What question did this study set out to answer?

To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and estimate divergence times within the sand-dwelling beetle genus Geopsammodius and the tribe Psammodiini.

August 14, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

Phylogeography of Geopsammodius Gordon and Pittino, 1992 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae): A radiation of endemic psammophilic beetles

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

KSKyle E. SchneppNational Museum of Natural History NSNatalie A. SaxtonCleveland Museum of Natural History GPGareth S. PowellBrigham Young University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Phylogenetic analysis reveals concurrent evolutionary radiation of Geopsammodius beetles with ancient sand dune formation, suggesting habitat-driven diversification.

Key Points

To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and estimate divergence times within the sand-dwelling beetle genus Geopsammodius and the tribe Psammodiini.
Sequenced six genes to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among species of Geopsammodius and members of the tribe Psammodiini.
Performed divergence time estimation to determine the age of the lineage relative to geological sand dune formation.
Identified two major geographic clades in Geopsammodius, separating coastal populations (East Coast and Gulf Coast) from inland populations (Florida and Georgia).
Estimated the origin of Geopsammodius at 20–23 million years ago, coinciding with the historical formation of extensive regional sand dunes.
Recovered the genus Parapsammodius outside the tribe Psammodiini, indicating the need for taxonomic revision.

Cite This Study

Schnepp et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ec78db70b84ec8b913f43 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351948

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Phylogenetic analysis reveals concurrent evolutionary radiation of Geopsammodius beetles with ancient sand dune formation, suggesting habitat-driven diversification.

Phylogeography of Geopsammodius Gordon and Pittino, 1992 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae): A radiation of endemic psammophilic beetles

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Phylogeography of Geopsammodius Gordon and Pittino, 1992 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae): A radiation of endemic psammophilic beetles

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider