Comparison between molecular and morphological-based phylogenies of galerucine/alticine leaf beetles (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)

Phylogenies of representative genera based on 3 molecular markers are presented. These data are combined with previously published morphological data (Lingafelter & Konstantmov 2000). The results of separate 28S-D2 rRNA, combined analysis of molecular data and molecular data combined with morphological characters for 27 genera indicate monophyly of Galerucinae s.s. and paraphyly of Flea Beetles. These results also mean that our molecular data do not support the Flea Beetles as a tribal ranking (Alticini) within the Galerucinae, nor is it's status as a separate subfamily (Alticinae) as has been proposed by other researchers. We suggest that addition of more independent characters is still needed to resolve the question of the relationships between the Flea Beetles and the galerucines.