Comparative mitogenome research revealed the phylogenetics and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea (Coleoptera: Polyphage)

Despite the worldwide distribution and rich diversity of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, the knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes (mtgenome) characteristics of the superfamily is still very limited, and its phylogenetics and evolution remain unresolved. In the present study, we newly sequenced mtgenomes from 19 species belonging to Tenebrionoidea, and a total of 90 mitochondrial genomes from 16 families of Tenebrionoidea were used for phylogenetic analysis. There exist 37 genes for all 82 species of complete mtgenomes of 16 families investigated, and their characteristics are identical as reported mtgenomes of other Tenebrionoids. The Ka/Ks analysis suggests that all 13 PCGs have undergone a strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis suggests the monophyly of Mordellidae, Meloidae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae, and the Mordellidae is close to the Ripiphoridae. The "Tenebrionidae clade" and "Meloidae clade" are monophyletic, and both of them are sister groups. In the "Meloidae clade," Meloidae is close to Anthicidae. In the "Tenebrionidae clade," the family Lagriidae and Tenebrionidae are sister groups. The divergence time analysis suggests that Tenebrionoidea originated in the late Jurassic, Meloidae Mordellidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae in the Cretaceous, Oedemeridae in Paleogene. The work lays a base for the study of mtgenome, phylogenetics, and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea.

Review of genus-group names in the family Tenebrionidae (Insecta, Coleoptera)

A review of genus-group names for darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) is presented. A catalogue of 4122 nomenclaturally available genus-group names, representing 2307 valid genera (33 of which are extinct) and 761 valid subgenera, is given. For each name the author, date, page number, gender, type species, type fixation, current status, and first synonymy (when the name is a synonym) are provided. Genus-group names in this family are also recorded in a classification framework, along with data on the distribution of valid genera and subgenera within major biogeographical realms. A list of 535 unavailable genus-group names (e.g., incorrect subsequent spellings) is included. Notes on the date of publication of references cited herein are given, when known.

The following genera and subgenera are made available for the first time: Anemiadena Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Cheirodes Gené, 1839), Armigena Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Nesogena Mäklin, 1863), Debeauxiella Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Hyperops Eschscholtz, 1831), Hyperopsis Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Hyperops Eschscholtz, 1831), Linio Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Nilio Latreille, 1802), Matthewsotys Bouchard & Bousquet, gen. nov., Neosolenopistoma Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Eurynotus W. Kirby, 1819), Paragena Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Nesogena Mäklin, 1863), Paulianaria Bouchard & Bousquet, gen. nov., Phyllechus Bouchard & Bousquet, gen. nov., Prorhytinota Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Rhytinota Eschscholtz, 1831), Pseudorozonia Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Rozonia Fairmaire, 1888), Pseudothinobatis Bouchard & Bousquet, gen. nov., Rhytinopsis Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Thalpophilodes Strand, 1942), Rhytistena Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Rhytinota Eschscholtz, 1831), Spinosdara Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Osdara Walker, 1858), Spongesmia Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Adesmia Fischer, 1822), and Zambesmia Bouchard & Bousquet, subgen. nov. (in Adesmia Fischer, 1822).

The names Adeps Gistel, 1857 and Adepsion Strand, 1917 syn. nov. [= Tetraphyllus Laporte & Brullé, 1831], Asyrmatus Canzoneri, 1959 syn. nov. [= Pystelops Gozis, 1910], Euzadenos Koch, 1956 syn. nov. [= Selenepistoma Dejean, 1834], Gondwanodilamus Kaszab, 1969 syn. nov. [= Conibius J.L. LeConte, 1851], Gyrinodes Fauvel, 1897 syn. nov. [= Nesotes Allard, 1876], Helopondrus Reitter, 1922 syn. nov. [= Horistelops Gozis, 1910], Hybonotus Dejean, 1834 syn. nov. [= Damatris Laporte, 1840], Iphthimera Reitter, 1916 syn. nov. [= Metriopus Solier, 1835], Lagriomima Pic, 1950 syn. nov. [= Neogria Borchmann, 1911], Orphelops Gozis, 1910 syn. nov. [= Nalassus Mulsant, 1854], Phymatium Billberg, 1820 syn. nov. [= Cryptochile Latreille, 1828], Prosoblapsia Skopin & Kaszab, 1978 syn. nov. [= Genoblaps Bauer, 1921], and Pseudopimelia Gebler, 1859 syn. nov. [= Lasiostola Dejean, 1834] are established as new synonyms (valid names in square brackets). Anachayus Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Chatanayus Ardoin, 1957, Genateropa Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. as a replacement name for Apterogena Ardoin, 1962, Hemipristula Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. as a replacement name for Hemipristis Kolbe, 1903, Kochotella Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. as a replacement name for Millotella Koch, 1962, Medvedevoblaps Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. as a replacement name for Protoblaps G.S. Medvedev, 1998, and Subpterocoma Bouchard & Bousquet, nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Pseudopimelia Motschulsky, 1860. Neoeutrapela Bousquet & Bouchard, 2013 is downgraded to a subgenus (stat. nov.) of Impressosora Pic, 1952. Anchomma J.L. LeConte, 1858 is placed in Stenosini: Dichillina (previously in Pimeliinae: Anepsiini); Entypodera Gerstaecker, 1871, Impressosora Pic, 1952 and Xanthalia Fairmaire, 1894 are placed in Lagriinae: Lagriini: Statirina (previously in Lagriinae: Lagriini: Lagriina); Loxostethus Triplehorn, 1962 is placed in Diaperinae: Diaperini: Diaperina (previously in Diaperinae: Diaperini: Adelinina); Periphanodes Gebien, 1943 is placed in Stenochiinae: Cnodalonini (previously in Tenebrioninae: Helopini); Zadenos Laporte, 1840 is downgraded to a subgenus (stat. nov.) of the older name Selenepistoma Dejean, 1834.

The type species [placed in square brackets] of the following available genus-group names are designated for the first time: Allostrongylium Kolbe, 1896 [Allostrongyliumsilvestre Kolbe, 1896], Auristira Borchmann, 1916 [Auristiraoctocostata Borchmann, 1916], Blapidocampsia Pic, 1919 [Campsiapallidipes Pic, 1918], Cerostena Solier, 1836 [Cerostenadeplanata Solier, 1836], Coracostira Fairmaire, 1899 [Coracostiraarmipes Fairmaire, 1899], Dischidus Kolbe, 1886 [Helopssinuatus Fabricius, 1801], Eccoptostoma Gebien, 1913 [Taraxidesruficrus Fairmaire, 1894], Ellaemus Pascoe, 1866 [Emcephalussubmaculatus Brême, 1842], Epeurycaulus Kolbe, 1902 [Epeurycaulusaldabricus Kolbe, 1902], Euschatia Solier, 1851 [Euschatiaproxima Solier, 1851], Heliocaes Bedel, 1906 [Blaps emarginata Fabricius, 1792], Hemipristis Kolbe, 1903 [Hemipristisukamia Kolbe, 1903], Iphthimera Reitter, 1916 [Stenocararuficornis Solier, 1835], Isopedus Stein, 1877 [Helopstenebrioides Germar, 1813], Malacova Fairmaire, 1898 [Malacovabicolor Fairmaire, 1898], Modicodisema Pic, 1917 [Disemasubopaca Pic, 1912], Peltadesmia Kuntzen, 1916 [Metriopusplatynotus Gerstaecker, 1854], Phymatium Billberg, 1820 [Pimeliamaculata Fabricius, 1781], Podoces Péringuey, 1886 [Podocesgranosula Péringuey, 1886], Pseuduroplatopsis Pic, 1913 [Borchmanniajavana Pic, 1913], Pteraulus Solier, 1848 [Pteraulussulcatipennis Solier, 1848], Sciaca Solier, 1835 [Hylithusdisctinctus Solier, 1835], Sterces Champion, 1891 [Stercesviolaceipennis Champion, 1891] and Teremenes Carter, 1914 [Tenebriolongipennis Hope, 1843].

Evidence suggests that some type species were misidentified. In these instances, information on the misidentification is provided and, in the following cases, the taxonomic species actually involved is fixed as the type species [placed in square brackets] following requirements in Article 70.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature: Accanthopus Dejean, 1821 [Tenebriovelikensis Piller & Mitterpacher, 1783], Becvaramarygmus Masumoto, 1999 [Dietysusnodicornis Gravely, 1915], Heterophaga Dejean, 1834 [Opatrumlaevigatum Fabricius, 1781], Laena Dejean, 1821, [Scaurusviennensis Sturm, 1807], Margus Dejean, 1834 [Colydiumcastaneum Herbst, 1797], Pachycera Eschscholtz, 1831 [Tenebriobuprestoides Fabricius, 1781], Saragus Erichson, 1842 [Celibecostata Solier, 1848], Stene Stephens, 1829 [Colydiumcastaneum Herbst, 1797], Stenosis Herbst, 1799 [Tageniaintermedia Solier, 1838] and Tentyriopsis Gebien, 1928 [Tentyriopsispertyi Gebien, 1940].

The following First Reviser actions are proposed to fix the precedence of names or nomenclatural acts (rejected name or act in square brackets): Stenosisciliaris Gebien, 1920 as the type species for Afronosis G.S. Medvedev, 1995 [Stenosisleontjevi G.S. Medvedev, 1995], Alienoplonyx Bremer, 2019 [Alienolonyx], Amblypteraca Mas-Peinado, Buckley, Ruiz & García-París, 2018 [Amplypteraca], Caenocrypticoides Kaszab, 1969 [Caenocripticoides], Deriles Motschulsky, 1872 [Derilis], Eccoptostira Borchmann, 1936 [Ecoptostira], †Eodromus Haupt, 1950 [†Edromus], Eutelus Solier, 1843 [Lutelus], Euthriptera Reitter, 1893 [Enthriptera], Meglyphus Motschulsky, 1872 [Megliphus], Microtelopsis Koch, 1940 [Extetranosis Koch, 1940, Hypermicrotelopsis Koch, 1940], Neandrosus Pic, 1921 [Neoandrosus], Nodosogylium Pic, 1951 [Nodosogilium], Notiolesthus Motschulsky, 1872 [Notiolosthus], Pseudeucyrtus Pic, 1916 [Pseudocyrtus], Pseudotrichoplatyscelis Kaszab, 1960 [Pseudotrichoplatynoscelis and Pseudotrichoplatycelis], Rhydimorpha Koch, 1943 [Rhytimorpha], Rhophobas Motschulsky, 1872 [Rophobas], Rhyssochiton Gray, 1831 [Ryssocheton and Ryssochiton], Sphaerotidius Kaszab, 1941 [Spaerotidius], Stira Agassiz, 1846 (Mollusca) [Stira Agassiz, 1846 (Coleoptera)], Sulpiusoma Ferrer, 2006 [Sulpiosoma] and Taenobates Motschulsky, 1872 [Taeniobates].

Supporting evidence is provided for the conservation of usage of Cyphaleus Westwood, 1841 nomen protectum over Chrysobalus Boisduval, 1835 nomen oblitum.

Extinct and extant Pacific Trogossitidae and the evolution of Cleroidea (Coleoptera) after the Late Triassic biotic crisis

A new subgenus of Tenebroides, Polynesibroides subgen. nov., is established for six potentially extinct beetles, Tenebroides atiu, T. moorea, T. raivavae, T. rimatara, T. tubuai and T. mihiura spp. nov., described from the Cook, Austral and Society Islands based on subfossil fragments, and the extant T. tahiti sp. nov. from the island of Tahiti, Society Islands. Here we present the first detailed time-scaled phylogeny of the superfamily Cleroidea inferred from our four-gene dataset, including T. tahiti. Bayesian tip-dating, incorporating 17 fossils, estimated that Cleroidea appeared at the end of the Triassic (~210 Mya). The split of Biphyllidae + Byturidae + Phloiophilidae was reconstructed at ~204 Mya, followed by Early Jurassic separation of Trogossitidae (~200 Mya), Acanthocnemidae (~197 Mya), stem Cleridae–Thanerocleridae–Chaetosomatidae (~194 Mya), Peltidae, Lophocateridae, Decamerinae and the melyrid lineage (~191 Mya). Trogossitidae diversified by separation of Kolibacia (~136 Mya) in the Cretaceous, followed by parting Temnoscheila + Nemozoma and Airora + Tenebroides lineages (~113 Mya). Tenebroides radiated ~75 Mya and T. tahiti diverged from Panamanian taxa in the Middle Eocene (~40 Mya). Fourteen morphological characters of Pacific trogossitids were analysed. Parallelodera, including the Panamanian species, is nested within Tenebroides being sister to Polynesibroides. Therefore, Parallelodera is classified as a subgenus of Tenebroides. Tenebroides fairmairei is placed in the subgenus Parallelodera. A Neotropical origin for Parallelodera and Polynesibroides is inferred.

The Fossil Record of Darkling Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The fossil record of Tenebrionidae (excluding the Quartenary) is presented. In total, 122 fossil species, clearly belonging to the family, are known; some beetles were determined only to genus; 78 genera are listed in the fossil record, including 29 extinct genera. The great diversity of tenebrionids occurs in the Lower Cretaceous Lagerstätte of China (Yixian Formation), Middle Paleocene of France (Menat), Lower Eocene deposits of Germany (Geiseltal), Upper Eocene Baltic amber (Eastern Europe), Upper Eocene deposits of Florissant Formation (USA) and Miocene (Dominican amber). Tenebrionids of the following major lineages, including seven subfamilies, are currently known in the fossil record. These include the lagrioid branch (Lagriinae, Nilioninae), pimelioid branch (Pimeliinae), and tenebrioid branch (Alleculinae, Tenebrioninae, Diaperinae, Stenochiinae). The importance of the fossil record for evolutionary reconstructions and phylogenetic patterns is discussed. The oldest Jurassic and Early Cretaceous darkling beetles of the tenebrionoid branch consist of humid-adapted groups from the extant tribes Alleculini, Ctenopodiini (Alleculinae), and Alphitobiini (Tenebrioninae). Thus, paleontological evidence suggests that differentiation of the family started at least by the Middle Jurassic but does not indicate that xerophilic darkling beetles differentiated much earlier than mesophilic groups.

Early Cretaceous angiosperms and beetle evolution

The Coleoptera (beetles) constitute almost one-fourth of all known life-forms on earth. They are also among the most important pollinators of flowering plants, especially basal angiosperms. Beetle fossils are abundant, almost spanning the entire Early Cretaceous, and thus provide important clues to explore the co-evolutionary processes between beetles and angiosperms. We review the fossil record of some Early Cretaceous polyphagan beetles including Tenebrionoidea, Scarabaeoidea, Curculionoidea, and Chrysomeloidea. Both the fossil record and molecular analyses reveal that these four groups had already diversified during or before the Early Cretaceous, clearly before the initial rise of angiosperms to widespread floristic dominance. These four beetle groups are important pollinators of basal angiosperms today, suggesting that their ecological association with angiosperms probably formed as early as in the Early Cretaceous. With the description of additional well-preserved fossils and improvements in phylogenetic analyses, our knowledge of Mesozoic beetle-angiosperm mutualisms will greatly increase during the near future.