Jr. Cryan et al., Evaluation of relationships within the endemic Hawaiian Platynini (Coleoptera : Carabidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence, MOL PHYL EV, 21(1), 2001, pp. 72-85
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.