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Sclerites of Bursa Copulatrix Reveal Hidden Generic Diversity in Dimini (Coleoptera, Elateridae): Revision of Parapenia Species from China, with the Establishment of Three New Genera
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School of Life Sciences (School of Ecological Forestry), Mianyang Teachers’ College, Mianxing West Road, Mianyang 621000, China
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Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77146 Olomouc, Czech Republic
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2025, 16(10), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101003
Submission received: 25 August 2025
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Revised: 22 September 2025
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Accepted: 23 September 2025
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Published: 26 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beetles in Integrative Entomology: Biology, Taxonomy, and Conservation)
Simple Summary
In this study, we revised the click-beetle genus Parapenia from China. We recognized 12 Chinese species in total, including six that are newly discovered. Two species are reported from China for the first time, and one species is treated as a synonym. A detailed study of female reproductive structures revealed plate-like structures that had rarely been noticed before in this group of beetles. These structures proved to be very reliable for identifying and separating different taxonomic groups. Based on these findings, three new genera morphologically similar to Parapenia were established. To support future work, we provided a comparative diagnostic table, distribution maps, and identification keys for these beetles in China. This research not only clarifies the true diversity of Parapenia but also demonstrates that overlooked internal structures can be essential for understanding the generic limits and how these click-beetle groups are related to each other, which is important for documenting and protecting biodiversity.
Abstract
The genus Parapenia Suzuki from China is revised, with 12 species recognized, including six new species: P. fuxi sp. nov., P. nyuwa sp. nov., P. pangu sp. nov., P. ruihangisp. nov., P. wuchaoi sp. nov., and P. zhengi sp. nov. In addition, P. sausai Schimmel and P. villosa (Fleutiaux) are newly recorded from China, and P. jagemanni Schimmel syn. nov. is synonymized with P. yunnana Schimmel. Large plate-like sclerites in the bursa copulatrix are consistently present in Parapenia and show diagnostic value for generic delimitation. Comparative morphological studies, particularly of these sclerites, justify the establishment of three new genera distinct from Parapenia: (1) Parapenioides gen. nov., including P. zidanisp. nov.; (2) Megapenia gen. nov., including M. cruciata (Bouwer) comb. nov., type species M. marginalis (Fleutiaux) comb. nov., and M. tianlongi sp. nov.; and (3) Sinopeniagen. nov., including S. significata (Schimmel) comb. nov. A comparative diagnostic table of the four genera, together with a checklist and distribution maps, is provided. Identification keys to Chinese species of Parapenia and Megapenia are also included. This study clarifies the taxonomic complexity of Parapenia and emphasizes the overlooked significance of sclerotized structures in the bursa copulatrix for distinguishing genera within Dimini.
Keywords:
Elateroidea; Dendrometrinae; click beetles; diversity; new genus; Oriental region
