Melyronyxa, a New Genus of Lophocateridae from Australia (Coleoptera: Cleroidea)

Abstract

Abstract We describe a distinctive new genus of Lophocateridae, Melyronyxa Gimmel and Leschen, new genus, based on two species from Australia, Melyronyxa monteithi Gimmel and Leschen, new species (type species; Queensland) and Melyronyxa pubescens (Blackburn, 1891), new combination (New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria). Melyronyxa shares a number of characters with and is the putative sister genus of Peltonyxa Reitter, 1876, but may be distinguished by the elytra with irregular punctation and lacking costae and the body covered with erect, slender setae. We also provide clarifications on recently published commentary on the phylogeny and classification of Lophocateridae and on the generic placement of Lophocateres pilosus Olliff, 1883.