Phylogenetic Significance of Male Genitalic Characters in Indian Zygopinae (Curculionidae : Coleoptera)

Abstract

The present study includes detailed observations on the male genitalia of subfamily Zygopinae belonging to six tribes. Out of the six tribes studied, Isorhynchini and Coryssomerini are exceptional in lacking parameres while the remaining four tribes viz., Lobotrachelini, Mecopini, Othippiini and Sphadasmini show the presence of parameral processes. The variations relate to the shape of aedeagus, length of aedeagal and phallobasic apodeme and structure of gastral spiculum. The presence or absence of parameral processes of the phallobase also provides useful demarcative structures.