Classification, reconstructed phylogeny and geographical history of weevils of the genus Panscopus Schoenherr, and cladistic relationships among genera of the tribe Leptopiini occurring in North and Central America (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

A cladistic analysis based on adult structural characters was performed using exemplars of each of seven tribes of broad-nosed weevils of the curculionid subfamily Entiminae (Leptopiinae of authors). The results show the tribe Leptopiini to be most closely related to the South American tribe Premnotrypini and the North American tribe Ophryastini to be most closely related to the South African tribe Leptostethini. An adelphotaxon relationship is hypothesized between the Leptopiini+Premnotrypini and the Ophryastini+Leptostethini.; Cladistic analysis of representatives of 28 genera of Leptopiini occurring in North and Central America, resulted in a partially resolved phylogenetic reconstruction. Panscopus Schonherr is the hypothesized adelphotaxon of a five-genus clade which includes Phyxelis Schonherr, Tropiphorus Schonherr, Lepesoma Motschulsky, Amphidees Schonherr, and Paranametis Burke.; A cladistic analysis of the species of Panscopus produced a hypothesized phylogeny upon which a subgeneric classification is based. Five subgenera are recognized, all hypothesized to be monophyletic: Parapanscopus Buchanan, Panscopus sensu stricto, Pseudopanscopus Buchanan, Dolichonotus Buchanan, Phymatinus LeConte (redefined) and Nocheles LeConte and Horn (redefined). The following new subgeneric synonymies are presented: Phymatinus LeConte 1869 (=Panscopidius Pierce 1913); Nocheles LeConte and Horn 1876 (=Nomidus Casey 1895, and Neopanscopus Pierce 1913).; A key to the subgenera and species for adult specimens of Panscopus is provided. For each species of Panscopus a systematic treatment is provided. The following species-group nomenclatural changes are presented: P. (Parapanscopus) ovatipennis verrucosus Buchanan 1936 is treated as a junior synonym of P. (P.) ovatipennis Buchanan 1936; P. (Dolichonotus) acutisetus is described as new; P. (nomidus) pallidus Buchanan 1927 is treated as a junior synonym of P. (Nocheles) torpidus LeConte 1857; P. (Phymatinus) longiscapus is proposed as new for specimens of P. torpidus auctorum, nec LeConte; P. remotus Van Dyke 1949 is a junior synonym of P. (Nocheles) rugicollis Buchanan 1927.; A biogeographical analysis of Panscopus, relating zones of disjunction between geographical ranges of sister lineages to known geological or paleoclimatological and paleoecological events, suggests that the genus arose during the Tertiary period. Most cladogenesis occurred in late Eocene to Miocene times, whereas later Tertiary (Pliocene), and Pleistocene times were likely periods of extinction, or extirpation.