REVISION OF GENUS XENODUSA (STAPHYLINIDAE, ALEOCHARINAE) FOR NORTH-AMERICA

The species of the Nearctic genus Xenodusa are revised. Five species, Xenodusa sharpi Wasmann, X. caseyi Wasmann, X. angusta (Fall), X. cava (LeConte) and X. reflexa (Walker), are recognized. One species, X. montana Casey, is placed in synonymy with X. reflexa, with which a variety, Xenodusa cava var. hirsutus, is also synonymized. One species, X. australis, is doubtfully assigned to the genus Xenodusa and the status of another variety, X. cava var. major, is uncertain; hence they both are placed in incertae sedis. The male genitalia, the hypomera of the pronota and other major diagnostic features are illustrated, and photographs of the dorsal habitus of each species are included. All the taxa have been redescribed and diagnostic keys to the species and maps of the geographic ranges of the species are presented. A historical review of the genus and a brief treatment of the biology, ecology, morphology, and relationships of the genus are given. Included under the systematic heading of each species is a partial list of ant species known to serve as hosts. This information was extracted from the literature treating ant-guest relationships and from the data compiled.