A review of the myrmecophilous South American carabid genus Homopterus, with insights into species' ranges and host ant preferences

Homopterus is a small myrmecophilous carabid genus comprised of twelve species native to South America. This research comprises a review and evaluation of the current species concepts within the group, as well as the description of a new species of Homopterus collected from Peru. An updated dichotomous key was created using visionary digital images as well as line drawings of loaned specimens. Analytical DNA work was conducted using CO1 and 28S genes to test a basic molecular phylogeny of the major antennal groups within Homopterus. Species distributions were mapped based on locality data mined from loaned specimens to determine species ranges and possible evolutionary signatures.