G. it. Ent., 6 (33): 263-274
April 30, 1993
Anatomía y morfología de la genitalia femenina de las
especies mexicanas del género Phyllophaga (sensu lato)
(Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). Relaciones filogenéticas con otros
géneros del área mediterránea
por
M. COCA-ABIA, F. MARTÍN-PIERA, M. A. MORÓN
Abstract - Anatomy and morphology of the genitalia of the Mexican species of the genus Phyllophaga (sensu lato) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). Phylogenetic relationships with other genera of the Mediterranean area - The morpho-anatomy of the female genitalia of 46 species included in 24 groups belonging to 7 subgenera of the genus Phyllophaga (sensu lato) is described. The variability range is established, and a taxonomic interpretation of such variability is given. The genital morphotype is characterized, and the possible relationships with the taxonomic categories defined by means of external morphology are discussed. It is concluded that: 1) the genital morpho-anatomy of Phyllophaga (sensu lato) corresponds to the same structural pattern of the Rhizotrogina; 2) the morphotype named "grácil" is the most primitive; 3) a moderate taxonomic congruence versus incongruence between the classification proposed by Morón (1986) and the new taxonomic affinities revealed by female genitalia exists; 4) according to the present stage of our knowledge, the percentage of taxonomic congruence depends on the sample size studied; 5) the female genitalia of the genus Phyllophaga show characters which allow us the specific taxonomic diagnosis, and may also help to better define the species-groups, and probably the subgeneric categories.
