Revision of the West Indian Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae)

The West Indian species of Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) are revised to address a knowledge gap in our understanding of the genus. The genus now contains 17 species found in the West Indian biogeographical area, seven of which are described as new species: Belonuchus blackwelderi Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus crypticus Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus dominici Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus draco Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola), Belonuchus franki Rainey and Ivie, new species (Jamaica), Belonuchus sanchezi Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola), and Belonuchus tenebros Rainey and Ivie, new species (Hispaniola). The following new synonymies are proposed: Belonuchus hispaniolus Blackwelder, 1943 = Belonuchus gagates Erichson, 1840, new synonym, Belonuchus oakleyi Blackwelder, 1943 = Belonuchus gagates Erichson, 1840, new synonym. A lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for Belonuchus caeruleus Cameron, 1922, Belonuchus cognatus Sharp, 1885, and Belonuchus eximius Bernhauer, 1917. Redescriptions and rediagnoses are provided for previously described species. All species are included in a taxonomic identification key, diagnostic characters are illustrated, distribution maps are presented for each species, and updates on the nomenclature of the group are provided.