Sexual dimorphism and phylogenetic position of Chilodendron (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) - a long isolated lineage endemic to Madagascar

Abstract

Chilodendron Schedl, 1953 is resurrected as a valid genus based on Chilodendron planicolle Schedl, 1953. This is the only representative of the tribe Hylesinini Erichson, 1836 found on Madagascar and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of several genes supports a position separate from Hylesinopsis Eggers, 1920 and other putatively close relatives. It is likely that Chilodendron is the oldest living lineage of bark beetles on Madagascar and possibly originated in the late Cretaceous not long after the separation of Madagascar from the Indian subcontinent.

Keywords

• molecular phylogeny
• biogeography
• afrotropical region
• hylesinopsis
• ficus