Larval morphology enhances phylogenetic reconstruction in Cetoniidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) and allows the interpretation of the evolution of larval feeding habits

The Cetoniidae, the showiest of scarabs, comprises some 3900 species in 515 genera, distributed worldwide except for subpolar areas and some offshore New Zealand islands. Parsimony analysis of 76 larval and adult characters and 42 terminal taxa supports the monophyly of Cetoniidae (sensu Krikken, 19...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Systematic entomology 2008-01, Vol.33 (1), p.128-144
Main Authors: MICÓ, ESTEFANIA, MORÓN, MIGUEL ÁNGEL, ŠÍPEK, PETR, GALANTE, EDUARDO
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adults
burrows
Cetoniidae
Coleoptera
composts
feces
Formicidae
gophers
head
islands
larvae
legs
monophyly
organic matter
Scarabaeoidea
wood
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Summary:The Cetoniidae, the showiest of scarabs, comprises some 3900 species in 515 genera, distributed worldwide except for subpolar areas and some offshore New Zealand islands. Parsimony analysis of 76 larval and adult characters and 42 terminal taxa supports the monophyly of Cetoniidae (sensu Krikken, 1984), but not of the traditionally considered subfamilies Cetoniinae and Trichiinae (sensu Krikken, 1984). In the study taxon, larval characters are shown to be more informative than those of adults for deeper phylogeny. The evolution of some larval characters (head and legs) in relation to feeding habits is discussed on the basis of phylogenetic analysis. The results show an evolutionary shift from wood associations to a higher ecological plasticity that allows the larvae to feed on wide sources of organic matter (including compost, dung, gopher burrows, packrat middens, ant debris piles, etc.).
ISSN:0307-6970
1365-3113
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3113.2007.00399.x