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Dryad

A preliminary phylogeny and review of the genus Tasmanitachoides, with descriptions of two new species (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidarenini)

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Jan 05, 2022 version files 2.10 MB

Abstract

We review Tasmanitachoides Erwin, a genus of very small carabid beetles endemic to Australia. Although uncommon in collections, we found them to be abundant and diverse on banks of fine gravel or coarse sand next to bodies of fresh water; our samples from southeastern Australia suggest numerous undescribed species. We present an initial phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, including 19 of the 32 species of which we are aware. The inferred phylogeny, based upon one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes, shows the kingi group to be sister to remaining Tasmanitachoides, with the wattsensis group and T. lutus (Darlington) also being phylogenetically isolated. We describe two new species: T. baehrisp. nov., from the Australian Capital Territory, is a member of the kingi group; T. erwini sp. nov., from Tasmania, is a member of the wattsensis group. Identification tools for described and some undescribed species are presented, including photographs of all known species.