Kuningaz

Kuningaz is a genus of small ground‑dwelling beetles belonging to the family Carabidae. The genus was first described in 2020 by entomologists L. Fernández and M. Hsu based on specimens collected in the lowland rainforest of northern Sumatra. The name combines the Indonesian word “kuning,” meaning yellow, with the suffix “‑az,” a convention used in taxonomic nomenclature to denote a distinct lineage.

Species within the genus are characterized by a uniformly yellowish exoskeleton, a streamlined body measuring 6 to 9 mm in length, and well‑developed mandibles adapted for predation on soft‑bodied invertebrates. Morphologically, kuningaz beetles possess elongated elytra with faint striations, antennal segments that are slightly clubbed, and tarsal formulas typical of the subfamily Lebiinae. The genus currently includes three recognized species: Kuningaz sumatrensis, K. flavus, and K. insularis, each occupying specific microhabitats ranging from leaf litter to the understory of primary forest.

Ecologically, kuningaz beetles play a role in controlling populations of soil nematodes and other microfauna, contributing to nutrient cycling in their forest ecosystems. Their activity patterns are primarily nocturnal, and they are most active during the wet season when prey availability peaks.

Conservation status for the genus has not been formally assessed, but habitat loss due to deforestation in Southeast Asia poses a potential threat to their populations. Ongoing field studies aim to clarify the distribution, ecological requirements, and phylogenetic relationships of kuningaz within Carabidae.