Abstract
The Quedius mutilatus group, a very poorly known presumably monophyletic complex of wingless, possibly hypogean species confined to the Tien-Shan Mountains, is characterized as such for the first time. Newly available material clarified the identity of Q. mutilatus Eppelsheim, 1888 and Q. kalabi Smetana, 1995, each hitherto known from a handful of non-conspecific and vaguely georeferenced specimens only. Additional material is reported for Q. equus Smetana, 2014 and one species, Quedius kungeicus sp. nov., is described. All available data on the taxonomy, distribution and bionomics for all these four species of the group are summarized.
Highlights
The mega-diverse rove beetle genus Quedius Stephens, 1829 includes a small number of hypogean species with characteristic morphological modifications such as: notably reduced eyes, weaker cuticular pigmentation, dorso-ventrally flattened body with long legs, pronotum strongly narrowing anteriad, as well as reduced non-functional wings with corresponding shortened elytra and absence of a palisade fringe on the abdominal tergite VII
There is a single female from the high altitudes of Atbashi Mountain in Central Tien-Shan, which presumably belongs to the Q. mutilatus group, but cannot be further identified without associated males
All specimens of the Q. mutilatus group with recorded bionomic data indicate a specialization to high elevations
Summary
The mega-diverse rove beetle genus Quedius Stephens, 1829 includes a small number of hypogean species with characteristic morphological modifications such as: notably reduced eyes, weaker cuticular pigmentation, dorso-ventrally flattened body with long legs, pronotum strongly narrowing anteriad, as well as reduced non-functional wings with corresponding shortened elytra and absence of a palisade fringe on the abdominal tergite VII. The poor systematic knowledge of these specialized Quedius is unfortunate, as the genus represents an interesting model to study speciation within the context of mountain orogenesis. In this respect, the similar species Q. mutilatus Eppelsheim, 1888, Q. kalabi Smetana, 1995 and Q. equus Smetana, 2014 (grouped here as the ‘Q. mutilatus group’). Our examination of various collections of Quedius yielded new material that was collected over many decades and that sheds light on the composition, distribution and bionomics of this peculiar Asian species group. This paper reports these findings with, among other discoveries, a species new to science
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
