Phylogenetic systematics of weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): A reappraisal based on larval and adult morphology

Abstract

A cladistic analysis of Curculionoidea based on 100 morphological characters (28 from larvae and 72 from adults) is presented. The 13 terminal taxa correspond to 7 extant families of Curculionoidea of which the largest, Curculionidae, is represented by 7 smaller units. The terminal units are defined by morphological autapomorphies taken from published information on larvae and adults. The chrysomeloid Palophaginae was used as outgroup. The cladogram shows that there is a basal dichotomy in the superfamily, Nemonychidae-Anthribidae being the monophyletic sister taxon to the remaining families, which follow the sequence Belidae, Attelabidae, Caridae, Brentidae, and Curculionidae. The units of Curculionidae are related as follows: Ithycerinae, Microcerinae, Brachycerinae, Ocladiinae, Dryophthorinae, Erirhininae, and 'Curculionidae s.str.'. Important areas where further work should be directed are: the sister group relationship of Nemonychidae and Anthribidae, and the recognition of monophyletic subfamilies within the Curculionidae s.str. as well as the placement of Platypodinae.