Canadian species of the Zyras group of genera and review of the types from America north of Mexico (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)

Abstract

A review of the Canadian species of the Zyras Stephens group of genera is presented including new diagnoses, distribution maps, colour habitus images and genital illustrations. Colour habitus images, genital line illustrations and a key are provided for all valid species from America north of Mexico. Nearctic Zyras, formerly regarded in a broad sense (sensu lato), is treated here in a restricted sense, and a new classification is proposed to accommodate species from the Nearctic region. Five genera are recognized: Apalonia Casey (1 species), Myrmoecia Mulsant & Rey (2 species); Zyras (s. str.) Stephens (3 species); Pella Stephens (9 species); and Platyusa Casey (1 species) [reinstated]. Types of Z. flavicornis Solsky were not located and the species is considered as insertae sedis and is not included in descriptions or the key. Sixteen Zyras-related species are recognized in America north of Mexico, nine of which occur in Canada. Three species represent new Canadian records (NCR), four represent new provincial records (NPR) and five new state records (NSR). Four new synonymies are established, with the second name being valid: Apalonia divisa Casey = A. seticornis Casey; Myrmedonia cremastogastris Wasman = Pella loricata (Casey); Zyras (s. str.) pseudohaworthi Klimaszewski = Z. (s. str.) obliquus (Casey); and Myrmedonia schwarzi Wasman = Z. (s. str.) planifer (Casey).