Allenipeplus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016

Kirejtshuk, Alexander G. & Kovalev, Alexey V., 2022, Monograph on the Cillaeinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from the Australian Region with comments on the taxonomy of the subfamily, Zootaxa 5103 (1), pp. 1-133 : 27

8. Genus Allenipeplus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016

Allenipeplus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016: 227 .

Type-species: Allenipeplus philippinensis Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016: 230 ; by original designation.

Diagnosis (after Kirejtshuk & Kovalev 2016). This genus is distinct from other genera from Australia and surrounding territories in its peculiar set of characters including the head with eyes dislodged to anterior part of head and behind eye moderately narrowed; antennal grooves well expressed and distinctly outlined; pronotum with posterior angles having a distinct tip; tergites uncovered by elytra with elongate paramedian depressions; abdominal laterosternites V and VI subparallel-sided or narrowed posteriorly; distance between metacoxae narrowly separated or subcontiguous; elytra with diffuse punctures; median part of prosternum more less convex and prosternal process forming a unified median plate; body integument with scarcely conspicuous hairs or almost without them; distance between mesocoxae subequal with or smaller than that between procoxae; procoxae moderately separated; apex of female pygidium distinctly serrate; antennomeres 2 and 3 comparable in length.

This genus is distinct among cillaeines by its comparatively small eyes and rather long temples, which can be compared with those only in Ithyphenes (see below). It is externally similar to the genus Cillaeus and Cillaeus - like genera and subgenera ( Carpophilops , Cillaeopeplus , Halepopeplus , Liparopeplus , Paracillaeopsis stat. nov., Tokocillaeus , Xanthopeplus ) by its elongate subparallel-sided and not strongly convex body, (sub)quadrate pronotum (although some members of the aforementioned groups demonstrate rather arcuate pronotal sides), simple labrum at most with a clear median suture (usually only line remains), at least three abdominal segments uncovered by elytra, three preapical abdominal and slightly convex underside.

See also the above key to the cillaeine genera of Australia and surrounding territories and the detailed diagnosis of Allenipeplus in Kirejtshuk & Kovalev (2016: 228).

Composition. This genus consists of four described species ( Kirejtshuk & Kovalev 2016) represented only by females ( Allenipeplus philippinensis from Philippines, Luzon, A. alius Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016 from Philippines, Mindoro, A. harmonicus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016 from Philippines, Mindanao and A. vitellinus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016 from Papua New Guinea). Also, two undescribed species from New Ireland and Malayan Fraser’s Hill are available, and there is a single male specimen from the latter locality which is characterized by the anal sclerite slightly exposed from under the pygidial apex and withour clear serration along its subtruncate apex.

Distribution. This genus is known after four described species from Philippines and New Gunea and two species from the Indo-Malayan Region remain undescribed (see above).