Phylogeny and classification of Rhipicerinae (Coleoptera: Rhipiceridae) with a review of the Australian taxa

Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 34 characters derived from adult morphology. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Rhipicerinae are monophyletic and may be divided into four genera: Oligorhipis (stat. nov.), Polymeriiis, Polytomus (stat. rev.) and Rhipicera. All genera of Rhipicerinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level reviews and keys are provided for Oligorhipis and Rhipicera. Two new species are described: Oligorhipis vanemdeni sp. nov. (Western Australia) and Rhipicera carinata sp. nov. (Western Australia). Rhipicera abdominalis Klug, 1825, R. cyanea Castelnau, 1834, R. dalmanni Westwood, 1837 and R. marginata Kirby, 1818 are transferred to Polytomus Dalman (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis bifossata Fauvel, 1904 and Ptiocerus vestitus Castelnau, 1840 are transferred to Oligorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (comb, nov.). Agathorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is synonymised with Rhipicera Latreille, 1817 (syn. nov.) and Rhipicera (Agathorhipis) neglecta Emden, 1925 with Rhipicera femorata Kirby, 1819 (syn. nov.). The neotype of Rhipicera reichei Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is designated to stabilize the taxonomie identity of this species.