Phylogenetic Relationship Analysis Of Coleoptera Based On Antenna Character

The morphological variation of antenna and the diversity of sensilia on it in Coleoptera (i.e. beetles) make antenna an important organ for study of phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of the Higher Category.Types of differentiation and functional specialization of beetle's antennae are closely related to its adaptation to biological function and the evolution of life. The size and density of sensilia on the antennae surface, with different roles and functions, vary with species significantly. In this paper, preliminary studies were made based on check of a large number of specimen and literature and application of ultra-depth three-dimensional digital microscopy technology and electronic scanning technology, to reveal the phylogenetic relationship in high-order of Coleoptera. The results were as follows:1. Based on specimen and collected literature data, comparative analysis was made on classification of the antennae of 95 beetle families and some character of some families, including description of antenna characteristics, comparison of the subgroup and the surface ultrastructure of of the 2 suborders, 16 Superfamilia,53 families,120 species of beetles.The sensillia on antenna were grouped into 28 types, including 4 new discovered types, ceratoid sensilla, mulberricum sensilla,arched sensilla,coelosloticonica sensilla; 157 figures of antenna, 354 figures of sensillia were provided.2. Based on antenna characterization, inference of were made on phylogenetic relationship between 64 families of the 4 suborders, 13 families of Superfamily Scarabaeoidea, 11 tribe of Tenebrionidae; preliminary results showed that phylogenetic relationship based on the antenna characteristics alone did not support the traditional classification, but the phylogenetic relationships reflected at Superfamily, family level agreed with the traditional classification essentially.3. Comparative morphological data showed that the general trend of evolution of antenna from primitive type to mordern type is from long primitive filamentous to short ones with gradual enlargement of the rod tips, including capitate, clavate, serrate, pectiniform, lamellate et al. other types.4. Comparative morphological data of antennal sensilla showed that trichodea sensilla sensillum and basiconca sensillum were commonly present in various taxa of Coleoptera, which can be regarded as primitive types, other types of sensillum showed different degree of divergence.5. The sexual dimorphism of antennae was present in only in a small number of beetle taxa, which was of special biological significance since there was different type and distribution of sensilla in both sexes.6. To some extent, the types and distribution of sensilla were greatly related to insect's feeding habits, that is, insects with similar types and distribution of sensilla feed similarly, vice versa, polyphagous insects have more sensilla than monophagous insects.7. Sensilla types and their distribution were closely related to habitat. Beetles living in homogenous habitat habitat, such as desert beetles, have less sensilia type and lower sensilia density; in return, beetles living in heterogenous habitat, such as beetles in Desert, have sensilia of more diversity and larger amout Beetles of species have similar type and distribution of sensilla due to similar living environment.