Tackling the taxonomic impediment: a global assessment for the ant-nest beetle diversity (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini). Corresponding author

We evaluated completeness and historical trend of the taxonomic knowledge on the myrmecophilous ground beetle tribe Paussini (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussinae). Species accumulation curves were modelled using a logistic function. Similar analyses were conducted for genera and subgenera. Although not all biogeographical regions have been equally explored, accumulation curves reached a plateau in all cases. Our models predict that about 96% of the world fauna has been already described. However, the calculated asymptotes for the Australian and Oriental species have to be interpreted as a false plateau due to the lack of recent researches. Similarly, patterns of genera accumulation indicate that a plateau has been reached. As a result of continued debate about the use and validity of Paussini subgenera, accumulation curves of subgenera showed stair shape patterns, with no evidence of plateaus. Thus, although relatively few species are expected to be described in the future, species accumulation curves indicate that the taxonomic inventory is not complete. Differences in accumulation patterns among biogeographical regions can be used to highlight the areas where more species are expected and hence taxonomical efforts should be concentrated.