Larval Sphindidae (Coleoptera : Cucujoidea): phylogenetic implications and new descriptions

Abstract

A new phylogenetic hypothesis of Sphindidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) ispresented, based on a cladistic analysis of 15 larval morphology characters inaddition to 39 adult morphology characters modified from a previous study by McHugh (1993). Results from the combined cladistic analyses show larval characters supporting several previously established relationships and resolving the placement of Notosphindus McHugh & Wheeler. The sister-group relationship betweenCarinisphindus McHugh and SphindusMegerle in Dejean is not supported by the combined analyses. Larval charactersdid not show a disproportionately strong impact on the more basal nodes.Incongruence length difference analysis found an insignificant level ofdiscordance (P = 0.197) between the adult andlarval based data sets. Larval Notosphindus slateriMcHugh & Wheeler, Genisphindus minor McHugh andCarinisphindus purpuricephalus McHugh & Lewis aredescribed for the first time, representing the first larval descriptions forthese genera. A literature review of immature stages of sphindid beetles and ageneric level key to larvae of the family are provided.