Company or crowd? Termitomorpha kistneri sp. n., taxonomical rearrangement in termitophilous rove beetles and comparative notes in some Neotropical Termitogastrina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).

Xenogaster Wasmann, 1891 is a Neotropical genus of termite-associated staphylinid beetles commonly found in nests of Nasutitermitinae termites. Due to morphological similarities and difficulties in their comparison, confusion often occurs among the species of Xenogaster and closely related genera such as Termitogaster Casey, 1889 and Termitomorpha Wasmann, 1894. The examination of the holotype of Xenogaster lineis Kistner, 2006, demonstrate that this specimen actually belongs to Termitogaster genus, leading to the proposal the transfer and new combination of this species, Termitogaster lineis (Kistner, 2006) comb. n. Additionally, examination of part of the paratypes of Xenogaster lineis revealed these specimens belong to a new species of the Termitomorpha genus, T. kistneri sp. n. here described. The results of these findings highlight the need of more taxonomic studies to resolve the ambiguity and imprecision in the diagnostic characters of closely related genera in Termitogastrina. This paper underscores the significance of revisiting and thoroughly re-examining type specimens and paratypes in order to ensure greater stability in the classification and nomenclature of insect taxa. To conclude, an updated key for Termitomorpha species and Neotropical Termitogastrina is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]