Platynotini
Mulsant & Rey, 1853
Platynotini is a tribe of within the , containing more than 70 distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including North and South America, the southern Palaearctic, the Afrotropical region, and the Indomalayan realm. The tribe is distinguished from other Blaptinae tribes by the presence of a stridulatory used for sound production. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have strongly supported the of Platynotini. Members of this tribe exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with some African such as Anomalipus being heavily built and armored, adapted to dense bush-covered savanna .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Platynotini: /ˌplætɪˈnɒtɪnaɪ/
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Identification
Members of Platynotini can be distinguished from other tribes within the Blaptinae by the presence of a stridulatory , a morphological structure used for sound production. The African Ectateus group ("platynotoid" lineage) within Platynotini exhibits a characteristic "platynotoid" of . Some such as Anomalipus are heavily built with strong legs and , armored .
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Habitat
varies considerably across the geographic range. African representatives such as Anomalipus are typically restricted to dense bush-covered of woody savanna within their geographical ranges. Specific habitat preferences for other regional groups remain poorly documented.
Distribution
Distributed across multiple biogeographic regions: North and South America ( Asiopus, Opatrinus), southern Palaearctic (genus Zidalus), Afrotropical region (e.g., Gonopus, Anomalipus, Nesopatrum), and Indomalayan realm (e.g., Platynotus). The African fauna is particularly diverse, with Anomalipus alone containing 51 distributed throughout eastern and southern Africa.
Behavior
Some African within Platynotini, particularly the "tok-tokkies" (a applied to various flightless species including some Platynotini), exhibit a unique tapping method of communication between males and females. Males initiate tapping by raising and lowering the on the ground surface in species-specific patterns; females respond, and signal exchange continues until the sexes locate each other for mating. This has been documented in related tenebrionid groups but specific confirmation for Platynotini other than general references to "tok-tokkies" is limited.
Similar Taxa
- Other Blaptinae tribesLack the diagnostic stridulatory present in Platynotini; molecular phylogenetic studies confirm Platynotini as a distinct lineage within the .
- Ectateus group (historically treated separately)Now recognized as part of Platynotini based on shared stridulatory structure and "platynotoid" ; Nesopatrum was recently transferred to Platynotini based on these characters.
More Details
Taxonomic history
The Nesopatrum was recently (2004) recorded for the first time as a member of Platynotini based on stridulatory structure and , representing a significant refinement in tribal boundaries. The African Ectateus group ("platynotoid" lineage) is now treated as part of Platynotini.
Molecular support
The of Platynotini has been strongly supported by recent molecular phylogenetic studies, providing evidence for the tribal independent of morphological characters.