Taxonomic revision of Microdaiphron Pic, 1926 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Chauliognathinae)

Abstract

The genus Microdaiphron Pic, 1926 is revised. Ten species are recognized as valid: Microdaiphron polemioides (Kirsch, 1889), M. implicitus (Erichson, 1847) comb. nov., M. pauloensis (Pic, 1926), M. peruvianus Pic, 1938, M. mendesensis (Pic, 1926), M. tapuruquara sp. nov., M. geodesicus sp. nov., M. batasitensis (Pic, 1926), M. guyanensis Constantin, 2016, and M. brevehumeralis Pic, 1938. Other 23 names within Microdaiphron are synonymized with the currently valid species, whilst Microdaiphron bicoloricornis Pic, 1947 is transferred to Malthesis Motschulsky, 1853. The taxonomic status of three primary homonyms is also discussed. Daiphron polemioides var. atripenne Pic, 1927 (=Microdaiphron implicitus comb. nov.) is the senior homonym of Daiphron atripenne Pic, 1934 and Daiphron atripenne var. bipartitum Pic, 1934. The later is synonymized and reinstated as a valid species under the name D. bipartitus Pic, 1934. Descriptions, distribution maps and illustrations of diagnostic features are presented for all valid taxa, including the photographs of primary types in all available names within Microdaiphron.