taxonID	type	description	language	source
03D20631FFE6FFCCD2DCFB0A552B5867.taxon	description	(Figs. 7 B, 9 A, 12 A, 14 A, 16 A, 17 A, 19 A, 20 A, 21 A)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE6FFCCD2DCFB0A552B5867.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined (2 specimens). China, Shaanxi Province: Paratypes, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Figs. 7 B, 9 A, 12 A, 14 A, 16 A, 17 A, 19 A, 21 A), “ CHINA (Shaanxi) | Qin Ling Shan 110.04 E | 34.30 N Hua Shan | 100 km E Xian | 1500 m 7 - 14. VII. 1996 | Kleinfeld & Schütze || Spec. No. H 2 || PARATYPUS | Silpha ♂ | businskyorum sp. n. | Jiří Háva, Jan Schneider & | Jan Růžička det. 1998 [p] ” and “ CHINA, Shaanxi prov. | Zhouzhi Co., Houzhenzi env. | 1200 m, 18 - 25. vii. 1998, V. Beneš leg. || spec. no. 3 || PARATYPUS | Silpha ♀ | businskyorum sp. n. | Jiří Háva, Jan Schneider & | Jan Růžička det. 1998 [p] ”. Additional material (1 specimens). China, Henan Province, 1 ♂ (JRUC) (Fig. 20 A), Funiu Shan, Baotianman, 33.5 N 111.9 E, 15. v. – 2. vi. 2005, J. Turna lgt., pitfall trap.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE6FFCCD2DCF9D6553959B3.taxon	description	(Figs. 7 D – F, 9 B, 12 B, 14 B, 16 B, 17 B, 19 B, 20 B)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE6FFCCD2DCF9D6553959B3.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material (5 specimens). Bulgaria, 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Fig. 7 E), Batovo, 8. vii. 1987, O. Hovorka lgt. Czechia, 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Figs. 17 B, 19 B), Bohemia bor., České středohoří Mts., Bořeň hill, [without date], 360 – 380 m a. s. l., J. Růžička & P. Moravec lgt., baited pitfall trap no. 50 (fish meat, ripen cheese); 1 ♂ (JRUC) (Figs. 12 B, 14 B, 16 B), Bohemia centr., Milovice env., Mladá military training area, 19. v. – 27. x. 1993, J. Růžička lgt., baited pitfall trap no. 6 (fish meat), open biotope, remnants of bunkers on the firing line; 1 ♂ (JRUC) (Fig. 20 B), Bohemia bor., České středohoří Mts., Boreč hill, 22. iv. – 28. v. 1994, J. Růžička lgt., baited pitfall trap no. 6 (fish meat, ripen cheese) on NE slope, rock debris; 1 ♂ (JRUC) (Figs. 7 D, F, 9 B), Bohemia bor., České středohoří Mts., Libochovany env., Církvice, 1. vii. – 19. ix. 2004, M. Žemlička lgt., unbaited pitfall traps.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE7FFCDD2DCFF1B57D35FE7.taxon	description	(Figs. 8 A – C, 9 C, 12 C, 14 C, 16 C, 17 C, 19 C, 20 C, 21 B)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE7FFCDD2DCFF1B57D35FE7.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material (3 specimens). Japan, 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Fig. 8 B), Saitama Pref., Chichibu Co., Ontaki vill., Tonbaku – zawa vall., Chichibu Exp. Forest of Tokyo Univ., 1150 m a. s. l., 30. – 31. vii. 1986, K. Nemoto lgt.; 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Figs. 8 A, C, 9 C, 12 C, 14 C, 16 C, 17 C, 19 C, 20 C, 21 B), Honshu, Tochigi Pref., Shizu Rindoh Nikko N. P., 17 – 21. vii. 1995, S. Nomura lgt.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE7FFCDD2DCFE5757285CA3.taxon	description	(Figs. 8 D – F, 9 D, 12 D, 14 D, 16 D, 17 D, 19 D, 20 D, 21 C)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE7FFCDD2DCFE5757285CA3.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material (4 specimens). China, Liaoning Province, 1 ♂ (JRUC) (Figs. 8 D, F), Fengcheng City, Mt. Laobeishan, 10. vi. 1999, ex coll. Franz Malsbender. Russia, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Figs. 12 D, 14 D, 16 D, 17 D, 19 D, 20 D, 21 C), Primor reg., Jasnoe, vii. 1989, R. Dunda lgt.; 1 ♀ (JRUC) (Fig. 8 E), Ussurijsk, Kajmanovka, 2. – 9. viii. 1992, Snížek lgt.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	description	(Figs. 2 A – F, 3 A – F, 9 E, 10 A, 13 A, 15 A, 17 E, 18 A, 20 E, 21 E, 22 – 23)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	description	Schawaller (1987): “ South Africa: Eastern Cape Province: Port Elizabeth; Willowmore. Western Cape Province: 6 km S – Botriver; Caledon area; 63 km N of Cape Town; 12 km E of Pearly Beach; 5 km S of Stanford; Tygerberg hills near Cape Town; Van Schoor’s drift near Philadelphia; Verlorevlei Farm ”.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. South Africa, Eastern Cape Province, Cape Colony, Seymour [ca. 32 ° 33 ’ 12 ” S 26 ° 46 ’ 42 ” E, 800 m a. s. l.]. Type material (3 specimens). South Africa, Western Cape Province: Syntypes, 1 ♂ (MNHN) (Figs. 3 A – B), “ Cafrerie | (Coll. Chevrolat) [hw, modern label added by curator] || TYPE [p, red label] || Muséum Paris [p] | Portevin [hw] | Coll. M. Pic [p, modern label added by curator] || Silpha | Peringueyi | m. [hw, Portevin’s manuscript] || SYNTYPE No. 1 | Silpha Peringueyi | Portevin, 1922 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička des. 2023 [p, red label] || Silpha capicola | Péringuey, 1888 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička det. 2023 [p] ”; 1 ♂ (MNHN), “ MUSEUM PARIS | LE CAP | REYNAUD 1829 [p, light green label with thin black frame] || TYPE [p, red characters] || Silpha | punctulata | OLIVIER 1790 [hw] | det. Schawaller [p] || SYNTYPE No. 2 | Silpha Peringueyi | Portevin, 1922 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička des. 2023 [p, red label] || Silpha capicola | Péringuey, 1888 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička det. 2023 ”; 1 ♂ (MNHN), “ MUSEUM PARIS | LE CAP | REYNAUD 1829 [p, light green label with thin black frame] || Reynaud | 1829 | Cap [hw, round label] || TYPE [p, red characters] || SYNTYPE No. 3 | Silpha Peringueyi | Portevin, 1922 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička des. 2023 [p, red label] || Silpha capicola | Péringuey, 1888 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička det. 2023 ”. Additional material (175 specimens). South Africa, Eastern Cape Province, 2 spec. (TMSA), Willowmore, viii. 1927, Dr. Brauns lgt.; 2 ♀♀ (SANC) (Figs. 3 D – F), Katberg, 24. i. 1928, J. Hewitt [lgt.], ex coll. AMGS, No. 5577; 1 spec. (SANC), Knysna Dist [rict]., Grootrivier, i. 1955, Martin lgt. Western Cape Province, 1 spec. (TMSA); Cape, [without date and collector’s name]; 4 spec. (BMNH), same locality, [without date and collector’s name], ex coll. G. Lewis 1915 – 38.; 1 spec. (JSCC), same locality, 1952, [without collector’s name]; 2 spec. (ISAM), Cape C., Rondebosch, [without date and collector’s name], SAM-COL-A 021996; 1 spec. (ISAM), Cape, Cape Town, Rondebosch, ix. 1882, J. Desozir lgt., SAM-COL-A 021997; 1 spec. (SANC), 1 spec. (TMSA), Cape Town, [without date and collector’s name]; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, [without date], Purcell lgt.; 2 spec. (ISAM), same locality, vi. 1882, Pres. L. Péringuey lgt., in cop. [ula], SAM-COL-A 021995; 1 spec. (SMNS), 1 ♀ (TMSA) (Figs. 2 D – F), same locality, 63 km N, 33.24 S 18.16 E, 30. viii. 1983, Endrödy & Penrith lgt., E – Y: 2001, groundtraps, 63 days, groundtrap with faeces bait; 1 spec. (BMNH), Hoets Bay, [without date and collector’s name], 90 - 49.; 1 spec. (SANC), Stellenbosch, [unreadable date], W. J. Carsrans lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 1888, L. P. [= Louis Péringuey lgt.]; 3 spec. (TMSA), same locality, 1. x. 1927, Dr. Brauns lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 8. x. 1935 [or 1985, unreadable], Ac. US.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 11. ix. 1941, Ac. US.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 15. iii. 1946, W. I. Carsrans lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 4. x. [19] 46, W. S. Smik lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 17. iv. 1947, E. C. Anderssen lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 25. vii. 1947, [unreadable collector’s name]; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 2. ix. 1947, Allderman lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC); same locality, 3. ix. 1947, B. Tard lgt. [? unreadable]; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 3. ix. 1947, C. Armstrong lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, x. 1960, Entomologist Ac. Ca., P. C. Smith lgt.; 1 spec. (MNHN), De Tafle Berg, v. 1821, Mus. Paris, ex Chevrolat, Coll. E. Fleautiaux, C. B. Esp.; 1 spec. (ISAM), Knysna, 1896, Purcell lgt., SAM-COL-A 21999; 1 spec. (ISAM), same locality, 1912, L. P. [= Louis Péringuey] lgt., SAM-COL-A 022004; 1 spec. (BMNH), George, 27. vi. – 1. vii. 1920, R. E. Turner lgt., 1920 — 318.; 6 spec. (ISAM), C. P. [= Cape Province], Somerset West, Nov. – Feb. 1927 [= xi. 1926 – ii. 1927], A. J. Hasse lgt., SAM-COL-A 021993; 1 spec. (larvae) (SANC), same locality, Lourens River, 34 ° 05 ’ S 18 ° 51 ’ E, 100 m a. s. l., 14. x. 2007, coll. P. E. Reavell, alluvial flood plain old river bed winter pools; 6 spec. (1 spec. larvae) (SANC), same locality, Vegelogen Est., 34 ° 05 ’ S 18 ° 56 ’ E, vi. – vii. 2008, M. J. T. Weaver, this specimen ex. undergraduate student collection, treat label data with caution; 1 spec. (TMSA), V. Rynsdorp, vii. 1927, Dr. Brauns [lgt.]; 1 spec. (TMSA); same data, viii. 1927; 1 spec. (ISAM), Oudebosch, R. Zonder End Mts. [= Riviersonderend Mountain], 1500 ft. [ca. 457 m], xi. – xii. 1928, K. H. Barnard lgt., SAM-COL-A 022003; 2 spec. (ISAM), same locality, i. 1933, H. G. Wood lgt., SAM-COL-A 022000, .. 02; 1 spec. (ISAM), C. P. [= Cape Province], Keurbooms River Knyasna, i. 1931, K. H. Barnard lgt., SAM-COL-A 022005; 1 spec. (SANC), C. P. [= Cape Province], Faure, 28. ix. 1947, [without collector’s name]; 1 spec. (ISAM), same locality, 21. x. 1956, A. J. Hasse lgt., SAM-COL- A 021994; 1 spec. (SANC), same locality, 34 ° 05 ’ S 18 ° 51 ’ E, 100 m, 6. xii. [20] 04, [without collector’s name]; 1 spec. (SANC), Kaapse, Vlakie [?], xii. 1947, J. G. Theron lgt.; 1 spec. (TMSA), C. T. [= Cape Town], Cape Flats, 30. x. 1949, Andrae & Koch lgt.; 1 spec. (SANC), Kaapstad, 1960, deKlerk lgt.; 1 spec. (TMSA), Strand, viii. [19] 65, Dickson lgt.; 1 spec. (CMNC), Cape Prov., Van Schoer’s drift nr. Philadelphia, 17. viii. 1969, [without collector’s name]; 2 spec. (SANC), KP. [= Cape Province], Agulhas, 16. i. [19] 71, M. W. Strydom lgt.; 1 spec. (TMSA), Caledon area, 20. x. [19] 71, Bornemissza & Kirk lgt.; 1 spec. (ISAM), Kleinmond, x. 1981, A. J. Prins lgt., SAM COL- 62, SAM-COL-A 022007; 1 spec. (SANC), Swellendam, 2. ii. 1978, J. H. Coetzee lgt.; 1 spec. (ISAM), Piquetberg, 31. x. [19] 81, T. D. Butler lgt., SAM-COL-A 021998; 1 ♂ (CMNC), Knysna, Buffelsnek, 33.9124214 S, 23.1570450 E, 800 m, 16. – 19. xii. 1981, S. & J. Peck lgt., carrion trap, fynbos; 1 spec. (SANC), Malmesbury, viii. 1983, W. Schreuder lgt.; 1 spec. (TMSA), Botriver, 6 km S, 34.15 S 19.13 E, 27. viii. 1983, [S.] Endrödy & Penrith lgt., E – Y: 1980, groundtraps, 66 days, groundtrap with banana bait; 1 spec. (TMSA), Pearly Beach, 12 km E, 34.36 S 19.36 E, 27. viii. 1983, [S.] Endrödy & Penrith lgt., E – Y: 1985, groundtraps, 63 days, groundtrap with banana bait; 2 spec. (TMSA), Stanford, 5 km S, 34.29 S 19.26 E, 27. viii. 1983, [S.] Endrödy & Penrith lgt., E – Y: 1981, groundtraps, 66 days, groundtrap with banana bait; 1 spec. (JRUC), same locality, 8 km NEE (stream), 34 ° 25.0 ’ S 19 ° 32.38 ’ E, 35 m, 4. – 5. xii. 2015, [Emmanuel Varela] Arriaga, [Martin] Fikáček, [Matthias] Seidel & [Dominik] Vondráček lgt., RSA 49, UV light collecting at the sandy stream with sparse Phragmites patches; 5 spec. (TMSA) (Figs. 2 A – C), Verlorevlei farm, 34.19 S 18.22 E, 28. viii. 1983, [S.] Endrödy & Penrith lgt., E – Y: 1990, groundtraps, 60 days, groundtrap with banana bait; 4 spec. (TMSA), same data, groundtrap with meat bait; 1 spec. (SMNS), same data, groundtrap with banana bait; 2 spec. (SMNS), same data, groundtrap with meat bait; 1 spec. (ISAM), Cynbos site, Suc. Cio., 19. iii. [19] 84, A. V. Milewski lgt., SAM-COL-A 062671; 1 spec. (ISAM), C. P. [= Cape Province], Springfield, Bredasdorp, 10. x. 1984, A. V. Milewski lgt., C 10, caught [in] rodent box trap, SAM-COL-A 062670; 1 spec. (ISAM), same locality, 18. x. 1984, A. V. Milewski lgt., C 10, caught [in] rodent box trap, Protea compacta scrub, SAM-COL-A 062673; 1 spec. (ISAM), same locality, 21. x. 1984, A. V. Milewski lgt., C 10, eating bait in rodent trap, Protea compacta site, SAM-COL-A 062674; 2 spec. (ISAM), same locality, 5. xi. 1984, A. V. Milewski lgt., C 10, caught [in] rodent box trap.], Protea compacta scrub, SAM-COL-A 062672, .. 75; 1 spec. (ISAM), Springfield, xi. [19] 84, C 10, (caught [in] rodent box trap.), A. V. Milewski lgt., SAM-COL. A 062669; 1 spec. (SANC), Kuilsrivier, 25. vi. 1986, J. Liebenberg lgt.; 1 spec. (MRAC), Muizenberg, v. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 2 spec. (MRAC), same locality, vi. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 6 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 2. vi. – 16. vi. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 1 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 14. vi. – 28. vii. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 4 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 16. vi. – 30. vi. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 15 spec. (MRAC, JRUC), same locality, 30. vi. – 14. vii. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 31 spec. (BMNH, MRAC, JRUC) (Figs. 9 E, 10 A, 13 A, 15 A, 17 E, 18 A, 20 E, 21 E), same locality, 28. vii. – 11. viii. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 3 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 29. ix. – 13. x. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 5 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 10. x. – 25. x. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 2 spec. (MRAC), same locality, 15. xi. – 1. xii. 1989, R. Legg lgt.; 2 spec. (MRAC), same locality, xii. 1989, R. Legg lgt., 15. miss.; 1 spec. (ZMHB), Cape of Good Hope Nat. Res. [= National Reserve], 6. – 7. i. 1993, F. Koch lgt.; 3 spec. (ISAM), same locality, Olifantsbos, nr. Skaife Centre, ca. 34 ° 16 ’ S 18 ° 23 ’ E, 18. – 19. ix. 1993, S. van Noort lgt., strandveld on coast at sea level, pifall trap, SAM-COL-A 022006; 1 spec. (JRUC), Table Mts. NP, Olifantsbos, river banks, ca. 34 ° 15.3 ’ S 18 ° 23.0 ’ E, 5. xi. 2019, P. Bulirsch lgt. Ambiguous or poorly georeferrenced material (17 specimens). South Africa, 1 spec. (ZMUC), Africa autral., [without date], Mus. Drens.; 1 spec. (MHNG), Cap B E [Cap de Bonne-Espérance or Cape of Good Hope = West Cape Province] [without date and collector’s name]; 2 spec. (ZFMK), Cap. b. Sp. [Cap Bonae Spei or Cape of Good Hope = West Cape Province], [without date and collector’s name], ex coll. R. Oberthür; 2 spec. (ZMUC), Cap. bon. sp., [without date and collector’s name], ex coll. Westermann; 1 spec. (ZMUC), Cap. bon. sp., [without date and collector’s name], Mus. Drens.; 2 spec. (ZMUC), Cape Good Hope [= West Cape Province], vi. 1817, [without collector’s name], Mus. Westerm.; 1 spec. (OUMNH), Captn. Boys, [without date and collector’s name]; 1 spec. (BMNH), Cape, [without date and collector’s name], determined from description G. J. A [rrow]., Silpha punctulata Oliv., Ent. Club. 44 - 12., Silpha capensis Dej; 1 spec. (SMNS), Indes Int., Cap. Boys, [without date and collector’s name], schlanke Form wie Typus von peringueyi Port. [slender form as the type of p.], det. Schawaller; 1 spec. (OUMNH), [without locality, date and collector’s name], punctulata, Mus. Norvic [?, illegible], Kirby; 1 spec. (OUMNH), [without locality, date and collector’s name], punctulata, Oliv. PBS; 1 spec. (BMNH), S. Afr. [= South Africa], vi. [19] 44, Dr. Smith lgt.; 1 spec. (TMSA), [without locality, date and collector’s name], ex coll. Pretoria University (UPSA 2002); 1 spec. (ISAM), “ South Africa ” [without date and collector’s name], SAM-COL- A 022001.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	description	Redescription. Male (♂) [based on specimen from Verlorevlei farm, Western Cape Province (coll. TMSA)]. Body (Figs. 2 A – C) oval, dorso-ventrally flattened. Elytra arched. Whole body surface and appendages black, or rarely dark brown (probably in subteneral specimens). Head (Figs. 2 A – C). Black, lustrous, surface with dense, small, distinct, regular punctation. Covered with short, recumbent orange setation. Lateral area posterior to clypeal suture with long, erect orange setation. Clypeus anteriorly widely notched. Anterior margin of clypeus with slightly irregular row of dense, long, orange setation. Eye kidney-shaped in lateral view. Frons with marked dorsal tentorial pits and a transverse, elevated crest posteriorly. Antennae (Figs. 2 A – C, 20 E). Medium-sized, with last four antennomeres forming a distinct club. Pronotum (Figs. 2 A, C) moderately transverse, widest posteriorly. Margins rimmed anteriorly and laterally; anterior margin slightly sinuous, with wide, shallow medial emargination; anterior angles weakly elevated. Posterior margin weakly sinuous laterally. Surface dull, with dense punctation, punctures small, clearly separated, from disc to margin larger and more deeply impressed. Punctures bearing extremely short, orange setae. Scutellum (Fig. 2 A). Irregularly triangular, widely vaulted medially. Surface with coarse, distinct, dense, homogenous punctation, from disc to margin smaller and slightly impressed; covered with short, recumbent, black setation. Posterior margin rounded. Elytra (Figs. 2 A – C, 9 E) subparallel, at the widest point (along 2 / 3 of its length) wider than pronotum. Elytron with three distinctly elevated, rounded ridges; ridges nearly reaching apex of elytron; second ridge shortened anteriorly; external ridge shortened posteriorly. Elytral epipleura strongly elevated dorsally along almost the entire length, flattened at elytral apex. Apex of elytron imperceptible elongate. Surface dull, without setation, with isodiametric microsculpture; covered with dense, distinct, regular punctation; punctures clearly separated by 1.0 – 1.5 of their diameter. Punctures posteriorly with small tubercle. Each tubercle bearing a small, short, black seta. Elytra with coarse, subrectangular punctures covering most of the surface in dorsal view. Elytral epipleura irregularly, coarsely punctated in ventral view. Metathoracic wings. Brachypterous. Ventrum (Fig. 2 B). Thorax finely to roughly punctate, covered mostly with short to medium-sized, recumbent, orange to black setae. Proventrite with dense punctation laterally; metaventrite densely, roughly punctate, with dense, medium-sized setation. Mesocoxae closely separated. Abdominal ventrites with distinct impressions laterally in ventral view. Abdominal ventrites punctate, covered with short, orange to black setation, with expanded brick-wall pattern on intersegmental membranes. Legs (Figs. 2 A – C, 21 E). Protarsus slightly expanded. Pro-, meso- and metatibia each with two apical spurs of different length. Metatibia almost straight, only very slightly curved in ventral view. Trochanters with bunch of medium-sized, orange setae. Abdominal segments (Figs. 2 B, 13 A, 15 A). Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically almost straight, rounded posteriorly. Ventrite VIII widely rounded posteriorly. Ventrite IX oval, elongate and deeply medially desclerotized in ventral view. Spiculum gastrale robust, elongate in ventral view; continuously narrowing towards the apex. Aedeagus (Fig. 10 A). Median lobe stout, robust, gradually tapered to widely rounded, triangular apex. Internal sac sclerotized. Parameres robust, slightly curved downwards, as long as median lobe, apex widely rounded. Basal portion oval, robust, not exceeding the width of median lobe. Sexual dimorphism. Female (♀) (Figs. 2 D – F, 3 D – F, 17 E, 18 A). Similar to male, except for the following structures. Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically almost straight, rounded posteriorly. Ventrite VIII widely rounded. Tergite IX elongate, rounded; tergite X widely rounded, almost pentagonal, apex with dense setation. Coxite robust, subquadrate, apex only slightly indicated, rounded; stylus extremely short, subquadrate, inserted lateroapically, shorter than apex of coxite. Variability. Individuals vary in size and shape (see next paragraph). Elytra dark brown (probably in subteneral or historical specimens) to black. Pronotal punctures with short setation; setae are reduced to absent in some specimens, especially on disc. Two female specimens (Figs. 3 D – F) from Katberg, Eastern Cape Province (coll. SANC) are distinctly larger and wider, their elytral epipleura are distinctly flattened, costae are only weakly raised and elytra are broadly oval (TBL 18.3 mm, MBW 12.9 mm, RLWP 0.57 and RLWE 0.96; these measurements were not included in summary in the next paragraph). Elytra are with much finer and denser punctation (Fig. 3 D). A similar looking specimen from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province (coll. SANC) was already mentioned and documented by Schawaller (1987: 282 – 283, fig. 5), who considered it conspecific with S. punctulata (= S. capicola). Unfortunately, this specimen was not available to re-examine. More material (incl. male specimens) is highly desirable to understand the variation of S. capicola. Similar variability is known in S. carinata, where lowland populations (sometimes treated as a separate subspecies, S. carinata italica Küster, 1851) from temperate regions are also larger and more broadly oval, which is linked with the intraspecific variation and the ecological plasticity of this species (Šustek 1983). Measurements. TBL 16.5 – 17.5 mm in ♂ (syntypes No. 1 to No. 3 of S. peringueyi: 17.0, 16.2 and 16.2 mm) and 14.5 – 18.5 mm in ♀; MBW 10.0 – 11.0 mm in ♂ (syntypes No. 1 to No. 3: 10.4, 10.0 and 10.1 mm) and 10.0 – 12.0 mm in ♀; RLWP 0.58 to 0.61 in ♂ (syntypes No. 1 to No. 3: 0.59, 0.60 and 0.63), 0.52 to 0.56 in ♀; RLWE 1.05 to 1.2 in ♂ (syntypes No. 1 to No. 3: 1.11, 1.09 and 1.06), 1.00 to 1.14 in ♀.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis. Refer to species key and Table 3 below.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Endemic species of South Africa, widespread in southern part of West Cape Province, and also known from three locations in East Cape Province (see map, Figs. 22 – 23 and Table 2). Note. Nothing is known about the life history of this species. Larvae were observed wandering on ground covered with fynbos (Prins 1984). Taxonomical remarks. Historically, there are three names available for this species.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	description	(1) Silpha punctulata Olivier, 1790, described from “ Cap de Bonne-Espérance [= West Cape Province around Cape of Good Hope, Republic of South Africa] ” (Olivier 1790). This name is a subjective homonym of Silpha punctulata Gmelin, 1790, described from “ Hallae Saxonum [= Halle, Germany] ”. The second volume of Olivier (1790) has the year of publication “ 1790 ” on its title page, livraison 4 (Dermestes to Anthobium, also containing Silpha) was published in December 1790 (Bousquet 2016: 394). Gmelin (1790) is considered to have been published before 21 May 1790 (Bousquet 2016). Consequently, S. punctulata Olivier is considered preoccupied and needs to be treated as a junior primary homonym of S. punctulata Gmelin. The current identity of S. punctulata Gmelin is not completely clear: in the original description, Gmelin (1790) refer to Fabricius (1787, page 46, species No. 9), which is Ips atomaria — now Mycetophagus atomarius (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Mycetophagidae). However, this synonymy is not listed in Nikitsky (2008), and AnimalBase Project Group (2021) under speciestaxon? id = 34654 only provides “ current allocation not known ”. A. F. Newton (e-mail of 21 March 2017) noted “ Gmelinʼs name seems to have been forgotten; technically it is a synonym of atomarius, but is not in the Pal. Cat. ”. A solution to this issue is not provided here.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE2FFC3D2DCF9CB52ED581B.taxon	description	(2) Silpha capicola Péringuey, 1888 was described from “ Cape Colony, Seymour ” (Péringuey 1888). It was treated as junior synonym of S. punctulata Olivier, 1790 by Schawaller (1987), who also briefly discussed and documented its morphological variability. Thayer & Newton (2005) listed S. capicola as the valid name of the South African Silpha, as S. punctulata Olivier is preoccupied (see above). We were not able to locate the type (s) — they were not located in ISAM (Robertson 2008) nor in SANC (Elizabeth Grobbelaar, e-mail of 20 April 2017; Riaan Stals, e-mail of 14 December 2017). This species was misinterpreted by Portevin (1926), his description fits the material from Tanzania, but distribution is provided as from both “ Cap de Bonne Espérance [= Cape of Good Hope] ” and “ Lac Nyassa [= Lake Nyassa, now Lake Malawi] ”. For correct interpretation of the latter, see below. (3) Silpha peringueyi Portevin, 1922 was described, based on a series of specimens from “ Cafrerie ” and “ Le Cap ” (Portevin 1922). It was treated as junior synonym of S. punctulata Olivier, 1790 by Schawaller (1987), who consider it only as a slenderer form of S. punctulata. We have located three syntypes in MHNH.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE9FFDAD2DCF94A579358E6.taxon	description	(Figs. 5 A – F, 9 G, 11 A, 13 C, 15 C, 17 G, 18 C, 20 G, 21 D, 22 – 23)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE9FFDAD2DCF94A579358E6.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Malawi: Northern Region, Nyika Plateau, Chelinda [ca. 10 ° 34 ’ 51 ” S 33 ° 48 ’ 15 ” E], 2300 m. Type material (17 specimens). Malawi, Northern Region: Holotype, ♂ (MRAC) (Figs. 5 A – C, F), “ Chelinda | 2300 m | 1 / 21. XII. 1981 [p] || Coll. Mus. Tervuren | Malawi North. Reg. | Nyika Plateau | XII. 1981 – R. Jocqué [lgt.] [p] || Silpha | capicola Pér. [hw] | J. Decelle det. 19 [p] 89 [hw] ”. Paratype, 3 ♂♂ 9 ♀♀ (MRAC, BMNH, JRUC) (Figs. 5 D – E, 9 G, 11 A, 13 C, 15 C, 17 G, 18 C, 20 G, 21 D), same data as holotype; 2 ♂♂ 1 ♀ (TAU, JRUC), “ 70842. [or 70843., or 70845.] MALAWI: | NyikaNationalPark | Nganda-Chelinda | dirt road, 2349 m | 29. xii. 2009 | L. FRIEDMAN [lgt.] [p] ”; 1 ♀ (SANC), “ MALAWI SE 1033 DB | Nyika National Park | 2. iii. 1987 2607 m | J & A Londt Nganda | summit – grassveld [p] || NATIONAL COLL. | OF INSECTS | Pretoria. S. Afr [p] | ex NMSA [hw] || Silpha | sp. [hw] | A. F. Newton det. 2004 [p] ”.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFE9FFDAD2DCF94A579358E6.taxon	description	Description. Male (♂). Body (Figs. 5 A – C) oval, dorso-ventrally flattened. Elytra arched, surface yellow to brown. Pronotum black, lateral area brown; appendages black. Head (Figs. 5 A – C )). Black, lustrous, surface with fine, very small, distinct, regular punctation. Covered with recumbent orange setation; dorsal surface without setation; lateral area posterior to clypeal suture covered with long, erect orange setation. Clypeus anteriorly widely notched. Anterior margin of clypeus with slightly irregular row of dense, long, orange setation. Eye kidney-shaped in lateral view. Frons with marked dorsal tentorial pits and a transverse, elevated crest posteriorly. Antennae (Figs. 5 A – C, 20 G). Medium-sized, with last four antennomeres forming a distinct club. Pronotum (Figs. 5 A, C) moderately transverse, widest posteriorly. Margins rimmed anteriorly and laterally; anterior margin only slightly elevated; anterior margin almost straight, without medial emargination; anterior angles weakly elevated. Posterior margin weakly sinuous laterally. Surface dull, with fine punctation, punctures small, clearly separated, from disc to margin larger and more deeply impressed. Punctures without setae. Scutellum (Fig. 5 A). Irregularly triangular, widely vaulted medially. Surface with fine, distinct, sparse, homogenous punctation, from disc to margin smaller and slightly impressed; without setation. Posterior margin strongly acute. Elytra (Figs. 5 A – C, 9 G) subparallel, at the widest point (along 2 / 3 of its length) slightly wider than pronotum. Elytron with three distinctly elevated, rounded ridges; ridges nearly reaching apex of elytron; external ridge shortened posteriorly. Elytral epipleura strongly elevated dorsally along almost the entire length, flattened at elytral apex. Apex of elytron rounded. Surface dull, without setation, with isodiametric microsculpture; covered with dense, distinct, regular punctation; punctures clearly separated by 1.5 – 2.0 of their diameter. Punctures posteriorly with small tubercle. Each tubercle bearing a small, short, black seta. Elytra with coarse, subrectangular punctures covering most of the surface in dorsal view. Elytral epipleura irregularly, finely punctated in ventral view. Metathoracic wings. Apterous. Ventrum (Fig. 5 B). Thorax finely punctate, covered mostly with short to medium-sized, recumbent, orange setae. Proventrite without punctation laterally; metaventrite finely, roughly punctate, with dense, medium-sized setation. Mesocoxae closely separated. Abdominal ventrites with distinct impressions laterally in ventral view. Abdominal ventrites slightly punctate, covered with short, orange setation, with expanded brick-wall pattern on intersegmental membranes. Legs (Figs. 5 A – C, 21 D). Protarsus widely expanded. Pro-, meso- and metatibia each with two apical spurs of different length. Metatibia straight in ventral view. Trochanters with bunch of medium-sized, orange setae. Abdominal segments (Figs. 13 C, 15 C). Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically strongly sinuous, widely rounded posteriorly. Ventrite VIII apically weakly sinuous, rounded posteriorly. Ventrite IX rectangular, apically rounded, elongate and deeply medially desclerotized in ventral view. Spiculum gastrale robust, elongate in ventral view; near the apex expanded. Aedeagus (Fig. 11 A). Median lobe stout, robust, tapered to widely rounded, triangular apex. Internal sac sclerotized. Parameres robust, slightly curved downwards, longer than median lobe, apex rounded; in the 2 / 3 of the length noticeably narrowed. Basal portion oval, weak, slightly exceeding the width of median lobe. Sexual dimorphism. Female (♀) (Figs. 5 D – E, 17 G, 18 C). Similar to male, except for the following structures. Protarsus not expanded. Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically sinuous, widely rounded posteriorly. Ventrite VIII apically weakly sinuous, rounded posteriorly. Tergite IX elongate, rounded, in first half almost straight; tergite X widely rounded, almost pentagonal, apex with dense setation. Coxite robust, apex extremely elongated, rounded; stylus robust, subquadrate, inserted lateroapically, shorter than apex of coxite. Variability. Individuals vary in size and shape (see next paragraph). Elytra light yellow to dark brown. Measurements. TBL 15.0 – 17.5 mm in ♂ (holotypus 15.0 mm) and 15.0 – 17.0 mm in ♀; MBW 9.3 – 10.0 mm in ♂ (holotypus 9.3 mm) and 10.0 – 10.5 mm in ♀; RLWP 0.55 to 0.61 in ♂ (holotypus 0.56), 0.56 to 0.59 in ♀; RLWE 1.07 to 1.21 in ♂ (holotypus 1.07), 1.00 to 1.14 in ♀. Differential diagnosis. Refer to species key and Table 3 below. Etymology. Named for Chelinda, the type locality of this species, noun in apposition. Distribution. An endemic species, known only from two closely located sites in the north of Malawi (see map, Figs. 22 – 23 and Table 2).	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFF0FFD5D2DCF956575158B6.taxon	description	(Figs. 6 A – F, 9 H, 11 B, 13 D, 17 H, 18 D, 20 H, 21 G, 22 – 23) Published records (shown in the maps in Figs. 22 – 23). Dierkens (2020): “ Tanzanie, Mbeya, Mbogo Mts, Umalila forest ”.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFF0FFD5D2DCF956575158B6.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Tanzanie, Mbeya, Mbogo Mts, Umalila forest [ca. 9 ° 10 ’ 40 ” S 33 ° 16 ’ 29 ” E, 2385 m a. s. l.]. Type material. Not examined. Additional material (7 specimens). Tanzania, Mbeya Region: 1 ♀ (MZLU) (Figs. 6 E – F), Southern Highlands, iii. – iv. 1985, Börje Pettersson lgt.; 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JSCC) (Figs. 6 A – D, 9 H, 11 B, 13 D, 17 H, 18 D, 20 H, 21 G – H), 2 ♀♀ (JRUC), 2 ♀♀ (RSEC), Rungwe Mt., 2400 m, i. 2017, local collector lgt.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFF0FFD5D2DCF956575158B6.taxon	description	Redescription. Male (♂). Body (Fig. 6 A) oval, dorso-ventrally flattened. Elytra arched. Whole body surface and appendages black. Head (Fig. 6 A). Black, lustrous, surface with dense, coarse, distinct, regular punctation. Covered with short, recumbent orange setation. Lateral area posterior to clypeal suture with long, erect orange setation. Clypeus anteriorly widely notched. Anterior margin of clypeus with slightly irregular row of dense, long, orange setation. Eye kidney-shaped in lateral view. Frons with marked dorsal tentorial pits and a transverse, elevated crest posteriorly. Antennae (Figs. 6 A, 20 H). Medium-sized, with last four antennomeres forming a distinct club. Pronotum (Fig. 6 A) moderately transverse, widest posteriorly. Margins rimmed anteriorly and laterally; anterior margin only slightly elevated, concave, without medial emargination; anterior angles weakly elevated. Posterior margin strongly sinuous laterally. Surface shiny, with dense, coarse punctation, punctures medium sized, not separated, from disc to margin larger and more deeply impressed. Punctures bearing extremely short, orange setae. Scutellum (Fig. 6 A). Irregularly triangular, widely vaulted medially. Surface with coarse, distinct, dense, homogenous punctation, from disc to margin only slightly smaller and slightly impressed; covered with extremely short, recumbent, black setation. Posterior margin rounded. Elytra (Figs. 6 A, 9 H) subparallel, at the widest point (along 2 / 3 of its length) wider than pronotum. Elytron with three distinctly elevated, rounded ridges; ridges nearly reaching apex of elytron; external ridge shortened anteriorly and posteriorly. Elytral epipleura strongly elevated dorsally along almost the entire length, flattened at elytral apex. Apex of elytron rounded. Surface shiny, without setation, with isodiametric microsculpture; covered with dense, coarse, distinct, regular punctation; punctures separated by 1.0 of their diameter or less. Punctures posteriorly with big tubercle. Each tubercle bearing a small, short, black seta. Elytra with coarse, subrectangular punctures covering most of the surface in dorsal view. Elytral epipleura irregularly, coarsely punctated in ventral view. Metathoracic wings. Apterous. Ventrum. Thorax finely to roughly punctate, covered mostly with short to medium-sized, recumbent, orange setae. Proventrite without punctation laterally; metaventrite sparsely, roughly punctate, with dense, medium-sized setation. Mesocoxae closely separated. Abdominal ventrites with distinct impressions laterally in ventral view. Abdominal ventrites punctate, covered with short, orange setation, with expanded brick-wall pattern on intersegmental membranes. Legs (Figs. 6 A, 21 G – H). Protarsus not expanded. Pro-, meso- and metatibia each with two apical spurs of different length. Metatibia almost straight in ventral view. Trochanters with bunch of medium-sized, orange setae. Abdominal segments (Fig. 13 D). Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically regularly rounded. Ventrite VIII apically and posteriorly truncate. Ventrite IX rectangular, apically almost straight, subquadrate and deeply medially desclerotized in ventral view. Spiculum gastrale robust, strongly elongate in ventral view; near the apex only slightly expanded. Aedeagus (Fig. 11 B). Median lobe stout, robust, tapered to widely rounded apex. Internal sac sclerotized. Parameres slender, straight, shorter than median lobe, apex rounded. Basal portion oval, robust, slightly exceeding the width of median lobe. Sexual dimorphism. Female (♀) (Figs. 5 B – F, 17 H, 18 D). Similar to male, except for the following structures. Tergite VIII widely rounded. Ventrite VIII weakly rounded. Tergite IX elongate, rounded, in first half almost straight; tergite X widely rounded, almost pentagonal, apex with dense setation. Coxite robust, subquadrate, apex almost straight; stylus extremely elongated, triangular, inserted apically. Variability. Individuals vary in size and shape (see next paragraph). Measurements. TBL 13.6 mm in ♂ and 13.2 – 14.1 mm in ♀; MBW 8.5 mm in ♂ and 8.0 – 8.5 mm in ♀; RLWP 0.63 in ♂, 0.62 – 0.65 in ♀; RLWE 1.04 in ♂, 1.00 – 1.13 in ♀.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFF0FFD5D2DCF956575158B6.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis. Refer to species key and Table 3 below.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFF0FFD5D2DCF956575158B6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. An endemic species, known only from several localities in southern Tanzania (see map, Figs. 22 – 23 and Table 2).	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFFFFFEED2DCF890559D5930.taxon	description	(Figs. 4 A – F, 9 F, 10 B, 13 B, 15 B, 17 F, 18 B, 20 F, 21 F, 22 – 23)	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFFFFFEED2DCF890559D5930.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Malaisie, Ile de Nias (probable misinterpretation of “ Njasasee ” or “ Lake Nyasa ”, recently Malawi, Lake Malawi). Type material (1 specimen). Tanzania: Holotype, ♂ (MNHN) (Fig. 4 D), “ ILE DE NIAS | MALAISIE | COLL. LE MOULT [p] || TYPE [p, red label] || S. lata m. [hw, Portevin’s manuscript] || Muséum Paris [p] | coll. | Pic | Portevin [hw] [recent label added by curators] || Silpha | capicola | Pér. [hw] | R. Madge det. 197 [p] 0 [hw] || HOLOTYPE | Silpha lata Portevin, 1920 | D. Sommer & | J. Růžička des. 2023 [p, red label] ”. Additional material (8 specimens). Tanzania, Iringa Region, 1 ♂ (NHMW) (Figs. 4 A – C, 9 F, 20 F, 21 F), Str. zw. Iringa u. Makumbaku [road between Iringa and Makambako], 1800 m, Changalawe — Mafinga, 29. xi. 2009, A. Puchner lgt., ex coll. Barries. Njombe Region, 2 spec. (HNHM) (Figs. 4 E – F, 17 F, 18 B), Dtsch. O. Af. [= German East Africa, SW Tanzania], Upangwa, [without date and collector’s name]; 1 ♂ (MNHN) (Figs. 10 B, 13 B, 15 B), same data, ex. coll. A. Grouvelle 1915; 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JSCC), Iringa — Njombe, 8. xii. 1997, Werner & Lizler lgt.; 1 ♂ (JSCC), near Njombe, 14. xii. 1997, Werner & Lizler lgt. Revuma Region, 1 ♀ (JSCC), Tanganyika-Terr., Matengo- Hochland, wsw. v. Songea, Litembo, 15 [00] – 1700 m, 11. – 28. ii. [19] 36, Zerny lgt. Ambiguous or poorly georeferrenced material (9 specimens). Tanzania, 3 spec. (MNHN), Afr. or., Njassasee [= Malawi lake, without more details, but probably SW Tanzania], [without date and collector’s name], ex coll. A. Grouvelle 1915; 3 spec. (HNHM), D. Ost-Africa [= German East Africa, without more details, but probably SW Tanzania], [without date and collector’s name]; 3 spec. (MNHN), same data, [coll.] Portevin, ex coll. M. Pic.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFFFFFEED2DCF890559D5930.taxon	description	Redescription. Male (♂). Body (Figs. 4 A – D) oval, dorso-ventrally flattened. Elytra arched. Whole body surface and appendages dark brown to black. Head (Figs. 4 A – D). Black, lustrous, surface with fine, very small, distinct, regular punctation. Covered with recumbent orange setation; dorsal surface without setation; lateral area posterior to clypeal suture covered with long, erect orange setation. Clypeus anteriorly widely notched. Anterior margin of clypeus with slightly irregular row of dense, long, orange setation. Eye kidney-shaped in lateral view. Frons with marked dorsal tentorial pits and a transverse, elevated crest posteriorly. Antennae (Figs. 4 A – D). Medium-sized, with last four antennomeres forming a distinct club. Pronotum (Figs. 4 A, C – D) moderately transverse, widest posteriorly. Margins rimmed anteriorly and laterally; anterior margin only slightly elevated and slightly sinuous; anterior margin slightly sinuous, without medial emargination; anterior angles weakly elevated. Posterior margin sinuous laterally. Surface dull, with fine punctation, punctures small, clearly separated, from disc to margin larger and more deeply impressed. Punctures without setae. Scutellum (Figs. 4 A, D). Irregularly triangular, widely vaulted medially. Surface with fine, distinct, dense, homogenous punctation, from disc to margin smaller and slightly impressed; without setation. Posterior margin acute. Elytra (Figs. 4 A, C – D, 9 F) subparallel, at the widest point (along 2 / 3 of its length) slightly wider than pronotum. Elytron with three elevated, rounded ridges; ridges nearly reaching apex of elytron; all ridges almost the same length. Elytral epipleura faintly elevated dorsally along almost the entire length, flattened at elytral apex. Apex of elytron widely rounded. Surface dull, without setation, with isodiametric microsculpture; covered with dense, distinct, regular punctation; punctures clearly separated by 2.0 or more of their diameter. Punctures posteriorly with small tubercle. Each tubercle bearing a small, short, black seta. Elytra with coarse, subrectangular punctures covering most of the surface in dorsal view. Elytral epipleura regularly, finely punctated to without punctation in ventral view. Metathoracic wings. Apterous. Ventrum (Fig. 4 B). Thorax finely punctate, covered rarely with short to medium-sized, recumbent, orange setae. Proventrite without punctation laterally; metaventrite rarely, roughly punctate, with dense, medium-sized setation. Mesocoxae closely separated. Abdominal ventrites with distinct impressions laterally in ventral view. Abdominal ventrites without punctation, covered with short, black setation, with expanded brick-wall pattern on intersegmental membranes. Legs (Figs. 4 A – D, 21 F). Protarsus not expanded. Pro-, meso- and metatibia each with two apical spurs of different length. Metatibia almost straight, only very slightly curved in ventral view. Trochanters with bunch of medium-sized, orange setae. Abdominal segments (Figs. 13 B, 15 B). Tergite VIII subquadrate, apically widely rounded, posteriorly rounded. Ventrite VIII apically and posteriorly widely rounded. Ventrite IX rectangular, apically almost straight, elongate and deeply medially desclerotized in ventral view. Spiculum gastrale robust, strongly elongate in ventral view; near the apex expanded. Aedeagus (Fig. 10 B). Median lobe stout, robust, widely sinuous apex. Internal sac sclerotized. Parameres robust, curved downwards, shorter than median lobe, apex rounded. Basal portion oval, robust, as wide as median lobe. Sexual dimorphism. Female (♀) (Figs. 4 E – F, 17 F, 18 B). Similar to male, except for the following structures. Protarsus not expanded. Apex of elytron rectangular (but rounded in the other species). Tergite VIII widely rounded. Ventrite VIII weakly rounded. Tergite IX elongate, rounded, in first half almost straight; tergite X widely rounded, almost pentagonal, apex with dense setation. Coxite robust, apex extremely elongated, acute; stylus extremely small, subquadrate, inserted laterally, shorter than apex of coxite. Variability. Individuals vary in size and shape (see next paragraph). Elytra dark brown to black. Measurements. TBL 15.6 – 17.5 mm in ♂ (holotypus 15.6 mm) and 15.5 – 18.0 mm in ♀; MBW 10.0 – 11.0 mm in ♂ (holotypus 10.5 mm) and 9.5 – 10.5 mm in ♀; RLWP 0.55 – 0.61 in ♂ (holotypus 0.60), 0.55 – 0.63 in ♀; RLWE 0.96 – 1.10 in ♂ (holotypus 0.96), 1.10 – 1.19 in ♀.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFFFFFEED2DCF890559D5930.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis. Refer to species key and Table 3 below.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
03D20631FFFFFFEED2DCF890559D5930.taxon	distribution	Distribution. An endemic species, known only from several localities in southern Tanzania (see map, Figs. 22 – 23 and Table 2). Taxonomical remarks. Silpha lata Portevin, 1920 was described from “ Ile de Nias [= Nias Island, Malaysia] ”, based on a single male specimen (Fig. 4 D), erroneously listed as a female (Portevin, 1920). It was compared with S. olivieri Bedel, 1887, distributed in the Mediterranean subregion; also, a more comprehensive key to Silpha (Portevin 1926) treated these two species as very similar, and placed them in a different part of the key from the Afrotropical species listed above. We have located the holotype in MHNH, and to our surprise, it is identical with the specimens from Tanzania identified as C. capicola by G. Portevin and also deposited in MHNH. The holotype was probably obtained from Eugène Henri Le Moult (1882 – 1965), a Paris insect trader (Bousquet 2012: 733). Very probably, the German translation (“ Njassasee ”) of the Lake Nyassa (now Lake Malawi) was mistaken for Nias Island (“ Ile de Nias ” is clearly printed on the locality label). Consequently, the populations from Tanzania should be assigned to S. lata, and its distribution should be corrected to the Afrotropical Region.	en	Sommer, David, Růžička, Jan, Barclay, Maxwell V. L. (2025): Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Zootaxa 5706 (4): 451-493, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.4.1
