Morphology of mouthparts poorly resolves the phylogeny of Sericini chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Publication date: Available online 3 December 2019Source: Zoologischer AnzeigerAuthor(s): Jujina Frings, Paul K. Lago, Dirk AhrensAbstractMorphological homogeneity within Sericini has resulted in great difficulties with respect to generic classification primarily due to lack of diagnostic characters and significant levels of homoplasy of many traits used to establish and diagnose generic groups. Recently, new morphological structures have been studied within sericines to determine their systematic utility. Reported here are the results of a comparative study of sericine mouthparts. The data gathered was used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree using parsimony analysis exclusively based on mouthpart morphology. For this study, we examined 52 morphological characters from adults of 81 currently recognized subgenera and genera. Across all species examined, the labium and the mandibular molar lobe were highly sclerotized. The different mouthparts compared among the genera were rather homogeneous and little differentiated. This may be due to the similar polyphagous-herbivore feeding behaviour common to all Sericini. The phylogenetic tree resulting from our analysis showed little resolution and did not confirm the monophyly of the two subtribes Sericina and Trochalina, but also not that of the Sericini itself. Nevertheless, we hope the extended data matrix will prove very useful when used in concert with other morphological traits to bring more clarity to the systematics and classif...

Source: A Journal of Comparative Zoology - December 4, 2019 Category: Zoology Source Type: research