Thysanotus R.Br. (Asparagales; Laxmanniaceae) is a genus native to Australia with c. 50 species distributed chiefly in Australia. To date, Thysanotus lacks proper and detailed systematic studies based on molecular and/or non-molecular data. Therefore, carrying out a detailed systematic study using molecular and/or non-molecular data seemed important. Furthermore, generic placement of Murchisonia Brittan has always been controversial and this placement required testing under a phylogenetic framework. The generic relationships within Laxmanniaceae/Lomandraceae are considered uncertain; therefore, a phylogenetic analysis using molecular and morphological data is necessary to properly understand the generic relationships of Laxmanniaceae. Detailed studies on stem anatomy and morphology were carried out in order to understand the systematic significance and phylogenetic signal of these characters. The cp DNA (trnL intron and trnL–F intergenic spacer) and nuclear ITS2 gene regions were amplified and the results compared and combined with a morphological analysis. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using Arthropodium R.Br and Eustrephus R.Br as outgroup taxa. There was sufficient variation in general morphology, seed micromorphology and stem anatomy and were potentially useful in understanding phylogenetic relationships of Thysanotus. A number of synapomorphies based on general morphology and stem anatomy such as absence of pendent flowers and absence of irregular shaped epidermal cells were recognised. The molecular data and the combined data yielded highly resolved consensus trees and enabled us to recognise three main lineages within the genus, each representing life history adaptations. Murchisonia was consistently nested within Thysanotus in all analyses showing a need for the return of both species to Thysanotus. Insights to intraspecific variation were also discernable from morphological, molecular and the combined analyses in species such as T. patersonii and T. juncifolius. Two new Thysanotus species, T. unicupensis and T. racemoides are also described. Our data strongly support the current circumscription of Laxmanniaceae, but suggest that there are three main lineages within the family, rather than the two previously recognised subfamilies. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1524476 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2010

<p> A revision of the Neotropical darkling beetle genus <i>Phrenapates</i> Gray 1832 (Tenebrionidae: Phrenapatinae) was conducted. Using over 300 specimens of Phrenapates, the genus is redescribed with its taxonomic history and classification summarized. Lectotypes are designated for <i>Phrenapates bennettii</i> Gray 1832, <i>P. ohausi</i> Gebien 1910, <i>P. dux</i> Gebien 1910, and <i>P. educator</i> Gebien 1910 to stabilize species concepts. Two new species are described: <i>Phrenapates gilloglyi</i> Rincon & Smith <b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>Phrenapates fortunaensis</i> Rincon & Smith <b>sp. nov.</b> A total of eight species are now recognized (<i>P. bennettii</i>, <i>P. ohausi</i>, <i>P. dux</i>, <i>P. mandibularis</i>, <i>P. educator</i>, <i>P. latreillei</i>, <i>P. gilloglyi</i>, and <i>P. fortunaensis</i>). Distribution maps and a key to <i>Phrenapates</i> species are provided.</p> In order to assess the status and relationships of the tribes in the subfamily Phrenapatinae, a molecular dataset was constructed for phlogenetic analyses. Nine gene regions were used: nuclear wingless (wg), mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb), mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), nuclear Arginine Kinase (ArgK), ribosomal RNA (12S, 16S, & 18S), nuclear ribosomal 28S, and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD). Taxa were selected based on the availability of nucleotide sequences from the GenBank and BOLD databases, as well as previously unpublished sequences provided by the Smith lab. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that: (1) the subfamily Phrenapatinae is likely monophyletic; (2) <i>Archaeoglenes</i> is sister to the other phrenapatines in all analyses which, alongside morphological evidence, supports the concept of the tribe Archaeoglenini; (3) the relationship between Phrenapatini and Penetini varied between analyses, though morphological characters used to separate the two tribes appear stable; (4) Penetini, the most species rich tribe within the subfamily, may not be monophyletic.

<p> Chapter 1 is the first revision of the New World species of the genus <em>Rhipidandrus</em> LeConte, 1862 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). All previously described species except <em>R. fungicola</em> Friedenreich, 1883 are redescribed, including a diagnosis and distribution information. <em>Rhipidandrus punctatus</em> <strong>n. sp.</strong> is described from Peru, Panama, and Chiapas, Mexico. New synonymies (junior synonyms first) include: <em>R. mexicanus</em> Sharp, 1905 = <em>R. paradoxus</em> (Palisot de Beauvois, 1818); <em>R. cornutus</em> (Arrow, 1904) = <em>R. panamaensis </em>(Barber, 1914) = <em>R. peruvianus</em> (Laporte, 1840); <em>R. peninsularis</em> Horn, 1894 = <em>R. micrographus</em> (Lacordiare, 1865). <em>Eledona peruviana </em>Laporte, 1840 is recognized as <em>nomen nudum</em> according to ICZN 1999: Article 12. A revised species checklist, a dichotomous key, an interactive key, and distribution maps are also presented.  </p> <p>Chapter 2 represents the first phylogenetic insight into the relationships within Bolitophagini in relation to Toxicini with more than three taxa sampled. For analyses, 34 taxa were sampled, with representatives from nine bolitophagine genera and seven toxicine genera with 3 outgroup taxa. Six gene regions from nuclear, ribosomal, and mitochondrial DNA were amplified using polymerase chain reactions and sequenced. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses were run on the 4049 bp concatenated dataset via the CIPRES Science Gateway. In both resulting trees, the monophyly of Bolitophagini is recovered with high support (BS = 100, PP = 100). The monophyly of Toxicini was recovered, but with poor support (BS = 60, PP = 70). The monophyletic clade containing both Bolitophagini and Toxicini was also recovered with high support (BS = 100, PP = 100).  </p> <p><br></p>