Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 93. (Budapest 2001)

Kirejtshuk, A. G.: Notes on the systematics of the African Nitidulidae (Coleoptera)

thor) can be synonymized with P. obscura COOPER, 1982 and P. puncticollis COOPER, 1982, the type series of which were checked by the author (if the lectotypc designated by COOPER is conspecific with the mentioned paralectotype). Pria nigricans GROUVELLE, 1899 is recognized as a species distinct from P. magna REITTER, 1872, although the names P. nigricans una P. ruficollis GROUVELLE, 1899 are regarded as synonyms. Keys to the species of subgenus Chromogethes KIREJTSHUK, 1989 of the genus Meligethes STEPHENS, 1830, and the subgenus Circopes REITTER, 1873 of the genus Aethina ERICHSON, 1843 as well as to the Afro-Madagascan genera of the subfamily Cillaeinae, and some new data on distribution of different species are also given. With 129 figures. Key words - Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, new genera, new subgenera, new species, identification keys, Africa. INTRODUCTION The African fauna of the Nitidulidae still remains rather little known. On the one hand, a lot of interesting localities have not been visited by coleopterists who collected this family and, on the other hand, only a small part of the collected species have been described. Most specimens and species collected in Africa and deposited in different museums are still waiting for the attention of coleopterists. In many cases, even common species need some revisionary efforts. This paper is devoted to get some progress in study on the African Nitidulidae. One stimulus to prepare was connected with sorting out specimens returned to the Hungarian Natural History Museum (Budapest) from the Transvaal Museum (Pretoria) after a long-term loan by the late SEBASTIAN ENDRŐDY-YOUNGA. Another reason for compilation of this paper is the author's cooperation with the Berlin entomologists in the Humboldt University, who participate in the programme of zoological research in Namibia and other countries of South Africa. The author also intends to clarify taxonomic situation in some poorly known groups, such as Pria STEPHENS, 1829, Meligethes STEPHENS, 1830, Circopes REITTER, 1873 and Brachypeplus ERICHSON, 1842. DEPOSITORIES AMNY - American Museum of Natural History, New York; CAS - Californian Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; CUO - Carleton University, Ottawa; DEI - Deutsche Entomologische Institute, Eberswalde-Finow; FMNH - Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; HNHM - (Hungarian Natural History Museum) Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; MAK Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn; M1ZW - Múzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN, Warszawa; MNHN - Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; MRAC - Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren; MSNG - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genoa; NHL -