Clivinini

Rafinesque, 1815

Tribe Guides

Clivinini is a tribe of ground beetles (Carabidae: Scaritinae) containing over 70 and more than 1,200 described . Members are predominantly soil-dwelling or subterranean, with many species adapted to endogean (buried soil) or troglobitic (cave) . The tribe includes several subtribes, most notably Ardistomina (containing Aspidoglossa, Semiardistomis, and Ardistomis) and Reicheiina. Species occur across all major biogeographic regions, with significant radiations in tropical and subtropical karst systems.

Schizogenius by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

Ardistomis by (c) Benjamin Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Benjamin Smith. Used under a CC-BY license.

Ardistomina by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Clivinini: /klɪˈvɪnɪnaɪ/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Scaritinae tribes by mandibular structure and larval character states; subtribe Ardistomina characterized by specific larval features including those of Semiardistomis viridis. Members of subtribe Reicheiina typically exhibit reduced (microphtalmic to anophthalmic) associated with subterranean habits. identification relies on male genitalia structure, particularly lobe .

Images

Habitat

Predominantly soil-associated including leaf-litter layers, burrows, and caves. Many are endogean (living within soil) or troglobitic (exclusively cave-dwelling). Documented from limestone karst caves in China (Guiodytes), Brazilian caves (eight including Aspidoglossa and Whiteheadiana), and montane endogean environments in the Balkans (Chaetomargoreicheia).

Distribution

distribution with records from all major biogeographic regions. Documented occurrences include: Oriental region (Sulciclivina in Asia; Guiodytes to Guangxi, China); Neotropical region (Ardistomis in Cuba and Mexico; Whiteheadiana and Ardistomis in Brazilian caves); Palearctic region (Parareicheia in Portugal; Chaetomargoreicheia in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro); Afrotropical region (Antireicheia in Cameroon and east/southern Africa, Madagascar); Nearctic region (Ardistomina in America north of Mexico).

Life Cycle

Larval development documented for subtribe Ardistomina; first instar larvae of Semiardistomis viridis described. Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Pupae described for Ardistomis quixotei.

Behavior

Subterranean and cryptic habits prevalent across the tribe. Many exhibit troglomorphic adaptations including reduction or loss (microphtalmia to anophthalmia) and elongated appendages. Chaetomargoreicheia species are exceptionally rare, with only single specimens collected by hand for each known species. Some Brazilian cave species are described as 'eventual cave-restricted,' indicating facultative rather than obligate cave association.

Ecological Role

Predatory ground beetles; specific functions largely undocumented but consistent with Carabidae as in soil and litter .

Similar Taxa

Other Scaritinae tribesClivinini distinguished within Scaritinae by mandibular and larval character states; subtribe Ardistomina supported as distinct by larval .
Clivina (genus)Ardistomis morio was erroneously placed in Ardistomis but returned to Clivina based on evidence that it does not belong to subtribe Ardistomina; highlights importance of genitalia and biogeographic data for correct tribal assignment.