Thortus Broun 1893

Thortus Broun, 1893 (Figs 6–19) Type species. Thortus ovalis Broun, 1893, by monotypy. Diagnosis. This genus is easily distinguished from most other New Zealand Picrotini by having glabrous to semiglabrous body surfaces, the antenna inserted into a deep cavity, often accompanied by a constricted frons that is narrower than width of the antennal club, a reduced number of eye facets in many species, and the abdominal postcoxal lines usually present and the absence of hind wings. It can be distinguished from Callichrotus and Picrotus by having an elongate body, an antennal club of 3 antennomeres and a narrow lateral bead along the prothoracic carina. The genitalia also differ by having asetose or microsetose apices of the parameres. Remarks. Based on the cladistic study below, Thortus is monophyletic, and we adhere to the definition of the genus as outlined in GIMMEL & LESCHEN (2022). Included species. Thortus amoenus (Broun, 1912); T. bullerensis sp. nov.; T. crowsoni sp. nov.; T. helmorei sp. nov.; T. latus sp. nov.; T. lobatus sp. nov.; T. luscus sp. nov.; T. michauxi sp. nov.; T. ovalis Sharp; T. parallelus sp. nov.; T. simplex sp. nov.; T. sulcatus sp. nov.; T. tioripatea sp. nov.