Quedius

Stephens, 1829

Quedius is a large of () containing approximately 800 described . Species vary considerably in size, with members of the subgenus Quedius stricto being among the largest and most in the genus. The genus has a primarily Holarctic distribution, though species occur across much of the Northern Hemisphere including Middle Asia, China, and the Caucasus. Many species are associated with montane , and some exhibit hypogean (subterranean) including winglessness.

Quedius vilis by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.Quedius capucinus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.Quedius capucinus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Quedius: //ˈkwɛdi.əs//

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Habitat

Many are associated with montane environments, including high-elevation talus slopes and rocky . Some species are hypogean (subterranean), occurring in montane talus and cave-like microhabitats. The subgenus Quedius stricto is restricted to the Holarctic region.

Distribution

Primarily Holarctic, with documented across North America, Europe, and northern Asia. Middle Asian fauna includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Chinese species occur in Yunnan, Beijing, and Sichuan. Some species have been from the Palearctic to the Nearctic through human-mediated , including Q. fuliginosus, Q. curtipennis, and Q. molochinus.

Behavior

Some are winter-active; Q. pellax has been documented as a winter-active . Human-mediated through historical transport of ship ballast has been noted as a regular phenomenon for some members of the subgenus Quedius stricto.

Human Relevance

Some have been to new regions through human activity, particularly via ship ballast transport. The serves as a subject of ongoing taxonomic research due to its and complex biogeographic patterns.

Similar Taxa

  • HeterothopsBoth were historically used as taxonomic 'wastebaskets' for similar-looking ; recent revisions have established new to reduce this problem
  • Other Staphylininae generaQuedius , especially in subgenus Quedius stricto, are distinguished by their large size and body form relative to many other

Sources and further reading