Abstract

Quantitative attemps to assess species diversity in the absence of a robust taxonomy are questioned. In addition, the sampling methods may be a major source of uncertainty, as illustrated in a commented biodiversity study of the Coleoptera of Sabah. The Sabah members of the staphylinid genus Baeocera Erichson are reviewed and keyed, the following new species are described: B. omnigena Löbl sp. nov., B. rudis Löbl sp. nov., B. secreta Löbl sp. nov., B. sedata Löbl sp. nov., B. segregata Löbl sp. nov., B. seiugata Löbl sp. nov., B. semirufa Löbl sp. nov. Baeocera barbara Löbl, B. obliqua (Löbl), B. rufula (Löbl) and B. serendibensis (Löbl) are reported for the first time from Malaysia, B. doriae (Pic) and B. sarawakensis Löbl are new to Sabah and B. kinabalua Löbl is new to Sarawak. Key words: biodiversity, trends, taxonomy, insects, shining fungus beetles, Borneo