Phytosus balticus KRAATZ, 1859

Assing, Volker, 2019, Monograph of the Staphylinidae of Crete (Greece). Part I. Diversity and endemism (Insecta: Coleoptera), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 69 (2), pp. 197-238 : 229

Phytosus balticus KRAATZ, 1859

Phytosus holtzi BERNHAUER, 1935: 48 ; syn. nov.

Comment: According to the original description, which is based on a unique specimen from East Crete, the holotype is similar to P. balticus , but distinguished by larger body size, longer elytra, longer antennae, darker coloration, and some minor differences in the punctation and shine of the body ( BERNHAUER 1935). A comparison of specimens collected near Chania (West Crete) ( ASSING 2015a), which are in agreement with the characters indicated in the description of P. holtzi , with material of P. balticus from various regions in Europe yielded no evidence suggesting that they should represent distinct species. Phytosus holtzi has never been recorded again since its description. Moreover, the presence of an endemic coastal species in Crete would seem highly unlikely. These observations suggest that the holotype of P. holtzi is in fact a specimen of P. balticus of dark coloration and at the upper end of the size range of this species. Hence the synonymy proposed above.