Taxonomy of 'Euconnus complex'. Part VIII. Subgenera Napoconnus, Himaloconnus and Nepaloconnus removed from Euconnus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Examination of the type species of Napoconnus, Himaloconnus and Nepaloconnus, taxa previously placed as subgenera of Euconnus, revealed characters remarkably different from those diagnostic for Euconnus. Napoconnus and Himaloconnus have narrowly separated metacoxae, with the metaventral intercoxal process bearing a pair of long and pointed spines touching at middle; this character alone excludes these taxa from Euconnus. Consequently, Napoconnus and Himaloconnus are elevated to the genus rank and redefined. Nepaloconnus was clearly defined on the basis of misinterpreted characters and this name is placed as a junior synonym of Microscydmus s. str. (resulting in Microscydmus khumbuensis (Franz) comb. n.). Morphological structures of the treated species are described and illustrated and taxonomic problems related to the large 'Euconnus complex' are discussed.