Phylogeny and classification of Hypherpes auctorum (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini: Pterostichus)

ABSTRACT Based on an exemplar sample of pterostichine species (Carabidae: Pterostichini), 28S rDNA and COI and COII mtDNA sequence data are used to reconstruct a phylogenetic hypothesis for generic and subgeneric taxa putatively in or related to the subgenus Hypherpes Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichus Bonelli). The monophyly of Pterostichus is equivocal as the position of the subgenus Bothriopterus Chaudoir varies depending on methods of sequence alignment and gap region treatment. Pterostichus is found to be monophyletic in the combined data analysis if Cyclotrachelus Chaudoir and Tapinopterus Schaum are included in a larger concept of the genus. It is recommended that these be treated as subgenera of Pterostichus. Taxa currently included in Hypherpes are found to form a monophyletic group. No taxon previously suggested as a close relative of Hypherpes was found to be in, or closely related to Hypherpes. The sister-group of Hypherpes remains unclear, but there is some support for a clade of P...