The genus Nisotra Baly, 1864 (Coleoptera, Chrysomeliae, Galerucinae, Alticini) in Taiwan, with redescriptions of four Asian species and notes on the immature stages of N.gemella (Erichson, 1834).

Nisotrachrysomeloides Jacoby, 1885, N.dohertyi (Maulik, 1926), N.gemella (Erichson, 1834), and Nisotranigripes Jacoby, 1894 are redescribed with illustrations of aedeagi, antennae, gonocoxae, abdominal ventrite VIII, and spermathecae. Nisotranigripes is recorded for the first time from Taiwan. The immature stages and life history of N.gemella were studied in the laboratory using a novel rearing design. Four synonyms previously proposed are confirmed: Sphaerodermajavana de Motschulsky, 1866, S.orbiculata de Motschulsky, 1866, Nisotrabowringi Baly, 1876, and Podagricahibisci Bryant, 1941 with N.gemella (Erichson, 1834). Lectotypes are designated for Halticagemella Erichson, 1834, N.chrysomeloides Jacoby, 1885, N.bowringi Baly, 1876, and Podagricahibisci Bryant, 1941.

Untangling the evolution of soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) and the evaluation of the morphological phylogenetic signal in a soft-bodied elateroid lineage.

This study addresses the long-standing uncertainty about the internal classification of soldier beetles (Elateroidea: Cantharidae). Four datasets were compiled and analysed: 66 genes for 14 terminals, 15 mtDNA genes for 79 terminals, one mtDNA and two rRNA genes for 217 terminals, and barcodes for 576 terminals. Based on congruent topologies, Chauliognathinae is proposed as a sister to the remaining Cantharidae, followed by the redefined Malthininae (including Tytthonyxini), the paraphyletic "dysmorphocerine" lineages (Dysmorphocerinae sensu stricto and Heteromastiginae subfam. nov.), and Silinae + Cantharinae as a terminal clade. The present phylogeny supersedes earlier morphology and short-fragment molecular hypotheses that have not converged on a consensus. Few morphological characters corroborate the DNA-based relationships (see the adults and larval keys). However, morphology-based hypotheses have relied on a few informative characters, and no evidence strongly rejects the preferred molecular topology. The interpretation of morphological characters and uncertain polarity resulting from the high phenotypic disparity of Elateroidea are discussed in detail. The dated phylogeny hypothesizes the earliest split within the Cantharidae in the Berriasian stage (Early Cretaceous, ~141 Myr) and the diversification of most extant subfamilies and tribes already in the Late Cretaceous. The most diverse subfamily, Cantharinae, represents a delayed radiation that started during the Eocene climatic optimum, 55.5 Myr. The late origin of Cantharinae questions the classification of Cretaceous Cantharidae as members of Cantharinae. Instead, the results suggest their deeper rooting after separating from dysmorphocerine lineages and before the node between Cantharinae and Silinae.

The genome sequence of Philonthus cognatus (Stephens, 1832) (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), a rove beetle.

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Philonthus cognatus (a rove beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Staphylinidae). The genome sequence is 1,030.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 20.7 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 29,629 protein coding genes.

The genome sequence of a soldier beetle, Cantharis rufa (Linnaeus, 1758).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Cantharis rufa (soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 355.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.34 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a ground beetle, Pterostichus niger (Schaller, 1783).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pterostichus niger (a ground beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Carabidae). The genome sequence is 674.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.16 kilobases in length.