Podabrocephalus Pic is the morphologically modified lineage of Ptilodactylinae (Coleoptera: Elateriformia: Ptilodactylidae)

Abstract

A molecular phylogeny of Ptilodactylidae shows that Podabrocephalus Pic, 1913, the type genus of Podabrocephalidae Pic, 1930 is closely related to Ptilodactyla Illiger, 1807 and other genera of Ptilodactylinae. Consequently, Podabrocephalidae Pic, 1930 syn. n. is proposed as a junior synonym of Ptilodactylidae Laporte, 1836. Earlier authors used the highly modified morphology of the male to justify a high rank for Podabrocephalus. The molecular phylogeny of Ptilodactylidae further indicates that Paralichas White, 1859 (Cladotominae) does not form a monophylum with remaining ptilodactylids. Ptilodactylinae and an undescribed lineage from Indonesia are sister to the broadly delimited Anchytarsinae. Within Ptilodactylinae, Pherocladus Fairmaire, 1881 is sister to a clade formed by Ptilodactyla spp. and Podabrocephalus. We remove Falsotherius Pic, 1913 from Ptilodactylinae to Ptilodactylidae incertae sedis, and return Daemon Laporte, 1836 from Ptilodactylinae to Anchytarsinae. Cross validation of morphology- and DNA-based phylogenies is needed for interpreting phylogenetic inference in morphologically modified lineages.