A contribution to the knowledge of Melyridae Dasytinae and Rhadalidae of Cyprus (Coleoptera, Cleroidea)

Melyridae Dasytinae and rhadalidae of Cyprus have been studied, based on rather abundant materials from several collections and on the scarce (often obsolete) literature existing. A total of 9 genera and 18 species have been found to live on the Island: photographs or drawings of nearly all of them are provided and a determination key is proposed. Three new species are described: Dasytidius valdelatus n. sp., Dasytiscus anatolicus n. sp. and Aplocnemus (Diplambe) constantini n. sp. Three status changes are proposed, as a necessary anticipation (to be fully justified in a next paper): Dasytidius virescens (baudi di Selve, 1873) and Dasytidius funebris Majer, 1989, previously good species, are considered subspecies of Dasytidius indutus (Kiesenwetter, 1859); Dasytidius similis (Schilsky, 1896), formerly subspecies of D. indutus, is elevated to good species. One new synonymy is proposed: Danacea brevipennis Pic 1932 = Danacea cypria Schilsky, 1897. Dasytes xanthocnemus var. cyprius baudi di Selve, 1873 is not a synonym of Dasytes xanthocnemus Kolenati, 1846 but of Dasytes moniliatus Kiesenwetter, 1863. the variability of 3 species: Dasytes (Mesodasytes) aeneiventris Küster, 1850, Dasytidius inchoatus Majer, 1991 and Aplocnemus (Ischnopalpus) syriacus Schilsky, 1894 is discussed as relevant to their definition. the ♂ of Trichoceble testaceipes Pic, 1921 until now only known through ♀♀, is described. A short distributional analysis, including a rough comparison with the other large Mediterranean island has been attempted.