Xantholinini

Erichson, 1839

Genus Guides

19

Xantholinini is a tribe of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) comprising approximately 141 with a distribution across all zoogeographical regions. Members are small to medium-sized (2–20 mm), slender, short-winged beetles with elongated bodies and relatively short legs adapted for moving through narrow spaces. The tribe has been the subject of extensive taxonomic revision, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, China, and the Neotropics, with numerous new described in recent decades.

Thyreocephalus by (c) Tom, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom. Used under a CC-BY license.Gauropterus fulgidus by (c) Иван Пристрем, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Иван Пристрем. Used under a CC-BY license.Gauropterus fulgidus by (c) Иван Пристрем, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Иван Пристрем. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Xantholinini: //zænˈθɒlɪˌnaɪnaɪ//

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Identification

Xantholinini can be distinguished from other Staphylinini by their combination of small to medium size (2–20 mm), slender elongated body form, short leaving most of the exposed, relatively short legs, and shiny . The is characteristically long and narrow. Within the tribe, are distinguished primarily by male genitalic structures, with and configuration serving as critical diagnostic characters in modern revisions.

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Habitat

Ground-dwelling; found in soil, leaf litter, under rocks, and in bedding materials. The narrow body and short legs are morphological adaptations for moving through narrow spaces in these substrates.

Distribution

; represented in all zoogeographical regions. Documented occurrences include: Turkey and Eastern Mediterranean (extensively studied with numerous regional revisions), China (Yunnan, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Hainan, Beijing, Sichuan, Ningxia), Australia, Bismarck Island, Bali, Mexico (most -rich country in the Americas for Thyreocephalus), and the Neotropics broadly. First records have been documented from Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Jordan, Israel, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Minnesota (USA, for Oxybleptes davisi).

Diet

Predatory; feeds on other small arthropods.

Ecological Role

Ground-dwelling that likely contribute to regulation of small in soil and litter .

Similar Taxa

  • StaphylininiBoth are tribes within Staphylininae with exposed due to short ; Xantholinini distinguished by more slender body, shorter legs, and narrower proportions.
  • OthiiniCo-occurring tribe in Staphylininae; Xantholinini separated by morphological characters and phylogenetic position, though both share ground-dwelling habits.

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