Evolution of histeroid beetles (Coleoptera: Histeroidea): phylogenetics, fossil record and life histories

Histeroid beetles (Coleoptera: Staphyliformia: Histeroidea) represent an important lineage of beetles, known for a rich diversity of body forms and inhabited environments. In this thesis, I summarize available information about their position in the beetle tree of life and the available information about their ecology and biology. I specifically address current ideas about the evolution of the four histeroid families (Histeridae, Cretohisteridae, Synteliidae and Sphaeritidae) and the internal phylogeny of the Histeridae. To understand the available data about the past diversity of the group, I provide a summary of all described fossil species. The group has undergone numerous habitat shifts, often connected with apparent morphological and behavioural adaptations, some of which likely increased the diversification rate of respective lineages. This thesis aims to connect the available phylogenetic, fossil and ecological data to provide a summary of the evolutionary history of the lineage