Small, uniform, and rarely collected-an integrated taxonomic revision of Afromicracis bark beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytinae)

Afromicracis is typically found in small twigs and lianas, on the African mainland from Ghana to Ethiopia and south to the Cape region. Due to their small and uniform shape, previous classifications were largely misleading. The genus is revised with a total of 16 valid species in the genus. Seven species are described as new to science: Afromicracis brevipilosa sp. nov. and Afromicracis crinita sp. nov., both from South Africa, Afromicracis concava sp. nov. from Cameroon, Afromicracis crassa sp. nov. and Afromicracis densisetosa sp. nov. from Tanzania, Afromicracis depilata sp. nov. from Uganda, and Afromicracis ghanaensis sp. nov. from Ghana. Molecular data document deep divergence and limited morphological evolution for this genus. A key and photographs are provided to enable identification of Afromicracis species. The tribe Micracidini was recently revised, with substantial changes in the classification of Afrotropical genera (Jordal 2021b). Afromicracis Schedl, 1959 now includes many species previously described in Dendrochilus Schedl, 1963, but also has several species previously described in the genus Miocryphalus Schedl, 1939. The rather ephemeral taxonomic history of the group must be ascribed to their uniform shapes and small body size which makes specific and generic diagnostics difficult. Specimens are rarely collected, and the limited type materials are often in a poor condition. Rare collections of these beetles are in part due to their preference for thin twigs, dry branches and lianas, typically found in dry forests and woodlands (Jordal 2021b; Schedl 1956). Afromicracis is a very old group of beetles with an estimated origin near the beginning of the Cenozoic (Jordal 2021b; Jordal & Cognato 2012; Pistone et al. 2018). With limited morphological evolution over such a long period of time, their taxonomy may require molecular data to guide generic and specific circumscription. Previously pub

Automated summary

Afromicracis is a genus of small beetles found in Africa, with 16 valid species, including 7 newly described species. Molecular data indicate deep divergence and limited morphological evolution within the genus, which has recently undergone substantial changes in classification.