Handbook of Zoology Beutel, R. G., and R. A. B. Leschen (Editors)

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Handbook of Zoology Beutel, R. G., and R. A. B. Leschen (Editors). 2016. Handbook of zoology . Arthropoda: Insecta. Coleoptera, Beetles. Morphology and Systematics. Arch....

Article in The Coleopterists Bulletin · March 2018 DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-72.1.138

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BOOK REVIEW

BEUTEL, R. G., AND R. A. B. LESCHEN (EDITORS). 2016. HANDBOOK OF ZOOLOGY.ARTHROPODA: INSECTA.COLEOPTERA,BEETLES.MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS.ARCHOSTEMATA,ADEPHAGA, MYXOPHAGA, AND POLYPHAGA PARTIM,VOLUME 1, 2ND EDITION. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, Germany. 684 pp. Hardcover. ISBN: 978-3-11-024906-4; ISSN 2193-4231. US$392.00.

DOI.org/10.1649/0010-065X-72.1.138

Evolution) are great examples of a modern synthesis between paleontology and neontology, and they alone make it worthwhile for insect paleontologists to pick up this book. Although a few large chapters (Scarabaeoidea, Staphylinidae) were little updated in this new edition, they remain the important syntheses that they were in 2005. In a volume that is devoted mainly to morphology, one, of course, should not expect too many changes in the descriptive text. Nevertheless, we believe that an updated edition should include at least the following changes: updates to the number of taxa; updates to the classification; updated order and family-level phylogenies with their own headings; and ideally, new or improved photographs within previously existing chapters. It appears that the numbers of taxa were updated throughout the book, even in those chapters that were otherwise identical to their predecessors. On the other hand, illustrations (with a few exceptions) are mostly identical to the previous edition, although photographs now appear sharper and larger in this edition, which is a welcomed change. The classification of Coleoptera is presented in the second chapter of this volume, and it is strikingly The second edition of the Handbook of Zoology - different from that presented in the first edition of Beetles Volume 1 replaces the first edition 11 years this book. This speaks both to the enormous amount after the former’s publication (Beutel and Leschen of work done by beetle systematists over the last 2005). The second edition contains approximately decade or so and to the hard work of John Lawrence 100 pages more than the first, and Volume 1 now in integrating these changes. Some classification/ gains the familiar blue hardbound cover present in taxonomic inconsistencies still exist in this vol- Volumes 2 and 3. This volume, like its predecessor, ume, e.g., Bolbocertinae and Rhysodinae are treated is an essential major reference for anyone interested as subfamilies in Chapter 2 but as families in their in morphology and systematics of Coleoptera. respective sections (Scarabaeoidea and Adephaga). However, if one already has the first edition, should Both Rhysodinae (as Rhysodidae) and Scydmaeni- they invest again in this volume given the price tag? nae have their own chapters but really should have The new taxonomic treatments in this edition are been treated as subchapters, especially since it will be all exceptional. The chapters on Byrrhidae and quite some time before the next edition. There is now Scydmaeninae are very comprehensive with great il- ample phylogenetic evidence for subfamily rank in lustrations. The sections on Archostemata, Byrrhoidea, both taxa, and this is generally accepted by the and Scirtoidea are also updated and greatly improved Coleopterist community. This unfortunate organi- from the first edition. The chapter on Archostemata as zation, likely chosen for pragmatic reasons, retracts well as the first chapter of the book (Systematic from the otherwise cutting-edge and comprehensive Position, Basal Branching Pattern and Early feel of the book.

138 THE COLEOPTERISTS BULLETIN 72(1), 2018 139

Perhaps one of the greatest surprises in reviewing Coleopterists alike, and to paleoentomologists who this book was the overall lack of phylogenetic trees. should find the morphological diagnoses of families Certainly after 11 years of research, one would have extremely comprehensive. It is unfortunate that the expected the number of phylogenetic trees to in- PDF version costs exactly the same as the hardcopy, crease drastically in this edition. While up-to-date as the near US$400 price tag is surely out of reach for phylogenetic information is discussed in the text, many Coleopterists. For those who already own the modern phylogenetic trees (or no trees at all) are first edition of Volume 1, Volume 2 is especially noticeably absent in the chapters on Carabidae, worthwhile for its updates to classification and dis- Histeridae, Hydrophilidae, Staphylinidae, and cussion of evolutionary relationships. Scarabaeoidea, to name just a few popular taxa. While in some cases this has to do with timing (e.g., REFERENCES CITED several scarabaeoid and staphyliniform phylogenies were published in 2015–2016) or perhaps issues Beutel, R. G., and R. A. B. Leschen. 2005. Handbook of with obtaining a large number of copyright per- Zoology. Volume 4. Arthropoda: Insecta. Co- missions, the lack of phylogenetic information is leoptera, Beetles. Volume 1. Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myx- felt in the context of such an otherwise compre- ophaga, Polyphaga partim. Walter de Gruyter, hensive work. The massive order-level morpholog- Berlin, Germany. ical phylogeny of Lawrence et al. (2011) is Lawrence, J, F., A. Slipi´´ nski, A. E. Seago, M. K. Thayer, mentioned in the preface to the second edition, but A. F. Newton, and A. E. Marvaldi. 2011. Phy- the tree itself is not used in Chapter 1. On the other logeny of the Coleoptera based on morphological hand, one new and welcome component of the characters of adults and larvae. Annales Zoologici volume, Chapter 3 (Molecular Systematics of Co- 61(1): 1–217. leoptera), is very well written, and the subsection “Resolving the Coleoptera tree of life” is an excellent Stylianos Chatzimanolis, Department of Biology, perspective on the next direction for beetle phylo- Geology and Environmental Science, University of genetics and the narrowing gap between phylogeny Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Dept. and paleontology. 2653, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA, stylianos- In a time when access to broad systematic and [email protected]. morphological knowledge of Coleoptera is be- coming rarer and rarer, this volume is sorely Adam J. Brunke, Canadian National Collection needed. Many obscure but phylogenetically im- of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes Agriculture portant taxa are made accessible by this volume in and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, K. W. detailed illustrations, and most authors have in- Neatby Building, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, CANADA, tegrated knowledge of the fossil record into their [email protected]. chapters, increasingly valuable with the modern direction of beetle phylogenetics. We strongly (Received 20 November 2017; accepted 13 January 2018. recommend this work for students and senior Publication date 23 March 2018.)

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