Phylogeny of the Myllaenini and related taxa (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Abstract

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Myllaenini Ganglbauer and related genera is presented. Monophyly of the Myllaenini is tested, and the tribe is hypothesized to be a monophyletic group consisting of nine genera (Myllaena Erichson, Amazonopora Pace, Dimonomera Cameron, Bryothinusa Casey, Philomina Blackwelder, Polypea Fauvel, Brachypronomaea Sawada, Rothium Moore and Legner, and Lautaea Sawada), based on the synapomorphy of antero-lateral angles of mentum prolonged into spinose processes. A history of the classification of the Myllaenini is discussed. The data set for phylogenetic analysis comprised 99 characters representing 297 character states derived from adult morphology. The analysis agrees on the monophyly of the Myllaenini and the monophyly of the Pronomaeini Ganglbauer (Pronomaea Erichson, Pseudomniophila Pace, Nopromaea Cameron and Tomoxelia Bernhauer). The tribe Dimonomerini (Dimonomera Cameron) is confirmed to be a member of the Myllaenini. Masuriini is a possible sister group of the Myllaenini. Stylopalpus Cameron shows a sister group relationship to the Pronomaeini. Several other clades are also consistently recovered. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Dysacrita are ambiguous. The rogue genus Diglotta Champion is not recovered as a member of the Myllaenini or Pronomaeini. On the contrary, it forms a monophyletic clade with the liparocephaline genera Halorhadinus Sawada and Amblopusa Casey. Evolution of the defensive gland on abdominal tergite VII among aleocharine lineages is reconsidered, and the origin of an intertidal habitat in the Myllaenini is discussed.

The oldest aleocharine rove beetle (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in Cretaceous Burmese amber and its implications for the early evolution of the basal group of hyper-diverse Aleocharinae

“…Despite the seemingly endless diversity, the minute size of most adults, and the lack of illustrated keys and descriptions of aleocharines for most geographical regions, make the Aleocharinae one of the most taxonomically difficult groups of beetles (Ashe, 2007). However, there is hope for this remarkable radiation of life as subfamilial and even tribal level phylogenetic studies are starting to shed light on the Aleocharinae (e.g., Ashe and Newton, 1993;Ahn and Ashe, 2004;Ashe, 2005). The subfamily Aleocharinae is robustly supported as a monophyletic group based on morphological phylogenetic studies using adult and larval characters (Ashe and Newton, 1993;Ashe, 2005).…”

Molecular phylogeny of the Athetini–Lomechusini–Ecitocharini clade of aleocharine rove beetles (Insecta)

“…Until now, relatively few phylogenetic studies of aleocharines have been published, whether morphology-based (e.g. Kistner & Jacobson 1990; Steidle & Dettner 1993; Muona 1997; Ahn 2001; Ahn & Ashe 2004; Ashe 2005; Paśnik 2010), molecular (Maus et al 2001; Thomas 2009; Elven et al 2010) or both (Ahn et al 2010). The current classification of the subfamily (e.g.…”

Ocorrência de Diglotta brasiliensis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) em duas praias estuarinas da Baía de Paranaguá, sul do Brasil

“…Nestas faixas, a espécie co-existe com os isópodes cirolaní- (AHN & ASHE 2004). Diglotta Champion, 1899 possui oito espécies, todas restritas ao habitat de praia podendo ser encontrada sobre a areia e sendo muito ativas em tempo quente (MOORE & ORTH 1979, HAGHEBAERT 1991, CARON & RIBEIRO-COSTA 2008.…”