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Bembidiini

David R. Maddison
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Containing group: Trechitae

Introduction

Bembidiines are small, often abundant carabids. They are most commonly found along margins of bodies of water, although there are numerous species living in more xeric conditions, and many dwelling in the soil (e.g., anillines). There is also a radiation of arboreal forms in the tropics (xystosomines). There are over 3000 species.

Characteristics

The most distinctive feature of members of the tribe is the reduced terminal article of the maxillary and labial palpi:

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This feature is shared among carabids only with Gehringiini and some Trechini.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

No comprehensive examination of the phylogenetic relationships of the genera of bembidiines has been published; the poorly resolved tree presented above is based upon suggestions by Erwin (1972, 1994) about the phylogeny. Erwin (1972) proposes that the anillines are a polyphyletic grade derived from within the tachyines.

Geographic Distribution

Worldwide, with Bembidion dominant in colder regions, especially the north Temperate zone, and Tachyina and Xystosomina predominant in the tropics

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References

Erwin, T. L. 1972. Two new genera of bembidiine carabid beetles from Australia and South America with notes on their phylogenetic and zoogeographic significance (Coleoptera). Breviora, 383: 1–19.

Erwin, T.L. 1994. Arboreal beetles of tropical forests: The Xystosomi group, subtribe Xystosomina (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini). Part I. Character analysis, taxonomy, and distribution. The Canadian Entomologist, 126:549-666.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Bembidion zephyrum
Location USA: Oregon: Whalehead Beach
Image Use creative commons This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0.
Copyright © 1995 David R. Maddison
Scientific Name Pericompsus laetulus
Location Arizona
Image Use creative commons This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0.
Copyright © 1995 David R. Maddison
About This Page

David R. Maddison
Oregon State University

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to David R. Maddison at

Page: Tree of Life Bembidiini. Authored by David R. Maddison. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.

Citing this page:

Maddison, David R. 2012. Bembidiini. Version 06 January 2012 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Bembidiini/94/2012.01.06 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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