The underestimation and evolutionary significance of post-imaginal growth in the termitophilous Termitogastrina: Insights from a new species of Xenogaster from Brazil (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Corotocini)

Abstract

Xenogaster Wasmann is a Neotropical genus of termitophilous rove beetles with 11 known species. During recent surveys in Southeastern Brazil, we collected a new species of this genus, Xenogaster lugens Pires-Silva and Zilberman sp. nov., herein described. This new species is known only from an intermediate stage of development, which prompted a discussion about the range and underestimation of the phenomenon of post-imaginal growth in Termitogastrina (Corotocini). A redescription of X. pilosula Seevers, and comparisons between its stenogastric and physogastric stages are also presented and used in the final discussion on the taxonomical and evolutionary significance of this phenomenon under the frame of the knowledge of post-imaginal growth in the subtribe and also Corotocini in general.