Can higher-level phylogenies of weevils explain

Abstract. We review a series of related publications that combine higher-level phylogenies of weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) with host plant information to explain the success of this megadiverse lineage in the context of a co-evolutionary escape-and-radiation hypothesis. We argue that the authors ’ approach is marred by the cumulative effect of: (1) inadequate taxon sampling, particularly within the most diverse family Curculionidae; (2) insufficient reconciliation of systematic evidence, including the reassessment of morphological characters and necessary classificatory emendations; (3) exceedingly wide concepts of ecological similarity, leading to uninformative tests of adaptation; (4) insufficient resolution of the temporal sequence of associated weevil and angiosperm radiations; and (5) inadequate consideration of alternatives to the escape-and-radiation hypothesis. As a result, there are very few new and reliable inferences about the evolutionary success of weevils that depend precisely on the phylogenetic data presented in these studies. Improved taxon sampling alone is not the solution, because the existing mid-level classification of weevils is too deficient to permit inferences about natural lineages and their ancestral traits. We therefore recommend abandoning such an approach in favour of more narrowly focused reconstructions of the evolutionary history of generic and tribal groupings. ‘Most damagingly, I find it has become profitable to ignore or hide results that do not fit with the story being sold – a mix of evidence tends to make a paper look messy and lower its appeal’ (Lawrence, 2007: R584). ‘Some biologists will reply to our arguments by saying that it is better to proceed with admittedly weak techniques than to do nothing. We argue that it is better to do nothing than to misinform’ (Wenzel & Carpenter, 1994: 97)