Towards a comprehensive view of weevil morphological evolution: Prospects and progress from the 1K Weevils project

CLARKE, D.J.; MARVALDI, A. E.; OBERPRIELER, R. G.; MCKENNA, D. D.

Congreso; XXV International Congress of Entomology; 2016

Introduction: Weevils (Curculionoidea) are a hugely speciose beetle group and this richness is matched by great morphological diversity. The 1K Weevils morphology project is marshalling a novel morphological dataset to provide an independent test of weevil (especially Curculionidae) phylogeny, and to provide novel insights into the evolution of this important phytophagous group.Methods: Adult and larval morphological characters from diverse character systems were compiled and synthesized from the phylogenetic literature and from new observations. All characters have been critically evaluated, re-interpreted in light of current phylogenetic thinking, and organized into a supermatrix. We have compiled an unprecedented and comprehensive taxon sample for Curculionidae, other weevil families, and chrysomeloid outgroups, and these data will be used to evaluate support for the major groupings within Curculionidae.Results/Conclusion: The 1K Weevils morphology project will provide unique insight into the morphological evolution of weevils, especially for the largest family, Curculionidae. The resulting character list will provide the foundation for many systematic and phylogenetic studies at all levels within weevils.