Systematics and bionomics of Cneoglossidae with a cladistic analysis of Byrrhoidea sensu Lawrence & Newton (1995) (Coleoptera, Elateriformia)

Abstract

A description of a new species of Cneoglossa (C. edsoni sp. n., type locality: Brazil, São Paulo State, City of São Paulo, Parque Estadual da Cantareira) is presented based on male and female adults, pupae and larvae. The synonymy of Buckodrillus Wittmer, 1948, with Cneoglossa Guérin-Méneville, 1843, is confirmed and C. brasiliensis (Wittmer, 1948), is a new combination. Larvae of C. edsoni were collected in submerged rotting brushwood in shallow flowing streams; pupae and adults were obtained from larvae reared in laboratory. Immatures of this genus were unknown up to date. Larval and/or adult features of species belonging to Anchytarsus Guérin-Méneville, 1843; Araeopidius Cockerell, 1906; Cladotoma Westwood, 1837; Epilichas White, 1859; Paralichas White, 1859; and, Ptilodactyla, Illiger, 1807 are described and illustrated. A cladistic analysis, conducted for 32 taxa of selected Byrrhoidea (sensu Lawrence & Newton, 1995) and 72 features of adults, larvae and pupae, is also given, in an attempt to clear up the systematic position of the Cneoglossidae. As a result of the analysis, Callirhipidae and Eulichadidae are excluded from Byrrhoidea (sensu Lawrence & Newton, 1995) and placed incertae sedis within the Elateriformia. The strict consensus cladogram of the 24 most parsimonious trees presented the following relationships: ((Byrrhidae ((Cneoglossidae, Psephenidae) ((Ptilodactylinae (Anchytarsinae, Epilichinae)) (Aploglossinae, Araeopidiinae (Cladotominae, Chelonariidae))))) (Larainae (Elminae (Lutrochidae (Hyphalinae (Limnichinae, Cephalobyrrhinae, Thaumastodinae, Dryopidae, Heteroceridae )))))). The monophyly of this assemblage is supported by three striking synapomorphies, the anterior process of metendosternite shortened, the proximal end of radial cell with acute inner angle, and the wing folding of the dryopoid-type. A sister-group relationship between Cneoglossidae and Psephenidae is indicated by the presence of paired dorsal glandular openings on abdominal tergites of adult, + five homoplasic features. Elmidae, Limnichidae and Ptylodactylidae, as currently defined, are paraphyletic. Ptylodactylidae is monophyletic with the inclusion of Chelonariidae.