Revision, morphometry and cladistics of Erynephala (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Galerucini)

Abstract The genus Erynephala Blake, 1970 is reviewed based on linear morphometry and a morphological study. A cladistic analysis of the genus based on morphological characters is also presented. The results demonstrate that Erynephala brighti Blake, 1970 is synonym of Erynephala maritima ( LeConte 1865 ), and that the “race” of E. maritima, originally described as Monoxia puncticollis var. texana Schaeffer, 1932 is recognized as a different species: Erynephala texana ( Schaeffer 1932 ) stat. nov.. The cladistic analyses revealed that Erynephala is monophyletic, forms three clades: ((E. maritima + E. texana) + (Erynephala morosa + Erynephala puncticollis)) + Erynephala interrupta, and it is close related to Monoxia, LeConte, 1865 species. We also provide redescriptions and photographs of adult males and females, in addition to distribution maps.