Revision of the Oriental species of the genus Gnypetalia new status (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), with a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships

The subgenus Gnypetalia Cameron, 1939 is redefined and raised to the genus rank. Eleven valid species are recognised in the genus. six of which are described as new: Gnypetalia armato sp. n. (Solomon Islands), G. cuccodoroi sp. n. (Philippines: Luzon), G. insularis sp. n. (Solomon Islands), G. luzonica sp. n. (Philippines: Luzon, Palawan), G. nitida sp. n. (Indonesia.: Sulawesi) and G. penrisseni sp. n. (Malaysia: Sarawak). One new synonym is established: Gnypetalia parva Cameron, 1950 Ischnopoda (Caliusa) finitima Pace, 1998 syn. n. Five species are given in new combination: Gt vpefalia indica (Cameron, 1939) comb. n (= Gnypeta (Gnypetalia) indica), Gnypetalia parva (Cameron, 1950) comb. n. [= Gnypeta (Gnypetalia) parva], Gnypetalia rougemontiona (Pace, 1986) comb. n [= Tachlyusa (Caliusa) rougemontiana], Gnypetalia song (Pace, 1990) comb. n. [= Tachyusa (Caliusa) song] and Gnypetalia thoracica (Fauvel, 1879) comb. n. (= Tachyusa thoracica). Lectotype is designated for Gnypeta indica Cameron, 1939. The taxa are diagnosed, keyed and illustrated. The phylogeny of the aleocharine genus Gnypetalia is analysed using cladistic methods. The monophyly of Gnypetalia is confirmed and three major monophyletic species group are recognised.