Hosts are not used at random: patterns of association in Neotropical Staphylinidae

Abstract Biological associations between staphylinid beetles and animal hosts are unevenly distributed across lineages, yet their broader structure remains poorly characterized in the Neotropics. Using catalogue-based host records for Neotropical Staphylinidae, in this study we evaluated the taxonomic distribution of inquilinism across rove-beetle lineages, host groups, and ecological categories. Associations were analysed using χ2 tests with Monte Carlo simulations and correspondence analyses under null expectations, allowing assessment of non-random patterns while accounting for heterogeneous sampling. Host-associated records are concentrated in a limited subset of subfamilies and tribes, particularly within Aleocharinae, Staphylininae, and Tachyporinae. Within Aleocharinae, several tribes contribute recurrently to host associations. Host use differs among major host groups. Associations with ants and termites show recurrent use of hosts belonging primarily to Dorylinae, Myrmicinae, and Nasutitermitinae, with relatively narrow host breadth at the genus level. In contrast, mammal-associated records, largely involving Staphylininae and Sigmodontinae (Cricetidae), display broader host use in Amblyopinina (Tanygnathinini). This study provides a structured descriptive framework that identifies lineages and host systems where host–inquiline associations are consistently documented, guiding future phylogenetic and ecological investigations.