Six New Species of the Myrmecophile Spider Beetle Diplocotes Westwood, 1869 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) From Australia

The study of myrmecophilous spider beetles of Australia has led to the discovery of six new species of Diplocotes , Westwood, 1869, described herein. Three species— Diplocotes meentheenaensis sp. nov. , Diplocotes septenantennalis sp. nov. and Diplocotes pilbaraensis sp. nov. —are recorded from the Pilbara region of northwestern Australia. The other three species— Diplocotes mareebaensis sp. nov. , Diplocotes burwelli sp. nov. and Diplocotes abbreviantennis sp. nov. —are from Queensland. All species are illustrated, and a distribution map is provided. Dorsal habitus shots of all the other species known in this genus are included to assist in the identification of taxa. The diversity of Australian myrmecophilous spider beetles is also briefly discussed. The widespread distribution of Diplocotes in Australia across diverse habitats, despite all being flightless, indicates the strong potential for the existence of additional new species that could be discovered with further fieldwork.