Resolution of the long-standing controversy over the type species of the genus Pseudotypotherium (Notoungulata,Typotheria, Mesotheriidae)

Mesotheres (Notoungulata: Typotheria) are among the most common mammals found in upper Miocene to Pliocene deposits of central Argentina, including the classic type Monte Hermoso locality, which defines the Montehermosan South American Land Mammal “Age”. Nevertheless, the correct name for the mesothere species from this site has been shrouded in uncertainty for well over a century due to questions of taxonomic priority, specimen provenance, and ontogenetic changes in dental formula. Since the mesotheres from Monte Hermoso were named, three distinct species have been formally considered as the type species of the genus: (1) Pseudotypotherium bravardi; (2) “Pseudotypotherium” maendrum; and (3) Pseudotypotherium exiguum. However, none of these species is a nominal species of the Pseudotypotherium genus; all three were originally referred to Typotherium. Article 67.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999) indicates that only species considered as nominal species are eligible to set the type; in the case of Pseudotypotherium, these include: P. pulchrum, P. carlesi, P. hystatum, and P. carhuense. We conclude that Pseudotypotherium pulchrum F. Ameghino, 1904 (holotype MACN A 10299, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Ameghino Collection), is the type species of the mesotheriid notoungulate genus from Monte Hermoso. According to Article 68.2, F. Ameghino fixed the type by original designation in 1904 when he described P. pulchrum and included “n. g., n. sp.”. Two of the other species previously considered species P. (= T.) bravardi and P. (= T.) exiguum are invalid as type species according to Article 70.2, since their designations overlooked the previous type fixation. The third species (M. (= T.) maendrum) represents a different mesothere genus (Mesotherium) that only occurs in younger (Pleistocene) deposits. Our analysis puts an end to a historical debate that has been ongoing for more than a century regarding the identity of this well-represented late Miocene–Pliocene mesotheriine genus (Pseudotypotherium). This study provides a solid taxonomic foundation for future studies on intraspecific and ontogenetic variation of Pseudotypotherium pulchrum.     

Taxonomic survey of fossil isocrinids with a list of the species found in the USSR

The taxonomic scheme of the two families of the order Isocrinida (Isocrinidae and Pentacrinidae) is given. The first family is divided at five subfamilies: Balanocrininae, Isocrininae, Metacrininae, Diplocrininae and Isselicrininae. Six genera are included in subfamily Balanocrininae: Balanocrinus (four species found in USSR), Laevigatocrinus (USSR: 3 species), Margocrinus (USSR: 4 species), Percevalicrinus (USSR: 5 species), Singularocrinus nov. gen. (monotypic) and Terocrinus nov. gen. (USSR: 1 species). Five fossil genera are included in subfamily Isocrininae: Chariocrinus (USSR: 1 species), Chladocrinus (USSR: 4 species), Isocrinus (USSR: 6 species), Raymondicrinus nov. gen. (Oligocene of USA : 2 species) and Tyrolecrinus nov. gen. (6 triassic species). Fossil representatives of three genera, namely, Metacrinus (Miocene-Recent), Nielsenicrinus (USSR: 4 species) and Cainocrinus (USSR: 1 species) are noted in subfamily Metacrininae. Five genera are included in subfamily Isselicrininae: Austinocrinus (USSR: 5 species), Buchicrinus (USSR: 5 species), Doreckicrinus (USSR: 1 species?), Isselicrinus (USSR: 4 species) and Praeisselicrinus (USSR: 1 species). Two genera are included in family Pentacrinidae: Pentacrinus (USSR: 1 species) and Seirocrinus (USSR: 4 species). Besides, the localities of 24 isocrinid species, systematic position of which is unknown, are listed (from Triassic upon Cretaceous). Three erroneous attributions to Isocrinida in USSR are pointed out. In the conclusion an outline of the phylogeny of the Isocrinida is discussed. For a majority of the wide-spread species in USSR figures are given.     

Review of the fauna of the bug families Ceratocombidae,Tingidae, Microphysidae,and Reduviidae (Heteroptera) of the Middle and South Urals,with analysis of the zoogeographie structure of the Tingidae fauna

Based on the material of the authors’ collections from the South Ural Reserve (Republic of Bashkortostan), Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk provinces, the collections of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Ilmen State Reserve (Chelyabinsk Province), and the Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Yekaterinburg), and also the reliable literature data, an annotated list of the true bug fauna of the Middle and South Urals is compiled for the first time. The list includes representatives of the families Ceratocombidae (1 species), Tingidae (45 species of 14 genera), Microphysidae (1 species), and Reduviidae (2 species of 1 genus). The known fauna of the Middle Urals (Perm Territory and Sverdlovsk Province) includes 24 species of Tingidae and 1 species of Microphysidae; that of the South Urals includes 1 species of Ceratocombidae, 41 species of Tingidae, 1 species of Microphysidae, and 2 species of Reduviidae. Six species are recorded from the Urals for the first time: Ceratocombus (Xylonannus) brevipennis Poppius, 1910 (Ceratocombidae), Acalypta gracilis gracilis (Fieber, 1844), Agramma tropidopterum Flor, I860 (Tingidae), Loricula (Myrmedobia) exilis (Fallén, 1807) (Microphysidae), Empicoris culiciformis (De Geer, 1773), and E. vagabundus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reduviidae). The families Ceratocombidae and Microphysidae were not previously known from this region. The following numbers of species are recorded for the first time for different regions of the Middle and South Urals: for Perm Territory, 2 species of Tingidae; for Sverdlovsk Province, 11 species of Tingidae and 1 of Microphysidae; for Bashkortostan, 1 species of Ceratocombidae, 13 of Tingidae, 1 ofMicrophysidae, and 2 species of Reduviidae; for Chelyabinsk Province, 3 species of Tingidae. The Tingidae fauna of the Middle and South Urals mostly includes species widespread in the latitudinal and longitudinal directions, including 4 Holarctic (8.9%) and 12 Trans-Palaearctic species (26.7%). Ranges of 24 species (53.3%) mainly lie in the “humid” northern part of the Palaearctic (the humid complex of species). Ranges of 21 species (46.7%) mainly lie in the southern part of the Palaearctic, i.e., the Tethyan Region (the arid complex), the Tingidae fauna of the Middle Urals including only 2 species (8.3%) of that complex. Seven species (17.1%) of Tingidae form the arid element in the fauna of Orenburg Province: Kalama henschi (Puton, 1892), Galeatus vitreus Golub, 1974, G. scrophicus Saunders, 1876, Tingis (Tingis) pusilla (Jakovlev, 1873), T. (Tropidocheila) renovata Golub, 1977, T. (Tr.) maculata (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1838), Dictyla subdola (Horvath, 1905). Ranges of 7 species (15.5% of the whole studied fauna of Tingidae) are limited to the Middle and South Urals in the east and northeast. Ranges of 8 other species (17.8%) extend eastwards, beyond the Urals no farther than the south of Western Siberia and Western Kazakhstan. The mountain territory of the Middle and the South Urals obviously serves as a significant orographic and climatic barrier on the way of eastward expansion of some Western- and Central-Palaearctic species of Tingidae.     

AFLP analysis of the genetic diversity of closely related rhododendron species of the section rhodorastra (Ericaceae) from Siberia and the Far East of Russia

Using AFLP analysis, the genetic variation in four population samples of Rhododendron ledebourii, three such samples of Rh. dauricum, two samples of Rh. sichotense, and one sample of Rh. mucronulatum was examined. Application of three selective primer pairs provided genotyping of 87 accessions from the four species at 213 loci. An analysis of molecular variance revealed a high level of differences between all four species (F _ST = 0.172). Populations within the species were also differentiated: for Rh. dauricum F _ST = 0.245; Rh. ledebourii F _ST = 0.264; Rh. sichotense F _ST = 0.034. The highest Nei distance was observed for Rh. mucronulatum with Rh. dauricum and Rh. ledebourii (D = 0.057 and 0.069, respectively). Similarity was observed between the species pairs of Rh. ledebourii-Rh. dauricum (0.032) and Rh. sichotense-Rh. mucronulatum (0.034). The Far Eastern species Rh. sichotense and Rh. mucronulatum were characterized by an elevated level of intrapopulation variation. The data from the AFLP-based analysis of differentiation and variation that were thus obtained were compared with the literature data on the morphological criteria that differentiate the species of interest and those regarding the history of the formation of their ranges. The independence of all the species we examined was confirmed.     

Revision of the European species of Omphale Haliday (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae)

The European species of Omphale Haliday (Eulophidae: Entedoninae) are revised. The revision includes 37 species, of which eleven are newly described and the remaining 26 species are redescribed. The species are classified into six species groups, with six unplaced species. All species are fully diagnosed and thoroughly illustrated. Identification keys are provided for females and males. Two new morphological features to aid classification and identification are introduced: male genitalia and wing interference patterns (WIPs). The former has been used successfully in the classification of New World Omphale and the latter is used for the first time in a taxonomic revision. Male genitalia in Omphale have considerable interspecific variation, an unusual trait among chalcidoid Hymenoptera, and are demonstrated to be useful for classification of species and species-groups, and they also possess the only autapomorphy for Omphale. WIPs are useful to help separate some species, but cannot be used to define either the genus or species groups. Distributional data are compiled for each species and suggest a pan-european distribution for most species. Gall-midges are the known hosts for 14 species, and the absence of host overlap between species suggests that host specialization is a driving force for speciation. Several Omphale species are known only from females, or have a strong female biased sex ratio, suggesting thelytokous development. Apart from the 37 species included in this revision, the status for nine additional species (names) in species group aetius remain unsolved. For nomenclatorial stability, a neotype is designated for Eulophus lugens Nees (= Omphale lugens (Nees)). Elachestus obscurus Förster and Derostenus sulciscuta Thomson are transferred from Holcopelte to Omphale comb. n. Derostenus radialis Thomson and Achrysocharella americana Girault are synonymized with Omphale theana (Walker), and Omphale teresis Askew is synonymized with Omphale phruron (Walker), syn. n. The status of genus Pholema Graham is revised as it is removed from synonymy with Omphale and instead synonymized with Neochrysocharis Kurdjumov, syn. n., and the type species for Pholema, Pholema microstoma Graham, is transferred to Neochrysocharis, comb. n. Eugerium orbatum Szelényi, previously transferred to Omphale, is synonymized with Asecodes congruens (Nees), syn. n.     

Trematodes Recovered in the Small Intestine of Stray Cats in the Republic of Korea

In 2005, we reported the infection status of 438 stray cats with various species of intestinal helminths, including nematodes (4 species), trematodes (23 species), and cestodes (5 species) in the Republic of Korea. However, morphologic details of each helminth species have not been provided. In the present study, we intended to describe morphologic details of 13 trematode species which were either new fauna of cats (10 species) or new fauna of not only cats but also all animal hosts (3 species). The worms were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin under a cover slip pressure, stained with Semichon''s acetocarmine, and then observed using a light microscope equipped with a micrometer. The 13 subjected species included members of the Heterophyidae (Stellantchasmus falcatus, Stictodora fuscata, Stictodora lari, Centrocestus armatus, Procerovum varium, and Cryptocotyle concava), Echinostomatidae (Echinostoma hortense, Echinostoma revolutum, Echinochasmus japonicus, and Stephanoprora sp.), Diplostomidae (Neodiplostomum seoulense), Plagiorchiidae (Plagiorchis muris), and Dicrocoeliidae (Eurytrema pancreaticum). By the present study, Cryptocotyle sp. and Neodiplostomum sp. recored in our previous study were identified as C. concava and N. seoulense, respectively. Three species, P. varium, C. concava, and Stephanoprora sp., are new trematode fauna in Korea.     

A preliminary report on the distribution of lizards in Qatar

We have updated the list of the lizard species present in Qatar and produced the first distribution maps based on two field surveys in 2012 and 2013. We used the QND95/Qatar National Grid with a grid of 10 × 10 km squares for mapping. Our results show the occurrence of 21 lizard species in Qatar, from the 15 species indicated in the last biodiversity report conducted in 2004. The most abundant family found in Qatar is Gekkonidae with nine species (Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Hemidactylus robustus, H. flaviviridis, H. persicus, Stenodactylus arabicus, S. slevini, S. doriae, Pseudoceramodactylus khobarensis), followed by Lacertidae with four species (Acanthodactylus schmidti, A. opheodurus, Mesalina brevirostris, M. adramitana), Agamidae with three species (Trapelus flavimaculatus, Uromastyx aegyptia, Phrynocephalus arabicus), Scincidae with two species (Scincus mitranus, Trachylepis septemtaeniata), and Varanidae (Varanus griseus), Sphaerodactylidae (Pristurus rupestris) and Trogonophiidae (Diplometopon zarudnyi) with one species each. The species richness fluctuated largely across Qatar between one and eleven species per grid square. We believe that the lizard fauna records in Qatar are still incomplete and that additional studies are required. However, our study here fills a gap concerning lizard biodiversity knowledge in the Gulf Region.     

Assessment of the DNA barcoding for identification of Trigonostigma somphongsi,a critically endangered species in Thailand

Trigonostigma somphongsi, a critically endangered species, is a rare and endemic fish in Thailand. This species had disappeared from its natural habitat for 20 years until 2006. The DNA barcodes or the fragments of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) of T. somphongsi were investigated for species identification. The remaining two native species in the genus Trigonostigma, T. heteromorpha and T. espei were also identified using Boraras urophthalmoides as an outgroup species. The 707-bp fragments were successfully amplified and sequenced in all fifteen fish samples. In the genus Trigonostigma, the genetic distance within and between species ranged from 0.000 to 0.005 and 0.016 to 0.039, respectively. The lowest genetic distance (0.016) was between T. heteromorpha and T. espei, while the highest genetic distance (0.039) was between T. somphongsi and T. espei, followed by T. somphongsi and T. heteromorpha (0.035). The phylogenetic analysis showed that the relationship between the three Trigonostigma species (T. somphongsi was clearly separated from T. heteromorpha and T. espei) agreed with the morphological characteristics. These results suggest that DNA barcoding is an effective approach to identify Trigonostigma species for use in the conservation and management of fisheries.     

Chalcid wasps of the family pteromalidae (hymenoptera,chalcidoidea) of the Kuril Islands

A list of Pteromalidae wasps of the Kuril Islands includes 84 species belonging to 47 genera of 6 subfamilies. Four genera [Seladerma Walker (Miscogasterinae), Caenacis Foerster, Isocyrtus Walker, and Synedrus Graham (Pteromalinae)] and 36 species are recorded for the first time for the Russian fauna; 8 species are new to the Russian Far East. Seladerma leleji sp. n. and Synedrus kasparyani sp. n. are described. The males of Semiotellus takadai Kamijo and Isocyrtus reticulatus Xiao et Huang are described for the first time.     

Sesquiterpene lactones and systematics of the genus Artemisia

The sesquiterpene lactones isolated from species in the genus Artemisia have been reviewed in an attempt to better understand the phylogeny and systematics of the four sections (subgenera), Abrotanum, Absinthium, Dracunculus and Seriphidium, proposed by Besser in 1829. The absence of hair on the receptacle is the only morphological characteristic separating species of Abrotanum from the species of Absinthium. There are no chemical characteristics segregating the species in these two subgenera since both produce eudesmanolides and guaianolides that are identical or biosynthetically similar. This suggests that the two subgenera could be combined into one (Artemisia) as proposed by Poljakov. The subgenus Seriphidium is composed of two geographical groups, one in the Old World and the other in the New World. The Old World species almost exclusively produce sesquiterpene lactones in the eudesmanolide class whereas the New World species (section Tridentatae) produce eudesmanolides and guaianolides, many of the latter being identical or structurally related to the sesquiterpene lactones in New World Abrotanum species. The chemical data in conjunction with geographic distributions suggest that the subgenus Seriphidium is polyphyletic and that the section Tridentatae originated from Abrotanum. Consequently, the Tridentate should be recognized as a subgenus separate and distinct from the Old World Seriphidium. There was insufficient information from the subgenus Dracunculus for interpretation.     

Review of the genus Zygoneura Meigen (Diptera: Sciaridae) in Korea,with an updated checklist of the World species

The taxonomy of Zygoneura Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Sciaridae) is studied. A total of three species of Zygoneura is found in Korea: Zygoneura (Zygoneura) sciarina Meigen, 1830, Zygoneura (Pharetratula) bidens (Mamaev, 1968), and Zygoneura (Pharetratula) flavicornis (Mamaev, 1968). Z. bidens is recorded from Korea for the first time. All three species are redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the Korean species is given. Furthermore, an updated world checklist of all species of Zygoneura is presented.     

A key to the genera and species of the transversely-dividing Flabellidae (Anthozoa,Scleractinia, Flabellidae), with a guide to the literature,and the description of two new species

The transversely-dividing flabellids consist of five genera (Truncatoflabellum, Placotrochides, Blastotrochus, Placotrochus, and Falcatoflabellum) and 45 species. A dichotomous key is provided for these five genera as well as the species of the genus Truncatoflabellum and Placotrochides, the other three genera being monotypic. A tabular key is also provided for the 38 species of Truncatoflabellum. Two new combinations are suggested (Truncatoflabellum gambierense and Truncatoflabellum sphenodeum) and two new species are described (Truncatoflabellum duncani and Truncatoflabellum mozambiquensis). All but one species are illustrated and accompanied by their known distribution and a guide to the pertinent literature for the species. New records of 19 of the 45 species are listed. The transversely-dividing flabellids range from the Middle Eocene to the Recent at depths of 2–3010 m, and constitute 60% of the 65 known extant species of transversely-dividing Scleractinia.     

Contribution to the Microlepidoptera Fauna of the South of Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia

This paper provides a list of 125 species from 22 families of Microlepidoptera collected in the south of Krasnoyarsk Territory and in the Republic ofKhakassia, with 63 species (50%) and 2 families (Bucculatricidae and Elachistidae) recorded in the region for the first time, and 11 species from 6 families being new to Siberia: Cauchas fibulella, Nemophora fasciella, N. minimella (Adelidae), Phyllonorycter sorbicola, Phyllocnistis extrematrix (Gracillariidae), Cosmiotes freyerella, Elachista subocellea (Elachistidae), Caryocolum alsinella, Scrobipalpula diffluella (Gelechiidae), Agonopterix intersecta (Depressariidae), and Ypsolopha horridella (Ypsolophidae). Three species are new to science: Phyllonorycter sp. and Phyllocnistis verae (Gracillariidae) from the suburbs of Krasnoyarsk and Chrysoesthia sp. (Gelechiidae) from the Republic of Khakassia. Almost half of the faunistic findings belong to two families, Gelechiidae (34 species) and Gracillariidae (24 species). In the former family, the number of species distributed in Krasnoyarsk Territory and/or Khakassia was increased by 1.5 times based on our collection. Trophic specialization remains unknown only for 7 of the 125 species. Most (90%) of the remaining 118 species are phytophagous, the others are saprophagous; 53 species are known as leaf miners. Phytophagous species feed on plants of 36 families and 21 orders. The largest number of microlepidopteran species inhabit plants of the orders Rosales and Fagales (25 and 24 species, respectively). Twelve species are known as pests: Tineidae (4 species), Gracillariidae, Gelechiidae (2 species in each), Argyresthiidae, Choreutidae, Lyonetiidae, and Plutellidae (one species in each). Four pest species have expanded beyond the Palaearctic in the last century: Choreutis pariana (Choreutidae), Scrobipalpa atriplicella (Gelechiidae), Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae), and Niditinea fuscella (Tineidae).     

Biogeography of testate amoebae in the soils of Mexico

We studied testate amoebae (testates) in the soils of coniferous and deciduous forests and in the wetland and aquatic habitats of Mexico. In 141 samples we found 205 taxa identified to the species or intraspecies level and 68 testate amoebae, which could not be identified to the species level. The highest species diversity of testates was found in the soils of the tropical rainforest (126 species and intraspecific taxa, including spp.) and in tropical wetlands (144 species and intraspecific taxa, including spp.). The study documented testate amoebae with a limited geographical distribution (genera Centropyxis, Cornuapyxis, Ellipsopyxis, Hoogenraadia, Planhoogenraadia, Apolimia, Certesella, Apodera, and Alocodera). We found that testate amoebae in the soils of Mexico had a high level of polymorphism and individual variability. We discuss the value of soil testate amoebae for defining biogeographical regions of Mexico.     

Floral morphology and systematics of the genus Thottea Rottb. (Aristolochiaceae) from the Western Ghats, India

The medicinal genus Thottea (Aristolochiaceae) is represented in the Western Ghats, India, by eight species, seven of which are endemic to this region. In the present study, diversity in floral structure and organization of these eight species was analyzed from a systematic perspective. Floral morphology was thoroughly studied and discussed with emphasis on 16 qualitative and 11 quantitative characters. Statistical tools such as UPGMA cluster analysis, PCoA, PCA, and one-way ANOVA were used for elucidating species boundaries and inter-relationships. Significance of the selected qualitative and quantitative characters for species level systematics was revealed by the PCA and one-way ANOVA. Based on the nature of sepals (free/fused), two species groups were identified (first group with T. duchartrei and T. idukkiana, and the second group with the remaining six species). By considering the number and arrangement of stamens, yet another species grouping was proposed (one with T. abrahamii and T. dinghoui, and the other with the remaining six species). The UPGMA phenogram and the PCoA scatter plot clearly pointed out the existence of two species groups: the first group with T. abrahamii, T. barberi, T. dinghoui, T. ponmudiana, T. siliquosa, and T. sivarajanii, and the second one with T. duchartrei and T. idukkiana. With regard to the morphometric tools and the taxonomic key, it does not seem possible to distinguish T. abrahamii from T. dinghoui, and T. idukkiana from T. duchartrei.     

Microbial Population Analysis of the Salivary Glands of Ticks; A Possible Strategy for the Surveillance of Bacterial Pathogens

Ticks are one of the most important blood-sucking vectors for infectious microorganisms in humans and animals. When feeding they inject saliva, containing microbes, into the host to facilitate the uptake of blood. An understanding of the microbial populations within their salivary glands would provide a valuable insight when evaluating the vectorial capacity of ticks. Three tick species (Ixodes ovatus, I. persulcatus and Haemaphysalis flava) were collected in Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan between 2008 and 2011. Each tick was dissected and the salivary glands removed. Bacterial communities in each salivary gland were characterized by 16S amplicon pyrosequencing using a 454 GS-Junior Next Generation Sequencer. The Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) Classifier was used to classify sequence reads at the genus level. The composition of the microbial populations of each tick species were assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) using the Metagenomics RAST (MG-RAST) metagenomic analysis tool. Rickettsia-specific PCR was used for the characterization of rickettsial species. Almost full length of 16S rDNA was amplified in order to characterize unclassified bacterial sequences obtained in I. persulcatus female samples. The numbers of bacterial genera identified for the tick species were 71 (I. ovatus), 127 (I. persulcatus) and 59 (H. flava). Eighteen bacterial genera were commonly detected in all tick species. The predominant bacterial genus observed in all tick species was Coxiella. Spiroplasma was detected in Ixodes, and not in H. flava. PCA revealed that microbial populations in tick salivary glands were different between tick species, indicating that host specificities may play an important role in determining the microbial complement. Four female I. persulcatus samples contained a high abundance of several sequences belonging to Alphaproteobacteria symbionts. This study revealed the microbial populations within the salivary glands of three species of ticks, and the results will contribute to the knowledge and prediction of emerging tick-borne diseases.     

Two new species and new records of the genus Spinolyprops Pic, 1917 from the Oriental Region (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Lupropini) *

Two new species of the genus Spinolyprops Pic, 1917 (Tenebrionidae, subfamily Lagriinae Latreille, 1825) are described from Thailand and China (Spinolyprops cribricollis sp. n., Spinolyprops thailandicus sp. n.). The species characters within the genus are discussed, photographs of all seven Oriental species are added, a species key for the Oriental species is compiled, and a map with the distributional patterns is provided.     

An illustrated key to and diagnoses of the species of Histeridae (Coleoptera) associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina

A key to 16 histerid species associated with decaying carcasses in Argentina is presented, including diagnoses and habitus photographs for these species. This article provides a table of all species associated with carcasses, detailing the substrate from which they were collected and geographical distribution by province. All 16 Histeridae species registered are grouped into three subfamilies: Saprininae (twelve species of Euspilotus Lewis and one species of Xerosaprinus Wenzel), Histerinae (one species of Hololepta Paykull and one species of Phelister Marseul) and Dendrophilinae (one species of Carcinops Marseul). Two species are new records for Argentina: Phelister rufinotus Marseuland Carcinops troglodytes (Paykull). A discussion is presented on the potential forensic importance of some species collected on human and pig carcasses.