Phylogenetic relationships in Hybosoridae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Abstract Hybosoridae comprise five extant subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae, Hybosorinae, Liparochrinae and Pachyplectrinae). The phylogenetics of Anaidinae and Ceratocanthinae have been analysed previously. This is the first thorough analysis with greater representation of the entire family, especially regarding Hybosorinae. The present study tested the monophyly of Hybosoridae; the monophyly and relationships of its subfamilies and among the genera; and the ‘incertae sedis’ placement of the hybosorid genera Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes and of Orubesa, currently assigned to Scarabaeidae. The matrix consisted of 111 morphological characters and 76 taxa. The monophyly of Hybosoridae and three subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae and Liparochrinae) was supported. Few changes were necessary to recover the monophyly of Hybosorinae and Pachyplectrinae: Brenskea is transferred from Pachyplectrinae to Hybosorinae, and Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes are allocated to Pachyplectrinae. Hybosorinae include two paraphyletic genera: Apalonychus and Hybosorus. To recover their monophyly, two monotypic genera were synonymized: Hapalonychoides is now a junior subjective synonym of Apalonychus (Apalonychus similis comb. nov.) and Hybosoroides a junior subjective synonym of Hybosorus (Hybosorus alluaudi comb. nov.). Orubesa is more closely related to Ochodaeidae than to Hybosoridae.