Evolutionary trends in derelomine flower weevils (Coleoptera : Curculionidae): from associations to homology

Abstract

The host-plant associations and life histories of weevils in the pantropical tribe Derelomini are reviewed in light of new phylogenetic insights. The most immediate derelomine ancestor likely had a ‘special association’ with the inflorescences of palms (Arecaceae) involving pollination and oviposition into dispensable male flowers. Case studies of select genus groups show multiple historical forces driving their diversification. In the South and Central American genus Celetes, abundant host shifts are important, though clearly not enough to account for the existence of all species. Females of the Neotropical genus Staminodeus have remarkable morphogical and behavioural modifications for exploiting the staminodes of cyclanth (Cyclanthaceae) inflorescences. The evolution of males in this genus is mostly explained by sexual selection. Cyclanthura illustrates the potential of the weevils for colonising hosts with widely divergent inflorescence biologies, including arums (Araceae) in the genus Anthurium. Members of the Ganglionus–Systenotelus clade, in turn, are exclusively associated with the cyclanth genus Carludovica. A phylogenetic trend in this group to attack the plants’ seeds has led to a series of counteracting transformations in inflorescence morphology. Overall there were at least three independent secondary host shifts to dicots, including one in the taxonomically complex genus Phyllotrox. The results suggest that in this particular tribe of weevils, focusing on the homology of specific biological traits in individual lineages is more likely to produce new knowledge than a formalistic, large-scale approach.

3.7. Curculionidae Latreille, 1802

“…In Africa and America the weevils involved in palm pollination belong to the tribe Derelomini, whereas those in Asia and the Australo-Pacific region all seem to be Acalyptini (Kojima & Morimoto 2005). Weevils also pollinate several species of Cyclanthaceae and some Araceae (Franz 2003(Franz a, b, 2004(Franz , 2006(Franz , 2007Franz & Valente 2005). Weevils also pollinate several species of Cyclanthaceae and some Araceae (Franz 2003(Franz a, b, 2004(Franz , 2006(Franz , 2007Franz & Valente 2005).…”

Description of two new species and phylogenetic reassessment ofPerelleschusO’Brien & Wibmer, 1986 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with a complete taxonomic concept history ofPerelleschussec. Franz & Cardona-Duque, 2013

“…4). Subsequently, Franz (2004Franz ( , 2006 and Franz & Valente (2005) Franz & Peet, 2009;Baskauf, 2010) were made in accordance with Harling (1958) and Eriksson (1994) unless noted otherwise. The weevils are considered to act as copollinators of their host plant species (Franz, 2004).…”

<p><strong>The first Amazonian species of <em>Andranthobius</em> Kuschel </strong><br /><strong>(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with records of new host palms for the genus</strong></p>

“…Some species are recognized as pollinators, such as Andranthobius palmarum (Champion) The species of Andranthobius are distinguished easily from other Notolomina by the dorsoventrally depressed body, subglabrous, sparsely and finely punctured; prosternum with one posteriorly directed projection, generally smaller in the females; trapezoidal prothorax; antennal scape not reaching eye; and tarsal claws free (Kuschel 1952;Franz 2006). Andranthobius occurs in the Neotropical Region, with two nominal species recorded in Central America from Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica (Champion 1902;O'Brien & Wibmer 1982;Franz & Valente 2005) and four nominal species in southern South America from Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, in the Caatinga and Mata Atlântica biomes (Hustache 1939(Hustache , 1940Bondar 1941Bondar , 1949Wibmer & O´Brien 1986;Franz & Valente 2005). Interestingly, the distribution seemed to be disjunct, since no species of the genus was known from the Amazon.…”

“…and Sabal Adans. ex Guersent (Franz & Valente 2005). The larvae feed on the anthers of closed male flowers while the adults feed on pollen of open flowers (Hustache 1940;Bondar 1940aBondar , 1940b.…”