Evolution and phylogeny of the scarab subtribe Anisopliina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anomalini)
Date
2007-04-20Author
Jameson, Mary Liz
Micó, Estefania
Galante, Eduardo
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The subtribe Anisopliina (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anomalini) is associated with grasses, and its species
are distributed in the Palaearctic, Oriental, Ethiopian, Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical
regions. Phylogenetic analysis of adult morphological characters was conducted to examine the
monophyly and classification of the group, as well as to examine characters associated with grass pollinivory
and graminivory. We review the biology, phylogeny and classification of the Anisopliina and
provide an overview of each genus. The analysis of ninety-one morphological characters using parsimony
does not support the monophyly of the subtribe Anisopliina. Instead, the results provide support
for a group referred to here as the anisopliine clade, a circum-Mediterranean group, forming an internal
clade within the well-supported tribe Anomalini. Sister group relationships are discussed, possibly
being associated with a New World anomaline taxon. Character states associated with grass herbivory,
including mouthpart and leg characters, are discussed based on the phylogenetic analysis. Within
the Anomalini, an evolutionary shift from generalized leaf feeding to grass associations and grass pollen
feeding is supported.