A Taxononiic Revision of the Termitophilous Subtribe Perinthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). I. the Genera Paraperinthus, Perinthodes, and Physoperinthus with a Discussion of Their Integumentary Glands and Their Relationships1

Abstract

The genera Paraperinthus and Perinthodes are redescribed and illustrated. In addition, one new genus is described, PHYSOPERINTHUS. Thirteen new species are described: Paraperinthus congoensis (Congo Republic), P. dispar (South-West Africa), P. mohalei (South-West Africa), P. natalensis (Republic of South Africa), P. sbeasbyi (Republic of South Africa and South-West Africa), Perinthodes baucaloxcnus (South-West Africa, Republic of South Africa), P. coatoni (South-West Africa), P. emersoni (Congo Republic), P. pretoriusi (South-West Africa), P. rapulum (South-West Africa), P. trinrvoides (Republic of South Africa), Physoperinthus coatoni (South-West Africa), P. josensi (Ivory Coast). Many new geographic and host data of all species are presented. The integumentary glands of Parapcrinthus sheasbyi and Physoperinthus josensi are described. Their defense and post pleural glands are very reduced and both genera possess a median glandular structure in abdominal segment VII, which is now known in all 4 genera of African Perinthina. Because this structure is also present in the Corotocini and not in other Aleocharinae, a close relationship between the Perinthina and the Corotocini is indicated. Numerous pores belonging to either campaniform sensillae or to special glandular cells were found in the integument of Physoperinthus. The relationships between the genera and the species are discussed. All the termitophiles studied are hostspecific at the species level.