Uncovering diversity of carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae) across the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot

The Eastern Afromontane region of Africa is characterized by striking levels of endemism and species richness accompanied by significant conservation threat, a pattern typical across biodiversity hotspots composed of highly fragmented forested highlands (sky islands). Based on the extensive study material of representatives of the subgenus Silpha Linnaeus, 1758, we recognized that hidden diversity this group occurs in the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot (EABH).

Despite the unavailability of molecular data, we tried to reconstruct the phylogeny of Afrotropical Silpha species using cladistic analysis based on morphological data. The four Afrotropical species of Silpha form a clade. Taxonomic revision of the subgenus Silpha in the Afrotropical Region is provided.

Silpha chelinda Sommer, Růžička & Barclay, sp. nov. from northern Malawi is described and illustrated. Silpha lata Portevin, 1920 is assigned into the Afrotropical fauna, the stated type locality of Nias Island, Malaysia is probably based on wrong labelling. Silpha francoisi Dierkens, 2020 from Tanzania is redescribed and an additional material is listed.

Finally, S. capicola Péringuey, 1888, with two junior subjective synonyms, S. punctulata Olivier, 1790 and S. peringueyi Portevin, 1922, is redescribed and illustrated. Silpha punctulata Olivier, 1790 is considered as junior primary homonym of S. punctulata Gmelin, 1790. A key to the Afrotropical species of the genus Silpha is provided.

Distribution of all four taxa is summarized and mapped.