DNA and Morphology Corroborate the Placement of the Former New World Adoceta Bourgeois in Macrolygistopterus Pic and Updates on the Status of North American Calochrominae (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

Abstract

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships and generic classification of the Calochrominae (Lycidae) were recently revised, modifying the whole concept of the subfamily. Among these changes, the genus Adoceta Bourgeois, originally distributed in northern Africa, was proposed as a synonym of Lygistopterus Mulsant. Consequently, two North American species described in Adoceta, Adoceta apicalis Green, 1949 and Adoceta ignita Green, 1949, were transferred to Lygistopterus. In our study, we provide a morphological overview of these two species and the molecular placement of Lygistopterus ignitus within the Calochrominae. Both approaches converged, and we provide evidence that these species should be transferred to the genus Macrolygistopterus Pic, and new generic combinations are proposed: Macrolygistopterus ignitus (Green, 1949), new combination and Macrolygistopterus apicalis (Green, 1949), new combination. We also present clarifications on the status of the New World calochromines, and formally transfer the following species placed in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville to Lygistopterus: Lygistopterus perfacetus (Say, 1825), new combination, Lygistopterus fervens (LeConte, 1881), new combination, Lygistopterus dimidiatus (LeConte, 1875), new combination. A key for the genera of Calochrominae of the Americas is provided along with illustrations of the monotypic Caloptognatha beameri Green, 1954 and an updated checklist of North America north of Mexico calochromine species.