Morionidius Chaudoir 1880
Recognition-
Small to medium sized,
deep-bodied species readily recognized from all other morionines by the
transverse sulci on the abdominal ventrites.
Distribution/Diversity-
Five species distributed in the
Oriental region. No key to species
exists.
Taxonomy/Systematics-
Morionidius and
Stereostoma share the expanded
apical
labial palpomeres and have a
significant number of shared characteristics of other morionines.
Morionidius has features of the head and eyes
thats are intermediate between those found in Stereostoma and other
morionines. The eyes in Morionidius species
are very prominent, like
Stereostoma, but have
prominent tempora as in other morionines, which is lacking Sterostoma. The labrum is also
intermediate in form, very slightly emarginate,
not straight as in Stereostoma nor
deeply emarginate as in Morion.
Morionidius lacks the
prominently developed latero-apical spine of the
protibia, which is very large in all other morionines. The transverse
sulci of the abdominal ventrites in Morionidius
is not found in any
other morionine taxa various other pterostichine-grade taxa.
The female
reproductive structures of Morionidius
species are quite
different and probably derived relative to those of other morionine
taxa. The notched gonocoxite-2
is likely a
synapomorphy for the genus. Notched gonocoxites and a
sclerotized spermatheca is also found in species of Tshitsherinella
Semenov (Chaetodactylini). Both of these taxa also have
securiform
labial papli and sulcate abdominal ventrites. Chaetodactylines are
known to be parasites of scarab beetles (Jeannel
1948) and it is
possible that Morionidius also
has a parasitic life-style that led to
the independent acquisition of these features
Biological information- Individuals
have been found in rotten logs and at lights.
Included
Species:
Morionidius charon Andrewes
Morionidius doriae Chaudoir
Morionidius erebus Alluaud
Morionidius inexpectatus Sciaky
& Benes
Morionidius insularis Kasahara
& Ohtani
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