Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Reconstructing the phylogeny of Scolytinae and close allies: Major obstacles and prospects for a solution

Informally Refereed

Abstract

To enable the resolution of deep phylogenetic divergence in Scolytinae and closely related weevils, several new molecular markers were screened for their phylogenetic potential. The nuclear protein encoding genes, CAD and Arginine Kinase, were particularly promising and will be added to future phylogenetic studies in combination with 28S, COI, and Elongation Factor 1α. The combined analysis of multiple molecular markers and wide taxon sampling is expected to resolve many previously unresolved nodes in scolytine phylogeny, but a completely resolved topology seems dependent on the inclusion of a large number of morphological characters. A well founded phylogeny will provide a powerful framework for testing evolutionary hypotheses on habitat selection and reproductive biology.

Parent Publication

Keywords

phylogenetic divergence, Scolytinae, weevils

Citation

Jordal, Bjarte H. 2007. Reconstructing the phylogeny of Scolytinae and close allies: Major obstacles and prospects for a solution. In: Bentz, Barbara; Cognato, Anthony; Raffa, Kenneth, eds. Proceedings from the Third Workshop on Genetics of Bark Beetles and Associated Microorganisms. Proc. RMRS-P-45. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 3-9
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/27360