Molecular insights into the phylogeny of Blapstinina (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae; Opatrini)

Authors: LUMEN, RYAN - Northern Arizona University; KANDA, KOJUN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); IWAN, DARIUSZ - Poland University; SMITH, AARON - Northern Arizona University; KAMINSKI, MARCIN - Northern Arizona University

Submitted to: Systematic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/29/2019
Publication Date: 11/1/2019
Citation: Lumen, R., Kanda, K., Iwan, D., Smith, A.D., Kaminski, M.J. 2019. Molecular insights into the phylogeny of Blapstinina (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae; Opatrini). Systematic Entomology. 45(2):337-348.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12398

Interpretive Summary: The Blapstinina is a group of tenebrionid beetles restricted to North and South America containing over 170 species. Many of the species, especially those in the genus Blapstinus, have been documented as pests on agricultural products. In this paper, we present a preliminary evolutionary tree for Blapstinina generated from five molecular markers. We provide molecular and morphological evidence for revising the generic concept of Blapstinus to include the genus Mecysmus. We also revise the generic composition of Blapstinina and hypothesize biogeographical origins of this lineage. This study lays the foundation for future species-level studies of Blapstinus to further clarify the taxonomy of this often pestiferous group.

Technical Abstract: The monophyly of the North and South American endemic subtribe Blapstinina (Tenebrionidae; Opatrini) is tested through phylogenetic analyses using five molecular markers (28S, COII, ArgK, CAD, wg ). Representatives of several opatrinoid subtribes were taken into consideration, including other geographically overlapping endemic genera, namely Ammodonus , Ephalus , and Pseudephalus (all previously considered representatives of Ammobiina). A comparative study of morphology was performed to assess resulting phylogenetic hypotheses. Analyses support the monophyly of Blapstinina; however, they also strongly indicate that Ammodonus should be included within the subtribe. Mecysmus is nested within Blapstinus and therefore, a new synonymy, Blapstinus (= Mecysmus syn.n. ), and the following combinations are introduced: Blapstinus advena comb.n. , B. angustus comb.r. , B. laticollis comb.n. , B. parvulus comb.n. , B. tenuis comb.n. Morphological analysis showed a close affiliation between Ephalus and Pseudephalus. Based on these results, Pseudephalus is synonymized with Ephalus [ Ephalus (= Pseudephalus syn.n. )], and the following combination is introduced: Ephalus brevicornis comb.n. Recovered topologies strongly support transferring Ephalus stat.n. into Opatrina. As a result, the distribution of Opatrina is amphi-Atlantic. This implies a dual colonization of the Americas by opatrinoid beetles, i.e. ancestors of Blapstinina (relicts of the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean; ~100 mya) and Ephalus (likely long distance dispersal via the Atlantic Ocean; ~30 mya). The presented phylogeny also supports polyphyly of the plesiomorphic tribe Ammobiina.