| (1) The biology of the Ptininae, with emphasis on the New World fauna, is reviewed. A key to all native and introduced genera encountered in the New World is also given. (2) A phylogenetic analysis of the New World Ptininae, based on the principles of cladistics is presented. One hundred and two characters (43 multistate) from 34 taxa were utilized. The single tree shows both the Ptininae and its sister, the remaining Anobiidae, as monophyletic. (3) Cubaptinus Zayas is synonymized with Fabrasia Martinez and Viana. (4) Lachnoniptus lindae New Genus, New Species from the Virgin Islands, is described. It appears most similar to Trigonogenius, and characters differentiating the two genera are given. The habitat and probable biology of this new species are discussed. (5) Coleoaethes tetralobus New Genus, New Species from Panama, is described. It is the third myrmecophilous genus of ptinine known from the New World. The relationship of Coleoaethes tetralobus to other myrmecophilous ptinines and the diversity and distribution of this latter group are also discussed. (6) A revision of the genus Niptinus Fall is presented. Niptinus grandimaculatus is described as new, and Trigonogenius niveus trinotatus Pic is elevated to specific status. Trigonogenius niveus Gorham and T. arcuatus Gorham are transferred to Niptinus. The genus and all previously described species are redescribed, and a key is provided. The relationship of Niptinus to other closely related genera and the known biology are discussed. (7) The New World genus Prosternoptinus is revised and thirteen new species are described, raising the total number of known species to 24. The genus and most previously known species are redescribed, and a key to all species is provided. A discussion of the biology and relationships of the genus is also included. (8) The first larval leaf mining and live-leaf feeding by adults is reported in the Anobiidae and the more inclusive superfamily Bostrichoidea. Larvae of Pitnus antillanus Belles bore in leaves of Tournefortia gnaphalodes (Linnaeus) (Boraginaceae) and adults feed on leaves of the larval host plant. |
