Myrmelibia, a new genus of Myrmecophile form Australia, with a generic review of Australian Osoriinae (Coleoptera : Staphylinidae)

Abstract

The status of two supposedly myrmecophilous Australian 'Glyptoma' species described by A. M. Lea is reviewed, and lectotypes designated for both species. A new genus, Myrmelibia, is proposed for Glyptoma kingi Lea of south-eastern Australia. This genus is not related to Glyptoma or Thoracophorus, but belongs near the genera Eulibia, Heterotrochinus and Holotrochidius of the Oriental-Indian Ocean region. New records confirm that M. kingi is one of the few truly myrmecophilous osoriines, probably host-specific with Zridomyrmex nitidus Mayr (Hymenoptera : Formicidae : Dolichoderinae). Glyptoma myrmecophilum Lea is transferred to the genus Thoracophorus as a senior synonym of T. quadricostatus Bernhauer (new synonymy); present evidence suggests it is free-living and subcortical, not myrmecophilous. A key to all 16 genera of Osoriinae (sensu Blackwelder) known to occur in Australia is presented, along with the names, distribution and microhabitat of Australian species included in each genus. Four genera (Allotrochus, Arpagonus, Espeson, and Saegerius) are reported from Australia for the first time, each based on undescribed species from northern Queensland.