Review of the southern African species of Thinodromus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

Abstract: Previously unrevised types of several species of the genus Thinodromus Kraatz, 1857, Trogophloeus montiumdraconis Scheerpeltz, 1974, Trogophloeus rhodesianus Scheerpeltz, 1974 and Trogophloeus sudanensis Scheerpeltz, 1974, are examined, redescribed and illustrated, all primarily from the southern half of continental Africa. Lectotypes are designated for Trogophloeus tibialis Fauvel, 1907 and Trogophloeus capensis Bernhauer, 1934, the latter is found to be conspecific with Trogophloeus montiumdraconis Scheerpeltz, 1974, syn. nov. The previously unknown female of Thinodromus dasys Gildenkov, 2000 and the male of T. facilis Gildenkov, 2000 are documented, T. kedougouensis Makranczy, 2009, syn. nov., is conditionally placed in synonymy with T. nigerius Gildenkov, 2000. Two species are described as new: T. gildenkovi sp. nov. from Botswana (North-East) and T. meridionalis sp. nov. from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal prov.). The external morphologies of all these species are illustrated by SEM images, some by colour habitus photographs, and all terminalia and genitalia by line drawings.

Key words: Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Oxytelinae, Thinodromus, taxonomy, new species, new synonymy, Afrotropical Region