The phylogeny of the Pantropical genus Arrhipis Bonvouloir (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae)

Abstract

The phylogeny of the genus Arrhipis Bonvouloir (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae) is clarified with a cladistic analysis based on five molecular markers and morphology. Sixteen species from Africa, America, Asia, and Australia are included in the analysis. Two separate Asian clades are recovered, one of them being the sister group to a clade with the American and African species. With the exception of the continental south-east Asian species, all Gondwanan regions have monophyletic faunas. According to the present data, the continental south-east Asian fauna comprises two monophyletic groups, one of which is the sister group to African and American species. Vicariance seems to be the logical explanation for the distribution of these lignicolous beetles. © The Willi Hennig Society 2009.