Illustrated catalog of world Promecheilidae Lacordaire, 1859 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea)

Johnston, M. Andrew; Matsumoto, Keita

doi:10.3956/2022-99.2.87

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

2023

DOI: 10.3956/2022-99.2.87

|View full text |Cite

Illustrated catalog of world Promecheilidae Lacordaire, 1859 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea)

M. Andrew Johnston

Keita Matsumoto

Abstract: The family Promecheilidae Lacordaire, 1859 (= Perimylopidae St. George, 1939) has experienced a broad systematic redefinition and changes to its taxonomic composition during the last decade. Ten genera comprise this relatively small lineage, which is geographically restricted to the Holantarctic region. We further transfer the genus Dolphus Blanchard, 1847 from Tenebrionidae to Promecheilidae. The latter monotypic genus has been taxonomically problematic since its description due to the unique holotype being d… Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2023

Publication Types

Select...

Article1

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent1

Authors

Journals

Cited by 1 publication

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

When a key innovation becomes redundant: Patterns, drivers and consequences of elytral reduction in Coleoptera

Goczał,

Beutel,

Gimmel

et al. 2023

Systematic Entomology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The transformation of the fore wings into strongly sclerotized protective covers (elytra) is considered a fundamental evolutionary innovation of the megadiverse order Coleoptera. Surprisingly, these multifunctional structures have been reduced in many distantly related groups of beetles. Patterns, drivers and the evolutionary implications of this modification have never been comprehensively discussed. In the present study, we surveyed the entire order Coleoptera to analyse the patterns of elytral shortening and loss, with a special focus on prevalence, forms, degree of reduction and the functional background of this significant deviation from the coleopteran ground plan. Our analysis revealed that about 20% of all extant species (roughly 88,000 out of 442,275 spp.), distributed across all four suborders, have shortened or even absent elytra. The elytral loss was more frequent within the polyphagan series Elateriformia and Staphyliniformia. Moreover, we found that elytral reduction has independently occurred multiple times in the evolutionary history of Coleoptera and that it has been driven by a wide array of selective drivers. One of the main drivers is the improved flexibility of the uncovered abdomen and the correlated increased manoeuvrability in narrow spaces, as well as the option of using the flexible abdomen as a steering organ or to facilitate mating. Another common driver is mimicry, where exposed metathoracic wings potentially improve the overall similarity to hymenopteran models. Exposure of the abdomen can facilitate the targeted release of defensive abdominal gland secretions and was most likely a crucial step towards establishing relations with social insects enhanced by chemical communication. In the Elateriformia, and rarely in other lineages, elytral loss is a consequence of paedomorphosis, related to a specific resource‐allocation strategy. In many groups of beetles with reduced elytra, alternative defensive strategies can be found. This includes, for instance, aposematic coloration, chemical defence, mimicry or bioluminescence. Direct drivers of elytral loss in many groups remain unclear, and more studies are needed to understand the evolutionary background and implications of this significant morphological modification in Coleoptera.

show abstract

When a key innovation becomes redundant: Patterns, drivers and consequences of elytral reduction in Coleoptera

Goczał,

Beutel,

Gimmel

et al. 2023

Systematic Entomology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Illustrated catalog of world Promecheilidae Lacordaire, 1859 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea)

Cited by 1 publication

References 24 publications

When a key innovation becomes redundant: Patterns, drivers and consequences of elytral reduction in Coleoptera

When a key innovation becomes redundant: Patterns, drivers and consequences of elytral reduction in Coleoptera

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About