Integrated phylogenomics and fossil data illuminate the evolution of beetles

Beetles constitute the most biodiverse animal order with over 380,000 described species and possibly several million more yet unnamed. Recent phylogenomic studies have arrived at considerably incongruent topologies and widely varying estimates of divergence dates for major beetle clades. Here we use a dataset of 68 single-copy nuclear protein coding genes sampling 129 out of the 193 recognized extant families as well as the first comprehensive set of fully-justified fossil calibrations to recover a refined timescale of beetle evolution. Using phylogenetic methods that counter the effects of compositional and rate heterogeneity we recover a topology congruent with morphological studies, which we use, combined with other recent phylogenomic studies, to propose several formal changes in the classification of Coleoptera: Scirtiformia and Scirtoidea sensu nov., Clambiformia ser. nov. and Clamboidea sensu nov., Rhinorhipiformia ser. nov., Byrrhoidea sensu nov., Dryopoidea stat. res., Nosodendriformia ser. nov., and Staphyliniformia sensu nov., Erotyloidea stat. nov., Nitiduloidea stat. nov., and Cucujoidea sensu nov., alongside changes below the superfamily level. Our divergence time analyses recovered a late Carboniferous origin of Coleoptera, a late Paleozoic origin of all modern beetle suborders, and a Triassic–Jurassic origin of most extant families, while fundamental divergences within beetle phylogeny did not coincide with the hypothesis of a Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution

Variation in life history traits and transcriptome associated with adaptation to diet shifts in the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Background: Despite the broad diet range of many predatory ladybirds, the mechanisms involved in their adaptation to diet shifts are not completely understood. Here, we explored how a primarily coccidophagous ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri adapts to feeding on aphids. Results: Based on the lower survival rate, longer developmental time, and lower adult body weight and reproduction rate of the predator, the aphid Megoura japonica proved being less suitable to support C. montrouzieri as compared with the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri. The results indicated up-regulation of genes related to ribosome and translation in fourth instars, which may be related to their suboptimal development. Also, several genes related to biochemical transport and metabolism, and detoxification were up-regulated as a result of adaptation to the changes in nutritional and non-nutritional (toxic) components of the prey. Conclusion: Our results indicated that C. montrouzieri succeeded in feeding on aphids by regulation of genes related to development, digestion and detoxification. Thus, we argue that these candidate genes are valuable for further studies of the functional evolution of ladybirds led by diet shifts

The mid-Miocene Zhangpu biota reveals an outstandingly rich rainforest biome in East Asia

During the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum [MMCO, ~14 to 17 million years (Ma) ago], global temperatures were similar to predicted temperatures for the coming century. Limited megathermal paleoclimatic and fossil data are known from this period, despite its potential as an analog for future climate conditions. Here, we report a rich middle Miocene rainforest biome, the Zhangpu biota (~14.7 Ma ago), based on material preserved in amber and associated sedimentary rocks from southeastern China. The record shows that the mid-Miocene rainforest reached at least 24.2°N and was more widespread than previously estimated. Our results not only highlight the role of tropical rainforests acting as evolutionary museums for biodiversity at the generic level but also suggest that the MMCO probably strongly shaped the East Asian biota via the northern expansion of the megathermal rainforest biome. The Zhangpu biota provides an ideal snapshot for biodiversity redistribution during global warming

New Species and Records of Costa Rican Passandridae (Cucujoidea)

Ivie, Michael A., Ślipiński, S. Adam (2005): New Species and Records of Costa Rican Passandridae (Cucujoidea). The Coleopterists Bulletin 59 (4): 459-463, DOI: 10.1649/810.1, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/810.

Figs. 1–3 in New Species and Records of Costa Rican Passandridae (Cucujoidea)

Figs. 1–3. Catogenus inbio Ivie and Ślipiński. 1) Head; 2) last ventrite; 3) spermatheca. Figs. 4–5. Catogenus inbio Ivie and Ślipiński. 4) Median lobe; 5) paramere.Published as part of <i>Ivie, Michael A. & Ślipiński, S. Adam, 2005, New Species and Records of Costa Rican Passandridae (Cucujoidea), pp. 459-463 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 59 (4)</i> on page 460, DOI: 10.1649/810.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10105181">http://zenodo.org/record/10105181</a&gt

Flat beetles in a flat land: A review of the Australian Cucujidae (Coleoptera)

The Cucujidae is a small family of characteristically strongly flattened beetles, consisting of four described genera: Cucujus, Palaestes, Pediacus and Platisus. We present an overview of the world cucujid fauna, its biology and biogeography. The Australian fauna is discussed, including the first species of Pediacus from the region, which was recently-described, and current taxonomic research on Platisus

Bitoma Herbst 1793

Bitoma Herbst, 1793 (Fig. 20)Published as part of Ivie, Michael A., Lord, Nathan P., Foley, Ian A. & Ślipiński, S. Adam, 2016, Colydiine Genera (Coleoptera: Zopheridae: Colydiinae) of the New World: A Key and Nomenclatural Acts 30 Years in the Making, pp. 755-788 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 70 (4) on page 775, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-70.4.75

Pseudaulonium Reitter 1877

Pseudaulonium Reitter, 1877 (Fig. 13)Published as part of Ivie, Michael A., Lord, Nathan P., Foley, Ian A. & Ślipiński, S. Adam, 2016, Colydiine Genera (Coleoptera: Zopheridae: Colydiinae) of the New World: A Key and Nomenclatural Acts 30 Years in the Making, pp. 755-788 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 70 (4) on pages 755-788, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-70.4.755, http://zenodo.org/record/534030