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Abstract High throughput sequencing is an effective method for associating sexually dimorphic species. Increasing the available taxonomic understanding of females is important for biodiversity and conservation efforts. Here, we confirm the association of females caught in copulation with Calicnemia haksik Wilson and Reels, 2003 males in Vietnam using high throughput sequencing (92 loci) and provide the description of the female. 

Abstract Patterns in morphological variation are a central theme of evolution. Uncovering links between morphological character evolution and natural history, specifically feeding behaviour, is important to understanding biological diversity. Species within the sap beetles (Nitidulidae) exhibit a tremendous diversity of feeding behaviours. This immense diversity of feeding can be seen both between major lineages and very closely related taxa. Feeding behaviour diversity may drive morphological variation in several character systems (e.g., eyes). For example, in a shift from feeding on rotting fruit to flower‐visiting (anthophily), selective pressures on the visual system may vary and ultimately lead to differences in eye morphology. We tested for potential morphological shifts in relative eye size among adult beetles. We specifically tested for significant relationships between relative eye size and the following factors flower‐visiting and sex. We also tested for the influence of phylogeny on the evolution of relative eye size, implementing tests of trait correlation across a topology. We found greater relative eye size in taxa exhibiting anthophilous behaviour, regardless of phylogenetic relatedness or feeding behaviour of sister taxa. We were unable to recover a relationship between relative eye size and sex. Thus, feeding behaviour is currently the strongest predictor of eye size in sap beetles. 

Abstract Bioluminescence has been hypothesized as aposematic signalling, intersexual communication and a predatory strategy, but origins and relationships among bioluminescent beetles have been contentious. We reconstruct the phylogeny of the bioluminescent elateroid beetles (i.e. Elateridae, Lampyridae, Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae), analysing genomic data ofSinopyrophorusBi & Li, and in light of our phylogenetic results, we erect Sinopyrophoridae Bi & Li,stat.n. as a clicking elaterid‐like sister group of the soft‐bodied bioluminescent elateroid beetles, that is, Lampyridae, Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae. We suggest a single origin of bioluminescence for these four families, designated as the ‘lampyroid clade’, and examine the origins of bioluminescence in the terminal lineages of click beetles (Elateridae). The soft‐bodied bioluminescent lineages originated from the fully sclerotized elateroids as a derived clade with clickingSinopyrophorusand Elateridae as their serial sister groups. This relationship indicates that the bioluminescent soft‐bodied elateroids are modified click beetles. We assume that bioluminescence was not present in the most recent common ancestor of Elateridae and the lampyroid clade and it evolved among this group with some delay, at the latest in the mid‐Cretaceous period, presumably in eastern Laurasia. The delimitation and internal structure of the elaterid‐lampyroid clade provides a phylogenetic framework for further studies on the genomic variation underlying the evolution of bioluminescence.