Pselaphotumulus, a new genus of pselaphine endemic to New Zealand (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Pselaphitae)

• Published in: New Zealand journal of zoology Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 121 - 140
• Main Authors: Owens, Brittany E., Carlton, Christopher E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02-04-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Biogeography; Diagnostic systems; Distribution patterns; diversity; Geographical distribution; Identification keys; Lectotypes; Museums; New genera; New species; Plates (tectonics); Pselaphini; Pselaphus; South Island; taxonomy; New Zealand
• ISSN: 0301-4223; 1175-8821
• DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2019.1705359

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand's main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary.