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<p>The subfamily Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) comprises the most diverse lineage of beetles associated with eusocial insects, yet a large portion of its termitophilous diversity remains undocumented, particularly in the Neotropical region. Here, we describe <i>Guaranguera zilbermani</i> gen. et sp. n., a new termitophilous rove beetle discovered in nests of <i>Cornitermes cumulans</i> (Kollar, 1832) (Termitidae: Syntermitinae) in southeastern Brazil. This finding represents the first record of a lomechusine beetle associated with <i>C. cumulans</i> and only the second documented association between the tribe Lomechusini and the genus <i>Cornitermes</i>. The new genus is diagnosed and illustrated based on detailed morphological characters, and its taxonomic placement among Neotropical termitophilous Lomechusini is discussed. <i>C. cumulans</i> is a widespread termite species throughout southern South America, and <i>G. zilbermani</i> was only found in the southern Espinhaço Range. Therefore, to evaluate whether the occurrence of <i>G. zilbermani</i> reflects true endemism or sampling bias, we complemented the taxonomic treatment with ecological niche modeling. We compared the predicted potential distribution of the beetle with that of its termite host using climatic and topographic variables. While <i>C. cumulans</i> shows a broad potential distribution, suitable areas for <i>G. zilbermani</i> are narrowly restricted to highland regions, particularly within campo rupestre environments. This spatial mismatch suggests that the distribution of the termitophile is constrained by ecological and biogeographical factors beyond host availability. Our results highlight the importance of integrating taxonomy and ecological approaches to better understand host–inquiline associations and patterns of endemism in termitophilous beetles.</p>

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A new termitophilous genus of Lomechusini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Brazil, and the ecological niche modeling of its host association

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月13日

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  • Carlos Moreno,
  • Amanda Montanhini,
  • Juan Mateo Rivera-Pérez,
  • Mauricio M. Rocha,
  • Ruan F. Da-Silva

摘要

The subfamily Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) comprises the most diverse lineage of beetles associated with eusocial insects, yet a large portion of its termitophilous diversity remains undocumented, particularly in the Neotropical region. Here, we describe Guaranguera zilbermani gen. et sp. n., a new termitophilous rove beetle discovered in nests of Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar, 1832) (Termitidae: Syntermitinae) in southeastern Brazil. This finding represents the first record of a lomechusine beetle associated with C. cumulans and only the second documented association between the tribe Lomechusini and the genus Cornitermes. The new genus is diagnosed and illustrated based on detailed morphological characters, and its taxonomic placement among Neotropical termitophilous Lomechusini is discussed. C. cumulans is a widespread termite species throughout southern South America, and G. zilbermani was only found in the southern Espinhaço Range. Therefore, to evaluate whether the occurrence of G. zilbermani reflects true endemism or sampling bias, we complemented the taxonomic treatment with ecological niche modeling. We compared the predicted potential distribution of the beetle with that of its termite host using climatic and topographic variables. While C. cumulans shows a broad potential distribution, suitable areas for G. zilbermani are narrowly restricted to highland regions, particularly within campo rupestre environments. This spatial mismatch suggests that the distribution of the termitophile is constrained by ecological and biogeographical factors beyond host availability. Our results highlight the importance of integrating taxonomy and ecological approaches to better understand host–inquiline associations and patterns of endemism in termitophilous beetles.