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Molecular population genetics of Anomiopsoides
biloba and phylogeny of the genus Anomiopsoides (Coleoptera:
Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Federico C. Ocampo
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The members of the dung beetle
tribe Eucraniini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) are
flightless (except one species) and has unique ecological and
behavioral traits making it of world-wide interest to scarab
beetle systematists and evolutionary biologists. Species of
Eucraniini are endemic to desert-scrub habitats of Argentina,
areas that have high levels of diversity and endemism, are heavily
exploited, and are extremely fragile. Populations of eucraniine
species are isolated geographically and often exhibit different
morphological character states from neighboring populations. I
will examine the molecular population genetics of one species, Anomiopsoides
biloba, to determine if the isolated populations act as
evolutionarily distinct units. Anomiopsoides biloba
exhibits all the unusual traits of other species in the tribe
Eucraniini, including specialization for arid habitats,
flightlessness, specialization on dry dung pellets, and the unique
behavior of relocating food. This study will provide essential
bases for the study of the evolution of this unique group of dung
beetles. I will also examine the molecular and morphological
phylogenetics of the genus Anomiopsoides to broaden my
analysis to higher taxonomic levels and provide baseline data for
a taxonomic revision and biogeography. This research will
determine if populations should be treated separately or combined
in conservation programs.