Alisalia, Casey, 1911

Klimaszewski, Jan, Webster, Reginald, Savard, Karine & Couture, Jérôme, 2009, First record of the genus Alisalia Casey from Canada, description of two new species, and a key to all Nearctic species of the genus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), ZooKeys 25 (25), pp. 1-18 : 7-8

Key to species of Alisalia recorded from Canada and the United States

(It should be noted that male genitalia offer the best diagnostic characteristics for spe-

cies identification)

1. Elytra small, transverse and short, approximately as long as pronotum (elytra measured from anterior to posterior lateral angle) (Figs 27, 25); tubus of median lobe of aedeagus with almost straight ventral margin in lateral view (Fig. 36)..................................................................... Alisalia brevipennis Casey

– Elytra larger, quadrate to slightly transverse, longer than pronotum (Figs 1–4, 23, 24, 26, 28–30)..................................................................................... 2

2(1). Species distributed in eastern Canada and eastern United States................. 3

– Species distributed in western United States within Rocky Mountains; body and median lobe of aedeagus as illustrated (Figs 24, 32)........ Alisalia delicata Casey

3(2). Body short, approximately 1 mm long (Fig. 30); tubus of the median lobe of the aedeagus straight for most of its length and with small basal swelling in lateral view (Fig. 38); known from Pennsylvania ..................................... .................................................................. Alisalia bistriata (Bernhauer)

– Body longer, distinctly more than 1 mm long (Figs 3, 4, 23, 24, 28, 29) ... 4

4(3). Antennae robust (Figs 26, 28); tubus of median lobe of aedeagus long, with slightly sinuate ventral margin in lateral view (Figs 33, 34); known from Texas ...................................................................... Alisalia parallela Casey

– Antennae less robust (Figs 1–4, 23, 29); tubus of median lobe of aedeagus differently shaped (Figs 5, 12, 16, 31)........................................................ 5

5(4). Body maximum width less than 0.2 mm (Fig. 2) ; head and elytra distinctly darker than pronotum; tubus of median lobe of aedeagus with straight and short subapical part and strongly convex medio-basal part (Fig. 5); spermatheca as illustrated (Fig. 9); known from New Brunswick ................................ ....................................... Alisalia minuta Klimaszewski & Webster , sp. n.

– Body maximum width at least 0.2 mm (Figs 3, 4, 23, 29); head and elytra not distinctly darker than pronotum; tubus of median lobe of aedeagus with elongate and slightly sinuate subapical part and with strongly convex mediobasal part (Figs 12, 16, 31)......................................................................... 6

6(5). Elytra large and slightly broadening posteriad, distinctly broader than pronotum (Fig. 4); tubus of median lobe of aedeagus with elongate and slightly sinuate subapical part and with strongly convex medio-basal part (Fig. 19); known from New Brunswick ....................................................................... ..................................... Alisalia elongata Klimaszewski & Webster , sp. n.

– Elytra moderately large, subparallel and not distinctly broadening posteriad ..... 7

7(6). Species currently known only from North Carolina and New Brunswick; body and genital structures as illustrated (Figs 1, 3, 12, 16, 23, 31) ............. ................................................................................ Alisalia testacea Casey

– Species known from Texas; body and genital structures as illustrated (Figs 29, 35)....................................................................... Alisalia antennalis Casey