1977) comb. nov. N Balkans, W and E Alps Clypeogethes coerulescens (Kraatz, 1858) comb. nov. Greece Clypeogethes elongatus (Rosenhauer, 1856) comb. nov. Iberian Peninsula, N Africa, Middle East Clypeogethes lepidii (Miller, 1851) comb. nov. S Palaearctic Region, excluding N Africa Clypeogethes mithra (Jel��nek, 1978) comb. nov. Near East Clypeogethes tener (Reitter, 1873) comb. nov. NE Mediterranean areas, Caucasus Clypeogethes wittmeri (Jel��nek & Audisio, 1977) comb. nov. N Turkey, Armenia, Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Cline, Andrew Richard, Biase, Alessio De, Antonini, Gloria, Mancini, Emiliano, Trizzino, Marco, Costantini, Lorenzo, Strika, Sirio, Lamanna, Francesco & Cerretti, Pierfilippo, 2009, Preliminary re-examination of genus-level taxonomy of the pollen beetle subfamily Meligethinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), pp. 341-504 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 49 (2) on pages 363-366, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5319334, {"references":["SCHOLZ M. F. R. 1932: Ein neuer Meligethes aus Sudeuropa und Bemerkungen zu einigen Arten. Entomologische Blatter 28: 97 - 100.","STEPHENS J. F. 1830: Illustrations of British Entomology; or, a Synopsis of Indigenous Insects: containing their generic and specific distinctions; with an account of their metamorphoses, times of appearance, localities, food, and economy, as far as practicable. Mandibulata, vol. III. Baldwin and Craddock, London, 379 pp, pls. 16 - 19.","ROSENHAUER W. G. 1856: Die Thiere Andalusiens nach dem Resultate einer Reise zusammengestellt, nebst den Beschreibungen von 249 neuen oder bis jetz noch unbeschriebenen Gattungen und Arten. T. Blaesing Verlag, Erlangen, 429 pp.","AUDISIO P. 1993 b: Coleoptera Nitidulidae - Kateretidae. Fauna d'Italia. Vol. 32. Calderini Edizione, Bologna, xvi + 971 pp.","JELINEK J. & AUDISIO P. 1977: Tassonomia e distribuzione geografica di Meligethes coerulescens Kraatz e specie correlate (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae). Bollettino del Museo di Zoologia dell'Universita di Torino 1977 (1): 1 - 14.","AUDISIO P., JELINEK J., MARIOTTI A. & DE BIASE A. 2000: The Coleoptera Nitidulidae and Kateretidae from Anatolian, Caucasian and Middle East regions. Biogeographia, Lavori della Societa italiana di Biogeografia, Nuova Serie 21: 241 - 354.","BRISOUT DE BARNEVILLE C. N. F. 1863: [new taxa]. In: GRENIER A. (ed.): Catalogue des Coleopteres de France, et materiaux pour servir a la faune des Coleopteres Francais. A. Grenier, Paris, iv + 9 - 79 + 1 - 135 pp.","EASTON A. M. 1957 a: A revision of the rotundicollis and lepidii species-groups in the genus Meligethes Stephens (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 12 10: 85 - 96.","JELINEK J. & AUDISIO P. 2007: Family Nitidulidae. Pp. 459 - 491. In: LOBL I. & SMETANA A. (eds): Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera. Vol. 4: Elateroidea - Derodontoidea - Bostrichoidea - Lymexyloidea - Cleroidea - Cucujoidea. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 935 pp."]}

35. Horakia Jel��nek, 2000 (Figs. 35 a���p) Horakia Jel��nek, 2000: 413. Type species. Horakia kubani Jel��nek, 2000: 414 (by original designation). Generic redescription and diagnosis. The single known species (2.5���2.6 mm length; 1.5 mm width) exhibits the following combination of characters. Body color and pubescence: pubescence moderately long and fine, recumbent, golden on head and pronotum, darker on elytra, not obscuring the variably colored dorsal body surface (head and pronotal disk dark brown; elytra, pygidium and metaventrite blackish with faint metallic greenish iridescence on pronotal disc and pygidium), flattened sides of frons, and two diverging spots on posterior half of elytra (Fig. 35a) yellowish-brown; pronotal and elytral sides relatively widely flattened. SEM observations of microsetae on lateral margins of elytra and posterior margin of pronotum are unavailable. Dorsal habitus: body slightly convex, wide and oval (Fig. 35a); dorsal punctures on discal portion of pronotum smaller than eye facet, shallowly impressed and sparsely distributed; anterior margin of clypeus emarginate, simple, i.e. without small distinct medial bulge, fused with frons; frons with lateral margins moderately bulging over antennal insertions (Fig. 35a); circum-ocular furrows (occipital sulci) on dorsal side of head (occipital sulci) absent; eyes small-sized and moderately projecting laterally (Fig. 35a), pronotum with markedly distinct posterior angles, subrectangular to slightly acute, slightly directed posteriorly (Fig. 35a); scutellum densely punctate on most of exposed portion; elytral punctation almost completely finely transversely strigose; elytral humeral angle obtuse, not protruding laterally; elytral humeral striae indistinct; elytra apically truncately rounded in males (Fig. 35a), female unknown; pygidium partially exposed, moderately convex, apically rounded in males (Fig. 35a). Ventral habitus: antennal furrows delimited by moderately bulged genae, arcuately convergent posteriorly (Fig. 35b); mentum subpentagonal; prosternal antennal furrows on anterior margin of prosternum absent (Fig. 35b); prosternal process flat, moderately narrow, shallowly arcuately emarginate apically (Fig. 35d), subapical dilated portion ~1.5�� as wide as maximum width of 1 st antennomere; lateral borders of prosternal process not delimiting impressed furrows, distally terminating at predistal lateral expansions (Fig. 35d); posterior margin of mesoventrite simple, not medially incised; sexual dimorphism likely absent in impressions on metaventrite, absent in males; first two visible abdominal ventrites simple in males, without tufts of setae; caudal marginal lines of metacoxal cavities simple, parallel and contiguous to posterior margin of metacoxal cavities; arched impressions on basal portion of last visible abdominal ventrite absent. Appendages: male 1 st antennomere ~1.0�� as long as width of protibiae (Fig. 35a); 3 rd antennomere long and thin in males, ~5�� longer than wide, 3.5�� longer and much thinner than 2 nd antennomere (Fig. 35p); 4 th antennomere relatively short, 2�� longer than wide, 5 th antennomere long and thin in males, ~4�� longer than wide; antennal club compact, long, moderately loose, comprising last 4 antennomeres in males (unknown, but presumably 3- segmented in females), wider than protibiae; labial palpi long and slender in both sexes (Fig. 35b), terminal segment ~2.7�� as long as wide; maxillary palpi long and slender in both sexes (Fig. 35b), terminal segment ~3.4�� as long as wide; mandibles mid-sized, apex arcuate and acuminate with subapical tooth; tarsal claws simple, not toothed at base; tarsi of normal size and shape, 0.6���0.7�� as long as corresponding tibiae (Fig. 35a); protibiae with a series of small, fine, sharp teeth on apical portion of lateral margin (Fig. 35k), almost rectilinear outer margins and flatly arcuate inner margins; lateral margin of meso- and metatibiae bearing a single and regular row of long thin pegs (Figs. 35m, n), without U-shaped sinuosity at distal third; meso- and metatibiae moderately long and slender, not markedly subtrapezoidal or axeshaped; tarsal plates of prolegs moderately wide in males; posterior margins of metafemora simple in males, without tubercles or projections. Male genitalia: processes along inner side of parameres absent (Figs. 35e���f), with deep and wide V-shaped excision along distal margin, without deep median longitudinal desclerotization from proximal portion of tegmen extending to medial distal V-shaped excision; median lobe of aedeagus long, without lateral emargination, sharply acuminate distally, without distal minute excision or emargination; main sclerites of internal sac small, narrow, lyriform, moderately sclerotized, ~4���5�� shorter than aedeagus (Fig. 35g). Female genitalia (ovipositor): unknown. Etymology. Horakia was named for a Czech entomologist, Jan Hor��k (Prague), who collected the type specimens in Thailand (JEL��NEK 2000a). Gender feminine. Biology. The biology of the single inclusive species is unknown (JEL��NEK 2000a). Both specimens in the type series were collected in indigenous mountain forests of northern Thailand on inflorescences of large trees of a local species of Castanopsis (D. Don) Spach (Fagaceae), which is attractive to beetles in general. Horakia larvae may be associated with male inflorescences of a mountain forest palm (Arecaceae), as analogously observed in the two related genera Kabakovia and Cryptarchopria known from the region. The specific host is probably the Mountain fishtail palm, Caryota gigas W. J. Hahn ex Hodel, which is a large, endangered species that inhabits middle altitude (1200���1800 m a.s.l.) indigenous forests of northern Thailand and northeastern India, Myanmar (Burma), southern China, and Laos (RIFFLE 2008). However this assumption is speculative and requires further fieldwork to substantiate. Phylogenetic position. Available morphological data provide good evidence of a sister-group relationship of Horakia and Cryptarchopria, with Kabakovia being likely sister to this clade (JEL��NEK 2000a). A weaker relationship to members of Meligethinus could also be postulated. No molecular data is currently available. Taxonomy and geographic distribution. This genus includes a single species from northernwestern Thailand (JEL��NEK 2000a). Horakia kubani Jel��nek, 2000 NW Thailand, Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Cline, Andrew Richard, Biase, Alessio De, Antonini, Gloria, Mancini, Emiliano, Trizzino, Marco, Costantini, Lorenzo, Strika, Sirio, Lamanna, Francesco & Cerretti, Pierfilippo, 2009, Preliminary re-examination of genus-level taxonomy of the pollen beetle subfamily Meligethinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), pp. 341-504 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 49 (2) on pages 467-469, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5319334, {"references":["JELINEK J. 2000 a: New genus and species of Oriental Meligethinae with new observations on the genera Cryptarchopria and Kabakovia (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). European Journal of Entomology 97: 413 - 418.","RIFFLE L. R. 2008: Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms. Timber Press, Portland, USA, 237 pp."]}

Carlo Utzeri, Marco Nigro, Romolo Fochetti

The Meligethes subaeneus complex The Meligethes subaeneus complex (Table 1) comprises three European species sharing the following combination of characters: Pronotum always with ratio WPR 1 /WPR 2 (Fig. 17 a) > 1.0, i.e., more or less regularly and arcuately narrowed anterad from its maximum width at the posterior angles (Figs. 1���4). Anterior edge of profemora simple, without protruding tubercles. Posterior edge of mesofemora simple, without protruding teeth. Antennal club medium��sized, ratio W 10 J/W03J (Fig. 17 b) = 4.4���4.6. Body nut brown to blackish brown, usually with faint bronze reflections dorsally, legs and antennae frequently paler. The first above mentioned character easily distinguishes members of the M. subaeneus complex from all other species so far included in the M. coracinus subgroup (previously treated as a species��complex: Audisio et al., 2005 a, 2005 b), which exhibit pronotum with ratio WPR 1 /WPR 2 (Fig. 17 a) 1.0., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Mancini, Emiliano & Biase, Alessio De, 2006, A new species of the pollen��beetle genus Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) of the M. aeneus group from Greece, with review of the M. subaeneus complex, pp. 43-60 in Zootaxa 1275 on page 44, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.173302, {"references":["Audisio, P., De Biase, A., Antonini, G., Mancini, E., Ozbek, H. & Gultekin, L. (2005 a) Redescription and natural history of Meligethes longulus Schilsky, 1894, and provisional revision of the M. coracinus species-complex (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae). Italian Journal of Zoology, 72, 73 - 85.","Audisio, P., De Biase, A., Antonini, G. & Mancini, E. (2005 b) Two new Meligethes of the M. coracinus complex from southern Europe (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae). Fragmenta entomologica, Roma, 37, 65 - 89."]}

Meligethes subaeneus Sturm, 1845 (Figs. 2 ���3, 7���8, 14) Diagnosis Small to medium��sized (length 1.70���2.80 mm), variable species, usually dark brown with pale brown to blackish��brown legs and antennae, with maximum pronotal width at posterior angles (Figs. 2���3). Similar to M. epeirosi n.sp. and M. matronalis but with dorsal punctures usually sparser (spaces between punctures 1.3 ���2.0X diameter), pronotum and elytra much duller and body on average smaller than M. matronalis, and median lobe of the aedeagus distinctive, being much shorter than in M. epeirosi n.sp. and M. matronalis (Fig. 8; ratio LEAE / WIAE [Fig. 17 f] = 1.66���1.78) and subparallel at sides (in M. epeirosi n.sp. median lobe with maximum width at distal three��fifths, distinctly narrowed both distad and proximad: Figs. 11���12). The form of the pronotum and the peculiarly short median lobe of the aedeagus separate M. subaeneus from all other members of the M. coracinus subgroup. Female ovipositor as figured (Fig. 14), apex never darkened. Geographic distribution This species is widespread in Europe from NW Spain (Cantabrian Mts.) westward, throughout most of Europe, south to northern Greece and southern peninsular Italy, reaching the northern Caucasus eastward (Audisio, 1993; Audisio et al., 2000). Overall, it is rare, being locally abundant in certain localities in central and southern Europe (e.g., Pyrenean Mts, Italian Prealpine Range, northern and central Apennines, Transylvanian Alps). Biological notes This species shows a clear and geographically��dependent heterogeneity in its relationships with the larval host��plants. Most of the populations from central��southern and southern Europe seem to be associated with Cardamine spp. (Brassicaceae Arabideae), especially C. bulbifera L. and several species of the subgenus Dentaria, almost exclusively flowering in Spring (flowers persisting for a couple of weeks from late March to early June, depending on altitude and latitude) in shady forest habitats, such as woods of beech, mesophilous oak, and other meso��hygrophilous broad��leaved tree dominated forests. However, most populations from central, eastern and northern Europe seem to be associated with Cardaminopsis spp. (Brassicaceae Arabideae), especially C. arenosa (L.) Hayek and C. halleri (L.) Hayek, which almost exclusively flower in middle Spring (flowers persisting for a couple of weeks from late April to middle June, depending on altitude and latitude) at the edges of shady forest habitats with humid screes and rocky slopes, especially on calcareous soils. Finally, populations from Cantabrian Mts. (NE Spain) are associated with the unrelated Sisymbrium irio L. (Brassicaceae Sisymbrieae), flowering in middle Spring (middle May to middle June, depending on altitude, mainly between 400 and 1200 m) at the edges of fragmented forest habitats with shady screes and rocky or terrigenous slopes. We recently demonstrated this latter association by scoring genetic identity based on the comparison of the almost complete COI gene sequences (unpublished data) of larvae and adults from the host plant in Campollo (Comunidad Autonoma de Cantabria, 27.V. 2005, E. Mancini leg.). In certain areas of southern Europe (e.g., NE Italy in Friuli, SW Austria, and central Romania) nearly sympatric populations associated with Cardamine spp. or Cardaminopsis spp. are only separated by a few kilometres. Taxonomic observations As discussed by Audisio et al. (2005 a), the Cantabrian populations show a moderate degree of morphological and chromatic differentiation. Specimens from these populations are, in fact, characterised by dorsal punctures relatively coarser and deeper, blackish legs and antennae (usually pale brown to brown in typical M. subaeneus), and shorter elytra (ratio LELY / WELY [Fig. 17 a] = 0.99���1.05; ratio LEPR / LELY [Fig. 17 a] = 0.55���0.61; Fig. 3), if compared with typical populations of M. subaeneus (ratio LELY / WELY = 1.05���1.09; ratio LEPR / LELY [Fig. 17 a] = 0.45���0.55; Fig. 2). This evidence, combined with an association to a larval host plant (Sisymbrium irio) distantly related to members of Arabideae (Cardamine and Cardaminopsis) used by this species for larval development, suggested that Cantabrian populations could represent a new taxon different from the widespread European M. subaeneus. However, no evidence of strong morphological differentiation was observed among the Cardamine �� or Cardaminopsis�� associated European populations, albeit the specimens of Cardaminopsis�� associated populations exhibit a relatively smaller and narrower pronotum (ratio WPR 1 / WELY [Fig. 17 a] = 0.85���0.90) in comparison with specimens of Cardamine�� associated populations (ratio WPR 1 / WELY [Fig. 17 a] = 0.89���0.92; Fig. 2). Probably as a consequence of the Pleistocenic glaciation cycles, which isolated populations of the ancestral M. subaeneus in different southern European refugia (Iberian, Italian, and Balkan areas; Hewitt, 1999), the Cantabrian and the European groups of populations, that exhibit (as discussed above) a marked ecological differentiation in their host��plant needs, have made important steps towards their specific differentiation, and should be considered host��races (as interpreted by Dr��s & Mallet, 2002) or even distinct species., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Mancini, Emiliano & Biase, Alessio De, 2006, A new species of the pollen��beetle genus Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) of the M. aeneus group from Greece, with review of the M. subaeneus complex, pp. 43-60 in Zootaxa 1275 on pages 49-50, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.173302, {"references":["Audisio, P. (1993) Coleoptera Nitidulidae-Kateretidae. Fauna d'Italia, 32. Calderini Editore, Bologna, XVI + 971 pp.","Audisio, P., Jelinek, J., Mariotti, A. & De Biase, A. (2000) The Coleoptera Nitidulidae and Kateretidae from Anatolian, Caucasian and Middle East regions. Biogeographia, Lavori della Societa italiana di Biogeografia, 21, 241 - 354.","Audisio, P., De Biase, A., Antonini, G., Mancini, E., Ozbek, H. & Gultekin, L. (2005 a) Redescription and natural history of Meligethes longulus Schilsky, 1894, and provisional revision of the M. coracinus species-complex (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae). Italian Journal of Zoology, 72, 73 - 85.","Hewitt, G. M. (1999) Post-glacial re-colonization of European biota. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68, 87 - 112.","Dres, M. & Mallet, J. (2002) Host races in plant-feeding insects and their importance in sympatric speciation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London, B, 357, 471 - 492."]}

Meligethes matronalis Audisio & Spornraft, 1990 (Figs. 4, 9���10, 15) Diagnosis Medium��sized (length 2.20���3.10 mm) and moderately variable species, usually dark brown with pale brown to orange��brown legs and antennae, with maximum pronotal width at posterior angles (Fig. 4). Similar to the widespread European M. subaeneus Sturm, 1845, but with dorsal punctures denser and coarser (less close than in M. epeirosi n.sp.; spaces between punctures 1.2���1.3 X diameter), body larger (2.2���3.1 mm in M. matronalis, 1.7���2.8 mm in M. subaeneus), shiny surface between elytral punctures, pronotum less dull, and different median lobe of aedeagus being longer than M. subaeneus (Fig. 10; ratio LEAE / WIAE [Fig. 17 f] = 1.95���2.13 in M. matronalis, 1.66���1.78 in M. subaeneus), and subparallel at sides (in M. epeirosi n.sp. median lobe with maximum width at distal threefifths, distinctly narrowed both distad and proximad: Figs. 11���12). Quite distinct from all members of the M. coracinus subgroup due to pronotal maximum width close to the posterior angles. Female ovipositor as figured (Fig. 15), with slightly darker apex. Geographic distribution This species is widespread from N Spain (Pyrenean Mts.) westward throughout most of Europe, reaching the Caucasus (Azerbaijan) eastward (Audisio, 1993; Audisio et al., 2000, 2005a). This species is rare and local, except for localities from central and northern Europe (southern Germany to southern Finland and Sweden northward), where the present��day distribution is associated with a recent anthropogenic introduction of the larval host��plant (see below) that is widely used as an ornamental (Jalaas & Suominen, 1994; Meybohm, 1995; Renner, 1995; Spornraft, 1998; Ericson, 1999; Schillhammer & Schuh, 2004). subgroup. Continued species of the Meligethes coracinus subgroup (see Fig. 17). measurement measurement description acronyms Fig 17 a WPR 1 pronotal width at posterior angles WPR 2 pronotal width at 1 / 3 of its length LEPR pronotal length LELY elytral length (mean) WELY elytral width (mean) Fig 17 b W03J maximum width of 3 rd antennal joint W 10 J maximum width of 10 th antennal joint Fig 17 c LETI length of front tibiae (mean) WITI maximum width of front tibiae, excluding teeth (mean) Fig 17 d LFTA total length of front tarsi (mean) WFTA maximum width of second tarsal joint of front tarsi (mean) LLTJ length of last tarsal joint of front tarsi (mean) WLTJ maximum width of last tarsal joint of front tarsi (mean) Fig 17 e WITE maximum width of tegmen WIMN width of tegmen at subproximal narrowest point ANGT measure (expressed as ratio of the angular value in degrees x 100 over the value of 180 ��) of the sector defined by the inner edge of the paramera LETE length of tegmen DETE depth of tegminal incisure Fig 17 f LEAE length of median lobe of the aedeagus LEOS length of the distance between the posterior edge of the aedeagal ejaculatory ostium and apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus WIAE maximum width of median lobe of the aedeagus Fig 17 g V length of segment AB (apex of the median lobe of aedeagus) H length of segment AC (apex of the median lobe of aedeagus) Biological notes This species is strictly monophagous, and the well��known larval host��plant is Hesperis matronalis L. (Brassicaceae Hesperideae; Audisio & Spornraft, 1990; Audisio, 1993; Audisio et al., 2001 a, 2002). Only a few Caucasian localities (Armenia, Eastern Turkey) had populations associated with Hesperis transcaucasica Tzvelev (unpublished data); however this probably represents a subspecies of H. matronalis (Davis, 1965). Meligethes matronalis, at least in natural environments, is strongly associated with edges and clearings of broad��leaved woods (beech, mesophilous oaks, alders, chestnuts, and others), from 200 to 2500 m a.s.l. Taxonomic observations This species, except for variation in body size (2.2���3.1 mm), appears to be morphologically homogeneous throughout most of its geographic range (both primary and secondary), except the Caucasian populations are represented by specimens showing relatively duller spaces between dorsal punctures in comparison with W. European specimens. Genetic data available from allozyme analyses (De Biase, 2000; Audisio et al., 2002), COI gene sequences (unpublished data), and mitochondrial Control Region fragments (unpublished data), indicate a stronger genetic affinity between M. matronalis and M. coracinus, than to M. subaeneus. Despite this genetic evidence, M. subaeneus and M. matronalis are much more closely related to each other in a phenetic space described by morphometric variables (Audisio et al., 2001 a), and Kirejtshuk (1997) erroneously concluded that these two species were synonymous., Published as part of Audisio, Paolo, Mancini, Emiliano & Biase, Alessio De, 2006, A new species of the pollen��beetle genus Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) of the M. aeneus group from Greece, with review of the M. subaeneus complex, pp. 43-60 in Zootaxa 1275 on pages 51-57, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.173302, {"references":["Audisio, P. & Spornraft, K. (1990) Taxonomie, Okologie und Verbreitung von Meligethes coracinus auctt. mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Nachrichtenblatt der Bayerischen Entomologen, 39, 70 - 75.","Audisio, P. (1993) Coleoptera Nitidulidae-Kateretidae. Fauna d'Italia, 32. Calderini Editore, Bologna, XVI + 971 pp.","Audisio, P., Jelinek, J., Mariotti, A. & De Biase, A. (2000) The Coleoptera Nitidulidae and Kateretidae from Anatolian, Caucasian and Middle East regions. Biogeographia, Lavori della Societa italiana di Biogeografia, 21, 241 - 354.","Audisio, P., De Biase, A., Antonini, G., Mancini, E., Ozbek, H. & Gultekin, L. (2005 a) Redescription and natural history of Meligethes longulus Schilsky, 1894, and provisional revision of the M. coracinus species-complex (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae). Italian Journal of Zoology, 72, 73 - 85.","Jalas, J. & Suominen, J. 1994 (Eds) Cruciferae (Sisymbrium to Aubrieta). Atlas Florae Europeae, 10. University Press, Helsinki, 224 pp.","Meybohm, H. (1995) Meldungen zur Kaferfauna von Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Nord- Niedersachsen. II. Teil. Bombus (Hamburg), 3, 49 - 50.","Renner, K. (1995) Meligethes reitteri Schilsky und Meligethes matronalis Audisio & Spornraft im westlichen Deutschland (Col., Nitidulidae). Mitteilungen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rheinischer Koleopterologen (Bonn), 5, 195 - 197.","Spornraft, K. (1998) Familie Nitidulidae, pp. 240 - 243, In: Lucht, W. & Klausnitzer, B. (Eds.): Die Kafer Mitteleuropas, 4. Supplementband. Goecke & Evers, Krefeld, 398 pp.","Ericson, B. (1999) Nya fynd av rapsbaggar (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethes) med tre for Sverige nya arter. Entomologisk Tidskrift, 120, 117 - 125.","Schillhammer, H. & Schuh, R. (2004) Bemerkenswerte Kaferfunde aus Osterreich (XII) (Coleoptera). Koleopterologische Rundschau, 74, 443 - 445.","Audisio, P., Belfiore, C., De Biase, A. & Antonini, G. (2001 a) Identification of Meligethes matronalis Audisio and Spornraft, 1990 and M. subaeneus Sturm, 1845, based on morphometric and bionomic characters (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). European Journal of Entomology, 98, 87 - 97.","Audisio, P., De Biase, A., Antonini, G., Oliverio, M., Ketmaier, V. & De Matthaeis, E. (2002) Specific distinction by allozymic data of sympatric sibling species of the pollen-beetle genus Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Italian Journal of Zoology, 69, 65 - 69.","Davis, P. H. (1965) (ed.) Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, 1. Edimburgh Univ. Press, 567 pp.","Kirejtshuk, A. G. (1997) New Palaearctic nitidulid beetles, with notes on synonymy and systematic position of some species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). Zoosystematica Rossica, 6, 255 - 268."]}