An integrative approach in taxonomic revision of the genus Merohister Reitter, 1909 (Coleoptera, Histeridae) from India, with redescriptions of M. jekeli (Marseul, 1857) and M. asoka (Lewis, 1910)

The genus Merohister Reitter, 1909 comprises seven recognized species, most of which exhibit a broad distribution across multiple biogeographic regions worldwide. Two species have been recorded from India, M. jekeli (Marseul, 1857) and M. asoka (Lewis, 1910). Both species were ­re-examined on a large sample of specimens collected from buffalo carcass disposal sites in Punjab, India, and both are redescribed in detail, supported by high-resolution images, highlighting their ­diagnostic morphological features. For the first time, the male genitalia of M. asoka are described and illustrated, enhancing the taxonomic understanding of this species. Multivariate studies of 14 morphometric features (Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Discriminant Function) further support the delimitation of both species, demonstrating the value of an integrative approach in their redescription.