First Molecular Phylogeny in Mecopini: New Insights into Classification
Mecopini is a group of sexually dimorphic weevils from
Asia, Australia, and Africa, comprising 16 genera and over 90 species.
While it was widely studied in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
research has declined, with no modern molecular studies. This study
provides the first molecular analysis of Mecopini, examining seven
genera and nine species from Taiwan and the Philippines. Findings
reveal that Agametis Pascoe,
1870 is genetically distinct, while
Mesochirozetes Heller, 1931
and Chirozetes Pascoe, 1871
are
polyphyletic. We propose reclassifying Agametis under Conoderitae and
elevating Mesochirozetes to
genus status, calling for a reevaluation of
Mecopini taxonomy.

Read the full article, published by Zoological
Studies, here
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