Date of Award
8-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Entomology
Committee Member
Dr. Michael Caterino, Committee Chair
Committee Member
Dr. Peter Adler
Committee Member
Dr. J. Antonio Baeza
Abstract
The flea beetle genera Epitrix and Acallepitrix are revised for America North of Mexico, building on a prior preliminary revision of the genus Epitrix by the author (Deczynski 2014). Four new species are described: Epitrix cuprea sp. nov., E. rileyi sp. nov., E. latifrons sp. nov., and E. vasinoda sp. nov., bringing the North American Epitrixfauna to a total of 26 species. A key is provided to adults of all species. A phylogenetic analysis is performed based on 44 external morphological characters and 30 genitalic characters. Acallepitrix nitens arose within the North American Epitrix, suggesting generic revision is required. The Palearctic species E. pubescens is found to have arisen within the North American Epitrix, suggesting either a New World origin for the group, or multiple introductions from the Old World. Multiple origins or losses of host shifting are found in the evolutionary history of the group, suggesting that host shifting has a high evolutionary rate of change. Further molecular analysis and increased global sampling are needed to support these results.
Recommended Citation
Deczynski, Anthony Martin, "Morphological Systematics of the Nightshade Flea Beetles Epitrix Foudras and Acallepitrix Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in America North of Mexico" (2016). All Theses. 2479.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2479