Histerini

Introduction

Histerini contains some of the most commonly encountered histerids. Throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of Africa and the Americas, Histerini are the most abundant histerids associated with dung. Several predaceous Histerini have in fact been widely introduced (in Australia and Hawaii, in particular) to help control flies breeding in cattle dung. In the Old World, dung associations are by far the most common for species of Histerini. However, there are many exceptions to this 'rule'

Characteristics

Histerini are fairly easily characterized as those histerids lacking labral setae, possessing a well developed prosternal lobe, having the anterior mesosternal margin truncate or emarginate (never projecting), and having straight, complete antennal club annuli. They are generally larger species, >4mm, shiny, and black or with red maculae.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

The study of relationships within Histerini is largely uncharted territory. The monophyly of the tribe itself remains to be conclusively demonstrated. Several genera have recently been removed to Platysomatini and Exosternini, and the affinities of some others listed above are yet questionable. Additionally, within Histerini, few of the genera have been adequately defined, and the limits of most are debateable. Hister is a 'trash can' genus, which is likely paraphyletic with respect to most or all of the other genera in the tribe, and it desperately needs phylogenetic study on a worldwide scale. Some preliminary attempts toward this end have been made (Caterino, unpublished), and both male and female genitalia appear highly informative across the group. However, only a small proportion of taxa has been examined.

References

Caterino, M. S. 1998. A phylogenetic revision of Spilodiscus Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae). Journal of Natural History 32:1129-1168.

Caterino, M. S. 1999. The taxonomy and phylogenetics of the coenosus group of Hister Linnaeus. University of California Publications in Entomology 119:1-75 +plates.

Ohara, M. 1989. On the species of the genus Margarinotus from Japan. Insecta Mastumurana (N.S.) 41:1-50.

Wenzel, R. L. 1944. On the classification of histerid beetles. Fieldiana, Zoology 28:51-151 +plates.

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