Taxonomy And Phylogeny Of The Genus Batraxis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) From China

Members of the ant-loving beetle genus Batraxis(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Brachtglutini)are small in size,morphologically similar insects commonly found in decaying logs and forestry leaf litter.Species are predatory on springtails,mites,and other small invertebrates.They are believed to play an important role in food web and ecological chain.Prior to this study,45 species of Batraxis have been known worldwide,a majority of them are scattered in the Oriental,Australian,and Palaearctic regions,and the Seychelles.Only one species was known to occur in China(Tianjin).Based on an examination of over 300 specimens collected from the field,the Chinese species of this genus are treated here,revealing the following results:1.Eighteen new species of Batraxis are recognized(all published): Batraxis bicolor sp.n.(Hainan,Yunnan),B.tibialis sp.n.(Hainan,Jiangxi),B.pilosa sp.n.(Hainan),B.spinosas sp.n.(Hainan),B.hainanensis sp.n.(Hainan),B.minor sp.n.(Hainan),B.simplex sp.n.(Hainan),B.robusta sp.n.(Jiangxi,Guizhou,Guangxi),B.gloriosa sp.n.(Hunan,Fujian,Zhejiang,Jiangxi,Guangxi),B.antennata sp.n.(Yunnan),B.longicornis sp.n.(Yunnan),B.gesar sp.n.(Xizang),B.longithorax sp.n.(Guangxi),B.nanlingensis sp.n.(Guangdong,Hunan),B.yifan sp.n.(Yunnan),B.ziyueae sp.n.(Yunnan),B.tuberculata sp.n.(Yunnan),and B.frontalis sp.n.(Yunnan).2.All species treated in this paper are described in detail.A taxonomic history,collecting method,distribution and illustrations of major diagnostic characters.Illustrations of habitus for all species,ans diagnostic characters for 18 species are given.3.A key to the Chinese species of Batraxis is presented.4.A database for all world species is constructed,the scientific name,author,year of publication,type locality,distribution,taxonomic history and illustration of diagnostic characters are available for each species.5.A preliminary phylogenetic study to analyze the relationships of the Chinese members of Batraxis is procvided.6.The distribution of Batraxis in China is mapped,and their pattern analyzed.7.A list of Chinese Batraxis is given.