Work

Complementary genomic and morphological data elucidate the phylogeny of obscure darkling beetles (Blaptinae: Platynotini: Eurynotina)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Enigmatic and elusive, the darkling beetle subtribe Eurynotina Koch (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae) is a southern African endemic composed of nearly 100 species, which prior to this study were classified within 18 genera. Over 75% of the currently recognized species are known exclusively from their small descriptive series, sometimes only by holotypes. The shortage of individual specimens makes the challenges presented by damaged material more problematic for genetic recovery, while also further hindering comprehensive morphological treatment. These shortcomings have led to this group becoming one of the least studied subtribes within the subfamily Blaptinae. To bridge data gaps caused by the scarcity of the material and produce a robust phylogeny of Eurynotina, a combination of different datasets is used: nuclear targeted enrichment (499 loci spanning 155,172 amino acids), mitochondrial (12 loci/2395 amino acids) and morphology (91 characters). All datasets were analysed separately as well as combined, which offered detailed and taxonomically comprehensive phylogenetic topologies including representatives of all known genera. As a result, the following taxonomic changes are proposed to reflect the phylogenetic topologies and introduce stability to the subtribe: Colophonexsula Lumen & Kamiński gen. nov . is erected to receive C. puerilis (Koch) comb. nov .—a species formerly classified within Colophonesthes . Subgenera Anamenederes Koch stat. nov ., Menoncotus Koch stat. nov . and Quadroncotus Koch stat. nov . are elevated to generic level. The following generic synonyms are introduced: Stridigula Koch (= Cilioncotus Koch syn. nov .); Eurynotus Kirby ( =Biolus Mulsant & Rey syn. nov . =Neosolenopistoma Bouchard & Bousquet syn. nov .). The concept of the genus Oncotus Solier sens. nov . is revised. Additionally, the following new species are described: Psectrapus byki Lumen & Kamiński sp. nov ., P. simplicimentulum Lumen & Kamiński sp. nov ., Ograbies calumnus Lumen & Kamiński sp. nov . Two new synonyms are introduced at the species level: Oncotus capensis Solier (= Oncotus capicola Koch syn. nov .); Stridigula arguta Koch (= O. humerisetosus Koch syn. nov .). Neotypes are designated for Oncotus farctus Solier, Psectrapus bipartitus Solier and Oncotus capensis Solier to fix the status of Oncotus , Psectrapus and Ograbies , respectively. The following new combinations are introduced as a result of the aforementioned taxonomic decisions: Eurynotus brunoi (Lumen & Kamiński) comb . nov ., Menoncotus chaetotaxicus (Koch) comb. nov ., M. jokli (Koch) comb. nov ., M. sinuatipes (Koch) comb. nov ., Quadroncotus irrepertus (Koch) comb. nov . and Stridigula namaquanus Koch comb. nov . The new concept of Eurynotina comprises 21 genera.

Source: Systematic Entomology

DOI: 10.1111/syen.70012

Authors: Ryan Lumen, Adam M. Rork, Aaron D. Smith, Marcin J. Kamiński

Institutions: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Connecticut, Purdue University West Lafayette

Language: English

Topic: Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,520

Funder: National Science Foundation