Rhagophthalmidae Olivier, 1907 (Coleoptera, Elateroidea): described genera and species, current problems, and prospects for the bioluminescent and paedomorphic beetle lineage

By

Kundrata, Robin
Hoffmannova, Johana
Hinson, Kevin
Keller, Oliver
Packova, Gabriela

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1126

Pages

55--130

Subjects

catalogue , Classification , Drilidae , Lampyridae , neoteny , Oriental region , Phengodidae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1126.90233

 

Abstract

Rhagophthalmidae are a small beetle family known from the eastern Palaearctic and Oriental realms. Rhagophthalmidae are closely related to railroad worms (Phengodidae) and fireflies (Lampyridae) with which they share highly modified paedomorphic females and the ability to emit light. Currently, Rhagophthalmidae include 66 species classified in the following 12 genera:BicladodrilusPic, 1921 (two spp.),BicladumPic, 1921 (two spp.),DioptomaPascoe, 1860 (two spp.),DiplocladonGorham, 1883 (two spp.),DodecatomaWestwood, 1849 (eight spp.),FalsophrixothrixPic, 1937 (six spp.),HaplocladonGorham, 1883 (two spp.),MenghuoiusKawashima, 2000 (three spp.),MimoochotyraPic, 1937 (one sp.),MonodrilusPic, 1921 (two spp. in two subgenera),PseudothilmanusPic, 1918 (two spp.), andRhagophthalmusMotschulsky, 1854 (34 spp.). The replacement nameHaplocladon gorhamiKundrata,nom. nov.is proposed forDiplocladon hasseltiiGorham, 1883b (described in subgenus Haplocladon) which is preoccupied byDiplocladon hasseltiiGorham, 1883a. The genusReductodrilusPic, 1943 is tentatively placed in Lampyridae: Ototretinae. Lectotypes are designated forPseudothilmanus alatusPic, 1918 andP. marginalisPic, 1918. Interestingly, in the eastern part of their distribution, Rhagophthalmidae have remained within the boundaries of the Sunda Shelf and the Philippines demarcated by the Wallace Line, which separates the Oriental and Australasian realms. This study is intended to be a first step towards a comprehensive revision of the group on both genus and species levels. Additionally, critical problems and prospects for rhagophthalmid research are briefly discussed.