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sangamesh
Member Purpuricenus
India
426 Posts |
 Posted - 28/12/2016 : 19:08:26
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Currently recognised families of Cerambycoid complex are strictly defined based on the larval characters. Presence of larval gula defines the family Cerambycidae sensu stricto. The larval gula is absent in remaining families of Cerambycoid complex. the defining characters of remaining three families are:
Vesperidae:
There are no convincing adult characters for defining the family. the characters defining the family Vesperidae comes exclusively from Larval traits viz., Long antennae; twin malar sensory organ of maxillae; spiracles without marginal chambers in Late instars (Svach et. al. (1997); Svacha and lawrence, 2014).
Disteniidae:
Svacha et. al. (1997) considered transverse anus in larvae, which has also evolved independently (homoplasy) in Vesperinae (Vesperus) and some Lamiinae as the only defining trait for the family. Later Svacha and lawrence (2014) quoted that, transverse anus is no more valid as an apomorphy to define the family, as they had found the triradiate anus in a genus of Disteniidae (Noemia Pascoe). However, Svacha and lawrence (2014) enlisted several adult characters which "remains useful but not diagnostic" viz., truncated mandibular apex in adults; antennal sockets approximate to mandibular articulation and protruberance of antennal tubercles abruptly sloping towards postclypeus.
Oxypeltidae:
The characters defining the family are, In adults: Male tegmen lacking Parameres; adult females without sclerotized ovipositor and Larval character includes: Long parallel inner dorsal epicranial margin; maxillary mala densely covered with microtrichia and few scattered setae; completely fused and sclerotized nasale (Svacha and Denilevsky, 1987; Svacha et al., 1997 and Svacha and Lawrence, 2014).
This family does not have solid affinity towards Cerambycoid complex as the larvae of Oxypeltids resemble Megalopodids rather than Cerambycids (Svacha and Lawrence, 2014). Also, recent higher level molecular phylogeny of Coleoptera by McKenna et. al. (2015) recovered Oxypeltidae as sister to Megalopodidae thus rendering the Cerambycoids paraphyletic.
In case of Dorcasominae, it is separated from Lepturinae and now treated as a sister group to Cerambycinae based on the presence of well developed post-notum and medial pair of epistomal setae placed dorsally at the base of an epistomal projection in the Larvae (Svacha et. al., 1997). comparing the adult characters of Dorcasominae and Lepturinae, the Dorcasomine adults lack mandibular molar plate otherwise present in Lepturinae. Hence, presence of Mandibular molar plate in the genus Apiocephalus should allow it to be placed under Lepturinae.
All the quoted references are enlisted below:
McKenna, D. D., Wild, A. L., Kanda, K., Bellamy, C. L., Beutel, R. G., Caterino, M. S., Farnum, C. W., Hawks, D. C., Ivie, M. A., Jameson, M. L., Leschen, R. A. B., Marvaldi, A. E., McHugh, J. V., Newton, A. F., Robertson, J. A., Thayer, M. K., Whiting, M. F., Lawrence, J. F., Slipinski, A., Maddison, D. R. and Farrell, B. D. 2015. The beetle tree of life reveals that Coleoptera survived end-Permian mass extinction to diversify during the Cretaceous terrestrial revolution. Systematic Entomology 40: 835–880.
Svacha, P. and Danilevsky, M. L. 1987. Cerambycoid larvae of Europe and Soviet Union (Coleoptera, Cerambycoidea). Part I. Acta Univ. Carol. Biol., 30: 1–176.
Svacha, P. and Lawrence, J. F. 2014. Cerambycidae. Handbook of Zoology, Coleoptera, Volume 3: Morphology and Systematics (XX, Chrysomeloidea, Curculionoidea): 16-176. In: Leschen, R. A. B. and Beutel, R. G. (eds). Handbuch der Zoologie/Handbook of Zoology. Band/Volume IV Arthropoda: Insecta Teilband/Part 38. Coleoptera, Beetles. Berlin, De Gruyter, 649 p.
Svacha, P., Wang, J. J. and Chen, S. C. 1997. Larval morphology and biology of Philus antennatus and Heterophilus punctulatus, and systematic position of the Philinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae and Vesperidae). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (N. S.) 33: 323–369.
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Character discussion of Disteniidae and Vesperidae
