Untangling the evolution of soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) and the evaluation of the morphological phylogenetic signal in a soft-bodied elateroid lineage

This study addresses the long-standing uncertainty about the internal classification of soldier beetles (Elateroidea: Cantharidae). Four datasets were compiled and analysed: 66 genes for 14 terminals, 15 mtDNA genes for 79 terminals, one mtDNA and two rRNA genes for 217 terminals, and barcodes for 576 terminals. Based on congruent topologies, Chauliognathinae is proposed as a sister to the remaining Cantharidae, followed by the redefined Malthininae (including Tytthonyxini), the paraphyletic "dysmorphocerine" lineages (Dysmorphocerinae sensu stricto and Heteromastiginae subfam. nov.), and Silinae + Cantharinae as a terminal clade. The present phylogeny supersedes earlier morphology and short-fragment molecular hypotheses that have not converged on a consensus. Few morphological characters corroborate the DNA-based relationships (see the adults and larval keys). However, morphology-based hypotheses have relied on a few informative characters, and no evidence strongly rejects the preferred molecular topology. The interpretation of morphological characters and uncertain polarity resulting from the high phenotypic disparity of Elateroidea are discussed in detail. The dated phylogeny hypothesizes the earliest split within the Cantharidae in the Berriasian stage (Early Cretaceous, ~141 Myr) and the diversification of most extant subfamilies and tribes already in the Late Cretaceous. The most diverse subfamily, Cantharinae, represents a delayed radiation that started during the Eocene climatic optimum, 55.5 Myr. The late origin of Cantharinae questions the classification of Cretaceous Cantharidae as members of Cantharinae. Instead, the results suggest their deeper rooting after separating from dysmorphocerine lineages and before the node between Cantharinae and Silinae.

Do the Palaearctic subgenera of Podistra Motschulsky, 1839 really occur in North America: description of P. ( Pidostria ), subgen. nov. (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

A new subgenus, Pidostria subgen. nov., is described in Podistra Motschulsky, 1839 for a North American member of the genus, all the remaining subgenera thus become confined to the Palaearctic region. The new taxon is retained in Podistra due to the structure of its aedeagus, despite the differences in such morphological characters, as elytral vestiture, shape of ultimate palpomeres and protarsal claw dent. Pseudoabsidia Wittmer, 1969, syn. nov. is proposed as a new synonym of Podistra. Podistra (Absidia) pentheri Ganglbauer, 1922 is transferred to Pakabsidia Wittmer, 1972 as Pakabsidia pentheri (Ganglbauer, 1922), comb. nov. Podistra longicornis Wittmer, 1978 is transferred to Cantharis Linnaeus, 1758 as Cantharis longicornis (Wittmer, 1978), comb. nov. Podistra (Pseudoabsidia) sanbernardensis (Fender, 1972) and Cantharis (Cyrtomoptila) sierrae (McKey-Fender, 1950) are transferred to Podistra incertae sedis. Provided are a key to the subgenera, a list of species of Podistra and a map of their distribution worldwide.  

Two new fossil species of soldier beetles (Coleoptera, Cantharidae, Malthininae) from Baltic amber

Two new species of soldier beetles from the subfamily Malthininae—Malthinus masoni sp. nov. and Malthodes markpankowskii sp. nov.—are described from Baltic amber. Their discovery is yet more evidence of the remarkable number of Cantharidae in Europe during the Eocene. This diversity is likely the result of several forces, including the warmer climate that characterized the epoch as well as the wide variety of habitats where Baltic amber formed.  

Nothotytthonyx, a new genus of Malthininae (Coleoptera, Cantharidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar

A new fossil genus and species of Cantharidae, Nothotytthonyxserratus Li, Biffi, Kundrata & Cai gen. et sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new species is tentatively attributed to the extant subfamily Malthininae based on a combination of characters, including the symmetrical apical maxillary palpomeres, shortened elytra, pronotum with arched margins and well-defined borders, tibiae with apical spurs, and tarsal claws simple, although its well-developed gonostyli are atypical in Malthininae. The discovery of Nothotytthonyx also suggests a possible Gondwanan origin for Malthininae.