Systematics of basal tenebrionoid lineages (Ulodidae, Zopheridae) in New Zealand

Two lineages of “basal” tenebrionoids, Ulodidae and Zopheridae, are rich in species in New Zealand, and also pose important taxonomic problems at species and higher levels. Critical examination of external morphology and over 200 primary types of described New Zealand species alongside molecular phylogenetic studies and several years of intensive field work indicate a high rate of synonymy and new species in areas that have been poorly collected, especially in alpine regions. While generic limits in Ulodidae are stable, the limits of several genera of Zopheridae are questionable and may be based on homoplasious characters. Phylogenetic data of over 600 sequences (COI and 28S) indicate regional New Zealand patterns of endemism with unusually deep divergences within species possibly associated with aptery, with sister relationships mainly with New Caledonia, followed by Australia, and South America.