Revision of Afrotropical species of the Philonthus peripateticus species group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Philonthina)

Abstract: The Philonthus peripateticus species group (i.e., subgenus Raucalius sensu Tottenham, 1949) of the genus Philonthus Stephens, 1829 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) comprising seven species and one subspecies, is revised. Two new species are described: Philonthus colius sp. nov. and P. dendroaspis sp. nov. (both from Zambia); five species and one subspecies are redescribed: P. katan- gaensis Levasseur, 1967, P. lamtoensis lamtoensis Levasseur, 1967, P. lamtoen- sis shamnesis Hromádka, 2005, P. madianus Bernhauer, 1936, P. peripateticus Tottenham, 1949, and P. rugulipennis Tottenham, 1949. The male genitalia of all species are illustrated. A key to species of the Philonthus peripateticus species group is provided.

Key words: Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Philonthina, Philonthus peripateticus species group, taxonomy, new species, key, Afrotropical region