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Microlia Casey is a genus of small rove beetles from the New World and Australasia. Many species are recorded to be associated with the flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. In this work, a new species from Brazil associated with flowers of Cayaponia (Cucurbitaceae), Microlia cayaponia Zilberman & Pires-Silva sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Aspects of its natural history are also investigated, with insights on foraging, reproduction, and the supposed impact on the plant and pollinator's fitness.

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Numerous staphylinid species can be found in termite nests. While the distributional range of termite hosts has been well studied, the same cannot be said for their associated fauna. There is a lack of comprehensive sampling even in areas where termite fauna has been well-sampled. In recent surveys in Southeastern Brazil, we collected a new species of termitophilous rove beetle from the tribe Termitohospitini (Aleocharinae): Termitosocius boraceiensis sp. nov., is herein described. The new species is the first termitophile found in Boracéia, SP, Brazil, even with decades of termite sampling in the place. Additionally, we discuss the diversity and description rate of neotropical Termitohospitini, and investigate the potential of cospeciation between termites and their termitophilous beetles on the Emerson-Kistner principle. Our findings suggest that the neotropical Termitohospitini may be more diverse than previously believed and that Termitosocius species are present in host species that are geographically separated, implying a cospeciation scenario. Additional sampling is required to fully comprehend the relationships between termitophiles and their termite hosts. The outcomes of this study provide new insights into the undersampling scenario and possibly cospeciation between termites and their termitophiles in the Neotropical region.

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Among the termite-associated fauna, rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae are distinguished by exhibiting the majority of convergent evolutions to this lifestyle. This phenomenon known as termitophily brings many advantages, including the care of nestmates and the exploitation of resources. While some mechanisms that ensure the integration of the termitophiles into the colony are well known, such as chemical mimicry, others remain unclear. In this article, we discuss the importance of termitophile behavior for the stability of interactions within termite colonies. We address behavioral mimicry as an important integration mechanism between termitophiles and termites. We compare both termitophile's and termite's behavioral repertoires and found no significant differences between them, suggesting that social parasites can mislead their host through their behavior in order to exploit the colony and to keep positive interactions with their hosts. In addition, we describe a new species of termitophile rove beetle from a highland humid forest in northeastern Brazil: Thyreoxenus alakazam sp. nov., with detailed illustrations and comments on post-imaginal growth in the context of our hypothesis of the post-imago phenotype, known as stenogastry, as a recapitulation of ancestral conditions in physogastric rove beetles.

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Pareburniola dominicana Zilberman, Yin & Cai gen. et. sp. nov. is the very first fossil record of the tribe Corotocini, reported from Miocene Dominican Republic amber. The new species, which is based on a stenogastric individual, is described and illustrated and is included in the subtribe Corotocina due to the combination of a tarsal formula 4-4-4, an elongated gula, a developed labial palp, a reduced fourth palpomere, separated metacoxae and a glandular structure on the posterior region of the head. Since the taxon belongs to the physogastric tribe Corotocini, which presents post-imaginal growth, this phenomenon is herein discussed, and its current knowledge is used to understand the possible outcomes during morphological changes in the fossil species.

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The subtribe Termitonannina consists of eight genera of termitophilous rove beetles from the Neotropical region associated with termites of the subfamilies Apicotermitinae, Nasutitermitinae, Syntermitinae, and Termitinae. A new genus, Dilacera Zilberman & Pires-Silva gen. nov. is established, and a new species, Dilacera exokosmos Zilberman & Pires-Silva gen. et sp. nov., from the Brazilian Amazon, is described and illustrated, with its morphological distinctiveness within the subtribe, discussed. Remarks on the host relationship with Uncitermes teevani (Emerson, 1925) (Termitidae: Syntermitinae) are provided, with an updated checklist of termitophilous species and their associated hosts within Termitonannina, including a discussion on confusing nomenclatural takes on termite hosts.

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The genus Termitozophilus Silvestri (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Corotocini) is composed of three species that are associated with termite nests of the genus Cornitermes Wasmann in South America. Although this termite genus is widespread in the Amazon region, the species of the rove beetle genus Termitozophilus associated with it are less known. In this paper, we describe four new species of Termitozophilus species from the Brazilian Oriental Amazon. Furthermore, we provide information on natural history, post-imaginal growth, behavior, and a taxonomic key to all valid species.

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Fonsechellus Silvestri and Oecidiophilus Silvestri consist of two Neotropical genera of termitophilous rove beetles, which have been poorly characterized due to the scarcity of material for studies. Herein, based on material collected in the seventies and housed in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, two new species associated with Atlantitermes guarinim Fontes and Diversitermes sp., are described and illustrated: Fonsechellus heterosetosus sp. nov. and Oecidiophilus cleidecostae sp. nov., respectively. The latter represents the first record of the genus to Brazil. Also, Fonsechellus fragilis and F. fontesi are redescribed, and a key for species identification is provided for the genus. The condition of the membranous wings of Fonsechellus is addressed and discussed, and the definition of both genera is expanded.(AU)

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Fonsechellus Silvestri and Oecidiophilus Silvestri consist of two Neotropical genera of termitophilous rove beetles, which have been poorly characterized due to the scarcity of material for studies. Herein, based on material collected in the seventies and housed in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, two new species associated with Atlantitermes guarinim Fontes and Diversitermes sp., are described and illustrated: Fonsechellus heterosetosus sp. nov. and Oecidiophilus cleidecostae sp. nov., respectively. The latter represents the first record of the genus to Brazil. Also, Fonsechellus fragilis and F. fontesi are redescribed, and a key for species identification is provided for the genus. The condition of the membranous wings of Fonsechellus is addressed and discussed, and the definition of both genera is expanded.

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Abstract Fonsechellus Silvestri and Oecidiophilus Silvestri consist of two Neotropical genera of termitophilous rove beetles, which have been poorly characterized due to the scarcity of material for studies. Herein, based on material collected in the seventies and housed in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, two new species associated with Atlantitermes guarinim Fontes and Diversitermes sp., are described and illustrated: Fonsechellus heterosetosus sp. nov. and Oecidiophilus cleidecostae sp. nov., respectively. The latter represents the first record of the genus to Brazil. Also, Fonsechellus fragilis and F. fontesi are redescribed, and a key for species identification is provided for the genus. The condition of the membranous wings of Fonsechellus is addressed and discussed, and the definition of both genera is expanded.

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Termitozophilus Silvestri 1901 is a Neotropical genus of termitophilous beetles, with two species, T. laetus Silvestri, 1901 and T. mirandus (Mann, 1923), in subtribe Timeparthenina Silvestri, 1901, which is a sister group of the remaining Corotocini Fenyes, 1918. A new species, Termitozophilus belleae sp. nov., from Brazil, is described and illustrated. The genus and the other two species are redescribed and illustrated, and morphological and general discussion of host, taxonomic information and key to species are present.

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Viviparity is characterized by the retention of fertilized eggs in reproductive tract of the female. This condition is very common in vertebrates, but relatively rare in invertebrates, including insects. The present work presents a review on viviparity in Staphylinidae, with special attention on genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853. The genus is composed by six termitophilous species with neotropical distribution, and together with Spirachtha Schiødte, 1853 are the only to genera with species confirmed as viviparous in the family. Also, information and discussion are presented on the life cycle of Corotoca species based on dissection of females in laboratory and field observations. During the dissection of females of four species of Corotoca we observed that each female carries three eggs at the same time. The embryos present asynchronous development: when one is located at apex of abdomen, the other two are at IV segment, on abdomen curvature. These observations are complementary with those obtained in field observation, when the female deposits a larva outside the nest, on the foraging trail of termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901). The strategy of Corotoca species focused on the immature as dispersing agent is derived and probably favor the fitness in relation to a hypothetical condition in which the adult is the dispersive agent.(AU)

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Rove beetles belonging to the genus Corotoca (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) are termitophiles exclusively found in nests of Constrictotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed the reproductive behavior of Corotoca melantho and C. fontesi during host (Constrictotermes cyphergaster) foraging events. The reproductive behaviors of both species are similar. The variables collected for analysis were distance traveled, the time of larval deposition, nest return time, and locomotion speed. The fact that the female stops in the middle of the foraging trail to deposit the larva leads to a discussion of how its physiological or voluntary mechanisms function to determine the correct stopping time and the importance of speed when returning to the nest as a strategy to avoid predation. This study provides new information concerning the life cycle of Corotoca spp., although complete understanding of host-termitophile relationships, their evolutionary history, and the significance of viviparity will require additional studies.(AU)

RESUMO

Viviparity is characterized by the retention of fertilized eggs in reproductive tract of the female. This condition is very common in vertebrates, but relatively rare in invertebrates, including insects. The present work presents a review on viviparity in Staphylinidae, with special attention on genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853. The genus is composed by six termitophilous species with neotropical distribution, and together with Spirachtha Schiødte, 1853 are the only to genera with species confirmed as viviparous in the family. Also, information and discussion are presented on the life cycle of Corotoca species based on dissection of females in laboratory and field observations. During the dissection of females of four species of Corotoca we observed that each female carries three eggs at the same time. The embryos present asynchronous development: when one is located at apex of abdomen, the other two are at IV segment, on abdomen curvature. These observations are complementary with those obtained in field observation, when the female deposits a larva outside the nest, on the foraging trail of termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901). The strategy of Corotoca species focused on the immature as dispersing agent is derived and probably favor the fitness in relation to a hypothetical condition in which the adult is the dispersive agent.

RESUMO

Rove beetles belonging to the genus Corotoca (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) are termitophiles exclusively found in nests of Constrictotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed the reproductive behavior of Corotoca melantho and C. fontesi during host (Constrictotermes cyphergaster) foraging events. The reproductive behaviors of both species are similar. The variables collected for analysis were distance traveled, the time of larval deposition, nest return time, and locomotion speed. The fact that the female stops in the middle of the foraging trail to deposit the larva leads to a discussion of how its physiological or voluntary mechanisms function to determine the correct stopping time and the importance of speed when returning to the nest as a strategy to avoid predation. This study provides new information concerning the life cycle of Corotoca spp., although complete understanding of host-termitophile relationships, their evolutionary history, and the significance of viviparity will require additional studies.

RESUMO

Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 is a Neotropical genus of termitophiles beetles, with five species, and its description marks the first record of insects associated with termites. A new species, Corotoca fontesi sp. nov., from Brazil, is described and illustrated, and a taxonomical problem regarding to the identification and nomenclatural status of two species, Corotoca phylo Schiødte, 1853 and Corotoca seeversi Fontes, 1977, is solved. Therefore, Corotoca seeversi is proposed as a new junior synonym of C. phylo, and the material identified as C. phylo housed in the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP) is recognized as a new species, Corotoca fontesi sp. nov. New morphological and sexual dimorphism data in the species, and solution of some messy informations about the genus present in the literature are also present.

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RESUMO

Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 is a Neotropical genus of termitophile beetles, with five species. The establishment of this genus marks the first record of insects living associated to termites. A new species, Corotoca pseudomelantho Zilberman, sp. nov. from Brazil and Argentina, based on adult and first larval instar, is described and illustrated. The first instar larva of C. melantho Schiødte, 1853, a related species, is redescribed and illustrated. This is the first record of Corotoca species from Argentina.

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