Taxonomic Study On The Pselaphodes Genus-group Of China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

The Pselaphodes genus-group belongs to the subtribe Tyrina, tribe Tyrini of the supertribe Pselaphitae. Most members are morphologically similar and are believed to be predatory on small invertebrates, in particular springtails and oribatid mites.In the present study, taxonomy of the Chinese species of the Pselaphodes genus-group (sensu Hlaváč, 2002) is studied. Five genera, Labomimus Sharp, Lasinus Sharp, Linan Hlaváč, Pselaphodes Westwood and Taiwanophodes Hlaváč, with 36 species are recognized, 17 of which are described here as new: Labomimus taibaishanus sp. n. (Shaanxi), Lasinus yunnanicus sp. n. (Yunnan), Lasinus sichuanicus sp. n. (Sichuan), Linan inornatus sp. n. (Anhui), Linan megalobus sp. n. (Guizhou), Pselaphodes bomiensis sp. n. (Xizang), Pselaphodes biwenxuani sp. n. (Xizang), Pselaphodes condylus sp. n. (Guizhou), Pselaphodes cuonaus sp. n. (Xizang), Pselaphodes fengtingae sp. n. (Zhejiang), Pselaphodes gongshanensis sp. n. (Yunnan), Pselaphodes hanmiensis sp. n. (Xizang), Pselaphodes jizushanus sp. n. (Yunnan), Pselaphodes meniscus sp. n. (Sichuan), Pselaphodes parvus sp. n. (Guizhou), Pselaphodes pectinatus sp. n. (Hainan), and Pselaphodes yanbini sp. n. (Guizhou). Pselaphodes wuyinus Yin et al., 2010 is placed in synonym with Pselaphodes tianmuensis Yin et al. 2010 based on the examination of the holotype and paratypes. All species are described in detail, their diagnostic characters are illustrated. Key to the Chinese genera of the group and key to species of each genus is provided. Catalog of the world species of the Pselaphodes genus-group is also presented.