Systematic Entomology最新文献

The progressive aridification of the Australian continent, and coincident decline of mesic forest, has been a powerful driver of allopatric and environmental speciation in native species. The relictual mesic forests of the eastern seaboard now harbour a diverse group of endemic fauna, including the wood-feeding cockroaches of the genus Panesthia, which reached the continent via two separate invasions from Melanesia. The more recent of these colonization events gave rise to a group of five recognized species, occurring in mainland woodlands, sclerophylls and rainforests, as well as the forests and grasslands of the Lord Howe Island Group. Due to limited sampling in molecular studies and doubt regarding the standing taxonomy, there is little certainty about relationships among the species and poor understanding of the effects of ancient climatic change upon their evolution. We undertook a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the clade, using complete mitogenomes and nuclear ribosomal markers from nearly all known morphospecies and populations. Our time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses reveal an additional six unrecognized, highly divergent lineages and suggest that these have arisen primarily through vicariance as rainforests fragmented during Plio-Pleistocene glacial cycles (2–5 million years ago). Ancestral niche estimations also evidence a tropical rainforest origin for the group, followed by at least three niche transitions into drier forest, including one associated with the singular colonization of the Lord Howe Island Group. Finally, we find evidence of frequent, parallel wing reduction, in potential association with the contraction of forest habitats into small refugia. Our results reiterate the far-reaching role of ancient aridification in driving speciation, niche expansion and morphological evolution in Australian fauna.

We report the discovery of the first fossil of an Australian species of Pergidae, Baladi warru gen. et sp. n., found at McGraths Flat, a newly discovered Miocene Konservat-Lagerstätte in central New South Wales. Using morphological data from the well-preserved fossil, along with a previously published molecular dataset of 59 taxa and a newly generated molecular dataset for 8 taxa, we constructed a data matrix and generated the first chronogram for Pergidae that incorporates internal calibration points. Our data reveal that Baladi warru belongs to the subfamily Perginae and is closely related to the Australian genera Cerealces and Xyloperga (tribe Cerealcini). According to our analysis, the origin of Pergidae appears slightly younger than previously hypothesised; however, additional calibration points are needed for a more detailed age constraint. Furthermore, ancestral character reconstruction indicates four independent adaptations to toxic Myrtaceae as host plants, while biogeographic analyses suggest that sympatry followed by founder events were the primary processes shaping the current disjunct distribution of pergids. Two significant founder events correspond with transitions to utilising Myrtaceae as host plants. With the approval of the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council, Wiradjuri words were used to name the newly described species. ‘Baladi’ means ‘saw’ and ‘warru’ means ‘wasp’. This name honours the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the fossil was collected.

Gaps in phylogenetic knowledge are unlikely to be filled in an optimal manner in the absence of a quantitative descriptive framework of phylogenetic coverage to date and a strategy for addressing the remainder (the Darwinian Shortfall). One strategy would be modelling phylogenetic progress on a framework of insect diversity, such as a taxonomic database. I herein sampled existing phylogenetic coverage by collating a machine-readable tree from each of 1000 insect publications. Processing comprised primarily taxonomic harmonization, the standardization of terminal labels and pruning of uninformative terminal sets such as taxon duplicates. The phylogeny database contained 94,173 unique species IDs over 154,938 terminals in total, with a respective mean and median number of species per phylogeny of 155 and 44. Omics phylogenies contained the most species on average, though not the most novel species, and mitogenome phylogenies contributed the fewest novel species. Synthesis phylogenies were very few in number, but nonetheless predicted to contribute most to increasing phylogenetic coverage of insect diversity. 6.2% of the 970,000 species of the Catalogue of Life were contained amongst the terminals of the database of phylogenies. Phylogenetic coverage of insect families was often disproportionate to species-richness; those most undersampled were beetles and included families Curculionidae, Staphylinidae, Cerambycidae, and Scarabaeidae, and those with disproportionately high phylogenetic coverage included families of the dragonflies, bees, butterflies and ants. The work herein provides a foundation for quantification of the Darwinian Shortfall, and for shifting to an objective strategy for completing the insect Tree of Life.

The worldwide distributed subfamily of rove beetles Silphinae contains two well-established tribes, based on both morphological and molecular data. The relationships within the tribe Nicrophorini have been mostly resolved; however, the tribe Silphini still lacks a robust phylogeny. Thus, here we resolved the phylogeny of the tribe based on 42 species of the 114 known species, using five molecular markers. Heterotemna tenuicornis Brullé clustered as sister to Silpha tristis Illiger, making the subgenus Silpha Linnaeus paraphyletic. Consequently, Heterotemna Wollaston is considered a junior subjective synonym of Silpha Linnaeus; requiring the following combinations: Silpha (Silpha) britoi (García & Pérez), comb. nov., Silpha (Silpha) figurata Brullé, comb. rest., and Silpha (Silpha) tenuicornis Brullé, comb. rest. Our estimate of the phylogeny agrees with current generic limits except it revealed that the genus Aclypea Reitter arose from within the genus Silpha, thus making the latter paraphyletic. Some ambiguity remains regarding the confidence of this finding; therefore, we refrain from synonymizing Aclypea until further study. Furthermore, it includes biogeographical information for each genus, which estimates the history of distributions of the Silphini across the Australian, Neotropical, and Oriental regions.

A long-standing question in evolutionary biology is how historical biogeographic processes have shaped the current diversity of organisms, especially for highly diverse groups. We study the diversification dynamics and biogeographic processes of one of the most diverse families of Lepidoptera, Geometridae, with over 24,000 described species and a worldwide distribution. Despite the cosmopolitan distribution of the family, most species of Geometridae have limited distribution ranges. We present the largest historical biogeography and diversification study on the current diversity patterns and distribution ranges of Geometridae. We use a multi-locus dataset of 1200 taxa to estimate the historical biogeography of Geometridae, implementing a Bayesian approach of the Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis (DEC) model that incorporates palaeographic-based dispersal graphs with uncertainty in geological ages in RevBayes. We also implement a Bayesian time-variable, episodic birth–death model and a model that allows branch-specific speciation rates to estimate the diversification dynamics in the family. Our results suggest that the most recent common ancestor of Geometridae was distributed in the New World, with the Neotropics being the most likely ancestral area. An increase in diversification rates occurred circa 30–40 million years ago (Mya), coinciding with a time of a major global climate cooling in the Eocene. Clade-specific shifts in speciation rates also occurred around 10–15 Mya, coincident with another period of major climate change in the Oligocene. Our results point to different biogeographical and evolutionary histories per area to show the differences of the diversification rates in different biogeographical regions through time, showing the relative importance of each region in the diversification history of Geometridae.

Repeated and convergent evolution of wing venation may have contributed to the diversification and evolution of the cicada tribe Polyneurini, which are well known for colourful wings and complex wing venation. We investigated the phylogeny and diversification of Polyneurini based on morphological characters and molecular data, as well as molecular data of their obligate endosymbiont ‘Candidatus Sulcia muelleri’ (hereafter referred to as Sulcia). Phylogenetic analyses do not support the monophyly of the formerly defined subtribes Polyneurina and Formotosenina. Accordingly, Parapolyneura Wang, Hayashi & Wei gen. n. is erected for Pa. guoliangi (Wang & Liu) comb. n.; Formotosena pervalida Wang, Hayashi & Wei sp. n. and F. maculata Wang, Hayashi & Wei sp. n. are established; Proretinata Chou & Yao stat. rev. is resurrected from junior synonymy with Angamiana Distant; five junior synonyms are recognized for Pr. floridula (Distant) comb. n., and four junior synonyms are proposed for Po. cheni Chou & Yao. The subtribes of Polyneurini are redefined, in which Polyneura Westwood, Parapolyneura gen. n., Angamiana and Proretinata stat. rev. are included in Polyneurina, and Formotosena kato and Graptopsaltria Stål trans. n. in Formotosenina. The phylogeny of the very conservative Sulcia mirrors the host phylogeny, which supports the redefinition of the two subtribes in Polyneurini. Polyneurini likely originated and initially diversified during the Mid-Miocene. Dramatic Pleistocene climatic oscillations together with the sea-level fluctuations had profound effects on the diversification and vicariance of Polyneurini. The reticulate wing venation most likely evolved three times in Polyneurini. This study improves our understanding of diversification and evolution of this unique cicada tribe and serves as an example for future studies on the diversification of Cicadidae.

The lacewing genus Afroptera Abdalla & Mansell (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae) is endemic to southern Africa, predominantly found in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes. The taxonomy of the genus has been recently resolved. However, the monophyly and evolutionary history of the genus has never been addressed. This study employs an integrative phylogenetic approach, by incorporating three ribosomal genes (16S, 28S and 18S) and two protein-coding genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase-aspartate transcarbamoylase-dihydroorotase), and morphological data to examine the monophyly and historical biogeography of Afroptera. We use Bayesian, parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods to assess the monophyly and relatedness of Afroptera within the Nemopterinae. We also use ancestral range reconstruction and diversification analysis to infer the historical biogeography of the genus. Our analyses reveal the genus as a monophyletic lineage. The genus Afroptera originated during the Pliocene (5.24–3.13 Mya) in a desert environment, experiencing rapid speciation during the Pleistocene, primarily within the Fynbos and Succulent biomes; and secondarily dispersed into the Nama Karoo and Savannah (Kalahari) biomes. The current distribution patterns of Afroptera species likely stem from intensified aridification in the southwest during the Plio-Pleistocene, consistent with the dry-adapted nature of Afroptera's ancestors. Therefore, our findings suggest a climatically driven diversification model for the genus Afroptera.

The recent advances in sequencing technologies, phylogenomics and divergence dating methods call for an integrative review of the current state of Hymenoptera systematics. We here explore the impact of these latest developments on the Hymenoptera phylogeny and our understanding of the timing of Hymenoptera evolution, while identifying the current methodological constraints and persistent knowledge gaps that warrant further investigation. Our review highlights the lack of consensus among the backbone phylogeny of Hymenoptera between key phylogenomic studies, as the higher level phylogeny remains unresolved in key nodes such as the relationships among Eusymphyta, the relationships within the Infraorder Proctotrupomorpha and the placements of the superfamilies Ichneumonoidea, Ceraphronoidea and Vespoidea. Furthermore, we underline the huge variation in divergence age estimates for Hymenoptera and detect several major gaps and/or disagreements between the fossil record and available age estimates, either due to the poorly studied fossil record or problematic age estimates, or both. To better understand the timing of Hymenoptera evolution and the role of key diversification factors, we will need continuous efforts to (i) reconcile conflicts among morphological and molecular phylogenies, by improving taxon sampling of underrepresented lineages, applying novel techniques to study morphology, making use of genome-scale data and critically assessing incongruences in genetic markers; (ii) improve the Hymenoptera fossil record, by exercising integrative taxonomy and bringing together paleontologists and neontologists; and (iii) reconcile age estimates, by relying on tip dating approaches to bridge fossils, morphology and genomes across time.

Assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae Latreille) comprise not only one of the largest radiations of predatory animals (22 subfamilies; >6,800 spp.) but also include the medically important kissing bugs (Triatominae Jeannel). Reduviidae are morphologically diverse, engage in an astounding array of predatory strategies and have evolved some of the most unique anti-predator and stealth techniques in the animal kingdom. While significant progress has been made to reveal the evolutionary history of assassin bugs and revise their taxonomy, the non-monophyly of the second largest assassin bug subfamily, Reduviinae Latreille, remains to be addressed. Leveraging phylogenomic data (2,291 loci) and 112 morphological characters, we performed the first data- and taxon-rich (195 reduvioid taxa) combined phylogenetic analysis across Reduvioidea and reconstructed morphological diagnostic features for major lineages. We corroborated the rampant polyphyly of Reduviinae that demands substantial revisions to the subfamilial and tribal classification of assassin bugs. Our new classification for Reduviidae reduces the number of subfamilies to 19 and recognizes 40 tribes. We describe three new subfamilies to accommodate distantly related taxa previously classified as Reduviinae (Heteropinae subfam. nov., Nanokeralinae subfam. nov., and Pasirinae subfam. nov.). Triatominae sensu nov. are expanded to include closely related predatory reduviine genera. Cetherinae Jeannel, Chryxinae Champion, Pseudocetherinae Villiers, Salyavatinae Amyot & Serville and Sphaeridopinae Amyot & Serville are treated as junior synonyms of Reduviinae sensu nov. Epiroderinae Distant are synonymized with Phimophorinae Handlirsch sensu nov. and Bactrodini Stål stat. nov. are reclassified as a tribe of Harpactorinae Amyot & Serville. Psophidinae Distant is treated as a valid subfamily. This new classification represents a robust framework for future taxonomic and evolutionary research on assassin bugs.

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Resolving a robust phylogeny of an organismal group is often hindered by the limited availability of samples suitable for genomic or transcriptomic sequencing. Even for lineages of notable importance in evolutionary ecology, our phylogenetic comprehension remains largely unsatisfactory due to the challenges of acquiring samples across the clade. The long-horned beetle genus Anoplophora Hope exemplifies such a group, globally renowned for two invasive pests—the Asian long-horned beetle and citrus long-horned beetle—which have inflicted significant damage to deciduous hardwood forest in North America and Europe. In contrast to the two temperate pests, the remaining 50 species in the genus inhabit subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, where most species are only infrequently encountered. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogeny of Anoplophora using a PCR-based target enrichment museomics approach. As a case study of employing PCR-generated custom probes, we demonstrate the robustness and cost-effectiveness of this in-house method in successfully acquiring sequence data from historical specimens. Through extensive sampling of Anoplophora using museum specimens, we reveal a non-sister relationship between the two temperate species and provide evidence for addressing taxonomic conundrums. Our biogeographical analyses indicate that the adaptation of the two temperate species occurred independently during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene after the establishment of temperate forests in East Asia in the late Miocene. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive phylogenetic inference in understanding the patterns and processes of these beetles' adaptation to temperate forests and lay the groundwork for investigating the genetic mechanism underlying life in the cold.