Evaluation of relationships within the endemic Hawaiian Platynini (Coleoptera : Carabidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence

Relationships among 69 species of Hawaiian Platynini, a monophyletic beetle radiation, was investigated based on evidence from five data partitions, c omprising mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences (cytochrome oxidase II, 6 24 bp; cytochrome b, 783 bp; 28S rDNA, 668 bp; wingless; 441 bp) and morpho logy (206 features of external and internal anatomy). Results from individu al and combined data analyses generally support the monophyly of three puta tive divisions within Platynini in Hawaii: Division 0 (Colpocaccus species group), Division 1 (Blackburnia species group), and Division 2 (Metromenus species group). However, relationships within and among these three divisio ns differ from previous morphological hypotheses. An extensive series of se nsitivity analyses was performed to assess robustness of recovered clades u nder a variety of weighted parsimony conditions. Sensitivity analyses suppo rt the monophyly of Divisions 0 and 1, but were equivocal for the monophyly of Division 2. A phylogeny based on combined data suggests at least four i ndependent losses/reductions of platynine flight wings. The combined analys is provides corroboration for biogeographic hypotheses, including (1) colon ization of Kauai by Hawaiian Platynini with subsequent dispersal and coloni zation along the island chain from Oahu to Maui Nui to Hawaii Island and (2 ) incongruent area relationships among Eastern Molokai, West Maui, and Hale akala for two species triplets. (C) 2001 Academic Press.