Phylogeny and higher classification of Hoplandriini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Abstract The monophyly of the aleocharine beetle tribe Hoplandriini is established and the phylogenetic relationships of sixteen genus-group taxa are resolved. Three primary lineages are recognized: the Ligulata + (( Platandria + Tetrallus ) + ( Paroplandria + ( Ditropandria + ( Omoplandria + ( Nosora + Tinotoma ))))) clade forms a sister group to the (( Hoplandria + undescribed species 5, 4, 6) + undescribed species 1, 2, 3) clade, and together form the sister group to Pseudoplandria . On the basis of phylogenetic inference, three subtribes are proposed within Hoplandriini. Hoplandriina is composed of Hoplandria s.l and two as yet undescribed genera from the New World. Platandriina, subtr.n., is composed of Ditropandria , Paroplandria , Platandria , Tetrallus , Omoplandria , Nosora and Tinotoma from the Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental and Palearctic Regions. Pseudoplandriina, subtr.n., is composed of genus Pseudoplandria , primarily from the Oriental Region with one species from the Palearctic Region.