Classification, relationships and distribution of the Crepidomeninae (Coleoptera : Elateridae)

Abstract

A revision of the subfamily Crepidomeninae on a world-wide basis revealed that of the seven genera included by Schenkling (1927), only three could be included on the basis of characters considered to be phylogenetically important. These three genera and two newly described genera are considered to constitute the Crepidomeninae. The five genera and their 80 constituent species are described. Crepidomenus Erichson (61 species), Paracrepidomenus Schwarz (4 species), Parablax Schwarz (8 species), Orodina, gen. nov. (6 species) and Wynarka, gen. nov. (1 species). The following 51 new species are described: Crepidomenus adamsi, alpestris, bodalla, booralus, carri, coonabriensis, dooliba, dusha, dysmikos, frazieri, fuscogalbus, gidju, gurburra, habrotatos, kateewailwo, kohouti, kokereka, konkinyeri, kurrajongensis, meannjini, memnonius, neboissi, occidualis, patulus, piceus, prolinwittha, psephenos, purkabidnis, tamellescens, tandarnya, tokorauwe, trawalla, tuckurimbah, tyrilly, warkolala, wollumbina, yuggus; Orodina boganus, bribbarensis, burrelli, ourapilla, xenikon; Parablax ingwa, markrah, moorda, nunden, ooliekirra, padmuri, rumaiy; Paracrepidomenus surrufus; Wynarka sylvestre. The previously described species, Crepidomenus adelaidae Candèze, is transferred to Orodina, gen. nov. The following new synonymy is established (synonym first): Crepidomenus brunneus Schwarz = C. luteipes Boheman; C. navicularus Carter = C. illinitus Schwarz; Parablax bicolor (Blackburn) = P. quinquesculcatus (Blackburn); P. trisulcatus (Schwarz) = P. quinquesulcatus (Blackburn); Paracrepidomenus fasciculatus Schwarz = P. linearis (Schwarz); Crepidomenus sulcicollis Candèze = Paracrepidomenus jiliformis (Candèze); Crepidomenus aberrans Lea = Paracrepidomenus filiformis (Candèze). The larva of Orodina bribbarensis, gen. et sp. nov, is described and figured for the first time. The phylogeny of the group is analysed essentially using the cladistic method as outlined by Hennig (1966). The apomorphic and plesiomorphic state (or polarity) of a given character, a fundamental problem of the cladistic method, has been made by assessing the relative frequency of different character states encountered in a broad sample of Elateridae. An analysis of the distributions of the species reveal that the Crepidomeninae is a typical member of the Bassian fauna, being largely confined to the wetter regions of south-east Australia, Tasmania and south-west Western Australia. These regions have been previously hypothesized by researchers working on other groups to be glacial refugia. The distribution patterns are believed to be largely the result of climatic and sea-level changes associated with the last glacial phase. The genus Ophidius, which was formerly placed in the Crepidomeninae, is described and figured. The adult characters of Ophidius would seem to place this genus near the athouinine or ctenicerinine genera rather than the crepidomenine genera.