Staphyliniformia is a large infraorderofbeetles. It contains over 70,000 described species from all regions of the world. Most species occur in moist habitats - various kinds of rotting plant debris, fungi, dung, carrion, many live in fresh water.
Most Staphyliniforms are small to average sized beetles. The diverse group has few clear apomorphies. They have primitively 11-segmented antennae, a constricted neck well behind the eyes. The pronotum has a well defined, large lateral edge. Larval legs are 5-segmented, the 10th abdominal segment is often with more-or-less fine or strong spines or hooks. Urogomphi (paired "horns" at posterior tip of abdomen of larvae and pupae) with basal articulation.[1]
Some recent studies also include the superfamily Scarabaeoidea (infraorder Scarabaeiformia), forming together the so-called Hydrophiloid lineage.[2][3]Asister group relationship of Hydrophiloidea and Histeroidea is strongly supported.[4]
The unambiguous fossil record dates back to Triassic, and an early Mesozoic origin of the group is probable.[5]
^J.Kukalova-Peck, J.F.Lawrence, (1993) Evolution of the hind
wings in Coleoptera. Canadian Entomologist, 135, 181–258.
^R.G.Beutel, R.A.B.Leschen, Phylogenetic analysis of Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera) based on characters of larvae and adults. Systematic Entomology (2005), 30, 510–548
Data related to Staphyliniformia at Wikispecies
