Phylogeny of Scissicauda Species, with Eight New Species, including the First Photinini Fireflies with Biflabellate Antennae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Photinini is the largest tribe of Lampyrinae fireflies, with over 30 genera and nearly 750 species, includes taxa where adults may or not have light organs. A focus on bioluminescent left taxonomy dark fireflies in poor condition compared to lit adults. recent phylogenetic study based molecular data supported transfer Scissicauda McDermott, 1964—traditionally placed Amydetinae due flabellate antenna its type species—to at a branch sided Pyropyga Motschulsky, 1852 Pyractonema Solier, 1849. Such placement had never been recovered before morphology-based studies, consequences for interpretation character evolution this lineage are yet be addressed. Moreover, was previously thought endemic Atlantic Forest. Here, through analyses 38 108 morphological characters, we (i) expand concept include S. antennata sp. nov., asymmetrica aurata biflabellata gomesi jamari neyi truncata (ii) Lucidota malleri Pic, 1935 and, therefore, comb. nov. We also recover + as sister Haplocauda, providing first evidence their sisterhood. Noteworthy, new species stand out known biflabellate antennae. In addition, our reports Amazon (S. nov.) Cerrado biome nov.). Our highlights value continued sampling South American towards revised classification deeper understanding lineage.