Taxonomy of 'Euconnus complex'. Part I. Morphology of Euconnus s. str. and revision of Euconnomorphus Franz and Venezolanoconnus Franz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)

Abstract

The large 'Euconnus complex' of genera includes Cyrtoscydmini with long, slender and strongly projecting mesoventral intercoxal process. Diagnoses of individual genera, including that of Euconnus Thomson, are exceptionally poorly defined and need to be revised. In the first part of this revision a detailed morphology of Euconnus s. str. is described and illustrated, based on the type species of the genus. Two Neotropical members of the complex, genera Euconnomorphus Franz and Venezolanoconnus Franz are revised; their morphology is described and diagnoses re-defined. Euconnomorphus pilosissimus Franz, Venezolanoconnus andinus Franz, V. caracasensis Franz and V. ranchoi Franz are redescribed. Venezolanoconnus minor Franz is transferred to Euconnus, resulting in Euconnus (incertae sedis) minor (Franz), comb. n.