Systematics and biogeography of the Cychrines, with particular reference to the North American genus Scaphinotus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cychrini)

The tribe Cychrini is comprised of approximately 150 species belonging
to four genera: Scaphinotus, Sphaeroderus, Cychropsis and Cychrus (1).
Cychrines are members of the family Carabidae, which are commonly
known as ground beetles. Presently, more than 30,000 species of
carabid beetles have been described, making Carabidae one of the
largest families within the order Coleoptera (2). Found on all
continents except Antarctica, carabid beetles are typically dark in
color, shiny and flattened in shape. Often found low to the ground
under logs and rocks, both the larvae and adults of most species are
predaceous; feeding on other arthropods. They seldom fly and are
generally nocturnal (3). The size and global distribution of the
Carabidae family makes it one of the most widely studied insect
groups.