Taxonomic studies on click-beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract

Click-beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) have historic difficulties at the subfamilial, tribal, and generic level, with many genera poorly defined at the global scale. This dissertation makes the definitions of four groups work world-wide to enable easier communication between regions. These clearer definitions also serve as foundations for future studies at higher levels, such as the tribal and subfamilial level. In this work, two new genera are described, seven species are described as new, 109 new combinations are proposed, and 5 new names are proposed to correct new homonyms. Keys to species are provided for the North American species in Athoplastus and Hemicrepidius and the species north of Mexico for Paradonus. A key to genera in the Limonius genus-group is provided, with a key to species provided for the newly described genus in that group. Important morphological characters are illustrated for each genus or genus group, and habitus photos are provided for all species in the examined regions for the genera Athoplastus, Hemicrepidius, and Paradonus.