Abstract
Naupactus (Curculionidae: Entiminae) is the most speciose weevil genus of the tribe Naupactini. The main objective of this work is to recognize species groups within Naupactus and to analyze the relationships between this and other Neotropical genera. For this purpose, we compiled a combined data matrix of 60 terminal units corresponding to 40 species for which we recorded 812 molecular and morphological characters (763 and 49 respectively), which were analyzed by Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analyses. The single tree obtained from each analysis was rooted with Cyrtomon inhalatus. The species of Naupactus were recovered as different monophyletic groups, some of them closer to other genera of Naupactini (Lanterius, Teratopactus, Pantomorus and Parapantomorus) than to species of the same genus. We conclude that Naupactus is non-monophyletic, even though most species can be recognized based on a particular combination of morphological characters, which are probably symplesiomorphic. To be consistent with the cladistic principles, some genera diversified in marginal areas of the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex should be synonymized with Naupactus; however, these nomenclatural changes may not ensure a generic definition based on synapomorphies. We prefer to be conservative about the current classification until more evidence is available. The only nomenclatural amendments proposed herein are the transference of Naupactus inermis Hustache to Lanterius and of N. setarius to Symmathetes.
Highlights
Naupactini is one of the most diverse tribes of broad-nosed weevils in the Neotropical Region [1,2].It includes about 500 described species, several of them with agricultural importance, that probably represent half of its real diversity
To be consistent with the cladistic principles, some genera diversified in marginal areas of the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex should be synonymized with Naupactus; these nomenclatural changes may not ensure a generic definition based on synapomorphies
Values ≥0.50: clade A includes the pair N. stupidus–N. sulfuratus (PP 1); clade B includes the majority of species, with N. tucumanensis to N. versatilis (PP 1) as sister group of Hoplopactus–anterius-N. inermis; clade C includes the pair N. cinereidorsum–N. cyphoides related to Teratopactus; and clade D includes the species usually classified as belonging to genera other than Naupactus, except for the group
Summary
Naupactini is one of the most diverse tribes of broad-nosed weevils in the Neotropical Region [1,2]. It includes about 500 described species, several of them with agricultural importance, that probably represent half of its real diversity. This tribe may not be monophyletic in its present definition because it includes some genera from Africa, New Guinea, North America and an extinct genus from the Baltic Amber [3], which probably do not belong to this tribe. It is possible that some of them should be synonymized because they are morphotypes, geographic races or males and females of the same species, others should be transferred to other genera of Naupactini, while many new species still remain to be described
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