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First-instar larvae of Meloidae. A, Lytta deserticola Horn (Meloinae), example of a triungulin larva; B, Iselma pallidipennis (Eleticinae), example of a non-triungulin larva. Scales = 0.1 mm.
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One of the most recent classifications of Meloidae is based on the assumption that phoretic first-instar larvae evolved twice in the family, once in Meloinae and again in Nemognathinae. Within Meloinae, this scheme places all presumed phoretic taxa in Meloini regardless of other characteristics. This paper challenges this classification with a clad...
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... and larval and adult behaviour all have been incorporated into the classi®cation of the family by various authors (e.g. Cros, 1940a;Selander, 1964). First-instar larvae, in particular, have been employed frequently. One of the most interesting aspects of the life history of blister beetles is the presence in most taxa of a triungulin ®rst instar (Fig. 1A), which, depending on the group, seeks out a food source consisting of eggs of Acridoidea (Orthoptera), or provisions and larvae of Apoidea or other aculeate Hymenoptera (Bologna, 1991). This active instar is followed by four grub- like feeding instars and a quiescent coarctate larva prior to pupation (Selander & Mathieu, 1964). ...
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... or provisions and larvae of Apoidea or other aculeate Hymenoptera (Bologna, 1991). This active instar is followed by four grub- like feeding instars and a quiescent coarctate larva prior to pupation (Selander & Mathieu, 1964). Triungulins do not occur in the primitive Eleticinae, whose ®rst instars resemble a more generalized tenebrionoid larva (Fig. 1B), but it does characterize all other lineages ( Pinto et al., 1996). In several genera associated with apoid hosts the triungulin is phoretic, attaining its larval food indirectly by attaching to bees, usually as they visit ¯owers. The larvae of certain Cyaneolytta Pe Âringuey are phoretic on carabid beetles ( ). Phoresy and the ...
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... here, yet it was felt that any further identi®cation of P features would be overly subjective. Although four of the P traits were quantitative (chs 61, 65, 72, 73), we decided not to categorize them as QT traits because of their potential importance to phoretic behaviour. Thus, they were incorporated in analyses excluding QT but including P. Fig. 10 summarize the results of the following AT (all taxa) analyses: (a) all traits, unweighted (Fig. 2); (b) same except`QTexcept`QT' removed, SACW (Fig. 3); (c) as b except P also removed, SACW (Fig. 4); (d) adult traits only, unweighted (Fig. 5); (e) larval traits only with QT and P also removed ( Fig. 6, unweighted; Fig. 5, SACW). A ...
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... unweighted (Fig. 2); (b) same except`QTexcept`QT' removed, SACW (Fig. 3); (c) as b except P also removed, SACW (Fig. 4); (d) adult traits only, unweighted (Fig. 5); (e) larval traits only with QT and P also removed ( Fig. 6, unweighted; Fig. 5, SACW). A preferred cladogram, a slightly modi®ed version of Fig. 4 (analysis c), is presented in Fig. ...
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... SACW consensus cladogram resulting from analysis c (Fig. 4) was transported to MacClade for character analysis and modi®cation. From this a slightly modi®ed cladogram (Fig. 10) was constructed, which we feel is a more appropriate hypothesis of relationships (see Discussion and Appendices 4, 5). This cladogram also is somewhat more parsimonious (335 vs 337) than the successive approximations cladograms, but less so than the unweighted ones (not shown) (328). It is derived from the hypothesis of relationship ...
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... support are avoided, as are inadequately supported clades suggesting relationship between South American and African taxa (see position of the South American Acrolytta, Epispasta and Spastomeloe in Fig. 4). Without robust character support, we are reluctant to suggest relationships that require major biogeographical assumptions. Thus, although Fig. 10 did not speci®cally result from formal analysis, it is a relativley minor deviation of hypotheses that ...
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... following section is based on the various analyses performed on the dataset. Comments in the Classi®cation section focus on Fig. ...
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... the recognition of Meloinae as traditionally de®ned and as supported by the analysis using adult features only (Fig. 5). These results are paralleled in the abbreviated analysis (Fig. 8) where, again, the phoretic meloine genera come together only when the ten`phoreticten`phoretic' characters are used. Figure 4, as well as our preferred cladogram (Fig. 10), indicates that phoresy evolved several times in Meloidae. Figure 10, the more resolved solution, indicates phoresy ®ve times in Meloinae, and independently in Nemognathinae and Tetraonycinae, respectively, for a total of seven events. The multiple evolution of phoresy in meloines is supported not only by cladistic analysis but also by ...
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... 4, as well as our preferred cladogram (Fig. 10), indicates that phoresy evolved several times in Meloidae. Figure 10, the more resolved solution, indicates phoresy ®ve times in Meloinae, and independently in Nemognathinae and Tetraonycinae, respectively, for a total of seven events. The multiple evolution of phoresy in meloines is supported not only by cladistic analysis but also by certain characters and Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 47 Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 47 behaviour that suggest preadaptation in some genera not known to be phoretic. ...
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... by certain characters and Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 47 Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 47 behaviour that suggest preadaptation in some genera not known to be phoretic. For example, all phoretic ®rst-instar meloids use a well developed pygopod to crawl on vertical surfaces such as the walls of smooth glass vials (Pinto & Selander, 1970) (Fig. 13I). This presumably is an adaptation facilitating movement on plant surfaces where encounters with potential hosts occur. Such behaviour is not characteristic of non-phoretic larvae of genera such as Lytta, Epicauta and Mylabris, but does occur in Pyrota Dejean and Trichomeloe Reitter (unpublished observations). The larvae of the latter ...
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... abdominal tergal and sternal plates (chs 85, 91) and the overall navicular body shape (ch. 81). These larval features are common in tetraonycines and nemognathines. Interestingly, Acrolytta joins with Spastomeloe in the all-larvae analyses (Figs 4, 5). We also treat these two South American genera as sister taxa in our preferred cladogram (Fig. ...
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... with the SEM. Thus, we ®nd that the position of the labrum and its degree of fusion with the frontoclypeus in the various phoretic meloines varies. In Lyttomeloe, it is relatively normal and apparently retractable (Selander, 1988); in Meloe, it is more or less perpendicular to the frontal plane and varies from apparently being almost free (Fig. 12D) to partially or entirely fused (Fig. 12E) to the frontoclypeus. Whereas in Cyaneolytta fryi the labrum is virtually unmodi®ed (Selander, 1987a), in C. depressicornis (La Porte de Castelnau) and Cyaneolytta species it is enlarged, remains distinct from the frontoclypeus, but is entirely ventral in position and presumably immobile (Fig. ...
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... position of the labrum and its degree of fusion with the frontoclypeus in the various phoretic meloines varies. In Lyttomeloe, it is relatively normal and apparently retractable (Selander, 1988); in Meloe, it is more or less perpendicular to the frontal plane and varies from apparently being almost free (Fig. 12D) to partially or entirely fused (Fig. 12E) to the frontoclypeus. Whereas in Cyaneolytta fryi the labrum is virtually unmodi®ed (Selander, 1987a), in C. depressicornis (La Porte de Castelnau) and Cyaneolytta species it is enlarged, remains distinct from the frontoclypeus, but is entirely ventral in position and presumably immobile (Fig. 12F). This intrageneric variation in ...
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... free (Fig. 12D) to partially or entirely fused (Fig. 12E) to the frontoclypeus. Whereas in Cyaneolytta fryi the labrum is virtually unmodi®ed (Selander, 1987a), in C. depressicornis (La Porte de Castelnau) and Cyaneolytta species it is enlarged, remains distinct from the frontoclypeus, but is entirely ventral in position and presumably immobile (Fig. 12F). This intrageneric variation in labral structure in the two most speciose phoretic genera of Meloinae perhaps is the most convincing argument against the unique origin of phoresy in the ...
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... Tetraonycinae and Nemognathinae are homoplastic in relation to one another and to the phoretic Meloinae. In both former taxa, the anterior portion of the frontoclypeus, as well as the labrum, move to a ventral position. However, in Tetraonyx the anterior section of the frontoclypeus is evenly positioned ventrally and the labrum is of normal size (Fig. 13A), whereas in nemognathines the labrum is considerably reduced and the ventral movement of the frontoclypeus is greater laterally than medially (Fig. 13B,C). As indicated, cladistic analysis also suggests the independent origin of phoresy in both groups (Figs 4, 5, ...
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... frontoclypeus, as well as the labrum, move to a ventral position. However, in Tetraonyx the anterior section of the frontoclypeus is evenly positioned ventrally and the labrum is of normal size (Fig. 13A), whereas in nemognathines the labrum is considerably reduced and the ventral movement of the frontoclypeus is greater laterally than medially (Fig. 13B,C). As indicated, cladistic analysis also suggests the independent origin of phoresy in both groups (Figs 4, 5, ...
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... in Tetraonyx the anterior section of the frontoclypeus is evenly positioned ventrally and the labrum is of normal size (Fig. 13A), whereas in nemognathines the labrum is considerably reduced and the ventral movement of the frontoclypeus is greater laterally than medially (Fig. 13B,C). As indicated, cladistic analysis also suggests the independent origin of phoresy in both groups (Figs 4, 5, 10). ...
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... reasons. First, we are most comfortable with an approach to classi®cation that incorporates all life stages. Second, adult character support is considerably more convincing than that provided by larvae at the subfamily level where, as already suggested, certain similarities are quite likely homoplastic. The traditional Meloinae, as indicated in Fig. 10 (clade M), is supported by three adult characters (chs 120, CI = 1.0; 124, CI = 1.0; 125, CI = 0.75), as well as by two larval features (Appendix 5). Included are important shared adult anatomical and behaviour- al apotypies, namely the linear copulatory position, develop- ment of aedeagal hooks in males and preparation of a burrow in the soil ...
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... meloid ®rst-instar larvae are replete with char- acters, levels of homoplasy are relatively high in all analyses. This is indicated by comparing character CI values associated with Fig. 10. Those larval characters that show the apotypic state in twenty or more taxa and that vary within the traditional Meloinae + Nemognathinae (clade C) have a mean CI of 0.37 (n = 26); only three of these twenty-six characters (11%) have a CI of 1.0. On the contrary, the twelve adult characters in this category have a mean CI of 0.68 (n = ...
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... controversial (Bologna, 1991(Bologna, , 1995Selander, 1991a). Other than presenting a justi®cation for recognizing four subfamilies and rede®ning Meloini, we simply summarize below how our overall results correlate with previous classi®cations and identify taxa that may eventually deserve formal recognition. The following discussion is based on Fig. 10. Characters supporting the various clades discussed below are given in Appendix 5. The phylogenetic listing of genera by subfamily and tribe in Appendix 7 is consistent with Fig. 10 and the discussion ...
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... how our overall results correlate with previous classi®cations and identify taxa that may eventually deserve formal recognition. The following discussion is based on Fig. 10. Characters supporting the various clades discussed below are given in Appendix 5. The phylogenetic listing of genera by subfamily and tribe in Appendix 7 is consistent with Fig. 10 and the discussion ...
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... Meloidae (Fig. 10, clade A) is separated from Anthicidae, and most other related families, by six larval and three adult apotypic features (Appendix 5). The most robust larval traits are loss characters (absence of mandibular mola, head phragma, labial ligula and urogomphi); the adult features include presence of a ventral blade on the claws (present in ...
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... We recognize four subfamilies, Eleticinae, Meloinae, Tetraonycinae and Nemognathinae (Fig. 10, clades B, M, E, F, respectively). These also were recognized by Bologna (1991). Selander (1991a) treated only three sub- families, considering the tetraonycines as a tribe of Nemognathinae (as ...
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... Tetraonycinae + Nemognathinae (clade C) is the sister group to Eleticinae. The hypothesized common ancestor of this assemblage is assumed to have acquired a triungulin larva (Fig. 1A) and many of the adult features typical of blister beetles (Appendix 5). That the outgroups of clade C (Eleticinae, Anthicidae) lack such a larva presents obvious dif®culties when hypothesizing character polarity for larval traits. Meloinae (clade M) is the sister taxon of Tetraonycinae + Nemognathinae (clade D) and follows the ...
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... that the larva of the presumably primitive Stenodera is non-phoretic based on its overall similarity to nonphoretic meloine larvae. The hypothesis of independent phoresy in Tetraonycinae and Nemognathinae requires homoplasy in three characters (21,81,91), all showing similar states within Meloinae as well. An alternative cladogram to that in Fig. 10 that places Stenodera as the sister group to Tetraonyx and all phoretic genera of Nemognathinae (unique origin of phoresy within clade D) is only two steps longer but requires the independent origin of relatively stable larval and adult characters (e.g. chs ...
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... monophyly of all genera placed in Nemognathini and Horiini (clade H) is strongly supported by fourteen larval and two adult traits (Appendix 5). A slightly more parsimonious topology within this assemblage (one step less) does not recognize Horiini and Nemognathini as sister tribes (Fig. 10) but instead places the Allendesalazaria-Hornia clade basal to the horiines and other nemognathine genera (as in Fig. 4). This super®cially preferable arrangement results, at least in part, from the reversal (in Fig. 10) of two traits in Allendesalazaria and Hornia (chs 49, 64) which are synapotypic for clade H. Considering that adults ...
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... more parsimonious topology within this assemblage (one step less) does not recognize Horiini and Nemognathini as sister tribes (Fig. 10) but instead places the Allendesalazaria-Hornia clade basal to the horiines and other nemognathine genera (as in Fig. 4). This super®cially preferable arrangement results, at least in part, from the reversal (in Fig. 10) of two traits in Allendesalazaria and Hornia (chs 49, 64) which are synapotypic for clade H. Considering that adults of these two genera have a unique life history, spending their entire life within the cells of host bees and with phoretic ®rst-instar larvae that do not move to vegetation to encounter hosts (Linsley & MacSwain, ...
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... Selander's phenetic classi®cation re¯ects the considerable weight placed on phoresy. The closest approach to his arrangement is seen in Fig. 2 (all-character, unweighted analysis), which, while recognizing his Cerocomini, leaves the af®nity of all phoretic meloines unresolved. Placement of the almost certainly non-phoretic Physomeloe with Meloe (Fig. 10) is tentative. The genus was originally considered a subgenus of Meloe (Reitter, 1911). Based on its larva, it was recently removed and placed in Lyttini (Bologna & Aloisi, 1994). Its reassociation here with Meloe depends on the interpretation of character 97, relative placement of the ®rst abdominal spiracle (cf. Fig. 13D,E). In Meloe, ...
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... Physomeloe with Meloe (Fig. 10) is tentative. The genus was originally considered a subgenus of Meloe (Reitter, 1911). Based on its larva, it was recently removed and placed in Lyttini (Bologna & Aloisi, 1994). Its reassociation here with Meloe depends on the interpretation of character 97, relative placement of the ®rst abdominal spiracle (cf. Fig. 13D,E). In Meloe, spiracle I is more dorsal relative to the others. Coding this state similarly in Physomeloe was based on a single slightly damaged slide-mounted larva and should be con®rmed with additional material. Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 53 Phylogenetic studies of Meloidae 53 Eupomphini (clade T) (strictly North American) and ...
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... South American Epispasta is not related to Spastonyx and Lyttomeloe. Analysis c (Fig. 4) allies it with certain lyttine genera. A more parsimonious solution places it basal to Physomeloe (i.e. Meloini, clade LL) (Fig. 10, also see Fig. 7), but this is supported by a single character (48), presence of hypopharyngeal rods, a feature consider- ably homoplastic in the family and probably related to phoretic behaviour. We do not consider it convincing evidence of ...
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... 1956;Selander & Mathieu, 1964;Pinto & Selander, 1970;Erickson & Werner, 1974a;Selander, 1986b). The other relatively common host source for meloids are eggs of acridoid Orthoptera, which characterizes most Epicautini (perhaps all in clade CC) and many Mylabrini (clade Z) (Selander, 1986b). The hypothesized phylogenetic position of these tribes (Fig. 10) indicates that acridoid eggs represent a derived larval host source in the family. However, there is no evidence that this similarity is homologous in the two tribes. In fact, homoplasy is argued by the presence of aculeate hosts in certain Mylabrini and, if Cyaneolytta fryi is indeed associated with bees, as assumed by Selander ...
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... assistance preparing slide mounts of larvae, operating the scanning electron microscope and in plate preparation. John Heraty and Marco Oliverio gave advise on data analysis. John Heraty also provided a valuable critique of an early draft of the paper. Linda Bobbitt is responsible for the ®nal cladograms (Figs 2±10). Marina Planoutene prepared Fig. ...
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... Understanding how many species are present in such a diverse geographic area (also unveiling the cryptic taxa), individuating the number of endemism, and disclosing the biogeographic patterns behind such diversity, is essential in conservation (Burlakova et al. 2011). Meloidae, with 3 subfamilies (Eleticinae, Nemognathinae, and Meloinae) and 133 recognized genera (Pan & Ren 2020, Riccieri et al. 2022, 2023, are known for their hypermetamorphic larval development and the production of a toxic terpene (Cantharidin), but are also peculiar for the predaceous habits of their first-instar larva (triungulin) which can be predators of Hymenoptera Apoidea or Orthoptera Acridiidae (Bologna 1991, Bologna and Pinto 2001, Bologna et al. 2010, Riccieri et al. 2022. ...
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... In such cases, adult beetles lay their eggs in flowers, and after hatching, their larvae attach to leg hairs or abdomen of foraging bees. Beetle larvae are then carried into bee nests by phoresy, where they feed on immature bees and food stocks (Blochtein and Wittmann 1988;Bologna and Pinto 2001;Engel 2005;Poinar 2009;Topitzhofer et al. 2018). Some beetles, such as Meloe franciscanus (Van Dyke 1928), exhibit mimicking behavior, whereby a cluster of beetle larvae mimic the shape of a bee (Hafernik and Saul-Gershenz 2000). ...
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... Triungulins can find the food source directly by walking over the substrate or through phoresy, usually on bees, to reach their nests Pinto 2001, Bologna et al. 2010). The morphology of the triungulin provides an important suite of characters useful to explain phylogenetic relationships among taxa of this family (Bologna and Pinto 2001). ...
... Finally, the phylogenetic position of the tribe Tetraonycini was only marginally studied based on larval morphology (Bologna and Pinto 2001) and molecular data (Bologna et al. 2008, Riccieri et al. 2022. Nevertheless, none of the cited studies included Meloetyphlus in their analyses, whose placement remains unknown. ...
... The terminology of larval structures follows primarily MacSwain (1956), Bologna and Pinto (2001), and Bologna and Di Giulio (2002). ...
Meloetyphlus Waterhouse is a monotypic genus of Meloidae ascribed to the tribe Tetraonycini, subfamily Meloinae. As for most blister beetles, its first-instar larvae (or triungulins) are parasites of bees, but M. fuscatus Waterhouse is the only species known to parasitize members of the tribe Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae). Despite being widely distributed in Central and South America, its presence in Colombia has never been confirmed. In this article, we document the occurrence of this genus in Colombia providing the first certain record for this country. In addition, some aspects of its parasitization of Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier are reported and illustrated with macrophotographs and a video. By the means of drawings and SEM micrographs, we provide the most detailed description of the first-instar larva of M. fuscatus to date and a comparison with the triungulin of the closely related Tetraonyx fulvus (LeConte). Finally, we investigated the phylogenetic position of Meloetyphlus using molecular data, to support its attribution to the tribe Tetraonycini.
... zischkai Martinez, 1955 Tribu Pyrotini MacSwain, 1956 Género Pseudomeloe Fairmaire & Germain, 1863 Pseudomeloe escomeli Denier 1911 Pseudomeloe espostoi Escomel 1917 Pseudomeloe haemopterus (Philippi y Philippi, 1864) Pseudomeloe humeralis (Guérin-Méneville, 1842)Reconocida previamente como una subfamilia distinta dentro de Meloidae(Bologna & Pinto, 2001), habita exclusivamente en el nuevo mundo, donde está representada por los géneros Tetraonyx Latreille, 1805; OpiomeloeSelander, 1985; Meloetyphlus Waterhouse, 1872 y Tetraolytta Pic, 1919 ...
Se presenta un listado de las especies de la familia Meloidae (Coleoptera) de la región Cusco, con base en revisión de material y fuentes bibliográficas. El listado comprende siete géneros y 16 especies incluidas dentro de dos subfamilias, Nemognathinae, con las tribus Nemognathini y Horiini, y la subfamilia Meloinae, con las tribus Tetraonycini, Epicautini y Pyrotini. Se indican como primeros registros para la región a las especies Epicauta (Epicauta) latitarsis (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880), Epicauta (Epicauta) weyrauchi Kaszab 1960, Epicauta (Epicauta) zischkai Martinez 1955, y Pseudomeloe espostoi Escomel 1917. Se provee una clave para la identificación de los géneros de Meloidae presentes en la región Cusco /// A list of the species of the Meloidae (Coleoptera) family of the Cusco region is presented, based on a review of material and bibliographic sources. The list comprises seven genera and 16 species included within two subfamilies, Nemognathinae, with the Nemognathini and Horiini tribes, and the Meloinae subfamily, with the Tetraonycini, Epicautini, and Pyrotini tribes. The species Epicauta (Epicauta) latitarsis (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880), Epicauta (Epicauta) weyrauchi Kaszab 1960, Epicauta (Epicauta) zischkai Martinez 1955, and Pseudomeloe espostoi Escomel 1917 are new records for the region. A key is provided for the identification of the genera of Meloidae present in the Cusco region.
... Nemognathinae is one of the three recognised subfamilies of Meloidae, along with Eleticinae and Meloinae (Bologna and Pinto 2001;Bologna et al. 2008aBologna et al. , 2013Riccieri et al. 2022). Except for Eleticinae, all Meloidae larvae are parasitoids and characterised by hypermetamorphic development featuring a mobile, highly sclerotised first instar succeeded by several grub-like instars. ...
... Except for Eleticinae, all Meloidae larvae are parasitoids and characterised by hypermetamorphic development featuring a mobile, highly sclerotised first instar succeeded by several grub-like instars. Nemognathinae, with the exception of the tribe Stenoderini , has phoretic first instar larvae and members are parasitoids of Apoidea, whereas Meloinae also includes non-phoretic species, some of which are predators of Orthoptera eggs (tribes Epicautini and Mylabrini;Bologna 1991;Bologna and Pinto 2001). Adult Nemognathinae oviposit on flowers or less commonly on plant stems, under bark and close to or in the host nest. ...
... Adult Nemognathinae oviposit on flowers or less commonly on plant stems, under bark and close to or in the host nest. These adults are further distinguished by participating in brief dorsoventral copulation, males with an unarmed aedeagus (except in Palaestra Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, Bologna et al. 2013), ventrally dentate claws, modified maxillary galeae and first instar larvae with transverse mandibular ridges (MacSwain 1956;Bologna and Pinto 2001). ...
Nemognathinae is the most widespread subfamily of Meloidae, with ~600 species, and includes the only blister beetles distributed in Australia and on islands of the western Pacific. Four tribes are recognised based on morphology: Stenoderini, Palaestrini, Horiini and Nemognathini. Using two mitochondrial (16S, COI) and three nuclear markers (CAD, 28S, ITS2), and both maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches, this study describes the evolutionary history of Nemognathinae based on molecular data for the first time. We provided a fossil-calibrated phylogeny that unravels the phylogenetic relationships among the tribes and among most of the genera, and a reconstruction of the biogeographic history using a parametric approach. Our results recognised the four tribes that were described previously based on morphology and revealed the presence of another well-differentiated clade corresponding to the genus Zoltanzonitis. Phylogenetic relationships among the tribes are well supported, with Stenoderini as the most ancient lineage, followed by Zoltanzonitini, Palaestrini, Horiini and Nemognathini. A few long-standing genera within Nemognathini (Nemognatha, Zonitis, Stenoria) and the nominate subgenus Stenodera (Stenodera) were recovered as polyphyletic. In addition, biogeographic analyses revealed the origin of the subfamily in the Old World during the Eocene, and the associated diversification into the five tribes astride the Eocene and Oligocene between 46 and 30 Ma. Based on these results we propose the new tribe Zoltanzonitini, and the elevation of the subgenus Pronemognatha to genus level, new status. In addition, Zonitoschema breveapicalis new comb., Z. curticeps new comb. and Z. pulchella new status are proposed. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:72EECC6D-36A6-4DD7-B4DB-D0692034E775.
... The taxonomy of Eurymeloe Reitter, 1911, originally described as a subgenus of Meloe Linnaeus, 1758, has been controversial due to both its differential use at the genus (Selander 1985;Sánchez-Vialas et al. 2021) or the sub-genus level (see Bologna , 1991Bologna , 2008Bologna , 2020aBologna et al. 1989;Bologna and Pinto 2001;García-París et al. 2010) and its relationship with the monospecific Coelomeloe Reitter, 1911, which has been considered a synonym of Eurymeloe (Selander 1985;Bologna 2020b; Sánchez-ever, as pointed by Ruiz and García-París (2009), the morphological traits defining these groups require further study as the specific composition of each is unclear. Moreover, although Sánchez-Vialas et al. (2021) included several representatives of two subgroups, their study lacked specimens of E. rugosus (Marsham, 1802), i.e., the primary species characterising subgroup A, as well as those of the M. saharensis subgroup. ...
... Morphological traits of larvae have been traditionally considered relevant in the systematics of the group, sometimes even more informative than adult characters for phylogenetic studies (Bologna and Pinto 2001). In fact, traits of the first instar larva (triungulin) have been studied for most of the genera and subgenera of Meloini (Bologna , 1991Selander 1989;Bologna et al. 1989Bologna et al. , 1990Pinto 1992, 1998;Pinto and Bologna 1993;Bologna and Aloisi 1994;Di Giulio et al. 2002;Di Giulio et al. 2013, 2014. ...
The taxonomic status and subgeneric arrangement of the genus Eurymeloe have been debated for decades. In this work, the internal taxonomy of Eurymeloe is redefined by recognising three subgenera: Eurymeloe for the former Eurymeloe brevicollis species group, Coelomeloe for Eurymeloe tuccia, and Bolognaia Ruiz, García-París, Sánchez-Vialas & Recuero, subgen. nov., to accommodate the species of the formerly recognised Eurymeloe rugosus species group. Additionally, a new species of the newly described subgenus Bolognaia is described from the Iberian Peninsula based on molecular and morphological traits. The new species, Eurymeloe (Bolognaia) orobates sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other species of Eurymeloe by the following combination of morphological traits: dispersed brownish setae over the body that are arranged in small tufts on the abdominal terga; a small, very transverse pronotum that presents a unique macrosculpture; a deeply and densely punctured integument of the head and pronotum; and the very rugose elytra. The characters displayed by E. orobates suggest that the species groups that were previously defined and recognised for Eurymeloe, and that are now integrated within the newly erected subgenus Bolognaia, are non-monophyletic.
... Compared to the current literature of the male genital organ of this species, it was found to compatible with the drawing included in the finding of Iablokoff-Khnzorian[16]. However, aedeagus and gonoforceps were evaluated only laterally and the ventral view of gonoforceps could not be compared.Subgenus: Mylabris Fabricius, 1775This subgenus is represented by 26 species in Palaearctic Region[13,15,33, 34,37,38] and 9 species in Turkey ...
The focus of this study is to make important contributions to Meloidae taxonomy. Specimens belonging to thirty-two species of the family Meloidae (Coleoptera) were collected from Ankara province in 2018-2019. Male genital structures of these species were examined. Photographs and drawings of the male genital organ structures of all these species (32 species), and descriptions of some of them, which were found to be missing in the current literature, were given. The taxonomic key has been constructed for these species from the present literature and examined materials. Also, male genital organs of all species were compared to the literature. Photographs and drawings of the male genital organs of Alosimus luteus (Waltl, 1838), A. marginicollis (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880) and Euzonitis rubida (Ménétriés, 1832) were given for the first time with this study.
