ena-STUDY-INSTITUT DE BIOLOGIA EVOLUTIVA-19-10-2021-11:10:54:220-271
Phylogenetic restitution and taxonomic revision of the New Caledonian endemic genus Thasycles Chapuis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Eumolpinae)
The fauna of Eumolpinae of New Caledonia has been under intense scrutiny in over the last decade and numerous species are being described on a regular basis. In this study, we revise in detail the group of Colaspis laboulbenei Montrouzier, 1861, curently in the genus Dematochroma Baly, 1864, using a combined approach with DNA-based phylogenies and the study of morphology and species distributions. Several relevant systematic conclusions result from this revision: (1) recognition of the monophyletic group around D. laboulbenei; (2) recognition of an important morphological character, namely the presence or absence of a dorsal groove on pygidium, separating two narrowly parapatric lineages in this group; (3) reversal of a long-held synonymy with D. laboulbenei and reinstatement of Thasycles cordiformis Chapuis, 1874 stat. rev.; (4) restitution of Thasycles Chapuis, 1874 stat. rev. based on phylogenetic and taxonomic arguments to delimit this group of species; (5) transfer of D. fusca Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2007, D. laboulbenei and D. panieensis Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2007 to Thasycles; and (6) description of seven new species, including T. castaneus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. compactus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. grandis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. magnus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. puncticollis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. tenuis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., and T. variegatus Gómez-Zurita n. sp. A species identification key and a brief discussion about the systematics and potential factors affecting the diversification and distribution of Thasycles are provided.
The fauna of Eumolpinae of New Caledonia has been under intense scrutiny in over the last decade and numerous species are being described on a regular basis. In this study, we revise in detail the group of Colaspis laboulbenei Montrouzier, 1861, curently in the genus Dematochroma Baly, 1864, using a combined approach with DNA-based phylogenies and the study of morphology and species distributions. Several relevant systematic conclusions result from this revision: (1) recognition of the monophyletic group around D. laboulbenei; (2) recognition of an important morphological character, namely the presence or absence of a dorsal groove on pygidium, separating two narrowly parapatric lineages in this group; (3) reversal of a long-held synonymy with D. laboulbenei and reinstatement of Thasycles cordiformis Chapuis, 1874 stat. rev.; (4) restitution of Thasycles Chapuis, 1874 stat. rev. based on phylogenetic and taxonomic arguments to delimit this group of species; (5) transfer of D. fusca Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2007, D. laboulbenei and D. panieensis Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2007 to Thasycles; and (6) description of seven new species, including T. castaneus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. compactus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. grandis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. magnus Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. puncticollis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., T. tenuis Gómez-Zurita n. sp., and T. variegatus Gómez-Zurita n. sp. A species identification key and a brief discussion about the systematics and potential factors affecting the diversification and distribution of Thasycles are provided.