Bulk de novo mitogenome assembly from pooled total DNA elucidates the phylogeny of weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)

Complete mitochondrial genomes have been shown to be reliable markers for phylogeny reconstruction among diverse animal groups. However, the relative difficulty and high cost associated with obtaining de novo full mitogenomes have frequently led to conspicuously low taxon sampling in ensuing studies. Here, we report the successful use of an economical and accessible method for assembling complete or near-complete mitogenomes through shot-gun next-generation sequencing of a single library made from pooled total DNA extracts of numerous target species. To avoid the use of separate indexed libraries for each specimen, and an associated increase in cost, we incorporate standard polymerase chain reaction-based “bait” sequences to identify the assembled mitogenomes. The method was applied to study the higher level phylogenetic relationships in the weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), producing 92 newly assembled mitogenomes obtained in a single Illumina MiSeq run. The analysis supported a separate origin of wood-boring behavior by the subfamilies Scolytinae, Platypodinae, and Cossoninae. This finding contradicts morphological hypotheses proposing a close relationship between the first two of these but is congruent with previous molecular studies, reinforcing the utility of mitogenomes in phylogeny reconstruction. Our methodology provides a technically simple procedure for generating densely sampled trees from whole mitogenomes and is widely applicable to groups of animals for which bait sequences are the only required prior genome knowledge

New species of Scolytodes (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) from Costa Rica and Panamá

Seven species of Scolytodes (tribe Ctenophorini) are described as new to science: S. concavus and S. circumsetosus (from Ficus branches, La Selva), S. montanus (Monteverde), S. nudifrons (Las Cruces near San Vito), and S. triangulus (fogging sample, La Selva), all from Costa Rica, and S. ungulatus (Cerro Punta) and S. punctifrons (from Astronium graveolens, Canal Zone), both from Panama. New distributional and host plant data are given for the following species: S. amoenus (Ficus branch, La Selva, and the first record south of Mexico), S. immanis (Cerro de La Muerte), S. impressus (Xylopia branch, Peninsula de Osa), S. ochromae (Ochroma branch, La Selva), S. piceus (fogging sample, La Selva, the first low altitude record), and S. swieteniae (fogging sample, La Selva and Braulio Carrillo, the first exact locality data), all from Costa Rica, and S. nanellus (Barro Colorado Island) from Panama

Dendrochilus strombosiopsis Schedl 1957

<i>Dendrochilus strombosiopsis</i> Schedl, 1957 <p>(Figs 1–3)</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> Holotype female: Congo Belge, Yangambi, 21.VII.1952, Schedl, leg. (RMCA). Paratype: same data as holotype (NHMW).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b> (female). Strongly elongated species, 3.0 × as long as wide. Antennal scapus with dorsal setae shorter than antennal club; vestiture on elytra consisting of rows of interstrial spatulate setae, mainly on declivity.</p> <p> <b>Redescription, female. Length</b> 1.1 mm, 3.0 × as long as wide, colour light brown. <b>Frons</b> convex, vestiture of fine long setae directed inwards; eyes entire, separated above by 2.2 × the width of an eye; antennal scapus longer than wide, slightly triangular towards apex, broader than pedicel, with a broad tuft of scant dorsal setae which are slightly shorter than length of club; funiculus 5-segmented; club flattened, smooth and shiny, about two times as long as broad, sides subparallel or broader on apical half, with fine setae along lateral and apical margin. <b>Pronotum</b> hunchbacked, summit at middle; anterior half with dense, small asperities, surface shiny, without punctures. <b>Elytra</b> parallel-sided for three-quarter of their length, narrowly rounded behind; striae not impressed, punctures obscure; vestiture on and near declivity consisting of erect spatulate setae on each interstria and fine, short, recumbent strial setae. <b>Scutellum</b> flat, flush with elytra. <b>Ventrites.</b> Last abdominal ventrite apically bottleneck-shaped, cylindrical. Vestiture on meso- and metaventrites consisting of scattered long, unifid setae. <b>Legs.</b> Procoxae contiguous. Protibiae narrow, twisted, with three socketed teeth just inside the apical margin, mucro much larger, curved posterolaterally. Metatibiae narrow, parallel-sided, apical margin transverse with three apical socketed teeth.</p> <p> <b>Male.</b> Not known.</p> <p> <b>Biology and distribution:</b> Only known from the type locality in the Congo basin. It was collected from an unspecified part of a <i>Strombosiopsis tetrandra</i> tree (Olacaceae <i>s.l.</i>, or Strombosiaceae, <i>s.s.</i>).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> The type series show some variation in the number of setae on the elytra, with 40–50 setae on declivity and never more than 5–10 setae on disc.</p>Published as part of <i>Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, Revision of Dendrochilus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) - with description of two new species from Tanzania, pp. 587-593 in Zootaxa 4969 (3)</i> on pages 589-590, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.11, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4751365">http://zenodo.org/record/4751365</a&gt

New species of Scolytodes (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) from Costa Rica and Panama

Seven species of Scolytodes (tribe Ctenophorini) are described as new to science: S. coneavus and S. circumsetosus (from Fieus branches, La Selva), S. montanus (Monteverde), S. nudifrons (Las Cruces near San Vito), and S. triangulus (fogging sample, La Selva), all from Costa Rica, and S. ungulatus (Cerro Punta) and S. punetífrons (fromAstronium graveolens, Canal Zone), ooth from Panama. New distributional and host plant data are given for the following species: S. amoenus (Fieus branch, La Selva, and the first record south of Mexico), S. immanis (Cerro de La Muerte), S. impressus (Xylopia branch, Peninsula de Osa), S. ochromae (Ochroma branch, La Selva), S. piceus (fogging sample, La Selva, tbe first low altitude record), and S. swieteniae (fogging sample, La Selva and Braulio Carrillo, the first exact locality data), all from Costa Rica, and S. nanellus (Barro Colorado Island) from Panama.Seven species of Scolytodes (tribe Ctenophorini) are described as new to science: S. coneavus and S. circumsetosus (from Fieus branches, La Selva), S. montanus (Monteverde), S. nudifrons (Las Cruces near San Vito), and S. triangulus (fogging sample, La Selva), all from Costa Rica, and S. ungulatus (Cerro Punta) and S. punetífrons (fromAstronium graveolens, Canal Zone), ooth from Panama. New distributional and host plant data are given for the following species: S. amoenus (Fieus branch, La Selva, and the first record south of Mexico), S. immanis (Cerro de La Muerte), S. impressus (Xylopia branch, Peninsula de Osa), S. ochromae (Ochroma branch, La Selva), S. piceus (fogging sample, La Selva, tbe first low altitude record), and S. swieteniae (fogging sample, La Selva and Braulio Carrillo, the first exact locality data), all from Costa Rica, and S. nanellus (Barro Colorado Island) from Panama

Dendrochilus udzungwae Jordal 2021, sp. nov.

<i>Dendrochilus udzungwae</i> Jordal, sp. nov. <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 90A04C3F-06E6-432C-A69D-D4BBBDE4E858</p> <p>(Figs 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16)</p> <p> <b>Type material.</b> Holotype female: Tanzania, Morogoro Province, Sanje [Udzungwa National Park, 1500m a.s.l.], GIS: -7.725, 36.872, ex small twig (6vii-4), 6. July 2010, B. Jordal leg. Allotype male, and paratypes (6): same data as holotype. Holotype, allotype and four paratypes in ZMUB, two paratypes in NHMW.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Length 1.2–1.3 mm; eyes separated above by> 2.5 × their width; antennal scapus with dorsal tuft of setae longer than antennal club; vestiture on elytra consisting of rows of hair-like interstrial setae on disc, spatulate setae on declivity; apical extension on last abdominal ventrite in females longer than broad.</p> <p> <b>Description female.</b> Length 1.2–1.3 mm, 2.8–2.9 × as long as wide; colour dark brown to black. <b>Head</b>. Frons convex, vestiture of scant long setae directed inwards; eyes entire, separated above by 2.5–2.8 × the width of an eye; antennal scapus longer than wide, slightly triangular towards apex, broader than pedicel, with a broad tuft of dorsal setae which are slightly longer than length of club; funiculus 5-segmented; club flattened, smooth and shiny, about two times as long as broad, sides subparallel or broader on apical half, with fine setae along lateral and apical margin. <b>Pronotum</b> hunchbacked, summit at middle; anterior half with dense, small asperities, surface subreticulate, punctures shallow, few; vestiture consisting of fine hair-like setae. <b>Elytra</b> parallel-sided for three-quarters of its length, narrowly rounded behind; striae not impressed, punctures shallow, in part obscure; vestiture consisting of erect setae on each interstria, hair-like on disc and spatulate on declivity, and fine, short, recumbent strial setae. <b>Scutellum</b> flat, flush with elytra. <b>Ventrites.</b> Last abdominal ventrite apically bottleneck-shaped, cylindrical, the cylindrical part longer than broad. Vestiture on meso- and metaventrite consisting of scattered long, unifid setae.</p> <p> <b>Legs.</b> Procoxae contiguous. Protibiae narrow, twisted, with three socketed teeth just inside the apical margin, mucro much larger, curved posterolaterally. Metatibiae narrow, parallel-sided, apical margin transverse with three apical socketed teeth.</p> <p> <b>Male.</b> Similar to female except slightly stouter, 2.7 × as long as wide, frons with only few setae, antennal scapus not inflated, with few dorsal setae, anterior margin of pronotum with two small and closely set tubercles, and the interstriae on posterolateral areas of elytra with sharp interstrial granules.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The species name is a noun in apposition based on the mountain range Udzungwa.</p> <p> <b>Biology and distribution.</b> Only known from the type locality in Tanzania located at medium high altitude in the Udzungwa Mountains where it was dissected from a thin branch of an unknown tree.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> This species was included in a previous phylogenetic analysis of Micracidini as <i>Dendrochilus</i> sp A (Jordal 2021). It is not easily distinguished from <i>D. tener</i> but differs by the larger size and much more widely separated eyes. Size differences may be due to altitude because specimens living at higher altitudes often grow larger (Jordal 1998). The two species are nevertheless clearly different genetically by 4 base substitutions in 28S (0.6 %), 4 bases in PABP1 (1.0 %), 11 bases in CAD (2.6 %), and 82 bases in COI (11.9 %). Genetic variation between the two species is higher than accepted for variation within scolytine species (Andersen <i>et al.</i> 2012; Cognato 2006; Cognato <i>et al.</i> 2020; Cognato <i>et al.</i> 2019; Jordal & Tischer 2020; Jordal & Kambestad 2014).</p>Published as part of <i>Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, Revision of Dendrochilus (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) - with description of two new species from Tanzania, pp. 587-593 in Zootaxa 4969 (3)</i> on page 592, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.11, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4751365">http://zenodo.org/record/4751365</a&gt

Phrixosoma Blandford

Phrixosoma Blandford Phrixosoma Blandford, 1897: 148; Wood 1986: 43. Type species: Phrixosoma rude Blandford, 1897, by monotypy. Bothryperus Hagedorn, 1909: 742. Type species: Bothryperus psaltes. Synonymy by Schedl 1963: 258. Neohylesinus Eggers, 1920: 118. Type species: Neohylesinus quadrioculatus Eggers. Synonymy by Eggers, 1927: 196. Sphaerosinus Eggers, 1929: 40. Type species: Sphaerosinus striatus Eggers. Synonymy by Wood, 1982: 204. Revised description: Head. Eyes divided. Male frons convex with an obscure to clearly elevated median carina from epistoma towards vertex; female frons either similar to male or deeply concave. Antennal club flattened with two or three sutures weakly marked by setae, suture 1 partly septate, funiculus (including pedicel) 6 -segmented. Maxillary palpus with 3 segments subequal in length; labial palpus with basal segment enlarged, as long as prementum, segment 2 short and broad, segment 3 narrow, three times longer than segment 2; ligula large and elevated above prementum, setose. Pronotum almost trapezoidal, broader than long, constricted on anterior third. Elytra. Base procurved with a low rim of crenulations; interstriae much broader than striae, flat, with granules; striae narrowly and deeply impressed. Thoracic sclerites. Scutellum rounded, slightly sunken. Postnotum very short, fused to metanotum at mesal one-third; scutoscutellar suture parabolic, following scutellar grove for less than one fifth of its length; pleural suture weakly zigzag shaped. Legs. Procoxae contiguous, prosternum along its anterior edge recurved as a blunt rim. Mesocoxae widely separated, mesocoxal process expanding anteriorly with lateral projections. Protibiae with 3–5 socketed teeth at expanded latero-distal angle, mucro short, almost straight; mesotibiae with lateral socketed teeth on distal half, smaller spines along its remaining length; metatibiae with a distinct lateral triangular extension close to distal end, with 2–6 lateral socketed teeth contiguously placed below triangular point, outer apical flange with a transverse row of 5–10 smaller socketed teeth, the area between lateral and apical teeth usually incised. All tarsi with segment 4 bilobed, deeply incised. Male genitalia (as known in 4 species) with spiculum gastrale slightly curved, without fork; aedeagus with very short apophyses less than one fifth the length of the tube; tegmen a closed ring with distinct anterior strut. Proventriculus (4 species) simple, apical plate short, without median suture, transverse ridges weakly developed; lateral teeth blunt, long and curled, apical and femoral teeth absent. Distribution: In the Neotropics from Bolivia and Brazil (Mato Grosso) in the south, to Mexico (Oaxaca) and Cuba in the north. In the Afrotropical region from Angola and Tanzania in the south, to Uganda and Cameroon in the north (Wood & Bright, 1992). Key to Neotropical species: Wood 1982; 2007Published as part of Jordal, Bjarte H., 2012, Phrixosoma concavifrons – a sexually dimorphic Phrixosomatini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Udzungwa mountains in Tanzania, pp. 52-56 in Zootaxa 3255 on pages 52-53, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21094

Lanurgus mattheei Jordal 2021, sp. nov.

Lanurgus mattheei Jordal, sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 41132139-AE12-4145-9463-181CB7341AA5 (Figs 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37) Type material. Holotype female: South Africa, West Cape, Knysna, Goudveld, Krisjan-se-Nek, GIS: -33.913, 22.948, 5.xi.2006 #4, ex Ochna arborea, B. Jordal, leg. Allotype male and 10 female paratypes: same data as HT. Holotype and three paratypes in SAMC, three paratype each in ZMUB and NHMW. Other material (in EtOH): East Cape, Bloukrans, Rugbos Forest Trail [GIS: -33.96, 23.67], B. Jordal, leg., 9.xi.2006 #12, ex Ochna arborea; Bloukrans, Stinkhoutkloof [GIS: -33.95, 23.63], B. Jordal, leg., 10.xi.2006 #2; West Cape, Knysna, Goudveld, Jubilee creek [GIS: -33.890, 22.964], B. Jordal, leg., 4.xi.2006 #5. Diagnosis. Female frons from upper level of eyes to epistoma on median two-thirds smooth, impunctate, glabrous, very slightly protuberant. Scutellum with split setae. Short recumbent strial setae in multiple confused rows. Male interstrial setae on declivity about two times as long as setae on elytral disc. Description, female. Length 1.7–2.0 mm, 2.2–2.4 × as long as wide. Colour dark brown. Frons planoconvex, lightly protuberant, impunctate and glabrous on median two-thirds between epistoma and upper level of eyes, with minute setae elsewhere. Eyes separated above by 2.8–3.0 × their width. Antennal scapus triangular, on its anterior face with dense tuft of setae pointing towards the frons, each setae as long as the height of scapus; funiculus 6- segmented; club setose with two procurved sutures distinctly marked. Pronotum trapezoid, anterior half with sharp asperities which are contiguous on summit and increasingly separated below; posterior half reticulate; vestiture consisting of short bristle-like and longer spatulate setae. Scutellum with bifid setae. Elytra obovate, broadest at posterior third; interstriae with mainly regular rows of mixed short bristle-like and longer spatulate setae, with multiple confused rows on interstriae 9 and 10; strial setae hair-like, recumbent, confused in multiple rows. Legs. Protibiae with 4 or 5 denticles on the apical margin. Male. Similar to female except frons narrowly transversely impressed above epistoma, more deeply impressed towards lateral margins and marked by lateral carinae, vestiture of short setae above impressed area, less setose in impressed area; antennal scapus short, as long as broad with few setae not longer than scapus; anterior margin of pronotum with six densely set small tubercles Etymology. Named after Dalene Matthee, a South African writer known for her four Forest Novels, describing life and people living in the forests around the Knysna area. The type locality Krisjan-se-Nek was one of her favourite spots to visit and became a memorial in 2008. Distribution South Africa. Collected in several sites near Knysna and Bloukrans in eastern part of the West Cape province. Biology. This species was dissected from 10–40 cm wide trunks and branches of Cape plane (Coldbark), Ochna arborea (Ochnaceae). Mainly bigamous, but both monogamous and harem polygamous mating systems were observed. After mating with the colonizing male, the female cut transverse tunnels to lay her eggs. Larvae mine along the grain of the wood.Published as part of Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, The mainly South African genus Lanurgus revised (Coleoptera, Scolytinae), pp. 87-106 in Zootaxa 5027 (1) on page 98, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5027.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/544810

Pseudolanurgus harunganae

Pseudolanurgus harunganae (Schedl, 1961) (Figs 1, 4, 7, 8) Micracis harunganae Schedl, 1961: 140, orig. spelling Pseudomicracis harunganae (Schedl, 1961), combination by Wood and Bright, 1992 Pseudolanurgus harunganae (Schedl, 1961), combination by Jordal, 2021b Lanurgus cribrellus Schedl, 1965: 67, synonym in Jordal, 2021b Type material. Holotype, female: Madagascar, Perinet, 23. novembre 1952, ex Harungana madagascariensis, K.E. Schedl, leg. [MNHN]. Paratype, female: Madagascar, Ambila, 28.xi.1952, K.E. Schedl [NHMW]. Holotype of Lanurgus cribellus, male: Madagascar, Perinet, 16.xi.1952, K.E. Schedl [NHMW]. Diagnosis. Body length 1.3–1.6 mm, 2.3–2.6 × as long as wide; colour black; female frons with a broadly triangular tuft of recumbent setae reaching from vertex to middle of frons; setae on elytral interstriae uniseriate, on disc bristle-like, spatulate on declivity; elytral apex extended, lip-shaped. Distribution and biology. Known from various locations along the eastern rain forest of Madagascar (Schedl 1977) where it was collected from Harungana (Hypericaceae) and Eugenia (Myrtaceae), and in this study also taken in flight intercept traps with ethanol or plant oil lures. Several new collections from a Harungana branch 1 cm in diameter contained always two females per male. Galleries were made in phloem with brood sizes 7 to 18, on average 13.1 per female (n=8). Eggs were laid in distinct pits along longitudinally excavated tunnels. New records. Madagascar, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park [GIS: -21.253, 47.421], ex Harungana madagascariensis, 29ix2012, B. Jordal leg (20). Same locality, in FIT baited with EtOH (6); FIT baited with cubeb oil (3); Telytakely trail [GIS: -21.261, 47.421], FIT baited with rosewood oil (1); all deposited in ZMUB. Fianarantsoa, Ranamafana Nat. Park, CASLOT MA02-09B-06, 6.xii.2001, B. Fischer, leg. (1) [CAS]. Remarks. The unique holotype of Lanurgus cribrellus is badly preserved but proportions and cuticle structures of this specimen are identical to type specimens of P. harunganae.Published as part of Jordal, Bjarte H., 2021, New species and records of Pseudolanurgus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Tanzania and Madagascar, pp. 592-598 in Zootaxa 5072 (6) on pages 593-594, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.6, http://zenodo.org/record/575170