Evolutionary constraints in hind wing shape in Chinese dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae).

ABSTRACT: This study examines the evolution hindwing shape in Chinese dung beetle species using morphometric and phylogenetic analyses. Previous studies have analyzed the evolution of wing shape within a single or very few species, or by comparing only a few wing traits. No study has analyzed wing shape evolution of a large number of species, or quantitatively compared morphological variation of wings with proposed phylogenetic relationships. This study examines the morphological variation of hindwings based on 19 landmarks, 119 morphological characters, and 81 beetle species. Only one most parsimonious tree (MPT) was found based on 119 wing and body characters. To better understand the possible role of the hindwing in the evolution of Scarabaeinae, additional phylogenetic analyses were proposed bas

SUBMITTER: Bai M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3124545 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature