A revision of the Australian Clambidae (Coleoptera : Eucinetoidea)

Abstract

This revision is based on recent systematic collections in Australia. As a result of it 12 new species are described (Sphaerothorax halieyi, sp. nov., S. lawrenceanus, sp. nov., S. victoriae, sp. nov., Clambus alienus. sp. nov., C. bornemisszai, sp. nov., C. cooyar, sp. nov., C. hangayi, sp. nov., C. inaequalis, sp. nov., C. sphaericus, sp. nov., C. sternalis, sp. nov., C. stewarti, sp. nov., C. terraereginae, sp. nov.), and the specific status of two synonyms reinstated [Sphaerothorax rufocastaneus (Lea) and S. pubiventris (Lea)]. A clear historical biogeographic division, through southern Queensland was found between a Gondwana-type fauna consisting largely of indigenous Australian lineages in the south and an Oriental Region-related tropical fauna in the north. The presence of a widely distributed oriental species in northern Queensland (Clambus formosanus Endrödy-Younga) was ascertained, and a species common with South Africa was found (Clambus simsoni Blackburn).