Elateridae represents one of the largest families within Coleoptera, yet their interrelationships remain under‐investigated. Molecular data are missing for most lineages, especially for the ...species‐poor suprageneric taxa. In this study, we investigated the limits and phylogenetic position of Pityobiinae sensu Calder (1996), a group of several small genera from the New World and Australasia, using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. We merged new sequence data with those deposited in GenBank, producing a final matrix of 178 terminal taxa and covering the main click‐beetle subfamilies. The resulting topologies showed Elaterinae as sister to remaining click‐beetle lineages, and Agrypninae as sister to the Morostomatinae + Dendrometrinae + Cardiophorinae + Negastriinae clade. Members of Hemiopinae, Lissominae, Thylacosterninae and Pityobiinae formed basal lineages within Elateridae − Elaterinae. We found Lissominae to be polyphyletic, including Thylacosterninae as a terminal lineage and with Oestodini forming an independent lineage outside that clade. Therefore, the subfamily Oestodinae stat. nov. was reinstated for the North American genera Oestodes LeConte and Bladus LeConte. The Australian genera Dicteniophorus Candèze, Drymelater Calder and Stichotomus Candèze were transferred from Dendrometrinae to Elaterinae. Pityobiinae was recovered as two distant lineages in all analyses and correspondingly the subfamily is reduced to contain only the North American Pityobius LeConte and tentatively the South American Tibionema Solier, for which we have no DNA sequences. Additionally, we propose Parablacinae subfam. nov. for the remaining former pityobiine genera from Australia and New Zealand. The new subfamily includes Parablax Schwarz, Metablax Candèze, Wynarka Calder, Xuthelater Calder, Tasmanelater Calder, Parasaphes Candèze and also Ophidius Candèze, which is transferred here from Elaterinae. We failed to find universally diagnostic synapomorphies in adult morphology for Parablacinae, a common problem in elaterid taxonomy. Future research, including a comprehensive phylogeny of the subfamily and re‐examination of the morphology of its species is crucial to understanding the limits and classification of this lineage.
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•Elateroidea sensu lato are monophyletic and sister to byrrhoid lineages.•Elateroidea sensu stricto and cantharoid lineages are reciprocally paraphyletic.•Phengodidae, ...Rhagophthalmidae and Omalisidae are sister to Elateridae incl. Drilini.•The multiple origins of soft-bodiedness, neoteny and bioluminescence are re-enforced.•We find strong support for the Telegeusidae to be made a subfamily of the Omethidae.
Elateriformia consists of Dascilloidea, Buprestoidea (jewel beetles), Byrrhoidea and Elateroidea (click beetles, fireflies and relatives). Numerous elateroid lineages contain taxa with modified metamorphosis resulting in sexual maturity while retaining larval characters. Additionally, they evolved unique defensive strategies including clicking mechanism, aposematic coloration and bioluminescence. To investigate the phylogenetic position of Elateroidea within Coleoptera, we merged 1048 newly produced 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, rrnL mtDNA, and cox1 mtDNA sequences for ∼300 elateriform taxa with data from GenBank. The 975-taxa dataset aligned in BlastAlign was analyzed under maximum likelihood criterion. The results agreed in most aspects with the current morphology-based classification and results of molecular studies. Elateriformia were monophyletic and Elateroidea were sister to Byrrhoidea. Further, we analyzed all-data (513 elateriform taxa) and pruned matrix (417 elateriform taxa, all fragments present) using parsimony and maximum likelihood methods to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among elateroid lineages and examine the evolution of soft-bodiedness, neoteny and bioluminescence. We confirmed the monophyly of Elateroidea sensu lato and most of the families, with Telegeusidae inferred in most trees within paraphyletic Omethidae. The clade Artematopodidae+Telegeusidae+Omethidae was a sister to remaining elateroids. All topologies reject the relationships of hard-bodied Elateridae, Eucnemidae, Throscidae and Cerophytidae, formerly supposed to be a monophylum. Eucnemidae and Throscidae formed independent lineages and the position of Cerophytidae was variable – either a sister to Throscidae, or an independent lineage. The Lampyridae+Cantharidae clade was in most trees sister to Phengodidae+Rhagophthalmidae+Omalisidae+Elateridae. Molecular phylogeny of Elateroidea confirmed the multiple origins of soft-bodied, neotenic and light emiting lineages. On the basis of our molecular phylogeny, we place former Telegeusidae as a subfamily in Omethidae.
We synthesize data on all known extant and fossil Coleoptera family-group names for the first time. A catalogue of 4887 family-group names (124 fossil, 4763 extant) based on 4707 distinct genera in ...Coleoptera is given. A total of 4492 names are available, 183 of which are permanently invalid because they are based on a preoccupied or a suppressed type genus. Names are listed in a classification framework. We recognize as valid 24 superfamilies, 211 families, 541 subfamilies, 1663 tribes and 740 subtribes. For each name, the original spelling, author, year of publication, page number, correct stem and type genus are included. The original spelling and availability of each name were checked from primary literature. A list of necessary changes due to Priority and Homonymy problems, and actions taken, is given. Current usage of names was conserved, whenever possible, to promote stability of the classification.New synonymies (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Agronomina Gistel, 1848 syn. nov. of Amarina Zimmermann, 1832 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalioini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Melandryini Leach, 1815 (Melandryidae), Polycystophoridae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Malachiinae Fleming, 1821 (Melyridae), Sclerasteinae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Ptilininae Shuckard, 1839 (Ptinidae), Phloeonomini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Omaliini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Sepedophilini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Tachyporini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Phibalini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Cteniopodini Solier, 1835 (Tenebrionidae); Agronoma Gistel 1848 (type species Carabus familiaris Duftschmid, 1812, designated herein) syn. nov. of Amara Bonelli, 1810 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalio Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela caraboides Linnaeus, 1760, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Melandrya Fabricius, 1801 (Melandryidae), Polycystophorus Gistel, 1856 (type species Cantharis aeneus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Malachius Fabricius, 1775 (Melyridae), Sclerastes Gistel, 1856 (type species Ptilinus costatus Gyllenhal, 1827, designated herein) syn. nov. of Ptilinus Geoffroy, 1762 (Ptinidae), Paniscus Gistel, 1848 (type species Scarabaeus fasciatus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Trichius Fabricius, 1775 (Scarabaeidae), Phibalus Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela pubescens Linnaeus, 1758, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Omophlus Dejean, 1834 (Tenebrionidae). The following new replacement name is proposed: Gompeliina Bouchard, 2011 nom. nov. for Olotelina Báguena Corella, 1948 (Aderidae).Reversal of Precedence (Article 23.9) is used to conserve usage of the following names (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Perigonini Horn, 1881 nom. protectum over Trechicini Bates, 1873 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Anisodactylina Lacordaire, 1854 nom. protectum over Eurytrichina LeConte, 1848 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Smicronychini Seidlitz, 1891 nom. protectum over Desmorini LeConte, 1876 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Bagoinae Thomson, 1859 nom. protectum over Lyprinae Gistel 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Aterpina Lacordaire, 1863 nom. protectum over Heliomenina Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Naupactini Gistel, 1848 nom. protectum over Iphiini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Cleonini Schönherr, 1826 nom. protectum over Geomorini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Magdalidini Pascoe, 1870 nom. protectum over Scardamyctini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Agrypninae/-ini Candèze, 1857 nom. protecta over Adelocerinae/-ini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblita and Pangaurinae/-ini Gistel, 1856 nom. oblita (Elateridae), Prosternini Gistel, 1856 nom. protectum over Diacanthini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Elateridae), Calopodinae Costa, 1852 nom. protectum over Sparedrinae Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Oedemeridae), Adesmiini Lacordaire, 1859 nom. protectum over Macropodini Agassiz, 1846 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Bolitophagini Kirby, 1837 nom. protectum over Eledonini Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Throscidae Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Stereolidae Rafinesque, 1815 nom. oblitum (Throscidae) and Lophocaterini Crowson, 1964 over Lycoptini Casey, 1890 nom. oblitum (Trogossitidae); Monotoma Herbst, 1799 nom. protectum over Monotoma Panzer, 1792 nom. oblitum (Monotomidae); Pediacus Shuckard, 1839 nom. protectum over Biophloeus Dejean, 1835 nom. oblitum (Cucujidae), Pachypus Dejean, 1821 nom. protectum over Pachypus Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae), Sparrmannia Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Leocaeta Dejean, 1833 nom. oblitum and Cephalotrichia Hope, 1837 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae).
•Forest structural parameters were considered indicators for conservation.•Saproxylic beetles communities are influenced by forest complexity.•Gap dynamics and natural disturbances lower in managed ...forests.•Insect distribution is clumped and often spatially linked to structural variables.•Spatial considerations important for management.
The conservation of biological diversity is one of the main goals for managing forests in an ecologically sustainable way. Presence and abundance of microhabitats, such as tree cavities or bark pockets, can be conveniently used as indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable forest management measures. In Mediterranean forest ecosystems, the relationships between stand-structure attributes and species-diversity indicators are still poorly studied.
We described the structural attributes, deadwood characteristics and microhabitat occurrence in a silver fir forest of Central Apennines (Italy), which has not been submitted to silvicultural interventions for several decades. We assessed linkages between these characteristics and the abundance, distribution and diversity of saproxylic beetle fauna. A systematic aligned sampling method was conduced on 240ha, examining 50 plots of 530m2 each. Saproxylic beetles were sampled using window flight traps and emergence traps in relation to abundance and species richness at the plot level, but also on decaying deadwood. The heterogeneity in types and frequencies of microhabitats, and the link between structural attributes associated with stand complexity and saproxylic species, were also analysed. With the aim of describing the complex saproxylic ecological network, beetle species were classified according to the type of interactions with wood and other insects fauna, but also in relation to the trophic guilds. Linear regressions were conducted for highlighting metric variability and relationships between parameters, while geostatistical analyses were used to describe the spatial variability of structural features and the spatial pattern of beetle distributions.
Results of linear regression and geostatistical analysis showed how the saproxylic beetle community is influenced by the amount, type and stage of decay of deadwood, but also by the forest structural complexity and the occurrence of microhabitats. Gap dynamics and natural disturbances had effects on deadwood amounts and microhabitat abundance, which was significantly higher than in managed and structurally simplified forest stands. Most of the entomological variables (namely, Families, Species, Total individuals, Saproxylic individuals, Staphylinidae, Elateridae, Nothodes parvulus, Curculionidae, Ernoporus fagi, Phyllobius emery) were clumped, highlighting the existence of aggregation areas in the sampled forest. In several cases the insect distribution was linked to the spatial pattern of forest attributes, particularly deadwood components.
New records of the click beetle Compsolacon crenicollis (Ménétriés, 1832) (Coleóptera: Elateridae) for the Central CisCaucasus territory, Stavropol Area (Mikhailovsk City) and the Trans-Caucasus, ...Georgia (Tsalka District, KhramGES village) are reported. The ecological peculiarities of this species are presented and discussed.
Species' thermal tolerances are used to estimate climate vulnerability, but few studies consider the role of the hydric environment in shaping thermal tolerances. As environments become hotter and ...drier, organisms often respond by limiting water loss to lower the risk of desiccation; however, reducing water loss may produce trade‐offs that lower thermal tolerances if respiration becomes inhibited. Here, we measured the sensitivity of water loss rate and critical thermal maximum (CTmax) to precipitation in nature and laboratory experiments that exposed click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) to acute‐ and long‐term humidity treatments. We also took advantage of their unique clicking behavior to characterize subcritical thermal tolerances. We found higher water loss rates in the dry acclimation treatment compared to the humid, and water loss rates were 3.2‐fold higher for individuals that had experienced a recent precipitation event compared to individuals that had not. Acute humidity treatments did not affect CTmax, but precipitation indirectly affected CTmax through its effect on water loss rates. Contrary to our prediction, we found that CTmax was negatively associated with water loss rate, such that individuals with high water loss rate exhibited a lower CTmax. We then incorporated the observed variation of CTmax into a mechanistic niche model that coupled leaf and click beetle temperatures to predict climate vulnerability. The simulations indicated that indices of climate vulnerability can be sensitive to the effects of water loss physiology on thermal tolerances; moreover, exposure to temperatures above subcritical thermal thresholds is expected to increase by as much as 3.3‐fold under future warming scenarios. The correlation between water loss rate and CTmax identifies the need to study thermal tolerances from a “whole‐organism” perspective that considers relationships between physiological traits, and the population‐level variation in CTmax driven by water loss rate complicates using this metric as a straightforward proxy of climate vulnerability.
Estimates of climate variability are often developed from a single perspective without considering the integration of multiple traits at the organismal level. We studied interactions between thermal tolerance and water loss physiology in a high‐latitude beetle and found that water loss rates (and prior exposure to precipitation) played an important role in shaping climate vulnerability. We developed biophysical simulations of beetles on leaves under future climate warming scenarios to demonstrate that water loss rates influence thermal tolerance to future climate change.
Plastoceridae Crowson, 1972, Drilidae Blanchard, 1845 and Omalisidae Lacordaire, 1857 (Elateroidea) are families of the Coleoptera with obscure phylogenetic relationships and modified morphology ...showing neotenic traits such as soft bodies, reduced wing cases and larviform females. We shotgun sequenced genomes of Plastocerus, Drilus and Omalisus and incorporated them into data matrices of 66 and 4202 single-copy nuclear genes representing Elateroidea. Phylogenetic analyses indicate their terminal positions within the broadly defined well-sclerotized and fully metamorphosed Elateridae and thus Omalisidae should now be considered as Omalisinae stat. nov. in Elateridae Leach, 1815. The results support multiple independent origins of incomplete metamorphosis in Elateridae and indicate the parallel evolution of morphological and ecological traits. Unlike other neotenic elateroids derived from the supposedly pre-adapted aposematically coloured and unpalatable soft-bodied elateroids, such as fireflies (Lampyridae) and net-winged beetles (Lycidae), omalisids and drilids evolved from well-sclerotized click beetles. These findings suggest sudden morphological shifts through incomplete metamorphosis, with important implications for macroevolution, including reduced speciation rate and high extinction risk in unstable habitats. Precise phylogenetic placement is necessary for studies of the molecular mechanisms of ontogenetic shifts leading to profoundly changed morphology.
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