Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 98. (Budapest 2006)

Makranczy, Gy.: Systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the Carpelimus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

there is a relatively recent phylogenetic analysis (HERMAN 1970) done with modern methods. Therefore, the reasons for the present study, the reexamination of the phylogenetic relationships within this subfamily and the Carpelimus group of genera requires explanation. HERMAN'S (1970) previous study omitted characters in genitalia almost entirely; this study will demonstrate that these characters provide substantial phylogenetic information for analysis of relationships among species-groups and in some instances, genera. Also, a wealth of new taxa has been discovered and partially described in the past 35 years and these require reconsideration of phylogenetic hypotheses. The hypothesized lineage informally known as the Carpelimus group {Blediotrogus, Pareiobledius, Teropalpus, Ochthephilus, Carpelimus, Xerophygus, Trogactus, Thinodromus) is seriously affected by the above factors, and its detailed analysis is rewarding both in terms of taxonomic information (more reliable characters for identification) and reconstruction of the relationships among the genera in Oxytelinae. Genus groups - as an informal suprageneric rank - are preferred to be used because of the unresolved relationships. It is anticipated that this study will be followed by others, incorporating larval characters or molecular data, probably necessitating further taxonomic changes. In accordance with this, the primary goals of this study are to discuss the classification of the entire subfamily, to analyze the phylogeny of the genera of the Carpelimus group that is most affected by the omission of the genital characters, and to present a new key for the valid genera using the newly introduced characters. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OXYTELINAE Diagnosis of the subfamily Characters commonly used for delimiting the subfamily Oxytelinae are: (1) presence of secretory openings on tergum IX which is divided by tergum X, and (2) presence of a fully developed sternite II (in more derived taxa). This latter character is indicated by the appearance of seven complete, articulated segments on the ventral side of the abdomen, exclusive of the smaller genital segments (segments IX and X), which are usually visible at the apex. Oxytelines are small to medium sized beetles, typically ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 mm, but a few exceptions are found; some of the smallest known beetles belong in this subfamily, with body length of a mere 0.5 mm and maximum width of less than 0.1 mm. The colouration is normally inconspicuous, with only a few taxa having metallic or bright colours; most are piceous to testaceous. Some taxa are notable for pronotal or cephalic horns,