The genus Stomis Clairville and the convergent evolution of millipede predation in ground beetles (Carabidae)

The ground beetle genus Stomis has long intrigued entomologists due to its distinctive morphology, cryptic biology, and rarity in collections. Despite a broad Holarctic distribution and highest species diversity in Eastern Asia, Stomis remains poorly studied beyond basic taxonomic work. My field observations reveal that Stomis species display morphological and behavioral traits consistent with millipede specialization—traits convergent with other millipede-specialist carabids, such as Promecognathus. Building on these insights, my research investigates the evolutionary and biogeographic history of Stomis, with a focus on the origins and development of its specialized predatory traits. I aim to determine whether these adaptations represent global convergence within Carabidae and how specialization has shaped the genus’s diversification. This project integrates a suite of interdisciplinary methods, including target enrichment phylogenomics, molecular dating, ancestral state and range reconstruction, biogeographic modeling, geometric morphometrics, behavioral observation, and gut content analysis. Beyond providing insights into the ecology and evolution of Stomis, this research contributes to broader questions about ecological specialization and convergence among millipede-predating ground beetles. It also highlights the biodiversity significance of the mountain systems of western China and the South China Karst, underscoring their roles in species diversification and the need for targeted conservation efforts.