Hidden and cryptic species reflect parallel and correlated evolution in the phylogeny of the genus Callyntra (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Central Chile

[Display omitted] •A new systematic order for the Callyntra based on a molecular phylogenetic approach is proposed.•The species delimitation suggests new cryptic candidate species.•Correlated evolution of elytral-habitat would be the mechanism for the crypsis.•Parallel evolution of the elytral design is key for the diversification in Callyntra. The origin of cryptic species has traditionally been associated with events of recent speciation, genetic constraints, selection of an adaptive character, sexual selection and/or convergent evolution. Species of the genus Callyntra inhabit coastal terraces, mountain slopes, and peaks; their elytral designs are associated with each of these habitats. However, cryptic species have been described within each of these habitats; the taxonomy of this group has been problematic, thus establishing the phylogenetic relationships in this group is fundamental to clarify the systematics and evolutionary patterns of Callyntra. We reconstructed the phylogeny of this group using two mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S) and one nuclear gene (Mp20). We also performed species delimitation using PTP based methods (PTP, mlPTP, bPTP) and GMYC, and evaluated the evolution of the elytral design related to habitat preference. The results showed a tree with five clades, that together with the different methods of species delimitation recovered the described species and suggested at least five new species. The elytral design and habitat preference showed phylogenetic signals. We propose a new classification based on monophyletic groups recovered by phylogenetic analyses. We also suggest that parallel evolution in different habitats and later stasis in the elytral design would be the cause of the origin of cryptic species in this group from central Chile.