Contribution to the knowledge of the clown beetle fauna of Lebanon, with a key to all species (Coleoptera, Histeridae)

Abstract

The occurrence of histerids in Lebanon has received little specific attention. Hence, an aim to enrich the knowledge of this coleopteran family through a survey across different Lebanese regions in this work. Seventeen species belonging to the genera Atholus Thomson, 1859, Hemisaprinus Kryzhanovskij, 1976, Hister Linnaeus, 1758, Hypocacculus Bickhardt, 1914, Margarinotus Marseul, 1853, Saprinus Erichson, 1834, Tribalus Erichson, 1834, and Xenonychus Wollaston, 1864 were recorded. Specimens were sampled mainly with pitfall traps baited with ephemeral materials like pig dung, decayed fish, and pig carcasses. Several species were collected by sifting soil detritus, sand cascading, and other specialized techniques. Six newly recorded species for the Lebanese fauna are the necrophilous Hister sepulchralis Erichson, 1834, Hemisaprinus subvirescens (Ménétriés, 1832), Saprinus (Saprinus) externus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1823), Saprinus (Saprinus) figuratus Marseul, 1855, and Saprinus (Saprinus) niger (Motschulsky, 1849) all associated with rotting fish and dung, and the psammophilous Xenonychus tridens (Jacquelin du Val, 1853). With the exception of Hister sepulchralis, all these taxa belong to the Saprininae subfamily. A most likely undescribed species of Tribalus (Tribalus) (Tribalinae) has also been collected in detritus at wet places near rivers in Lebanon. Because of the complexity of the genus Tribalus, with possible numerous new species present in the circum-Mediterranean area, the Lebanese species is not described herein, pending a revision of the genus. This study advocates further research aimed at improving taxonomic and ecological knowledge of this coleopteran family in Lebanon. The number of Histeridae species currently known from Lebanon stands at 41; a key to all species including images is included.