First Alaocybites weevil (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) from the Eastern Palaearctic: A new microphthalmic species and generic relationships

Abstract

The genus Alaocybites (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), previously consisting of two eyeless Californian species, is for the fi rst time reported from the East Palaearctic Region. A new microphthalmic species, A. egorovi sp.n., is described from Primorsky Kray, the Far East of Russia. An early Late Pliocene Alaskan weevil fossil previously attributed to the molytine genus Otibazo is assigned to Alaocybites and found almost undistinguishable from A. egorovi sp.n. Results of preliminary phylogenetic analyses aimed to clarify phylogenetic affi nities of Alaocybites are found controversial and inconclusive. The uncertainties of the contemporary classifi cation of orthocerous weevils are briefl y discussed. Alaocybites is provisionally retained in Raymondionymidae, with the absence of tarsomere IV on each leg being the family's most plausible apomorphy. Monophyly, geographical distribution and internal relationships of Raymondionymidae are briefl y discussed and compared with other predominantly Mediterranean groups of eyeless beetles. External and genital morphological characters of edaphic weevils with reduced eyes habitually resembling, or thought to be related to, Alaocybites are extensively illustrated.