Monday, December 10, 2001 - 1:36 PM
0292

The phylogeny of the Erotylidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Erotylidae) based on molecular data

James A. Robertson1, Joseph V. McHugh2, and Michael F. Whiting1. (1) Brigham Young University, Department of Zoology, 574 Widtsoe Bldg, Provo, UT, (2) University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Athens, GA

Phylogenetic relationships among the Erotylidae and its placement relative to other cucujoid families is currently unresolved. In particular, the monophyly of Erotylidae relative to Languriidae is uncertain. DNA sequence data (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and Histon 3 ) were obtained from exemplars of Erotylidae and multiple cucujoid outgroup taxa. Separate and combined analyses of these data were performed using multiple random addition sequences with TBR branch swapping under a parsimony criterion. The monophly of Erotylidae was specifically tested. Molecular results were contrasted and combined with morphological data to provide a total evidence estimate of erotylid phylogeny.

Keywords: Erotylidae Phylogeny, Molecular Data

The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA