The female reproductive system of the genus <i>Hololepta</i> (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Histerinae, Hololeptini) and its significance for the systematics of the group

Most species of the genus Hololepta show flat bodies and atypical ovipositor structures, these latter being adapted to laying the eggs inside wood. Cladistic analyses based on 33 characters of the adult insect body and 15 characters of the ovipositor support the monophyly of the genus. The subgenus Hololepta has more apomorphic characters than does Leionota. This study did not reveal any characters that show the monophyly of Leionota. In most species of the subgenus Hololepta the gonocoxites bear teeth that help pushing out the substrate during oviposition. The valvifers in most Hololepta species have longitudinal thickenings to further increase their strength. Our data show that the characters of the ovipositor are lower in value for phylogenetic reconstructions. The reproductive system of female Hololepta is more prone to convergences and parallelisms compared to the features of their external structure.