A revision of the genus Diastolinus mulsant and rey (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the West Indies

Abstract

The West Indian genus Diastolinus Mulsant and Rey, 1859 is revised and its species redescribed (type species: Diastolinus clathratus (F.)). The genus now includes 18 species divided among three species-groups, eight of which are described as new species herein: Diastolinus chalumeaui Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus leewardensis Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus shieli Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus azuaensis Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus desecheo Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus doyeni Hart and Ivie, new species; Diastolinus vaderi Hart and Ivie, new species; and Diastolinus hoppae Hart and Ivie, new species. The following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Diastolinus hummelincki Marcuzzi, 1962 (= Diastolinus clavatus Mulsant and Rey, 1859, new synonymy), Diastolinus mulsanti Marcuzzi and D'Aguilar, 1971 (= Diastolinus clavatus Mulsant and Rey, 1859, new synonymy), and Diastolinus estebani Garrido, 2004a (= Diastolinus coarctatus (Mulsant and Rey, 1859), new synonymy). A lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for Diastolinus hummelincki Marcuzzi, Ctesicles insularis Champion and Ctesicles maritimus Champion. The keys, descriptions, and distribution maps demonstrate that all 18 species are readily distinguished by both morphological and biogeographical attributes even though they are mostly ecologically confined to seasonally dry woodlands and forests.