Pycnoplectus
Casey, 1897
Species Guides
1Pycnoplectus is a of myrmecophilous (-loving) rove beetles in the Staphylinidae. The genus comprises approximately 11 described , first established by Casey in 1897. These beetles are classified within the Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small, often cryptic beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. Most species were described in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, with several originally placed in other genera before transfer to Pycnoplectus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pycnoplectus: /pɪkˈnɒplɛktəs/
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Host Associations
- Ants - myrmecophily is described as '-loving', though specific ant genera are not documented in available sources.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Several were originally described in other and later transferred to Pycnoplectus: P. , P. difficilis, P. infossus, P. interruptus, P. linearis, and P. sexualis were all moved from other pselaphine genera, reflecting historical revisions in Pselaphinae classification.
Species authorship dates
The contains a mix of older (LeConte 1849, Casey 1884) and more recent descriptions (Wagner 1975), with Casey (1908) also contributing P. longipennis.