DNA barcoding and regional diversity of understudied Micropeplinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in Southwest China: phylogenetic implications <br />and a new Micropeplus from Mount Emei

Abstract

Extensive litter sampling at eight forested localities in Yunnan and Sichuan detected 381 specimens of Micropeplinae rove beetles. DNA barcoding data from 85 representative specimens were analysed to delimit species and infer their relationships. Statistical methods were implemented to assess regional species diversity of understudied Micropeplinae. The total number of sampled Micropeplinae species varied between 14 and 17, depending on a splitting versus lumping approach for allopatric populations. A single Micropeplinae species was sampled in six of eight studied localities, three species were found on Mount Gongga, while ten species were discovered on hyperdiverse Mount Emei in Sichuan. All Micropeplinae specimens from our samples belong either to the genus Cerapeplus, or to three other inclusive groups temporarily retained inside Micropeplus sensu lato. Each of the three groups potentially represents a separate genus: tesserula group, sculptus group and Micropeplus sensu stricto. A new species Micropeplus jason sp. n. from Mount Emei in Sichuan is described. Numerous illustrations introduce regional fauna and clarify the discussed morphological characters.

Micropeplus liweiae sp. n., a new species from Sichuan, China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Micropeplinae)

“…In the fauna of China, 22 species had been recorded before this study (Herman 2001; Schülke and Smetana 2015; Grebennikov and Smetana 2015; Zheng et al 2016). Grebennikov and Smetana (2015) revealed the amazing hyper diversity of Micropeplinae in Southwest China.…”

“…Grebennikov and Smetana (2015) revealed the amazing hyper diversity of Micropeplinae in Southwest China. In this paper, Micropeplus liweiae sp.…”

Micropeplus shergyla sp. nov., the first species of Micropeplinae from Tibet (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

“…The Chinese fauna of the staphylinid subfamily Micropeplinae is represented by 26 species and one subspecies in three genera, i.e., Cerapeplus Löbl & Burckhardt and Peplomicrus Bernhauer each with a single species, and Micropeplus Latreille containing 24 species and one subspecies (e.g., Löbl 1997;Li et al, 2019). Grebennikov & Smetana (2015) identifi ed a potentially diverse micropepline fauna from southwestern China based on applications of BINs (Barcode Index Numbers), GDTCs (Geographically Delimited Terminal Clades), and OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units), and questioned the monophyly of Micropeplus. Morphologically, more than half of the known Chinese Micropeplus species (14 spp.…”