Comparative and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial genomes in Elateridae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea).

The click-beetles (Elateridae) are a species-rich beetle family that is easily recognizable. They are distributed in all zoogeographical regions with over 11,000 species. Comparative studies of the structural characteristics of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), as well as phylogenetic relationships of click-beetles, can improve our understanding of mitogenomic evolution. In this study, we determined four mitogenomes from Elateridae by next-generation sequencing. The four mitogenomes were 16,005 to 16,930 bp in length with 37 typical genes and a control region (A + T-rich region). Combined with previously reported elaterid mitogenomes, all PCGs initiate with either the standard start codon of ATN or TTG. According to the nonsynonymous/synonymous mutation ratio (Ka/Ks) of all PCGs, the highest and the lowest evolutionary rates were found for atp8 and cox1, respectively. Among the control regions of the four mitogenomes, several different patterns and numbers of tandem repeats were identified, which was the primary cause of the length variation in control regions. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on 13 protein-coding genes and two ribosomal RNA genes from 33 species of Elateridae and two outgroups. The Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood trees had an identical topological structure. The monophyly of Cardiophorinae, Agrypninae and Elaterinae was recovered with high support in all topologies, and the Tetralobinae was placed as the earliest branch in the Elateridae. Expanding the availability of mitogenomic and genomic data from a broader range of click-beetles could provide more clarity on the disputed relationships among subfamilies within Elateridae.

Taxonomic study on the subgenus Orientostichus, the Pterostichuspulcher species group (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichus).

The Pterostichuspulcher species group of the subgenus Orientostichus Sciaky & Allegro is defined for P.pulcher Sciaky & Allegro and six new allied species. All seven species of this group are revised on morphological characters. Six new species are described from south of Sichuan province, China: P.pemphissp. nov. (type locality: Shuihaizi, Puge county, 27.33°N, 102.45°E), P.orbicollissp. nov. (Longzhoushan, Huili county, 26.79°N, 102.20°E), P.leosp. nov. (Shizishan, Jinyang county, 27.88°N, 103.23°E), P.liyuanisp. nov. (Luojishan, Puge county, 27.58°N, 102.39°E), P.condylussp. nov. (Yele, Mianning county, 28.96°N, 102.16°E), P.jialinisp. nov. (Jiamashi, Huidong county, 26.81°N, 102.68°E). Tritrichischinensis Jedlicka, syn. nov., a species previously misplaced in the subgenus Orientostichus, is excluded from the genus Pterostichus and confirmed to be a junior synonym of Synuchusnitidusreticulatus Lindroth, 1956.

Notes on the genus Xestopus from China, with description of a new species (Carabidae,Sphodrini, Dolichina).

The genus Xestopus Andrewes, 1937 in China is reviewed, with the description of a new species: X. gutangensis Zhu & Kavanaugh, sp. nov. (type locality: Xizang: Mêdog, 29.46414°N, 95.73563°E). The male of X. cyaneus Sciaky & Facchini, 1997 is described for the first time, and the first record of this species in Yunnan, China, represents an eastward range extension for the species. A key is provided for the eight known species of the genus.

The first record of the genus Laemostenus from China, with descriptions of two new species from the Himalaya (Carabidae, Sphodrini, Sphodrina).

The genus Laemostenus is recorded from China for the first time, and two new species are described: L. (Pristonychus) zhentangensissp. nov. (type locality: Dinggyê County, Xizang), and L. (P.) zhamensissp. nov. (type locality: Nyalam County, Xizang). The relationships of these new species are briefly discussed.

Notes on the genus Trigonotoma from China, with descriptions of two new species (Carabidae, Pterostichinae).

The genus Trigonotoma in China is studied, with descriptions of two new species, T. digitata sp. nov. and T. constricta sp. nov. One species is reported as new to China, Trigonotoma indica Brullé, 1834. Species relationships within Chinese Trigonotoma are briefly discussed mainly based on the endophallic characters.

Four new species of Lesticus (Carabidae, Pterostichinae) from China and supplementary comments on the genus.

The genus Lesticus in China was studied, with descriptions of four new species: L.auripennis sp. n. (Guangdong: Nanling, 24.93°N, 112.09°E); L.bii sp. n. (Xizang: Mêdog, 29.32°N, 95.34°E); L.xiaodongi sp. n. (Yunnan: Yingjiang, 24.71°N, 97.58°E); and L.violaceous sp. n. (Yunnan: Yingjiang, 24.71°N, 97.58°E). One new synonym is proposed: L.dubius Dubault, Lassalle & Roux, is a junior synonym of L.solidus Roux & Shi. An improved key and a catalogue accommodating all known Chinese Lesticus species are provided. Species relationships and the evolution of endophallic and other characters are preliminarily discussed.