INORDINATE FONDNESS EXPLAINED - WHY ARE THERE SO MANY BEETLES

The phylogeny of the Phytophaga, the Largest and oldest radiation of h erbivorous beetles, was reconstructed from 115 complete DNA sequences for the 18S nuclear ribosomal subunit and from 212 morphological chara cters. The results of these analyses were used to interpret the role o f angiosperms in beetle diversification. Jurassic fossils represent ba sal Lineages that are still associated with conifers and cycads. Repea ted origins of angiosperm-feeding beetle Lineages are associated with enhanced rates of beetle diversification, indicating a series of adapt ive radiations. Collectively, these radiations represent nearly half o f the species in the order Coleoptera and a similar proportion of herb ivorous insect species.