The Limnichidae (Coleoptera) of the Arabian Peninsula and the Island of Socotra

Abstract

In this work we present the fi rst data on the family Limnichidae for the Arabian Peninsula and the island of Socotra, based on material collected in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, continental Yemen and Socotra. We describe fi ve new species: Pelochares sinbad sp. nov. (Oman and UAE), P. sabaeanus sp. nov. (continental Yemen, Jordan and dubious from Ethiopia), Byrrhinus socotrensis sp. nov. (Socotra), B. helicophallus sp. nov. (continental Yemen, dubious from Ethiopia), and Limnichus arabicus sp. nov. (continental Yemen). All species of Limnichidae found on the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra were undescribed, but it is likely that some could also be found in the neighbouring areas (such as Iran or Eastern Africa), for which no or very few records of Limnichidae are known. © 2014 Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae All rights received.