Multiple origins of moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): molecular phylogeny, overview of genera and a new genus from Africa
Author
Damaška, Albert František
Author
Konstantinov, Alexander
Author
Fikáček, Martin
text
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
2022
2022-02-07
196
647
676
journal article
10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab112
eb68c3ad-c51a-4828-8a1f-314ed0ba6454
0024-4082
1C9A93CC-F5BE-427B-95B4-B2B9A1F51B46
AULONODERA
CHAMPION, 1918
Type
species:
Aulonodera darwini
Champion, 1918
.
Synonymy:
No generic synonyms.
Phylogenetic position:
Uncertain phylogenetic position outside the major recognized clades. Our Bayesian analysis found
Aulonodera
to form an unresolved clade with the Manturine–Leptophysine and Aphthonine– Chabrine clades.
Diversity and distribution:
The only known species,
Aulonodera darwini
, is endemic in
Chile
, where it is known from Chiloe Island and from
Arauco
and Concepción provinces.
Revisions:
Aulonodera
was redescribed and revised recently by
Jerez & Bocaz (2006)
.
Morphological characteristics:
Body 1.0–
1.7 mm
long, elongate. Head with strongly developed antennal calli. Pronotum yellowish, rounded, long, convex, with a strong, antebasal, transverse impression formed by a distinct deep furrow without punctures. Lateral margin of pronotum forming distinct ‘ear-like’ edges. Elytra convex and shining, strongly produced laterally, elytral margin and pleura are not visible from dorsal view and epipleuron not visible even from lateral view. Each elytron with a distinct elevated ridge on elytral suture margin and on basal margin of elytra. Wings absent. Metatarsomere I elongate. Aedeagus short, parallel-sided. Spermatheca simple, spermathecal duct without coils.
Ecology:
Only a few specimens have ever been collected (the oldest specimen series was collected by Charles Darwin during his trip on HMS
Beagle
). Recently examined specimens were collected in
Nothofagus
Blume
forests using pitfall traps, and it is proposed that this genus inhabits leaf litter.
Nadein (2013a)
proposes that the genus feeds on
Nothofagus
in his catalogue, which is not supported by any further data.
Remarks:
Aulonodera
is somewhat similar to the Neotropical moss-inhabiting
Stevenaltica
, from which it is diagnosed above.