Arboreal beetles of neotropical forests: Agra Fabricius, a taxonomic supplement for the platyscelis group with new species and distribution records (Coleoptera : Carabidae, Lebiini, Agrina)

The platyscelis group of the carabid genus Agra Fabricius. an equatorially centered lineage, consists of 30 species that have a composite range extend ing from the isthmus of Panama to French Guiana south into Brazil and Boliv ia. The majority of species are found in the Amazon Basin. Structural featu res of both body and appendages are convergent with other carabid beetles t hat are known to dwell in ant nests, however, no life history of any Agra s pecies is known. The following 12 specific: taxa of the platyscelis group a re described as new (type locality in parenthesis): A. tingo new species, ( PERU, Huanuco, 13 km S Tingo Maria, Tambillo, Chico Canyon, 09 degrees 15'S , 76 degrees 23'W): A. biolat new species, (PERU, Madre de Dies, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res., 12 degrees 50'S, 69 degrees 20'W); A. aeris new species, (PERU, Madre de Dies, BIOLAT Biodiversity Station, P akitza, 11 degrees 56'S, 71 degrees 17'W); A. solimoes new species, (BRAZIL , Amazonas, Ten (Ega), 3 degrees 22'S, 64 degrees 42'W); A. servatorum new species, (PERU, Loreto, 1km SW Boca del Rio Samiria, Vigilante Post No. 1, 04 degrees 30'S, 74 degrees 18'W: A. conhormigas new species, (PERU, Madre de Dies, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res.. 12 degrees 50'S , 69 degrees 20'W); A. lilu new species, (BRAZIL, Amazonas, Humaita, 07 deg rees 32'S 63 degrees 02'W); A. lindae new species, (PERU, Madre de Dies, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res., 12 degrees 50'S. 69 degree s 20'W); A. rondonia new species, (BRAZIL, Rondonia, Ariquemes, 9 degrees 5 6'S, 63 degrees 03'W); A. ner new species, (BRAZIL. Amazonas. 2km N Itacoat iara-Manaus Highway, 11 hn, W of Itacoatiara, Canadian Fathers' Pool, 03 de grees 08'S, 58 degrees 28'W); A. manu new species, (PERU, Madre de Dies, Ma nu Biosphere Res., Pakitza, 11 degrees 56'S, 71 degrees 17'W): A. dnr new s pecies, (PANAMA, Canal Zone, Barro Colorado Is., 09 degrees 10'N, 79 degree s 50'W). The females of A. iquitosana Erwin and A. sasquatch Erwin, and the male of A. varzeicola Erwin are described and illustrated for the first ti me. A revised key and checklist are provided and distributions of all 33 specie s are dot-mapped. A general discussion for each of the new species, as well as for 12 additional species for which new locality records were found (A. klugii Brulle, A. limulus Erwin. A. varzeicola. A. iquitosana. A. tarapota na Erwin. A. titan Erwin. A. platyscelis (Chaudoir), A. caliga Erwin, A. fe ti Erwin, A. semiviridis (Straneo), A. sasquatch Erwin, and A. azureipennis Erwin) is included. Remarks on systematics and biogeography based on the n ewly described specimens are provided.