Mitogenomics and hidden‐trait models reveal the role of phoresy and host shifts in the diversification of parasitoid blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.16390
• Publication Date: 2022-02-11T07:49:55Z
• Authors: Estefany Karen Ló...; Isabel Sanmartín; Juan Esteban Uribe; Samuel Abalde; Yolanda Jiménez‐Ruiz; Mario García‐París
• Keywords: Grasshopper; Lineage (genetic)

Abstract Changes in life history traits are often considered speciation triggers and can have dramatic effects on the evolutionary of a lineage. Here, we examine consequences changes two traits, host‐type phoresy, hypermetamorphic blister beetles, Meloidae. Subfamilies Nemognathinae Meloinae exhibit complex cycle involving multiple metamorphoses parasitoidism. Most genera tribes bee‐parasitoids, include phoretic or nonphoretic species, while feed grasshopper eggs. These different strategies coupled with striking differences species richness among clades. We generated mitogenomic phylogeny for Meloinae, confirming monophyly these clades, used dated to explore association between diversification rates host specificity using state‐dependent extinction (SSE) models that effect hidden traits. To account low taxon sampling, implemented phylogenetic‐taxonomic approach based birth‐death simulations, Bayesian framework integrate parameter phylogenetic uncertainty. Results show ancestral Meloidae was bee‐parasitoid, transitions towards bee‐parasitoid parasitoidism occurred times. Nonphoretic lineages significantly higher relative lower than bee‐and grasshopper‐parasitoids, but no significant were found latter strategies. This suggests Orthopteran shifts phoresy contributed jointly success parasitoid meloidae. also demonstrate SSE be identify coevolving focal trait driving lineage's dynamics.