Female terminalia morphology and cladistic relations among Tok-Tok beetles (Tenebrionidae: Sepidiini)

Tok-tokkies are one of the most iconic lineages within Tenebrionidae. In addition to containing some of the largest darkling beetles, this tribe is recognized for its remarkable form of sexual communication known as substrate tapping. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic relationships within the group remain poorly understood. This study investigates the usefulness of female terminalia morphology for delimiting Sepidiini and reconstructing relationships among it. Data on the structure of the ovipositors, genital tubes and spicula ventrali have been generated for >200 species representing 28 Pimeliinae tribes. This dataset was used in a comparative analysis at the subfamilial level, which resulted in recognition of several unique features of tok-tokkie terminalia. Additionally, new features linking phenotypically challenging tribes also were recovered (Cryptochilini + Idisiini + Pimeliini).Secondly, 23 characters linked to the structure of female terminalia were defined for tok-tok beetles. Cladistic analysis demonstrates the nonmonophyletic nature of most of the recognized subtribes. The morphological dataset was analysed separately and in combination with available molecular data (CAD, Wg, cox1, cox2, 28S). All obtained topologies were largely congruent, supporting the following changes: Palpomodina Kaminski & Gearner subtr.n. is erected to accommodate the genera Namibomodes and Palpomodes; Argenticrinis and Bombocnodulus are transferred from Hypomelina to Molurina; 153 species and subspecies previously classified within Psammodes are distributed over three separate genera (Mariazofia Kaminski nom.n., Piesomera stat.r., Psammodes sens.n.). Psammodes sklodowskae Kaminski & Gearner sp.n. is described. Preliminary investigation of the ovipositor of Mariazofia basuto (Koch) comb.n. was carried out with the application of microcomputed tomography, illuminating the muscular system as a reliable reference point for recognizing homologous elements in highly modified ovipositors.Funding was provided by the National Science Centre, Poland (OPUS-19 Project 2020/37/B/NZ8/02496) and National Science Foundation (DEB-1754630/2009247)Peer reviewe

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Bostrichoidea (Coleoptera) and Revisions of the Southern African Spider Beetle Genera Meziomorphum and Eutaphroptinus (Ptinidae: Coleoptera)

Proposals for the internal relationships and classification of the bostrichoids are currently poorly supported, and almost all are based on morphology alone. This study improves upon on previous phylogenetic analyses of the group by including more taxa using the standard genes for many phylogenetic analyses. Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), 28S small subunit rRNA, and 16S small subunit rRNA mitochondrial genes were sequenced or obtained from Genbank, then analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Topologies differed depending on genes used. A three gene tree and a two gene (28S and CO1) tree both supported relationships in which a basal bostrichid clade was sister to Ptinidae s. s. + anobiids, with another bostrichid clade within the ptinids. Current bostrichid and anobiid subfamilies tested were not supported as monophyletic in any of the trees obtained. Additionally, five new species of spider beetles in the genus Meziomorphum Pic from South Africa are described including M. endrödyi, M. boroveci, and M. nama from the Richtersveld, M. bulla from south-central Namaqualand, and M. cederbergensis from the Cederberg. Genitalia are illustrated for the genus for the first time for six of the 10 species now known. A brief discussion of the evolution of generic morphology and biology as well as the relationships of the genus to other spider beetle groups are also provided. Finally, a revision of the genus Eutaphroptinus is presented. Eutaphroptinus pseudonatalensis is considered a synonym of Eutaphroptinus natalensis. New species records of E. natalensis are also provided, as well as illustrations of the genus

Documentation of New Species of the Bizarre South African Endemic Genus Meziomorphum (Coleoptera: Ptinidae)

Documentation of New Species of the Bizarre South African Endemic Genus Meziomorphum (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) Olivia M. Gearner T. Keith Philips Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University South Africa is home to some of the highest spider beetle diversity in the world. However, due to their small body size, and often small populations with limited distributions, there are likely many species that remain undiscovered and undocumented. Further, this megadiverse region includes three biodiversity hotspots - regions with high diversity that are also under severe threat of environmental destruction. Meziomorphum is a genus of spider beetles only found in South Africa within two of these hotspots. Four species of this genus are known, including one that exists only within a single cave located in the Western Cape. Four new species were recently discovered in several museum collections and are described herein. This genus is one of the most morphologically unique and distinct within the spider beetles. Species are characterized by a bizarre meringue-like and thick covering composed of fused setae on the pronotum and rows of long, erect spines on the elytra, the latter potentially an adaptation for avoiding predation from ants. Importantly, these beetles are useful for determining where protected areas should be created, as their distribution reflects habitats with a wide variety of species with similar high levels of endemicity that are also under a great risk of extinction