Uncovering what lies within: The first scientific account of cave-dwelling ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Philippines with the description of a new genus, new subgenus, and four new species from Mindanao

Zootaxa. 2024 Mar 25;5428(4):501-526. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5428.4.3.

Abstract

For the first time in the Philippines, cave surveys were carried out in search of cave beetles. In this paper we describe a new troglobite genus, Kweba gen. nov., with two new species K. magbabaya sp. nov. and K. diwata sp. nov. We describe a new subgenus: Trogloabacetus subgen. nov. of the genus Metabacetus Bates, 1892, with the addition of two new species, M. (T.) baltazarae sp. nov. and M. (T.) desideratus sp. nov. from various limestone caves of Mindanao Island. Anaulacus (s.str.) fasciatus (Schmidt-Goebel, 1846) is also reported from the cave habitats. A key to the new and related genera, images of habitus and genitalia, and distribution maps are provided.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Caves*
  • Coleoptera* / anatomy & histology
  • Coleoptera* / classification
  • Ecosystem*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Philippines