Molecular insights into the phylogeny of Blapstinina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Opatrini). (1st November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lumen, Ryan; Kanda, Kojun; Iwan, Dariusz; Smith, Aaron Dennis; Kaminski, Marcin Jan
• Is Part Of: Systematic entomology. Volume 45:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 348
• Publication Date: 2019-11-01
• Subjects: Insects -- Classification -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.7012
• DOI: 10.1111/syen.12398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6970

Abstract

Abstract: The monophyly of the North and South American endemic subtribe Blapstinina (Tenebrionidae: Opatrini) is tested through phylogenetic analyses using five molecular markers [nuclear ribosomal 28S (28S), cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), arginine kinase (ArgK), carbamoyl‐phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD), wingless ( wg )]. Representatives of several opatrinoid subtribes were taken into consideration, including other geographically overlapping endemic genera, namely Ammodonus, Ephalus and Pseudephalus (all previously considered representatives of Ammobiina). A comparative study of morphology was performed to assess resulting phylogenetic hypotheses. Analyses support the monophyly of Blapstinina; however, they also strongly indicate that Ammodonus should be included within the subtribe. Mecysmus is nested within Blapstinus and therefore, a new synonymy, Blapstinus (= Mecysmus syn.n. ), and the following combinations are introduced: Blapstinus advena comb.n., B. angustus comb.r., B. laticollis comb.n., B. parvulus comb.n., B. tenuis comb.n. Morphological analysis showed a close affiliation between Ephalus and Pseudephalus . Based on these results, Pseudephalus is synonymized with Ephalus [ Ephalus (= Pseudephalus syn.n. )], and the following combination is introduced: Ephalus brevicornis comb.n. Recovered topologies also strongly support transferring Ephalus stat.n. into Opatrina, making the distribution of Opatrina amphi‐Atlantic. Abstract : Ammodonus possesses blapstinoid eye division (extending temples meeting the canthae). This specific form of eye division is sustained as a synapomorphy for subtribe Blapstinina, into which Ammodonus is hereby incorporated. Mecysmus is an apomorphic, monophyletic grouping within the genus Blapstinus . With this and molecular evidence, the following synonymy is proposed: Blapstinus (= Mecysmus syn.n. ). Using morphological evidence, Pseudephalus is proposed to be synonymized with Ephalus . Based on molecular evidence, Ephalus (= Pseudephalus syn.n. ) is transferred to Opatrina and Ammobiina is polyphyletic.