The Evolutionary History of the Ancient Weevil Family Belidae Reveals the Impacts of Gondwana Breakup and Major Floristic Transitions, Including the Rise of Angiosperms

Core Concepts

The evolutionary history of the ancient weevil family Belidae was shaped by the breakup of Gondwana and the rise of angiosperms, leading to shifts in host plant associations over time.

Abstract

The study reconstructs the evolutionary history of the ancient weevil family Belidae using molecular data and the fossil record. Key insights include:

Belidae originated in Gondwana around 138 million years ago, associated with gymnosperm (conifer) host plants.
As Gondwana broke up, belids tracked their host plants across the dispersing landmasses.
Some belid lineages shifted to angiosperm and cycad hosts as conifers declined, evolving new trophic interactions like brood-pollination mutualisms with cycads.
Extant radiations of Rhinotia in Australia and Proterhinus in Hawaii have relatively recent origins, likely driven by host plant shifts and geographical isolation.
Ancestral state reconstructions indicate conservatism in larval feeding on parenchymatous plant tissues, with few shifts to reproductive structures like cones and flowers.
Palaeogeographical events like the breakup of Gondwana shaped the biogeography and host plant associations of belids over their evolutionary history.

Stats

The crown age of Belidae is estimated to be around 138.5 million years ago (154.9-125.6 Ma).
The crown age of the genus Rhinotia is estimated to be around 11.7 million years ago (14.1-9.2 Ma).
The crown age of the cycad genus Dioon, a host plant of some Allocorynina belids, is estimated to be 24.6-7.5 million years ago.
The crown age of the cycad genus Zamia, another host plant of Allocorynina, is estimated to be 9.5 million years ago (22.1-9.0 Ma).

Quotes

"Belidae were reconstructed as having a Gondwanan origin, with the two extant subfamilies Belinae and Oxycoryninae originating in the Australian and Neotropical regions, respectively."
"The larvae of ancestral Belidae were reconstructed as having developed endophytically in branches (not strobili) of their host plants, which is consistent with some previous hypotheses."
"The ancestral host plants of Belinae were recovered as being Pinopsida. Based on our phylogeny estimate, the host plant shift to Angiospermae may have occurred during the branching of Belini in the Middle to Late Paleogene."

Key Insights Distilled From

The evolutionary history of the ancient weevil family Belidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) reveals the marks of Gondwana breakup and major floristic turnovers, including the rise of angiosperms

by Li,X., Marva... at www.biorxiv.org 03-14-2024

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.03.12.584611v1

Deeper Inquiries

How might the evolution of belid host plant associations have influenced or been influenced by the diversification of their host plant lineages over geological time?

The evolution of belid host plant associations is intricately linked to the diversification of their host plant lineages over geological time. As belids tracked their host plants through major plate movements during Gondwana's breakup, they survived on distant, disjunct landmasses. The association of belids with gymnosperms, such as Pinopsida, likely originated during the Jurassic when gymnosperms dominated terrestrial ecosystems. This primary association with gymnosperms influenced the evolutionary trajectory of belids, shaping their trophic interactions and distribution patterns.
As the Cretaceous marked the rise of angiosperms, belids underwent host plant shifts to adapt to the changing plant landscape. The transition to angiosperms introduced novel ecological niches and resources, leading to the diversification of phytophagous insects, including belids. Some belid lineages shifted from gymnosperm hosts to angiosperm hosts, such as Arecaceae, Hydnoraceae, and Balanophoraceae, as angiosperms became the dominant plant group. These host shifts reflect the dynamic interplay between belids and their host plants, highlighting the coevolutionary relationships between insects and plants over geological time.
The diversification of belid host plant associations has likely been influenced by the diversification of their host plant lineages. As different plant lineages diversified and expanded, belids had the opportunity to colonize new host plants, leading to the formation of specialized trophic interactions. The evolutionary history of belids is intertwined with the evolutionary history of their host plants, with host plant diversification providing opportunities for belid speciation and adaptation.

What are the potential ecological and evolutionary consequences of the shifts from gymnosperm to angiosperm hosts observed in some belid lineages?

The shifts from gymnosperm to angiosperm hosts observed in some belid lineages have significant ecological and evolutionary consequences.
Ecologically, the transition from gymnosperm to angiosperm hosts opens up new ecological niches and resources for belids. Angiosperms offer a diverse array of plant structures, such as flowers, fruits, and seeds, that provide different feeding opportunities for belid adults and larvae. This shift in host plants can lead to changes in feeding behaviors, life history traits, and ecological interactions within belid populations.
Evolutionarily, the transition to angiosperm hosts can drive diversification and speciation in belid lineages. The availability of new host plants can promote adaptive radiation, where belids exploit different angiosperm species and develop specialized relationships with specific plant taxa. This diversification can lead to the emergence of new belid species adapted to different angiosperm hosts, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the group.
Additionally, the shifts to angiosperm hosts may influence the genetic and morphological evolution of belids. Adaptations to new host plants can drive genetic changes in belid populations, leading to the evolution of traits that enhance their ability to exploit angiosperms. These evolutionary consequences can shape the phylogenetic relationships, biogeography, and ecological interactions of belid lineages over time.

What insights could a more comprehensive sampling of belid diversity, especially in understudied regions, provide into the broader patterns of insect-plant coevolution?

A more comprehensive sampling of belid diversity, especially in understudied regions, could provide valuable insights into the broader patterns of insect-plant coevolution.

Biogeographical Patterns: By sampling belids from diverse regions, researchers can uncover the historical biogeography of belid lineages and their associations with different plant taxa. This comprehensive sampling can reveal how belid distributions have been shaped by historical events, such as continental drift and climatic changes, and how these factors have influenced their host plant associations.

Host Plant Associations: Increased sampling in understudied regions can help identify novel host plant associations and uncover hidden diversity within belid lineages. By exploring a wide range of plant taxa, researchers can elucidate the breadth of host plant usage among belids and understand the factors driving host shifts and specialization in different geographic areas.

Phylogenetic Relationships: Comprehensive sampling can improve phylogenetic reconstructions of belid lineages, providing a more robust framework for studying their evolutionary history. By including a diverse array of taxa, researchers can resolve relationships at different taxonomic levels and infer the patterns of diversification and adaptation within the group.

Ecological Interactions: Studying belids from understudied regions can shed light on the ecological interactions between insects and plants in diverse ecosystems. By examining the coevolutionary dynamics between belids and their host plants in different habitats, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving insect-plant interactions and the ecological roles of belids in various ecosystems.