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Title: Female terminalia morphology and cladistic relations among Tok‐Tok beetles (Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini)
Abstract Tok‐tokkies are one of the most iconic lineages within Tenebrionidae. In addition to containing some of the largest darkling beetles, this tribe is recognized for its remarkable form of sexual communication known as substrate tapping. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic relationships within the group remain poorly understood. This study investigates the usefulness of female terminalia morphology for delimiting Sepidiini and reconstructing relationships among it. Data on the structure of the ovipositors, genital tubes and spicula ventrali have been generated for >200 species representing 28 Pimeliinae tribes. This dataset was used in a comparative analysis at the subfamilial level, which resulted in recognition of several unique features of tok‐tokkie terminalia. Additionally, new features linking phenotypically challenging tribes also were recovered (Cryptochilini + Idisiini + Pimeliini). Secondly, 23 characters linked to the structure of female terminalia were defined for tok‐tok beetles. Cladistic analysis demonstrates the nonmonophyletic nature of most of the recognized subtribes. The morphological dataset was analysed separately and in combination with available molecular data (CAD, Wg, cox1, cox2, 28S). All obtained topologies were largely congruent, supporting the following changes: Palpomodina Kamiński & Gearnersubtr.n.is erected to accommodate the generaNamibomodesandPalpomodes;ArgenticrinisandBombocnodulusare transferred from Hypomelina to Molurina; 153 species and subspecies previously classified withinPsammodesare distributed over three separate genera (MariazofiaKamińskinom.n.,Piesomerastat.r.,Psammodessens.n.).Psammodes sklodowskaeKamiński & Gearnersp.n.is described. Preliminary investigation of the ovipositor ofMariazofiabasuto(Koch)comb.n.was carried out with the application of microcomputed tomography, illuminating the muscular system as a reliable reference point for recognizing homologous elements in highly modified ovipositors.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2009247
PAR ID:
10379410
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley-Blackwell
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Cladistics
Volume:
38
Issue:
6
ISSN:
0748-3007
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 623-648
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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