Taxonomic studies on West Indian Staphylinidae

Abstract

Aleomallus yaque Rainey and Ivie, new genus and species is described from high- elevation areas in the Dominican Republic and placed in the Aleocharinae tribe Diestotini. This placement is discussed with a review of the history of the tribe and related groups. A description with figures of diagnostic characters is provided. This discovery highlights the extent of undescribed Aleocharinae biodiversity in the mountains of the West Indies. The West Indian species of Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837 are revised to address a knowledge gap in our understanding of the genus. The genus now contains 17 species found in the West Indian biogeographical area, seven of which are described as new species: Belonuchus blackwelderi, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus crypticus, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus draco, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus franki, new species (Jamaica), Belonuchus sanchezi, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus dominici, new species (Hispaniola), and Belonuchus tenebros, new species (Hispaniola). The following new synonymies are proposed: Belonuchus hispaniolus Blackwelder, 1943 = Belonuchus gagates Erichson, 1840, new synonymy, Belonuchus oakleyi Blackwelder, 1943 = Belonuchus gagates Erichson, 1840, new synonymy. A lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for Belonuchus coeruleus Cameron, 1922, and Belonuchus cognatus Sharp, 1885. A lectotype is designated for Belonuchus eximius Bernhauer, 1917. Redescriptions and rediagnoses are provided for previously described species. All species are included in a taxonomic identification key, diagnostic characters are illustrated, distribution maps are presented for each species, and updates on the nomenclature of the group are provided.