Integrative systematics reveals new brachypterous genera and sheds light on hind wing evolution in the Neotropical lineage of Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Maryzender Rodríguez-Melgarejo; José M. Ramírez-Salamanca; Mariana Chani-Posse

Just Accepted

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Integrative systematics reveals new brachypterous genera and sheds light on hind wing evolution in the Neotropical lineage of Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Maryzender Rodríguez-Melgarejo , José M. Ramírez-Salamanca, Mariana Chani-Posse

Abstract

Philonthina, the most diverse subtribe of the rove beetle tribe Staphylinini, is predominantly composed of taxa with fully-developed hind wings and flight capability. However, notable exceptions include three taxa exhibiting partially-developed hind wings. To test their phylogenetic affiliations, we used a total-evidence approach across three inference methods. We identified two new brachypterous genera: Andinolonthus gen. nov. and Brachylonthus gen. nov., each represented by a new species, while Atopocentrum mirabile Bernhauer, 1906 is confirmed as brachypterous. All three genera were recovered within the Andean clade of the Neotropical lineage of Philonthina. These brachypterous genera are described and illustrated, and their distributions mapped. Ancestral state reconstruction was conducted to explore, for the first time, hind wing evolution within the Andean clade of the Neotropical lineage of Philonthina. This analysis reveals that fully-developed hind wings were lost and subsequently regained within this lineage, highlighting the dynamic evolution of complex characters in high-altitude montane ecosystems. Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:20CB5E5B-28E7-4907-A6E6-5C09EAB8670F

IS24104 Accepted 30 September 2025