The phoracanthine beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae): taxonomic overview and generic relationships

Abstract

Eleven genera are recognised in the cerambycine tribe Phoracanthini: Coptocercus Hope, Allotisis Pascoe, Thoris Pascoe, Epithora Pascoe, Skeletodes Newman, AtestaPascoe, Paratesta Wang, Steata Wang, Coleocoptus Aurivillius, Phytrocaria Wang and Phoracantha Newman. A key to these genera is provided. Taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed. Taxonomically useful characters in the tribe are evaluated, figured and explained. The scope of the tribe is redefined. Phylogenetic relationships among the genera of the tribe are analysed by cladistic methods. The monophyly of the Phoracanthini is confirmed. Two large monophyletic groups are recognised: the ivory genus-group, comprising Coptocercus, Thorisand Allotisis, and the non-ivory genus-group, comprising Epithora, Skeletodes, Steata, Paratesta, Atesta, Phytrocaria, Phoracantha andColeocoptus.