Histerid beetles (Staphyliniformia: Coleoptera: Histeridae) from Campos Gerais, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Histeridae is a group of beetles with diverse morphology known as generalist predators and which occurs in a wide variety of habitats. The objective of this paper was to present the first list of Histeridae from the Campos Gerais region (Parques Estaduais de Vila Velha, do Cerrado, e do Cânion Guartelá) and provide information about species from protected areas in the state of Paraná. Also were provided appropriate collecting methods for the group. The Histeridae from Campos Gerais are represented by 29 species belonging to eight genera: Haeteriinae sp. (1 sp.), Coelister Bickhardt, 1917 (1 sp.), Epierus Erichson, 1834 (1 sp.), Euspilotus Lewis, 1907 (6 spp.), Hister Linnaeus, 1758 (2 spp.), Omalodes Dejean, 1833 (3 spp.), OperclipygusMarseul, 1870 (6 spp.) and Phelister Marseul, 1854 (9 spp.). Two genera (Coelister and Epierus) and four species (Coelister sp., Phelister brevistrius Marseul, 1854, Phelister panamensisLeConte, 1859 and Phelister pumilus (Erichson, 1834)) were recorded for the first time for the state of Paraná. Five genera (Coelister, Epierus, Euspilotus, Hister and Phelister) and five species (Coelister sp., Omalodes laceratus Marseul, 1853, Phelister brevistrius, Phelister panamensisLeConte, 1859 and Phelister pumilus (Erichson, 1834)) were recorded for the first time for Campos Gerais. The fauna of Histeridae is diverse when compared with surveys conducted in other floristic conditions. However, the majority of species do not demonstrate a selection for open grass field areas. Considering the habitats loss of Campos Gerais it is important to increase the faunistic surveys with appropriate methodology and regional lists of Coleoptera in order to know the biodiversity.