Phylogenetic analysis of the family Megalopodidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea): better taxon-sampling facilitates detection of new relationships and new taxa.

The systematics of Megalopodidae is not adequately known, in spite of it being a relatively small group of phytophagous beetles. The first phylogenetic analysis of Megalopodidae with a comprehensive generic representation (25 genera of 30 described, 10 subgenera and 77 species) is undertaken. A parsimony analysis under equal and implied weights was carried out based on 147 adult and larval morphological characters. Subfamilies Palophaginae and Zeugophorinae were recovered as monophyletic, by contrast with Megalopodinae, which proved to be paraphyletic. Atelederinae are proposed as a new subfamily. Also, three tribes and three subtribes within Megalopodinae are proposed: Leucasteini trib.n., Sphondyliini trib.n. and Megalopodini, the latter including Macrolophina subtrib.n., Temnaspidina subtrib.n. and Megalopodina. The genera Macrolopha, Kuilua, Poecilomorpha, Temnaspis, Antonaria, Agathomerus, Megalopus and Bothromegalopus were recovered as non-monophyletic. New delimitations of the polyphyletic genera Poecilomorpha and Macrolopha are proposed, Clythraxeloma is resurrected, and the subgenera of Agathomerus are suppressed. The following new combinations are proposed: Kuilua apicata (Fairmaire), K. nyassae (Jacoby), Poecilomorpha cribricollis (Pic), P. minuta (Pic), Clythraxeloma assamensis (Jacoby), C. bipartita (Lacordaeri), C. discolineata (Pic), C. downesii (Baly), C. gerstaeckeri (Westwood), C. laosensis (Pic), C. maculata (Pic), C. mouhoti (Baly), C. nigrocyanea (Motschulsky), C. pretiosa (Reineck), Temnaspis tricoloripes (Pic) and Barticaria faciatus (Dalman). Clythraxeloma cyanipennis Kraatz is a restored combination. Distribution patterns of Megalopodidae largely conform to the breakup of Gondwanaland, with its main clades having particular distributions: Andean-Australian (Palophaginae), Ethiopian (Leucasteini, Sphondyliini, and Macrolophina), Neotropical (Ateledrinae and Megalopodina) and Ethiopian-Oriental-Palaearctic (Temnaspidina the result of a secondary expansion. Zeugophorinae present a worldwide distribution, except for the Neotropical and Andean regions, which may be the result of geodispersal. The findings of the present study also shed light on groups with taxonomic issues, where phylogenetic analyses are strongly needed.

Updated checklist of the fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of Mexico.

An updated checklist of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Mexico is presented. The checklist includes the following valid taxa: the subfamilies Amydetinae Olivier in Wytsman, 1907, Chespiritoinae Ferreira, Keller and Branham, 2020, Photurinae Lacordaire, 1857, Pterotinae LeConte, 1861, and Lampyrinae Rafinesque, 1815, in addition to 8 tribes (including incertae sedis), 2 subtribes, 25 genera, and 232 species. We also propose Photinus cubilguitzi Prez-Hernndez Zaragoza-Caballero nom. nov. as a replacement name for Photinus moestus (Gorham, 1884) nec Photinus moestus (Perty, 1830). At least 152 documented species (65.6% of the total) are restricted to Mexico, another 21 have also been recorded in Canada and the United States of America, and 59 in different Latin American countries. Remarkably, Photinini contains 64.6% (150 species) of the Mexican lampyrid fauna, and at least 54.7% (127 species) belong to the Photinus genus. The Mexican Transition Zone had higher Lampyridae species richness and endemism than the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic regions in the country, while the Transmexican Volcanic Belt, Veracruzan and Balsas Basin biogeographic provinces harbor the highest overall species richness and endemism. Veracruz and Oaxaca are the richest states in terms of lampyrid genera and species, while Aguascalientes, Quertaro and Zacatecas have only one or no species recorded each. To date, 10% of the global firefly fauna has been recorded in Mexico, and the country has a large number of endemic species. It is essential to intensify the study and fieldwork throughout the country to increase our knowledge of the group, with special focus on poorly explored regions and endemic species, and from other perspectives in addition to taxonomy.

Life cycle and description of the immature stages of a terrestrial firefly endemic to Mexico: Photinusextensus Gorham (Coleoptera, Lampyridae).

The life cycle, morphology, and bionomy of Photinusextensus Gorham, 1881, an endemic species of Mexico, are described. Redescriptions of adults (male and female) are also presented. Larvae were reared to the adult stage from eggs laid by females collected at the El Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve, south of Mexico City. The activity period of adults of P.extensus begins at the end of July and finishes by the end of August. Females lay between 3 and 198 eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs after a period of 11 to 71 days, undergo 6 larval instars and a pupal stage in an annual cycle. Morphological characters of the sixth larval instar of P.extensus are compared with those of several other genera assigned to the tribe Photinini. Knowledge of the natural history of firefly larvae is relevant since most species do not feed as adults and therefore depend on resources acquired during the larval stage.

Revision of the genus Cenophengus LeConte, 1881 (Coleoptera, Phengodidae), with the description of four new species, new geographic records and a new synonymy.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Cenophengus LeConte, 1881 (Coleoptera: Phengodidae) is provided, including new data on geographic ranges of the species. This is the first time this genus has been recorded for Belize and in Honduras. Four new species (C.gardunoi, C.saasil, C.tsiik and C.zuritai) are described and a new synonymy (C.guerrerensis, Zaragoza-Caballero, 1991 = C.major Wittmer, 1976) is established. The study includes a key to the 30 valid species, diagnoses, descriptions, photographs and distribution maps.

New species of the genus Cenophengus LeConte 1881 (Coleoptera; Phengodidae) from Mexico and Guatemala.

Six new species of the genus Cenophengus LeConte, 1881 are described. Five of these new species were collected in Mexico, in the states of Hidalgo (Cenophengus mboi sp. nov. and Cenophengus hnogamui sp. nov.), Coahuila (Cenophengus kikapu sp. nov.) and San Luis Potos (Cenophengus tupae sp. nov., Cenophengus mumui sp. nov.). An additional species was collected in Puerta Parada, Guatemala (Cenophengus xiinbali sp. nov.). The new taxa described in the present study increase to 27 the number of species assigned to Cenophengus.

Patterns of richness, diversity and abundance of an odonate assemblage from a tropical dry forest in the Santiago Dominguillo Region, Oaxaca, México (Insecta: Odonata).

A study on the patterns of richness, diversity and abundance of the Odonata from Santiago Dominguillo, Oaxaca is presented here. A total of 1601 specimens from six families, 26 genera and 50 species were obtained through monthly samplings of five days each. Libellulidae was the most diverse family (21 species), followed by Coenagrionidae (19), Gomphidae (4) and Calopterygidae (3). The Lestidae, Platystictidae and Aeshnidae families were the less diverse, with only one species each. Argia was the most speciose genus with 11 species, followed by Enallagma, Hetaerina, Erythrodiplax and Macrothemis with three species each and Phyllogomphoides, Brechmorhoga, Dythemis, Erythemis and Orthemis with two species each. The remaining 17 genera had one species each. Argia pipila Calvert, 1907 and Leptobasis vacillans Hagen in Selys, 1877 were recorded for the first time for the state of Oaxaca. We also analysed the temporal patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic divergence for the Santiago Dominguillo Odonata assemblage: the Shannon diversity value throughout the year was 21.07 effective species, while the Simpson diversity was 13.17. In general, the monthly phylogenetic divergence was higher than expected for taxonomic distinctness, and lesser for average taxonomic distinctness. Monthly diversity, evenness and taxonomic divergence showed significant positive correlations (from moderate to strong) with monthly precipitation values. The analysis of our results, however, indicates that an increase in rainfall not only influences the temporal diversity of species, but also the identity of supraspecific taxa that constitute those temporal assemblages, i.e. there is an increase in temporal phylogenetic divergence.

Agathidium mexicanum Hendrichs, 1979: Types rediscovered.

Agathidium mexicanum Hendrichs, 1979: 106 is the single Mexican species of Leiodidae described by a Mexican entomologist: Chemical Engineer Jorge Hendrichs. As an amateur coleopterist he made a beetle collection of 18,400 specimens, adequately labeled by his wife and daughter. Most of the specimens are now in the entomological collection of the Instituto de Biología, UNAM. He published 12 papers, one of them devoted to the description of one leiodid species: Agathidium mexicanum Hendrichs, 1979. Type specimens of A. mexicanum were collected in Estado de Mexico and Distrito Federal (now Ciudad de México) localities (type locality: Cerro Tlaloc, Estado de México). The type series as described in the original description was constituted by 13 specimens: Holotype (male), allotype (female) and, 11 paratypes (6 males and 5 females). For specific details, data of the material examined is fully included (Hendrichs 1979: 110):.

Checklist of net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae) from Mexico.

A checklist, distribution records, and the updated nomenclature for Mexican Lycidae are presented here. Two subfamilies, 7 tribes, 24 genera, 2 subgenera and 168 valid species of Lycidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) taxa were recorded from Mexico, including 111 (66%) endemic species. For each species, synonyms used in Mexico and geographical distribution in Mexican states were provided. The highest species richness was recorded in Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca, while Aguascalientes and the Yucatan Peninsula states had very few records of Lycidae species probably due to the lack of fieldwork. In the Nearctic region, Lycidae diversity comprised 4 tribes, 10 genera and 27 species; in Mexican transition zone, 5 tribes, 17 genera and 100 species; and in Neotropical region, 7 tribes, 19 genera and 94 species. The highest species richness of Lycidae was recorded in the Veracruzan, Transmexican Volcanic Belt and Chiapas Highlands provinces. Although there has been a relevant rise in taxonomical work concerning Mexican lycid fauna in the last two decades, it is still necessary to continue in systematic, ecological, and biogeographical studies of the family in Mexico, especially in scarcely studied regions.

A checklist of the Coleoptera (Insecta) from Morelos, Mexico.

Data from the literature and from specimens preserved at the Colección Nacional de Insectos (CNIN) Instituto de Biología, UNAM were used to compile a checklist of the fauna of Coleoptera of the state of Morelos, México. A sum of 70 families, 167 subfamilies, 361 tribes, 1,022 genera, and 2,606 species are recorded; from this 24 species are new records for Morelos. The State of Morelos ranks fourth in Coleoptera species richness for Mexico, following Veracruz (3,176 spp.), Oaxaca (2,148 spp.) and Chiapas (1,734 spp.). The checklist presented here provides a summary that can serve as a basis for future progress in the knowledge of Mexican Coleoptera.

Comparative morphology of the spermatheca in Megalopodidae (Coleoptera, Chrysomeloidea).

The spermatheca is an organ that stores and maintains viability of sperm until fertilization. It has an important role in copulation and oviposition, and it is highly informative in species delimitation. Here, we present a comparative study of the spermathecal morphology in the coleopteran family Megalopodidae. The spermathecae of 34 species, representing 13 genera and all three subfamilies, were studied. Illustrations are newly provided for all species, except in 14 cases in which illustrations were reproduced from previously published literature. Our results show that each subfamily of Megalopodidae can be effectively differentiated based on the particular spermathecal anatomy. In addition, the spermathecal anatomy presents a range of variation within each subfamily, useful for diagnosing species and, in some cases, identifying groups of genera. For instance, the "American group" is thus recognized in this study.

Revision of Ogdoecosta Spaeth 1909 with description of Ogdoecosta paraflavomaculata López-Pérez, sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini).

The tortoise beetle genus Ogdoecosta Spaeth 1909 is revised and an illustrated key to 12 species is provided, based on a morphological analysis of all species. All the known species are redescribed and one new species, Ogdoecosta paraflavomaculata López-Pérez sp. nov., is described from Belize and México. Lectotypes are designated for O. omissa Dohrn 1880, O. epilachnoides (Champion 1893), O. fasciata (Boheman 1856), O. flavomaculata (Champion 1893), O. mexicana (Champion 1893 and O. obliterata (Champion 1893). The distribution ranges for O. biannularis (Boheman 1854), O. catenulata (Boheman 1854), O. decemstillata (Boheman 1856), O. epilachnoides, O. fasciata, O. guttifera, O. juvenca, and O. obliterata are extended within México. Ogdoecosta guttifera (Boheman) is a new record for Venezuela.

A preliminary study on the phylogeny of the family Phengodidae (Insecta: Coleoptera).

A morphology-based phylogenetic analysis of the family Phengodidae (Coleoptera) is given. Thirty-six terminals, six genera and 60 morphological characters are included. To test the monophyly of phengodid subfamilies the terminals that belong to superfamily Elateroidea Drilocephalus Pic (Dascillidae), Pterotus LeConte (incertae sedis), Vesperelater Costa (Elateridae), Photinus Laporte (Lampyridae), Pseudotelegeusis Wittmer and Telegeusis Horn (Telegeusidae) are used as outgroups, with the remaining 30 terminals corresponding to 26 specific and four generic levels. The matrix was analyzed under a parsimony criterion under a heuristic search performed in TNT v. 2.0. One parsimonious tree was obtained. In this study two principal groups are recognized in the family Phengodidae. This study suggests for the first time a close relationship between the Telegeusidae and the subfamily Penicillophorinae.

A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the New World Helopini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae) indicates the need for profound rearrangements of the classification.

Helopini is a diverse tribe in the subfamily Tenebrioninae with a worldwide distribution. The New World helopine species have not been reviewed recently and several doubts emerge regarding their generic assignment as well as the naturalness of the tribe and subordinate taxa. To assess these questions, a preliminary cladistic analysis was conducted with emphasis on sampling the genera distributed in the New World, but including representatives from other regions. The parsimony analysis includes 30 ingroup species from America, Europe and Asia of the subtribes Helopina and Cylindrinotina, plus three outgroups, and 67 morphological characters. Construction of the matrix resulted in the discovery of morphological character states not previously reported for the tribe, particularly from the genitalia of New World species. A consensus of the 12 most parsimonious trees supports the monophyly of the tribe based on a unique combination of characters, including one synapomorphy. None of the subtribes or the genera of the New World represented by more than one species (Helops Fabricius, Nautes Pascoe and Tarpela Bates) were recovered as monophyletic. Helopina was recovered as paraphyletic in relation to Cylindrinotina. One Nearctic species of Helops and one Palearctic species of Tarpela (subtribe Helopina) were more closely related to species of Cylindrinotina. A relatively derived clade, mainly composed by Neotropical species, was found; it includes seven species of Tarpela, seven species of Nautes, and three species of Helops, two Nearctic and one Neotropical. Our results reveal the need to deeply re-evaluate the current classification of the tribe and subordinated taxa, but a broader taxon sampling and further character exploration is needed in order to fully recognize monophyletic groups at different taxonomic levels (from subtribes to genera).