Food Specialization in Ground Beetles: an Ecological or a Phylogenetic Process? (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Anatomical, physiological, morphological, behavioural, and ecological data in the literature show that many different adaptations are involved in the process of food specialization in Carabidae. It is proposed that the phylogenetic relationships among the taxa of this group can be based on feeding habits, and that the subfamily Carabinae is comprised of food specialists, and the Harpalinae of generalists. Consequently, food specialization within this family should be seen as an ultimate phylogenetic, rather than as a proximate ecological process caused by competition for food.