A Monographic Revision of the Subfamliy Nicrophorinae (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

University Of Connecticut, Storrs CT

Investigators

Abstract

The subfamily Nicrophorinae is a relatively small group of beetles, currently around 65 species, that has long been recognized as exceptional because of the elaborate and unusual biparental care behaviors displayed by members of the subfamily's largest genus, Nicrophorus. With potentially more than 90% of the taxa discovered, and with so many active behavioral, ecological, and conservation research programs, taxonomic resolution of the phylogenetic relationships among species is especially critical and needed. The project is focused on completing the species descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic catalog, distribution maps, and keys to all species. All data will be made available on the web. Genomic DNA will be archived for future use, and for molecular level testing of several hypotheses related to the evolution of the group and the behavioral complexity observed among these beetles.