Data from: Phylogeny, classification and evolution of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) based on simultaneous analysis of molecular and morphological data

Ladybird beetles (family Coccinellidae) are a species-rich, ecologically diverse group of substantial agricultural significance, yet have been consistently problematic to classify, with evolutionary relationships poorly understood. In order to identify major clades within Coccinellidae, evaluate the current classification system, and identify likely drivers of diversification in this polyphagous group, we conducted the first simultaneous Bayesian analysis of morphological and multi-locus molecular data for any beetle family. Addition of morphological data significantly improved phylogenetic resolution and support for early diverging lineages, thereby better resolving evolutionary relationships than either data type alone. On the basis of these results, we formally recognize the subfamilies Microweisinae and Coccinellinae sensu Ślipiński (2007). No significant support was found for the subfamilies Coccidulinae, Scymninae, Sticholotidinae, or Ortaliinae. Our phylogenetic results suggest that the evolutionary success of Coccinellidae is in large part attributable to the exploitation of ant-tended sternorrhynchan insects as a food source, enabled by the key innovation of unusual defense mechanisms in larvae.瓢虫科（Coccinellidae）瓢虫是一类物种丰富、生态多样且具有重要农业意义的类群，但长期以来其分类始终颇具挑战，演化关系亦未得到充分阐明。为明确瓢虫科内的主要演化支（clade）、评估现有分类系统，并解析这一多食性类群的多样化驱动因素，本研究开展了首个针对甲虫类群的形态学与多位点分子数据联合贝叶斯分析。研究结果显示，加入形态学数据可显著提升早期分化支系的系统发育分辨率与节点支持度，相较单一数据类型，能够更清晰地解析类群间的演化关系。基于上述发现，本研究正式认可Ślipiński（2007）提出的微瓢甲亚科（Microweisinae）与瓢虫亚科（Coccinellinae）的分类地位；未发现能够支持红瓢虫亚科（Coccidulinae）、小毛瓢虫亚科（Scymninae）、长瓢甲亚科（Sticholotidinae）以及Ortaliinae的有效统计支持。本研究的系统发育结果表明，瓢虫科的演化成功在很大程度上归因于其以蚁牧性胸喙亚目昆虫为食的生态策略，而这一策略的实现依赖于幼虫独特防御机制这一关键创新。