Systematic Review of the Genus Nalepa Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Blaptini) from the Tibetan Plateau, with Description of Six New Species and Two Larvae.

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe Tibetan Plateau is the largest and highest plateau in the world. The Tibetan Plateau is widely considered as a large natural experimental area for speciation; its uplift has facilitated allopatric speciation and diversification since the Miocene. In general, the Tibetan Plateau is known for its large number of endemic species. In this study, we revise the systematics of the endemic Tibetan genus Nalepa Reitter, 1887 (Blaptini tribe) and describe six new species based on larval and adult morphology and molecular data. We also provide a diagnostic key to the members of the genus Nalepa. Larvae were associated with the adults using a combined molecular species delimitation, and adult males and females are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic relationships of the members of the genus Nalepa are provided and discussed based on fragments of the mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Further, we applied molecular species delimitation methods to verify the taxonomic status of the new species. Lastly, the status of the genus Nalepa from the Tibetan Plateau is briefly discussed.Nalepa Reitter, 1887 is a monotypic genus of the tenebrionid tribe Blaptini and is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the genus Nalepa was reviewed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. Based on the results, six new species were described: N. acuminata sp. n., N. ovalifolia sp. n., N. polita sp. n., N. quadrata sp. n., N. xinlongensis sp. n., and N. yushuensis sp. n. In addition, the larvae of N. cylindracea Reitter, 1887 and N. quadrata sp. n. were described and associated with related adults using molecular approaches. This study provides valuable molecular and morphological data for phylogenetic studies.