SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE INTERTIDAL GENUS BRYOBIOTA CASEY AND A REVISED PHYLOGENY OF THE FALAGRIINE GENERA OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO (COLEOPTERA, STAPHYLINIDAE, ALEOCHARINAE)

A systematic revision of the aleocharine genus Bryobiota is presented. Bryobiota is redescribed, and two species are recognized, one of which is transferred from Salinamexus (B. giulianii (Moore) new combination). Myrmecopora californica Scheerpeltz is synonymized under B. bicolor (Casey). Lectotype and paralectotypes of B. bicolor (Casey) are designated. A key is provided for separation of the known species of Bryobiota, and illustrations of diagnostic features are presented. Based on slender neck, pronotum shape, mouthpart structure, and genitalic structure, and especially the presence of a distinctive gland opening on the anterior margin of abdominal sternum IV, Bryobiota is hypothesized to be a member of the tribe Falagriini rather than the tribe Phytosini. A revised key to the genera of Falagriini of America North of Mexico by Hoebeke (1985) is given. Placement of the genus Myrmecopora Saulcy within the Falagriini is discussed. A revised cladistic analysis of the genera of Falagriini of America North of Mexico is presented. Cordalia is the most basal clade and sister group to all other falagriine genera in the analysis. Bryobiota and Myrmecopora are sister taxa and together are the sister group of the eight remaining genera.