Phylogeny and Classification of Rhipicerinae (Coleoptera: Rhipiceridae) with a Review of the Australian Taxa

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 34 characters derived from adult morphology. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Rhipicerinae are monophyletic and may be divided into four genera: Oligorhipi. (stat. nov.), Polymeriu., Polytomu. (stat. rev.) and Rhipicera. All genera of Rhipicerinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level reviews and keys are provided for Oligorhipi. and Rhipicera. Two new species are described: Oligorhipis vanemden. sp. nov. (Western Australia) and Rhipicera carinat. sp. nov. (Western Australia). Rhipicera abdominali. Klug, 1825, R. cyane. Castelnau, 1834, R. dalmann. Westwood, 1837 and R. marginat. Kirby, 1818 are transferred to Polytomu. Dalman (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis bifossat. Fauvel, 1904 and Ptiocerus vestitu. Castelnau, 1840 are transferred to Oligorhipi. Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (comb, nov.). Agathorhipi. Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is synonymised with Rhipicer. Latreille, 1817 (syn. nov.) and Rhipicer. (Agathorhipi.) neglect. Emden, 1925 with Rhipicera femorat. Kirby, 1819 (syn. nov.). The neotype of Rhipicera reiche. Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is designated to stabilize the taxonomic identity of this species.