Morphology of bromeliad-associated immature stages of Daiphron bipartitus and its adults confirms the non-monophyly of the genus (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)
Biffi Gabriel, Rosa Simone P.
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 59(1): 139-150, 2019
Published online: 18th March 2019
Published in print: 10th August 2019
Views: 1353
Abstract: Daiphron bipartitus Pic, 1934 is a poorly known species whose systematic
position in the subfamily Chaulioganthinae is still controversial. In this paper
we describe immature stages of D. bipartitus which were found inhabiting fallen
bromeliads Vriesea bituminosa in southeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest. Adults
are redescribed, including the first study of male and female genitalia. Larva,
pupa and adult are illustrated in detail and compared with other species of
Daiphron Gorham, 1881 and Chauliognathus Hentz, 1830. We discuss the
systematic position of Daiphron bipartitus within Chauliognathinae on the basis
of morphological comparison of its immature and adult characters. Both were
found to be more similar to species of Chauliognathus than to Daiphron
mediofasciatum Pic, 1949, which supports the hypothesis of polyphyly of
Daiphron. Aspects of the species biology and occasional association with
bromeliads are discussed.
Key words: Coleoptera, Cantharidae, Chauliognathus, larval morphology, systematics, taxonomy, Bromeliaceae, Vriesea, Brazil, Neotropical Region