The classification and phylogeny of the Australian Coroebini, Bedel, with a revision of the genera Paracephala, Meliboeithon and Dinocephalia (Coleoptera : Buprestidae : Agrilinae)

Abstract

The definitions of the genera making up the Australian portion of the large tribe Coroebini are briefly discussed. Thirteen genera are considered to have extant species on the continent: Synechocera, Ethon, Paracephala, Meliboeithon, Dinocephalia, Alcinous, Hypocisseis, Cisseis, Neospades, Pachycisseis, Vanroonia, Polyonychus and Coroebus (the last three each having one described species from Australia). Cisseioides is returned to synonymy under Hypocisseis. Paracephala, Meliboeithon and Dinocephalia are revised, with Pseudosynechocera proposed as a new junior synonym of Dinocephalia. The authorship of Paracephala is re-attributed to Saunders. Paracephala is defined for seven species and their synonyms: the type-species, P. pisticina ( = P. minuta = Aphanisticus canaliculatus), P. occidentalis, P. aenea (= P. strandi = P. niveiventris), P. murina (= P. cylindrica), and three new species, P. deserta, P. hesperia and P. borea. Meliboeithon is re-defined for six species and their synonyms, four being transferred from Paracephala: the type-species, M. intermedium (= M. fissus), M. bicostatum, M. crassum, M. vitticeps and two new species, M. confusum and M. cylindricolle. Dinocephalia, is re-defined for seven species and their synonyms, with four transferred from Paracephala: the typespecies, D. thoracica ( = D. gigantea), D. browni, D. cyaneipennis, D. transsecta (= P. impressicollis); one species, D. carteri, transferred from Pseudosynechocera, and two new species, D. leucogaster and D. burnsi. Keys are presented for the separation of the 13 genera and the species of Paracephala, Meliboeithon and Dinocephalia. Lectotypes are designated for Paracephala aenea, P. browni, P. transsecta and P. vitticeps. Key morphological features are illustrated for the genera and for the species of the three revised genera. A preliminary hypothesis of the phylogeny of the 10 strictly Australian coroebine genera is presented in conclusion.