Diversity and taxonomic review of Leptusa Kraatz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S.A., with descriptions of four new species

A taxonomic review of the genus Leptusa Kraatz from Great Smoky Mountains National Park is presented. Ten species are recognized, and four new species are described and illustrated: L. (Adoxopisalia) pseudosmokyiensis Park & Carlton, sp. nov., L. (A.) stocksi Park & Carlton, sp. nov., L. (Dysleptusa) gimmeli Park & Carlton, sp. nov., and L. (Eucryptusa) ferroi Park & Carlton, sp. nov. The previously undescribed female of L. (D.) pusio (Casey) is also reported for the first time. Descriptions, habitus illustrations and line drawings of diagnostic characters of all species occurring in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are provided. A key is provided that will allow discrimination of 16 of the 18 species of Leptusa known to occur in the eastern United States. Overlooked Syndrome , the phenomena where undescribed species persist in a well known fauna, is defined and discussed. Copyright © 2010