New species and taxonomic notes on Lycocerus hickeri species-group (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

We present further information on the very diverse Chinese fauna of soldier beetles. Four new species of Lycocerus hickeri species-group are described, L. mainriensis sp. nov., L. guangxiensis sp. nov., L. rufipennis sp. nov. and L. acutiapicis sp. nov., and L. nigrobilineatus Pic, 1916 is transferred to this group and redescribed. All species are illustrated with habitus photos of both sexes, aedeagi of males, abdominal sternites VIII and reproductive systems of females. Two secondary homonyms are replaced. L. hickerimimus nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for L. sichuanus Y. Yang et X. Yang, 2014, which is preoccupied by L. sichuanus (Wittmer, 1995), and L. parahickeri nom. nov. for L. hubeiensis Y. Yang et X. Yang, 2014, not L. hubeiensis (Svihla, 2004). Distribution data are provided for the previously known species, and a map is presented for this species group. A key for identification of the species of this species-group is updated. Lycocerus Gorham, 1889 sensu Okushima (2005) is one of the largest genera in Cantharidae, with more than 300 species worldwide (Yang et al. 2014) and it represents about 20% of the diversity of the tribe Cantharini. There have not been described any subgenera in the genus, but 13 species-groups hitherto were proposed within it (Okushima, 2005; Okushima and Brancucci, 2008; Yang et al., 2014; Okushima and Hsiao, 2017). The Lycocerus hickeri species-group was defined by Yang et al. (2014) and characterized especially by the red coloration and remarkable

Automated summary

This study presents information on four new species and a reclassified species within the Lycocerus hickeri species-group of soldier beetles in China. The species are illustrated and key identification features are updated. Additionally, two replacement names were proposed to avoid homonym conflicts.