The first record of the subfamily Dasycerinae in Taiwan, with description of a new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).

Abstract

Dasycerus poseidon Hu Liang, sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on fresh specimens from central and southern Taiwan, which filled in the disjunct distribution between the Japanese archipelago and south-eastern Asia. The new species represents the first record of the subfamily Dasycerinae in Taiwan. The barcoding sequence of the holotype of D. poseidon Hu Liang, sp. nov.is provided, and revealed a surprisingly large genetic distance within the genus. Detailed illustrations of D. poseidon Hu Liang, sp. nov. by scanning electron micrograph and micro-computed tomography are also provided. Living individuals of D. poseidon Hu Liang, sp. nov. were observed eating the mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus in lab conditions, which represents the first direct evidence of mycophagous habits of Dasycerinae.