Pselaphitae

Latreille, 1802

Genus Guides

Caccoplectus
Ctenistini(ant-loving beetles)
Pselaphus(ant-loving beetles)
Tmesiphorus
Tyrini

Pselaphitae is a supertribe of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) characterized by compact, often hump-backed bodies with shortened . The group comprises nine tribes and at least thirteen described , including Pselaphus, Tmesiphorus, and Tyrus. Members are primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with notable radiations in New Zealand where several genera have been described. The supertribe was established by Latreille in 1802 and remains an active subject of taxonomic revision.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pselaphitae: /pseˈlæfɪtiː/

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Identification

Pselaphitae beetles are distinguished from other pselaphine supertribes by combinations of antennal, tibial, and abdominal characters used in tribal-level keys. Tribal assignment requires examination of detailed morphological features: Pselaphini possess distinct abdominal modifications; Tmesiphorini exhibit characteristic tibial spines; Tyrini show reduced wing venation. Generic identification relies on male genitalia and subtle body proportions. The group is separated from non-pselaphine Staphylinidae by the compact, often globose body form with greatly shortened exposing most of the .

Images

Distribution

Documented from North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand. New Zealand exceptional diversity with including Pselaphotumulus, Pselaphogenius, and Pselaphaulax. Some New Zealand exhibit restricted distributions coinciding with tectonic plate boundaries.

Similar Taxa

GoniaceritaeAnother major supertribe of Pselaphinae; distinguished by different antennal club structure and abdominal segment modifications. Both supertribes contain minute, compact beetles with shortened , requiring detailed morphological examination for separation.
EuplectitaeThird major pselaphine supertribe; separated from Pselaphitae by distinct patterns of abdominal ventrite fusion and male genitalia structure. Similar body size and general habitus create identification challenges without dissection.

More Details

Tribal composition

Pselaphitae includes nine tribes: Arhytodini, Ceophyllini, Pselaphini, Tmesiphorini, Tyrini, Hybocephalini, Attapeniini, Pachygastrodini, and Odontalgini.

New Zealand endemism

The supertribe shows remarkable diversification in New Zealand, with three (Pselaphotumulus, Pselaphogenius, Pselaphaulax) described in recent taxonomic revisions, suggesting long isolation and adaptive radiation.