Phylogenetic systematics of Mylabris blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae): a molecular assessment using species trees and total evidence

Abstract

Mylabris is a diverse genus of Meloidae and includes over 170 species throughout the Palaearctic region, classified into 14 subgenera. The current classification is largely built on taxonomic works pre-dating the application of cladistic methods and based on a few morphological characters. In the present study, we use molecular data from mitochondrial and nuclear loci sampled across Mylabrini to assess the monophyly of Mylabris and its subgenera, and to identify which diagnostic morphological characters used for taxa delimitation represent synapomorphic features. We obtain a robust phylogeny which is consistent across datasets (3-, 4- and 5-gene datasets), methods (Bayesian vs. Maximum Parsimony), and approaches (species tree vs. total evidence). The genus Mylabris is monophyletic provided that Pseudabris is included and Ammabris is excluded. Most of the morphology-based subgenera are recovered as well-supported phylogenetic clades. Although previous classifications based on number and shape of antennomeres were confounded by convergent evolution of these traits, mesosternal and male genitalia features provided unambiguous apomorphies of Mylabrini genera and subgenera. We integrate these insights into an updated phylogenetic systematics of Mylabris and Mylabrini blister beetles, and we provide the description of two new subgenera, Dvorabris and Pardabris.