Lucidotini Lacordaire 1857 is a highly diverse and remarkably widespread lineage of fireflies, with approximately 850 species distributed across 34 recognized genera and 4 currently accepted subtribes: Dadophorina Olivier 1907, Lucidotina Lacordaire 1857, Phosphaenina McDermott 1964, and Photinina LeConte 1881. The taxonomy of Lucidotini has long been hindered and complicated by outdated or imprecise diagnoses, and their phylogenetic affinities remain poorly understood. Traditionally, Phosphaenina includes the genera Phosphaenus Laporte 1833 and Phosphaenopterus Schaufuss 1870, but recent phylogenetic analyses have suggested close affinities to other lineages, which challenged the monophyly of Lucidotini subtribes. In the present study, we reassess the composition, limits, and defining characters of Phosphaenina based on a phylogenetic analysis of 30 taxa and 94 morphological characters under Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference. Our results support a comprehensive redefinition of Phosphaenina s.n. to include: Dinophallus gen. n., Dociluta gen. n., Lucidina Gorham 1883, Luciuranus Silveira et al. 2016, Phosphaenopterus, Phosphaenus, and Streptophallus gen. n., and Lucidota partim (Lucidota atra [Olivier 1790], Lucidota punctata [LeConte 1852], and Dociluta pygmea comb. n.). We also describe 3 new genera and 4 new species and provide new diagnostic traits and an updated key to the genera of Phosphaenina s.n. Among the traits supporting Phosphaenina s.n. is a joint anchoring the phallic dorsal plate to the parameres, described herein. These findings underscore the value of comprehensive morphological studies in clarifying the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships within Lucidotini.
Abstract Understanding the underlying processes governing host-parasitoid interactions requires sufficient knowledge of the biology and ecology of both interacting sides. Such complex data are available for only a few taxonomic groups, so explanations of evolutionary relationships are not numerous. We collected relevant published and unpublished data on interactions between ichneumonid parasitoids and their spider hosts and performed a comparative analysis of defensive traits in order to better understand their co-evolutionary history. Three primary protective strategies employed by parasitoids during the critical ontogenetic stage of pupation were identified, each involving distinct silk structures produced by the spider host: (i) the spider’s retreat, (ii) a dense three-dimensional cocoon web, and (iii) a heavily reinforced two-dimensional cocoon web. In addition, our analyses revealed that several defensive traits have evolved within 2 main lines of cocoon defense: (i) one constructed by the parasitoid, respectively, the cocoon protecting the pupa, and (ii) one constructed by the host spider, respectively, silk structures, including those resulting from the manipulation of the spider’s web-building behavior induced by the parasitoid. We further identified relationships between these traits and estimated the ancestral states of selected defensive traits. Our results support the hypotheses that the ecologies, and, particularly, the foraging strategies of spider hosts influenced the evolution of parasitoids. The phylogeny of the parasitoids was significantly congruent with spider phylogeny at the genus level, but the evidence for reciprocal adaptations in spiders is not strong. Such host-parasitoid tracking during wasp diversification is more expectable than true co-evolution.
dagger Cariridris bipetiolata Brand & atilde;o & Martins-Neto, 1989, from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of northeastern Brazil, was described as a putative ant worker and considered the oldest known ant fossil at the time. In subsequent years, the identity of the fossil was repeatedly challenged, with several authors suggesting an alternative placement within the apoid wasp family Ampulicidae. Since its original description, the holotype specimen of dagger Cariridris has remained largely inaccessible for study, and no consensus has ever been reached about its identity. Here, we present a detailed reanalysis of the holotype using micro-computed tomography, revealing previously obscured morphological structures. Our results reinstate the identity of dagger Cariridris as an ant. Key ant synapomorphies can be clearly visualized from the antenna, mesosoma, and metasoma, and are documented in detail. Based on the presence of a frontal projection anterior to the compound eye and similarities to dagger Vulcanidris cratensis Lepeco, Brand & atilde;o & Camacho 2025, we tentatively assign dagger Cariridris to the extinct subfamily dagger Haidomyrmecinae.
We review Blattodea (cockroach and termite) systematics from its inception to the present day, when it has reached the phylogenomic age. Blattodea is a diverse clade approximately 250 million years old, which is important to tropical ecosystems, has an array of parental care behaviors, and includes the oldest eusocial organisms, termites. The classification of cockroaches has evolved significantly since the 18th century, with much work still to be done. Advances in molecular and morphological studies have resolved much of the Blattodea phylogeny, yet huge gaps remain with respect to more derived relationships and extinct lineages. Additionally, it is expected that most of their diversity is undescribed in most areas globally. Given the current knowledge, we present revised definitions of the major clades, with synapomorphies for them, a character matrix, and an illustration of their placement on the currently accepted tree. In all, we summarize what is known and where the biggest gaps are in the knowledge of Blattodea taxonomy, phylogenetics, and faunistic studies (biogeography). With this synthesis, we derive 5 recommendations for advancing Blattodea systematics.
Vietnam's diverse tropical habitats remain underexplored for ant biodiversity despite being part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. This study presents the first detailed taxonomic revision of the ant genus Nylanderia Emery, 1906 in Vietnam, based on a combined approach using morphological characteristics and phylogenomic data. Using targeted enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from 18 specimens and extensive morphological assessment of >200 individuals across all castes, we delimit 11 species from Vietnam. Three species are newly described: Nylanderia camon sp. nov., N. congtroi sp. nov., and N. didactica sp. nov., and one subspecies is elevated to species rank: N. donisthorpei (Forel, 1908) stat. nov. Our analysis reveals 3 new country-level records and clarifies the status of morphologically cryptic species through concordant genomic and morphological signals. All known Vietnamese Nylanderia species are diagnosed, with taxonomic accounts provided for each, including high-resolution montage images of all available castes and distribution maps. A revised illustrated key to the worker caste is also presented. This study highlights the utility of UCE-based phylogenetics for species delimitation within morphologically conservative taxa and contributes to a broader understanding of Nylanderia diversity in the Indomalayan region.
The genus Plautia (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) encompasses multiple major agricultural pests, yet its taxonomy has long relied solely on morphological characters. This approach often overlooks cryptic species due to high morphological similarity, leading to taxonomic uncertainties. We used an integrative approach-combining morphological traits, mitochondrial data (13 protein-coding genes, COX1 barcodes), and nuclear Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) generated via double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing to delimit Plautia species from China. Molecular phylogenies (Bayesian Inference/Maximum Likelihood) recovered 3 major clades within Chinese Plautia. Multi-method species delimitation (Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes, Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent, BPP, sparse non-negative matrix factorization, discriminant analysis of principal components, Bayes Factor Delimitation, hierarchical heuristic species delimitation) identified 10 distinct species, including 2 new species (Plautia xizangensis Zhang and Bu, sp. nov. from Xizang and Plautia bameiensis Zhang and Bu, sp. nov. from Yunnan), 1 new Chinese record (Plautia southwoodi), and 1 subspecies elevated to species (P. yunnanensis stat. nov.). Divergence time estimation linked the Oligocene diversification of Plautia to the uplift of the Hengduan Mountains, and Age-Range-Correlation analysis supported allopatric/parapatric speciation driven by geographic isolation and elevational niche differentiation. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrative taxonomy and multi-locus molecular data for precise species identification, especially in delimiting closely related taxa. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the significant role of the uplift of the Hengduan Mountains in promoting speciation processes in the mountainous regions of southwestern China.
The systematic status of the family Miturgidae Simon, 1886 and related subfamilies has long been problematic, primarily due to challenges in interpreting morphological characters and limited molecular sampling. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogeny of Miturgidae using ultraconserved elements and estimate its divergence time. Our results suggest that Systariinae does not belong to Miturgidae, but rather is sister to all other families of the Dionycha B clade. Consequently, we elevate it to family rank as Systariidae Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and discuss its morphological synapomorphies. Furthermore, our analyses place Miturgidae as the sister clade to Viridasiidae + Selenopidae under multiple phylogenetic methods. Divergence time estimates indicate an ancient origin of Systariidae in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 112 Ma), while Miturgidae appeared later during the Late Cretaceous (ca. 76 Ma). This study significantly advances the understanding of the phylogeny, systematics, and evolutionary history of Miturgidae and Systariidae, providing a robust foundation for future taxonomic and evolutionary research.
Species discovery (inferring species limits de novo, without a priori hypotheses) from genetic data has become more common as molecular tools have expanded and has been a helpful initial step in tackling the taxonomic impediment for small insects. Often species discovery involves a single locus (eg mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I [mtCOI]), but the accessibility of techniques for large sub-genomic sequencing projects (1000 s of loci) makes it possible to approach molecular species discovery with more robust datasets. Here, we test unsupervised machine learning (UML) methods for species discovery on a set of ultra-conserved element loci for a large collection of parasitic wasps reared from North American oak galls, all initially thought to be in genus Eurytoma Illiger. UML methods produced species hypotheses that largely aligned with those that emerge from a commonly used mtCOI-based species partitioning method, and that also tended to match existing species descriptions. Results revealed a new genus-level association with oak galls (Phylloxeroxenus Ashmead) hidden among the Eurytoma, 2 distinct lineages of Eurytoma, including a new lineage of Eurytoma more closely related to the South American genus Kavayva Zhang, Gates, and Silvestre, evidence for one or more cryptic Eurytoma species, and a mix of generalist and specialist host ranges. We make recommendations for how best to employ UML methods to similar datasets.
Sundaland, a subcontinent situated in the Indo-Malay Archipelago, is characterized by a dynamic climatic, geological, and geographical history and a correspondingly diverse biota. The distribution of this biota follows complex biogeographical patterns, with high levels of local endemism and frequent instances of hidden diversity-greater genetic differentiation than expected based on phenotype. Biogeographical studies on Sundaic insects are scarce, despite high species richness and complex distributions. By applying molecular "museomics" techniques to a species group of Troides birdwing butterflies, we generated inter- and intraspecific datasets comprising 39,485 to 59,905 SNP positions and complete mitogenomes from museum specimens collected between the 1890s and 1990s. These datasets allowed the investigation of taxonomic status, biogeography, and divergence timing within the Sundaland endemic amphrysus group. The origin of the group was estimated between the late Miocene and early Pliocene, and subsequent intraspecific divergence took place during the Pleistocene. Earlier-diverging taxa were found on Borneo, while later-diverging taxa had distributions centered in western Sundaland. Divergence between subspecies of later-diverging species complexes occurred <1 million years ago, overlapping with marine incursions on the Sunda Shelf. Javan populations showed comparatively high genetic differentiation from those on other Sundaic landmasses. We found genetic evidence of possible hidden species-level diversity within two species complexes. Contrastingly, T. amphrysus euthydemus (Fruhstorfer 1913) syn. nov. is synonymized with T. amphrysus ruficollis (Butler 1879), given the low divergence between these two species. Together, these results provide a perspective on Triodes evolutionary dynamics and the role of Pleistocene glaciations in shaping patterns of Sundaland's insect diversity.
Homologizing the wing hinge structures of Odonata is challenging due to the coalescence of articular plates and the relictual nature of wing pteralia in extant species. Fossil evidence is crucial for tracing the evolutionary history of wing hinges in pterygote. A new protolindeniid genus and species, Sinoprotolindenia zhengi Wei, Ren, Nel & Wang Y. gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in northeastern China, provides exceptional preservation of wing pteralia of basal hinge line. The new species, sister to Petaluridae, provides new insights into the evolution of tergal wing hinge structures in Odonata. The study reveals that the SDP (semi-detached scutal plate) is a composite plate: mSDP originates from the specialized lateral margin of the prescutum, while dSDP and pSDP derive from 2 free pteralia. The scutellar process of Odonata derives from the fusion of 1 pterala to scutellum, homologous to the proxalare of A in Meganisoptera. These findings confirm that the ground plan of the tergal wing hinge in Odonata comprises 4 pteralia (dSDP, pSDP, pterala 1, and pterala 2). Most pteralia (excluding pterala 1) exhibit derived fusion with terga among Anisoptera, Anisozygoptera, Zygoptera, but Sinoprotolindenia + Petaluridae and Gomphidae still retain some ancestral conditions.
European Lepidoptera have been subject of dense sampling for their DNA barcodes because of several active regional DNA barcoding initiatives. This intensive barcoding has revealed many cases of unexpected patterns of diversity in mitochondrial COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) barcode region of several Lepidoptera. In this study, we generated high-throughput target enrichment data for intra-alpine populations of 4 lepidopteran species, which were known to show extraordinary but unexplained variability in their barcodes. We then compared the patterns observed from genomic data to those known from the barcodes using phylogenomics, population genetics, and species delimitation tools. Based on our findings, we revised the taxonomy of one of the studied species, ie, Symmoca signella (H & uuml;bner, 1796) species-complex with 2 new species descriptions. In the case of other 3 species-Aricia nicias, Orenaia alpestralis, and Setina aurita, we did not find clear evidence for separating intra-alpine populations into distinct species and instead found varying levels of within-species divergence between the populations. We show that the DNA barcodes alone do not always reflect the genetic structure of populations or species in an accurate manner and demonstrate the usefulness of genomic approaches for a robust delimitation of species.
Sexual dimorphism is widespread in animals and often reflects evolutionary trade-offs between natural and sexual selection. Understanding the genomic and molecular mechanisms underlying these differences is key to revealing how adaptive traits evolve. Bibio rufiventris, commonly known as the fulvous-female march fly, exhibits striking sexual dimorphism, with males uniformly black and possessing enlarged compound eyes, while females display vivid reddish-orange thoraces and abdomens, making it an ideal model for investigating the genetic and molecular basis of sexually dimorphic traits. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of B. rufiventris. Comparative genomics revealed expansion of developmental and metabolic gene families in B. rufiventris, and branch-site analysis identified 265 positively selected genes, some of which are enriched in sensory-system development, including compound eye morphogenesis and multiple sensory perception processes. Transcriptomic profiling showed strong male-biased expression of phototransduction genes (eg ninaE, Arr2, and inaD) in heads, which may explain the enhanced visual processing capability in males. We also find a coordinated regulation pattern across melanin, pteridine, ommochrome, and heme-biliverdin pathways appears to underlie the female-specific coloration. These findings yield novel insights into sexual dimorphism in B. rufiventris in terms of pigment metabolism, visual system specialization, and sensory adaptation. This study also adds to our understanding of the genetic basis and evolutionary diversification of sexual traits in Bibionidae and other Diptera.
We provide the first taxonomic revision of the rove beetle genus Platydracus of China, which includes 102 species currently known there and 6 species from neighboring countries that are highly likely to occur in China. The revision incorporates the recently updated, phylogeny-based concept of Platydracus and, DNA-grade material permitting, employs both morphology and COI barcode for species delimitation. Instead of using subgenera that did not prove to be monophyletic, we classified revised species of Platydracus in 13 mainly monophyletic species groups rooted in the global phylogenetic study of the Platydracus-group of genera. In this revision, we describe 61 species as new to science: Platydracus acutatissimus sp. nov., Platydracus acutatus sp. nov., Platydracus aerugineus sp. nov., Platydracus alesi sp. nov., Platydracus argentatus sp. nov., Platydracus arnaudi sp. nov., Platydracus asperatus sp. nov., Platydracus atrovirens sp. nov., Platydracus attenuatus sp. nov., Platydracus aurarius sp. nov., Platydracus biaureus sp. nov., Platydracus binhongi sp. nov., Platydracus bispeculosus sp. nov., Platydracus brachelytrus sp. nov., Platydracus brunneolus sp. nov., Platydracus cinereus sp. nov., Platydracus commutatus sp. nov., Platydracus concavus sp. nov., Platydracus cupreus sp. nov., Platydracus dubius sp. nov., Platydracus fangshuoi sp. nov., Platydracus felis sp. nov., Platydracus fluxilis sp. nov., Platydracus glabrescens sp. nov., Platydracus gladius sp. nov., Platydracus grebennikovi sp. nov., Platydracus hirsutus sp. nov., Platydracus iridescens sp. nov., Platydracus jani sp. nov., Platydracus josei sp. nov., Platydracus joshi sp. nov., Platydracus lii sp. nov., Platydracus longiusculus sp. nov., Platydracus maculicrus sp. nov., Platydracus maii sp. nov., Platydracus martini sp. nov., Platydracus megaparamerus sp. nov., Platydracus michaeli sp. nov., Platydracus minutus sp. nov., Platydracus newtoni sp. nov., Platydracus nonnemani sp. nov., Platydracus nubis sp. nov., Platydracus obscurus sp. nov., Platydracus ocellatus sp. nov., Platydracus profestus sp. nov., Platydracus purpuronotus sp. nov., Platydracus rotundatus sp. nov., Platydracus rufitergus sp. nov., Platydracus rufotibialis sp. nov., Platydracus rugosus sp. nov., Platydracus saevus sp. nov., Platydracus schillhammeri sp. nov., Platydracus scutiformis sp. nov., Platydracus striolatus sp. nov., Platydracus sumptuosus sp. nov., Platydracus tigris sp. nov., Platydracus trapeziformis sp. nov. Platydracus ultimus sp. nov., Platydracus unicus sp. nov., Platydracus variegatus sp. nov., Platydracus vulpes sp. nov. We establish 25 new synonyms as follows: Platydracus asemus (Kraatz, 1859) [=Platydracus subauronotatus Coiffait, 1977 syn. nov.], Platydracus auronotatus (Fauvel, 1895) [=Platydracus yunnanicus Smetana and Davies, 2000 syn. nov.], Platydracus basicornis (Fauvel, 1895) [=Staphylinus dohertyi (Cameron, 1932) syn. nov.], Platydracus bengalensis (Bernhauer, 1914) [=Platydracus aeneipennis (Cameron, 1930) syn. nov.], Platydracus brevicornis (Motschulsky, 1861) [=Platydracus consularis (Bernhauer, 1915) syn. nov.], Platydracus chalcescens (Sharp, 1889) [=Platydracus kiushiuensis (Bernhauer, 1939) syn. nov.], Platydracus chinensis (Bernhauer, 1914) [=Platydracus circumcinctus (Bernhauer, 1914) syn. nov., =Platydracus hauserianus (Bernhauer, 1933) syn. nov., =Platydracus plebejus (Bernhauer, 1915) syn. nov.], Platydracus collaris Coiffait, 1977 [=Platydracus perreaui (Coiffait, 1984) syn. nov. ], Platydracus hewitti (Bernhauer, 1914) [=Platydracus kalisi (Bernhauer, 1934) syn. nov., =Platydracus preangeranus (Cameron, 1937) syn. nov.], Platydracus impotens (Eppelsheim, 1889) [=Platydracus oculosus (Smetana and Davies, 2000) syn. nov.], Platydracus maculicollis (Fauvel, 1895) [=Platydracus borneensis Rougemont, 2015 syn. nov., =Platydracus patricius (Bernhauer, 1915) syn. nov.], Platydracus marmorellus (Fauvel, 1895) [=Platydracus fuscolineatus (Bernhauer, 1934) syn. nov.], Platydracus parvulus (Smetana and Davies, 2000) [=Platydracus masumotoi (Hayashi, Y. 2011) syn. nov.], Platydracus plagiicollis (Fairmaire, 1891) [=Platydracus associatus (Cameron, 1937) syn. nov., =Platydracus montanides (Newton, 2015) syn. nov.], Platydracus pseudopaganus (Bernhauer, 1914) stat. nov. [=Platydracus becquarti (Bernhauer, 1938) syn. nov., =Platydracus formosae (Bernhauer, 1933) syn. nov., =Platydracus pseudopaganus pseudopatricius (M & uuml;ller, 1926) syn. nov.], Platydracus sharpi (Fauvel, 1901) [=Platydracus pratti (Scheerpeltz, 1962) syn. nov.], and Platydracus virgulatus (Fauvel, 1895) [=Platydracus auroaeneus (Cameron, 1938) syn. nov., =Platydracus subviridis (Bernhauer, 1933) syn. nov.]. Fourteen previously named species are recorded for the Chinese fauna for the first time. To fix the definitions for 26 species, we designate lectotypes for: Platydracus aeneicollis (Bernhauer, 1911) (syn. of P. asemus (Kraatz, 1859)), P. asemus (Kraatz, 1859), P. associatus (Cameron, 1937), P. auronotatus (Fauvel, 1895), P. basicornis (Fauvel, 1895), Platydracus birmanus (Fauvel, 1895), P. chalcescens (Sharp, 1889), Platydracus curticornis (Fauvel, 1895), Platydracus decipiens (Kraatz, 1859), P. fuscolineatus (Bernhauer, 1934), Platydracus imperatorius (Bernhauer, 1916), Platydracus inornatus (Sharp, 1874), P. kalisi (Bernhauer, 1934), Platydracus kiulungensis (Bernhauer, 1933), P. maculicollis (Fauvel, 1895), P. marmorellus (Fauvel, 1895), Platydracus parvus (Cameron, 1932) (syn. of P. parvulus Smetana and Davies, 2000), P. plagiicollis (Fairmaire, 1891), P. pratti (Scheerpeltz, 1962), P. pseudopaganus pseudopatricius (M & uuml;ller, 1926), Platydracus reitterianus (Bernhauer, 1933), P. sharpi (Fauvel, 1901), Platydracus speculifrons (Bernhauer, 1939), Platydracus subirideus (Kraatz, 1859), Platydracus vicarius (Sharp, 1889), and P. virgulatus (Fauvel, 1895). For all species, we provide diagnoses, distribution maps, and summarize their bionomics when available. For all new or poorly known species, we also give more detailed descriptions and comparisons. We open the descriptive part of the revision with a general account of Platydracus morphology and conclude it with the identification key to species hitherto recorded or very likely expected in China. The revision is richly illustrated and contains a succinct discussion of major findings and trends relevant for future study of this genus in China or beyond.
Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea), also known as sowbugs, are readily transported by human activity, with greenhouses considered common introduction sites. In the Prairie Provinces of Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), all sowbugs are non-native, but little is known of their origins and subsequent movements. We investigated the population structure of the sowbug Porcellio spinicornis Say, 1818, in Alberta using genomic markers (ddRADseq) and mitochondrial COI barcodes to explore its dispersal history and assess the long-held hypothesis that greenhouses play an important role in sowbug introduction. We found that populations of P. spinicornis in Edmonton, Calgary, and southeastern Alberta are genetically dissimilar and likely originated from at least 3 separate introduction events. Edmonton populations display genetic homogeneity consistent with anecdotal reports that sowbugs in Alberta arrived recently. However, evidence for greenhouses as initial introduction sites was inconclusive, with at least 1 greenhouse population in Edmonton potentially originating from an adjacent outdoor site rather than serving as a source population itself. COI diversity in Alberta populations of P. spinicornis is low and consists entirely of haplotypes that are currently only reported from North America, suggesting that they may have originated from other North American populations rather than directly from the more COI-diverse native populations in Europe. Given the probable recentness of P. spinicornis introduction, sowbug populations in Alberta should be monitored for future range expansion outside of urban areas.
The species-rich Polistes Latreille, 1802 is the only cosmopolitan genus among social wasps. In contrast to its extant high diversity and wide distribution, its fossil record is sparse and geographically limited, especially in Asia. Here, we report the discovery of a new species, Polistes tibetensis Xu, Carpenter & Somavilla, sp. nov. from the Upper Eocene Niubao Formation (similar to 39 Ma), in Tibet, documented based on both male and female specimens. It represents both the oldest Polistes and the oldest Polistinae fossil record in Asian deposits to date. It could be confidently assigned to the subgenus Polistes (Polistes) based on cladistic analysis. As a confirmed crown-group fossil, P. tibetensis is expected to refine the temporal calibration of the phylogenetic tree of Polistes. Combining these findings with paleoecological niche modeling suggests that the paleoclimate of Xiede site around 39 Ma was characterized by cold winters and high seasonality. Thus, the discovery of these new fossils could provide insights into the divergence time of crown-Polistes, as well as shed light on the paleoclimate and paleoecology of the central Tibetan Plateau at that time.
The genus Hypoponera Santschi, 1938, is arguably one of the most neglected ant genera in the world, kudos to its nondescript appearance and subtle interspecies differences. Despite its apparent ubiquity in the tropics, little is known about Hypoponera diversity in Southeast Asia and its neighbors, where most species remain undescribed. In this unprecedented integrative study, we used a combination of evidence from nuclear ultra-conserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), alongside comparisons of morphology, to build species hypotheses and elucidate the evolution of the Hypoponera pruinosa group in Indochina and the Indo-Australian region. Based on phylogenetic analyses of 2,014 UCE loci (unphased and phased) and morphological assessments of putative molecular species units generated via 4 methods (SODA, bPTP, BPP, <= 4% COI clusters), we recognized a total of 26 nominal species in the pruinosa group, 23 of which are new to science. Reciprocal monophyly for most species was strongly supported. Divergence dating and biogeographic analyses revealed that the crown pruinosa group most likely originated in Indochina-Borneo ca. 14.9-13.8 Ma and diversified largely eastwards to neighboring areas from the Late Miocene. We identified two cases of species paraphyly, involving a novel species and the extant H. sabronae (Donisthorpe, 1941); both species were found nested within the geographically widespread H. pruinosa clade in UCE-based phylogenies. This study lays the groundwork for a follow-up taxonomic monograph on the pruinosa group, where new species will be formally treated and rigorously described.
Hemilophini Thomson, 1868 is a tribe in the subfamily Lamiinae (Cerambycidae) comprising 582 extant species and 131 genera. Beetles in this tribe are remarkable for their coloration patterns, which resemble those of other beetle families such as Lampyridae and Lycidae, 2 groups recognizable for their chemical defenses-suggesting cases of Batesian mimicry. Within Hemilophini, the genera Itumbiara Martins & Galileo, 1992 and Pyrobolus Chevrolat, 1838 include species that exhibit firefly-like forms. These genera share several diagnostic features, resulting in poorly defined boundaries between them, and further obfuscating their generic limits is the lack of phylogenetic studies evaluating their monophyly. In order to redefine these genera, we performed the first phylogenetic analyses, employing morphological and molecular data. The molecular analyses included mitochondrial (Cox1) and nuclear (28S and CAD) markers. Molecular phylogenies were reconstructed with both Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference methods. The morphological phylogeny was reconstructed using a matrix of 51 characters based on external morphology and male terminalia, analyzed through parsimony. The phylogenetic hypotheses revealed Itumbiara and Pyrobolus as polyphyletic groups, and new combinations were proposed. Moreover, we report a novel field observation of an assemblage between Cerambycidae and Lampyridae, 14 new distributional records are provided, and 4 new species are described: Pyrobolus fernandoi sp. nov., Pyrobolus monnei sp. nov., Pyrobolus piliventris sp. nov., and Pyrobolus praestigiosus sp. nov.; and Adesmus acanga Galileo & Martins, 1999 is defined as a junior synonym of Pyrobolus rectilineus (Bates, 1881). Finally, the hypothesized Batesian mimicry and evolutionary convergence in these genera are discussed. Hemilophini Thomson, 1868 & eacute; uma tribo da subfam & iacute;lia Lamiinae (Cerambycidae) a qual possui 582 esp & eacute;cies viventes e 131 g & ecirc;neros. Os besouros desta tribo s & atilde;o not & aacute;veis por seus padr & otilde;es de colora & ccedil;& atilde;o, os quais se assemelham aos de outras fam & iacute;lias de besouros como Lampyridae e Lycidae, dois grupos conhecidos por suas defesas qu & iacute;micas-o que sugere casos de mimetismo Batesiano. Em Hemilophini, os g & ecirc;neros Itumbiara Martins & Galileo, 1992 e Pyrobolus Chevrolat, 1838 incluem esp & eacute;cies que exibem formas semelhantes aos vagalumes. Estes g & ecirc;neros compartilham v & aacute;rias caracter & iacute;sticas diagn & oacute;sticas, resultando em limites gen & eacute;ricos mal definidos, al & eacute;m da aus & ecirc;ncia de estudos filogen & eacute;ticos avaliando suas monofilias. Buscando uma melhor delimita & ccedil;& atilde;o, n & oacute;s efetuamos as primeiras an & aacute;lises filogen & eacute;ticas para estes g & ecirc;neros, utilizando dados morfol & oacute;gicos e moleculares. As an & aacute;lises moleculares inclu & iacute;ram marcadores mitocondriais (Cox1) e nucleares (28S and CAD). As filogenias moleculares foram reconstru & iacute;das por infer & ecirc;ncia Bayesiana e m & aacute;xima verossimilhan & ccedil;a. A filogenia morfol & oacute;gica foi reconstru & iacute;da usando uma matriz de 51 caracteres baseados em morfologia externa e termin & aacute;lia masculina, analisados atrav & eacute;s de parcim & ocirc;nia. As hip & oacute;teses filogen & eacute;ticas revelaram Itumbiara e Pyrobolus como sendo grupos polifil & eacute;ticos, e novas combina & ccedil;& otilde;es foram propostas. Al & eacute;m disso, n & oacute;s relatamos uma in & eacute;dita observa & ccedil;& atilde;o de campo de uma congrega & ccedil;& atilde;o entre Cerambycidae e Lampyridae, 14 novos registros de distribui & ccedil;& atilde;o s & atilde;o providos, e quatro novas esp & eacute;cies s & atilde;o descritas: Pyrobolus fernandoi sp. nov., Pyrobolus monnei sp. nov., Pyrobolus piliventris sp. nov., e Pyrobolus praestigiosus sp. nov.; e Adesmus acanga Galileo & Martins, 1999 & eacute; definido como sin & ocirc;nimo j & uacute;nior de Pyrobolus rectilineus (Bates, 1881). Por fim, o hipot & eacute;tico mimetismo Batesiano e a converg & ecirc;ncia evolutiva nestes g & ecirc;neros s & atilde;o discutidos.
Nialoe Tanaka sensu lato (s. lat.), an East Asian endemic subgenus complex of the ground beetle genus Pterostichus, faces unresolved taxonomic and evolutionary questions. This study aimed to address these issues through the synthesis of phylogenetic and time-calibration analyses with morphological and distributional data. We performed phylogenetic analyses using 4 genetic markers from 41 species of the group and conducted ancestral state reconstruction analyses on the inferred tree. Based on the time-calibrated tree, we additionally performed ancestral area reconstruction analyses. For biogeographical analysis and identification of regional species diversity patterns, we synthesized distribution data of Nialoe s. lat. from 128 published papers. Our phylogenetic analyses consistently revealed 5 major clades and determined the taxonomic position of 2 unclassified species. Based on the results, we comprehensively revised the previous checklist. Ancestral state reconstruction indicated possible convergent evolution of character states, such as elongate mandibles and matte elytra. The regional species diversity map highlighted hotspots in high-altitude regions and in sites with subterranean taxa. Divergence dating and ancestral area reconstruction suggest that Nialoe s. lat. originated near the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, with major divergence events around 15 million years ago, potentially linked to tectonic events associated with the opening of the East Sea. We propose that morphological differentiation, ecological specialization, and geographical history might have promoted diversification, along with dispersal events. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of Nialoe s. lat. and the biogeographical history of East Asia.
The Palaearctic, Indomalayan, and Australasian biogeographic regions are known for their high butterfly species diversity and complex geographic variation, yet the mechanisms shaping this biogeographic pattern remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the macroevolutionary processes driving the temporal and geographical diversification of the troidine genera Atrophaneura and Byasa (Papilionidae: Troidini). We sequenced three mitochondrial DNA sequences for 109 specimens, representing all species, and performed Bayesian and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inferences to refine species boundaries. Subsequent Bayesian molecular dating analyses were carried out to estimate divergence times, and maximum-likelihood model were used to reconstruct the biogeographic history and estimate diversification rates for Atrophaneura and Byasa. Our results show that Atrophaneura and Byasa originated around 19 million years ago in a broad range including Sundaland, Indochina, South China, and the Hengduan Mountains. A vicariance event likely led to the origin of Atrophaneura in Sundaland and subsequently dispersed to adjacent regions, while Byasa originated in the Hengduan Mountains. We further find that the diversification of the clade decreased toward the present and is more likely tied to temperature variations or sea-level fluctuations, which emerged as the putative drivers of their diversification. Our research underscores the significance of the Sundaland and Hengduan Mountains as independent biogeographic regions in the evolutionary history of these butterfly species. Our findings provide valuable insights into the distinct evolutionary trajectories of these two sister genera, highlighting the importance of both geographic and climatic factors in shaping biodiversity patterns in this mega-diverse tropical region.
The understanding of evolutionary relationships among insect lineages has received special attention in recent years, leading to an increasing number of studies aiming to shed light on their diversity, biogeography, and species boundaries. Despite the growing use of integrative taxonomic approaches, the positioning and relationships of some groups remain controversial, mainly due to limited sampling and low-resolution genetic markers. This is the case of the Neotropical butterfly tribe Haeterini (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), characterized by unique coloration patterns in which species display either transparent or dark wings. To date, species boundaries within Haeterini remain uncertain due to limited knowledge of their natural history and reliance on traditional morphology. Our study investigated species delimitation patterns and phylogenetic relationships within Haeterini using molecular and morphological data. Our sampling included most of the tribe's distribution range, including previously unsampled regions. We applied quantitative methods to analyze wing coloration patterns and explored the tribe's biogeographic history and diversification. Our findings contrast with previous studies and reveal weak support for some currently recognized species and subspecies, challenging Haeterini taxonomy. Additionally, the biogeographical analysis failed to identify a region of origin for the tribe but suggested dispersal-driven diversification with 8 vicariance events during the Miocene, consistent with major physiographic events such as the Pebas and Acre wetlands and the Andes orogeny. The tribe's diversification likely occurred at a relatively low, constant rate, with few speciation events, aligning with the museum model of diversification in the Neotropics.
