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Containing group: Carabidae Conjunctae

Introduction

Bembidiines are small, often abundant carabids. They are most commonly found along margins of bodies of water, although there are numerous species living in more xeric conditions, and many dwelling in the soil (e.g., anillines). There is also a radiation of arboreal forms in the tropics (xystosomines). There are over 3000 species.

Characteristics

The most distinctive feature of members of the tribe is the reduced terminal article of the maxillary and labial palpi:

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This feature is shared among carabids only with Gehringiini and some Trechini.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

No comprehensive examination of the phylogenetic relationships of the genera of bembidiines has been published; the poorly resolved tree presented above is based upon suggestions by Erwin (1972, 1994) about the phylogeny. Erwin (1972) proposes that the anillines are a polyphyletic grade derived from within the tachyines.

Geographic Distribution

Worldwide, with Bembidion dominant in colder regions, especially the north Temperate zone, and Tachyina and Xystosomina predominant in the tropics

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References

Erwin, T. L. 1972. Two new genera of bembidiine carabid beetles from Australia and South America with notes on their phylogenetic and zoogeographic significance (Coleoptera). Breviora, 383: 1–19.

Erwin, T.L. 1994. Arboreal beetles of tropical forests: The Xystosomi group, subtribe Xystosomina (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini). Part I. Character analysis, taxonomy, and distribution. The Canadian Entomologist, 126:549-666.