Evolution of feeding habits of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and placement of Calonecrinae. (26th May 2020) - Lee, Min Hyeuk
Abstract: Nitidulidae includes some 4500 species under 350 genera in ten subfamilies, making it the most species‐rich family in Cucujoidea. In this study, we present a phylogeny of the family based on five gene regions (COI, 28s, CAD, H3, Wingless) for 73 ingroup taxa representing nine of the ten currently recognized subfamilies of Nitidulidae, including the enigmatic subfamily Calonecrinae. Our results are consistent with a prior molecular study that recovered (i) paraphyletic Nitidulinae with the inclusion of Meligethinae and Cillaeinae and (ii) subfamilial status of Prometopiinae. The molecular phylogenetic position of Calonecrinae is recovered for the first time, as a sister taxon to Epuraeinae. Ancestral state reconstruction of feeding behaviour indicates that the stem group nitidulids were largely mycophagous with transitions to other feeding types independently derived. Abstract : This study covers nine of the ten currently recognized subfamilies of Nitidulidae, including the enigmatic subfamily Calonecrinae. We reconstruct the evolutionary history of feeding habits in Nitidulidae based on molecular phylogenetic data. We re‐evaluate the phylogenetic relationships within Nitidulidae and its relatives, with the phylogenetic position of Calonecrinae, the validity of Prometopiinae and the paraphyly of Nitidulinae.