The Female Reproductive System of the Genus Hololepta (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Histerinae, Hololeptini) and Its Significance for the Systematics of the Group

Abstract Most species of the genus Hololepta are distinguished by a flat body and unusual ovipositor structure, which is adapted to laying eggs in decaying wood. Cladistic analysis based on 33 characters of the external morphology of the imago and on 15 characters of the ovipositor confirms the monophyly of the genus. The subgenus Hololepta is distinguished by a greater number of apomorphic characters compared to the subgenus Leionota. No characters supporting the monophyly of Leionota have been found. The gonocoxites of most species of the subgenus Hololepta have outgrowth-like or serrated outgrowths that help in pushing apart the substrate during egg laying. The valvifers have longitudinal thickenings that further increase their strength. The data obtained show a low significance of the features of the female reproductive system for phylogenetic reconstructions. The reproductive system of Hololepta females is more susceptible to convergences and parallelisms compared to the features of their external morphology.