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)

Xerophygus KRAATZ, 1859 Xerophygus KRAATZ, 1859 (type species: Trogophloeus pallipes MOTSCHULSKY, 1857) Description - Medium to large-sized (3.0-5.8 mm), usually dark brown, but some species may be slightly reddish. Body either weakly or densely pubescent, in the latter case the size of the hairs not uniform. Elytra parallel-sided, temples developed, abdomen broadest at (or around) the 6th segment. Mandibles often very well developed. Tibia with spines or dense rows of stiff setae. Males can be regognized by their macrocephaly (sometimes weakly expressed); often the apical edge of sternite VIII truncated whereas that of the female sternite VIII slightly rounded. - Head. Clypeus [1] well developed, epistomal sulcus [2] present. Eyes [3] not extending to the ventral portion of the head. Gular sulci [4] confluent at least anteriorly. Head [5] with or without dorsal midline keel. The mola [6] on the mandibles separated, well developed. Labrum [7] divided or undivided, transverse [8]. Setation behind front of labrum [9] in middle much smaller, irregular or missing. Dorsal seta [10] on epipharynx absent. Hypopharynx [11] undivided, without coriaceous field [12] on ventral side. Lateral row of bulbous setae [13] absent. Front of hypopharynx [14] not entirely covered with setae, a row of setae [15] on mid-line. Median sclerotized plate of hologlossa [16] anteriorly enlarged into a plate with central stick not reaching the end of the plate. Last palpomere of maxillary palp [17] reduced to a stick, digitiform sensillae [18 and 19] absent. Labial palp [20] not hairy. Antennae [21] straight and [22] moderately elongated. - Thorax. Prosternai process [23] pointed, scute!lum [24] without pubescence, hypomera [25] not exposing protrochantins. - Legs. Tibia [26] with mid-tibial spur(s) and [27] spines or rows of stiff setae. Tarsal segmentation [28] 3-3-3 with no pseudosegment [29] and basal articles [30] compressed. Ventral setae [31] modified to form tarsal lobes, last tarsomere [32] only with sparse setae. - Elytra. Elytra [33] without puncture-rows, elytral suture [34] parallel, epipleural ridge [35] present. - Abdomen. Abdomen [36] with two pairs of laterosclerites. Intersegmental membrane [37] without brickwal! pattern. Second sternite [38] fully developed, first sternite [39] completely absent. Tergal basolateral ridges [40] absent, carina [41] not present on any sternites. Fimbriate edge [42] on tergite VII sometimes modified into comb. Tergum X [43] not divided, its dorsal struts [44] not developed, its basolateral parts [45] fused to tergum IX leaving behind rhomboid shape. - Secondary sexual characters. Macrocephaly [46] present, macrothoracy [47] absent. Sternum VII without spines [48] or row of modified setae [49]. The apical edge of sternite VIII [50] shows sexual dimorphism, but bears no tubercles. - Male terminalia. Sternum IX [51] present, with setae [52] on apex. - Male genitalia. Aedeagus median lobe [53] bulb-like, internal sclerites [54] present, symmetrical/paired. Apical opening [55] well developed or sometimes simplified, not modified into clasping structure. Median face membranous [56], without apicomedial hook [57]. Parameres [58] not wrapping, without extra lobe [59] or membranous region [60], with one or without setae [61]. With visible pump and flagellum [62]. - Female terminalia. Female genital appendages [63] are divided into coxites, valvifers but no styli. Sclerites (possible remnant of sternum X) [64] appear as small ring. - Female genitalia. Spcrmatheca [65] sclerotized. Receptacle [66] divided, not associated with invisible [67] spermathecal gland, tubular portion [68] not penetrating distal bulb, umbilicus [69] present. Sclerotized "tube" [70] cannot be found. Diversity and distribution - Xerophygus is currently known from the Afrotropical and Oriental regions, and is represented by approximately 10 species. Very little is known about their life habits, the majority of the studied material is from different traps, but a few are labelled as collected on stream banks in rainforests, where they supposedly live in mud and plant debris accumulating on the bank.