Morphological-convergence
Guides
Lachnophorini
Lachnophorini is a tribe of ground beetles (family Carabidae) comprising approximately 18 genera and more than 190 described species. The tribe exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and divergent ecological habits, with most species being very small (less than 3.74 mm in adult body length). A 2014 taxonomic synopsis added a new genus (Peruphorticus) and 24 new species, significantly expanding known diversity. The tribe shows distinct biogeographic patterns, with Neotropical species in the Amazon Basin and Middle and South America, and additional representatives in the Paleotropics and Australia. Recent research indicates local ecological adaptation and morphological convergence related to habitat use within the Amazon Basin radiation.
Onthophagini
Onthophagine dung beetles
Onthophagini is a large and ecologically significant tribe of dung beetles within the family Scarabaeidae. The tribe comprises approximately half of the world's dung beetle fauna, with the genus Onthophagus alone containing over 2,300 species worldwide. Members are found on every continent except Antarctica. The tribe originated from a single common ancestor shared with the Oniticellini, with which it forms a monophyletic group. While many dung beetles are known for ball-rolling behavior, Onthophagini species exhibit diverse feeding strategies including specialization on fungi, carrion, and dead millipedes, with some species living in close association with termites and ants.