Research Abstract |
1) This study was focused on filling blanks in our knowledge about distribution of trechine beetles in the Japanese Islands and on pursuing relationship between the Japanese, Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese faunas. 2) Field works were most extensively made in northern Hokkaido, as almost nothing had theretofore been known from that part of Japan. As the result, it was found that the trechine fauna is closely similar to that of western Hokkaido and the Island of Rishiri-to and decidedly different from those of the other parts of Hokkaido. On the other hand, a new eyeless species of uncertain affinity was discovered near the southwestern tip of the island. 3) The trechine faunas were clarified for the central Abukumas, the Yamizos, the southern part of the Izu Peninsula, the Noto Peninsula and its continuation, the Etsumi and the Ibuki Hills, southeastern Shikoku, and so on, and about 20 new species were introduced to science. 4) The true affinity of Suzuka was determined with the discovery of a second species, and the taxon was raised to a full genus. 5) The Taiwanese species of Epaphiopsis were enumerated and brought together in a subgenus of their own. It was concluded that the new subgenus ia closely related to the group occurring on the Pacific coast of central Honshu, and that their ancestors must have originated in Mainland China. 6) Systematic position of Eocnides was clarified by removing it from the tribe Perileptini to the tribe Trechini. Its unusual but currently recognized affinity to the Central and South American genus Cnides was denied, and the genus was rightly considered to be a group of Chinese origin.
|