The taxonomy of neotenic net-winged beetles from China based on morphology and molecular data (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

We studied molecular and morphological diversity of Platerodrilini from China. Oriental and Palearctic Platerodrilus were included in a phylogenetic analysis and major lineages are identified using molecular data and morphology. We reinstate Duliticola Mjöberg, 1925 from the synonymy of Platerodrilus Pic, 1921 as a subgenus in Platerodrilus s. 1. Additionally, we propose a new subgenus Zhelongia subgen. nov. for the type-species Platerodrilus (Zhelongia) igneus sp. nov. and three related species. Larva of P. (Z.) igneus sp. nov. is described. Zhelongia subgen. nov. represents a deeply rooted lineage in Platerodrilus s. 1. and all species from China, India, and Indo-Burma are included in Zhelongia. The highest diversity of Platerodrilus is found in the Sundaland and Chinese species represent a species-poor but morphologically distant lineage. The ranges of Chinese species define the northernmost distribution limits of Platerodrilus. These limits are probably affected by climatic fluctuations and the low ability of neotenics to rapidly colonize distant areas during interglacial periods. Lizhongiella gen. nov., a new genus of Platerodrilini is described for Lizhongiella hainanensis sp. nov. from Hainan.