On the Staphylinidae of Saudi Arabia, with descriptions of two new species (Insecta: Coleoptera) Author Assing, V. Author Schülke, M. Author M. R Author A. S text Linzer biologische Beiträge 2013 2013-07-31 45 1 141 154 journal article 55717 10.5281/zenodo.5341014 b9741f08-928d-4423-9e6f-478cebcd02cc 0253-116X 5341014 Acrotona ( Phanerosphena ) rougemonti ( PACE 1991) , nov.comb. Material examined Saudi Arabia : 1♂, 3♀♀ , Khamis Mushayt , Wadi Bishah , 18°20'01''N , 42°42'13''E , 1990 m , 27.IV.2011 , leg. Sharaf ( cAss ) ; 1 ex. , Wadi Aljora near Abadan , 17.29°N , 43.07°E , 465 m , 12.XI.2012 , leg. Sharaf ( cAss ) . Comment: This species, the type species of the subgeneric name Phanerosphena PACE 1991 , was previously known only from two localities in Yemen ( PACE 1991 ) and originally described as Atheta ( Phanerosphena ) rougemonti . An examination of the above material, which represents the first record from Saudi Arabia , revealed that A. rougemonti is a close relative of Acrotona pellucida (FAUVEL 1878) and A. oxypodoides ( BRUNDIN 1952 ) . In his revisionary work, BRUNDIN (1952) attributed them to Acrotona THOMSON 1859 , which in those days was regarded as a subgenus of Atheta THOMSON 1858 , but today is treated as a distinct genus by most authors. Subsequently, A. pellucida and A. oxypodoides were assigned to the genus Paradilacra BERNHAUER 1909 (see SMETANA 2004 ) and then reinstated in Acrotona by ASSING (2010) . Acrotona rougemonti , A. pellucida , and A. oxypodoides are distinguished from other Acrotona species particularly by a different morphology of the median lobe of the aedeagus, of the parameres, and by longer and more slender legs, suggesting that both taxa form separate lineages. On the other hand, a close relationship is indicated by similar external characters and a similar morphology of the spermatheca. In consequence, until the systematic affiliations have been thoroughly studied based on a phylogenetic approach, Phanerosphena is proposed to represent a subgenus of Acrotona . Other species that have been attributed to Phanerosphena are: Atheta perlaeta PACE 1986 (= A. tronqueti PACE 1988 ) (Himalaya, Oriental region ), A. retroarmata PACE 1998 ( Hong Kong ), A. alboguttata BERNHAUER 1915 (Afrotropical region), A. tridentata (KRAATZ, 1859) (Oriental region), A. coprophila CAMERON 1950 (Oriental region), and A. spinosa SCHEERPELTZ 1962 ( China , Thailand ). However, at least A. retroarmata is unlikely to be correctly assigned to Phanerosphena , as can be inferred from the illustrations provided by PACE (1998) .