Phylogenetic revision of Bonjeania Irwin & Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae)

The endemic Australian genus Bonjeania Irwin & Lyneborg is revised. Seven species are described as new: B. angelikae sp.n., B. clamosis sp.n., B. dynastis sp.n., B. flavofemoralis sp.n., B. irwinae sp.n., B. orphne sp.n. and B. trilineata sp.n. Three species, B. actuosa (White), B. nitidifrons (Macquart) and B. segnis (White), are redescribed. All species of Bonjeania were compared in a cladistic analysis with Agapophytus albobasalis Mann and five exemplars of the speciose sister genus Parapsilocephala Kröber, and the phylogenetic relationships of Bonjeania discussed. The male genitalic musculature of B. clamosis sp.n. is described and figured, and discussed with respect to previous studies on other Therevidae.     

New species of Vomerina Winterton (Diptera, Therevidae, Agapophytinae) from Australia

Two new species of Vomerina Winterton, 2007 (Vomerina comapenissp. n. and Vomerina micorasp. n.) are described from New South Wales (Australia).     

Phylogenetic relationships of Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) based on molecular and morphological characters

The intrasubfamilial classification of Microdontinae Rondani (Diptera: Syrphidae) has been a challenge: until recently more than 300 out of more than 400 valid species names were classified in Microdon Meigen. We present phylogenetic analyses of molecular and morphological characters (both separate and combined) of Microdontinae. The morphological dataset contains 174 characters, scored for 189 taxa (9 outgroup), representing all 43 presently recognized genera and several subgenera and species groups. The molecular dataset, representing 90 ingroup species of 28 genera, comprises sequences of five partitions in total from the mitochondrial gene COI and the nuclear ribosomal genes 18S and 28S. We test the sister‐group relationship of Spheginobaccha with the other Microdontinae, attempt to elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the Microdontinae and discuss uncertainties in the classification of Microdontinae. Trees based on molecular characters alone are poorly resolved, but combined data are better resolved. Support for many deeper nodes is low, and placement of such nodes differs between parsimony and Bayesian analyses. However, Spheginobaccha is recovered as highly supported sister group in both. Both analyses agree on the early branching of Mixogaster, Schizoceratomyia, Afromicrodon and Paramicrodon. The taxonomical rank in relation to the other Syrphidae is discussed briefly. An additional analysis based on morphological characters only, including all 189 taxa, used implied weighting. A range of weighting strengths (k‐values) is applied, chosen such that values of character fit of the resulting trees are divided into regular intervals. Results of this analysis are used for discussing the phylogenetic relationships of genera unrepresented in the molecular dataset.     

Review of the stiletto fly genus Actenomeros Winterton & Irwin (Diptera, Therevidae, Agapophytinae)

The endemic Australian genus Actenomeros Winterton & Irwin, 1999b is reviewed. Three species are transferred from Nanexila Winterton & Irwin, 1999a: Actenomeros aureilineata (Winterton & Irwin, 1999a) comb. n., Actenomeros intermedia (Winterton & Irwin, 1999a) comb. n. and Actenomeros paradoxa (Winterton & Irwin, 1999a) comb. n. A new species (Actenomeros budawangsp. n.) is described and figured from New South Wales. A key to species is presented.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Thricops Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae) based on molecular and morphological characters

Abstract. The muscid genus Thricops Rondani comprises forty‐four species and two subspecies restricted to the northern hemisphere. A species‐level phylogenetic analysis of Thricops was conducted using forty‐four morphological characters, 426 bp of the nuclear gene white and 523 bp spanning the 5′ end of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), the tRNA leucine gene (L2 region) and the 3′ end of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII). Thirty‐nine species and two subspecies of Thricops were included in the analysis. Two species of Azelia Robineau‐Desvoidy and one species of Hydrotaea Robineau‐Desvoidy were used as outgroups. Morphological characters were coded for all included species, the mitochondrial gene fragment (COI + II) was sequenced for a subset of seventeen species of Thricops and three outgroup species, and white for twelve of those seventeen Thricops species and two outgroup species. Six separate maximum parsimony analyses were performed on three taxon sets of different sizes (n = 14, n = 20, n = 44). Results from the partition homogeneity test indicated no significant incongruence between data partitions, and four combined maximum parsimony analyses were conducted (DNA + morphology for n = 14; COI + II + morphology for n = 20; DNA + morphology for n = 20; DNA + morphology for n = 44). The relative contribution of each data partition to individual nodes was assessed using partitioned Bremer support. Strict consensus trees resulting from the unweighted analyses of each dataset are presented. Combination of datasets increased resolution for the small taxon set (n = 14), but not for the larger ones (n = 20, n = 44), most probably due to increasing amounts of missing data in the larger taxon sets. Results from both individual and combined analyses of the smaller taxon sets (n = 14, n = 20) provided support for the monophyly of Thricops and a complete division of the genus into two monophyletic subgroups. The strict consensus cladograms resulting from the analysis of the morphological data alone and the combined data for the large taxa set (n = 44) both supported the monophyly of the genus, but placed the species Thricops foveolatus (Zetterstedt) and Thricops bukowskii (Ringdahl) at the base of the ingroup, in a polytomy with a relatively well‐resolved branch comprising all remaining species of the genus. The basal position of these two species, included in the morphological taxon set but absent in the others, illustrates the potential pitfalls of taxon sampling and missing data in phylogenetic analyses. The synonymy of Alloeostylus with Thricops as proposed by previous authors was supported by our results. Relative contributions of different data partitions is discussed, with the mitochondrial sequence generally providing finer resolution and better branch support than white.     

Phylogenetic revision of the Taenogera Kröber genus-group (Diptera: Therevidae), with descriptions of two new genera

The phylogenetic relationships of the Taenogera genus-group, consisting of nine genera, are examined using cladistic methods. Twenty-one species representing nine genera and one outgroup were compared in a cladistic analysis across 99 states in 44 characters. The genus Taenogera Kröber is revised to contain only T. longa (Schiner), T. nitida (Macquart) and T. notatithorax Mann. Two new genera are described and figured: Actenomeros gen. n., with two species, A. corniculaticaudus sp. n. and A. onyx sp. n.; and Taenogerella gen. n., with four species, Ta. elizabethae sp. n., Ta. platina sp. n., Ta. schlingeri sp. n. and Ta . nigrapicalis (Mann) comb. n. Phylogenetic analysis also supports the removal of Nanexila gracilis (Mann) comb. n. from Taenogera .     

Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera,Syrphidae)

Vuji?, A., Ståhls, G., A?anski, J., Bartsch, H., Bygebjerg, R. & Stefanovi?, A. (2013). Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera, Syrphidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 288–305. In the present work the monophyly and molecular phylogenetic relationships of the genera of tribe Pipizini (Syrphidae) were investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences, and the relationships among species of genus Pipiza Fallén, 1810 based on mtDNA COI sequences. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Pipizini supported Pipiza as monophyletic and as sister group to all other Pipizini, and resolved other Pipizini genera as monophyletic lineages except for genus Heringia Rondani, 1856. To recognize the distinctness and maintain the monophyly the genus Heringia was redefined, generic rank was assigned to Neocnemodon Goffe, 1944 stat. n., and the genus Claussenia Vuji? & Ståhls gen. n., type‐species Claussenia hispanica (Strobl, 1909), was described. A revision of the European Pipiza species, including a discussion of taxonomic characters and a morphological redefinition of all included species, is presented. One new species, Pipiza laurusi Vuji? & Ståhls sp. n. was described. The taxa Pipiza carbonaria Meigen, 1822; Pipiza fasciata, Meigen 1822; Pipiza lugubris (Fabricius, 1775), Pipiza noctiluca (Linneaues, 1758), Pipiza notata Meigen, 1822 were redefined. Lectotypes are designated for 17 taxa, and neotypes were designated for seven taxa. Fourteen new synonymies were proposed. Male genitalia were illustrated for all the species, and a key of the 12 European species for males and females was provided. Geometric morphometrics of wing landmarks and extended sampling of mtDNA COI sequences was employed to delimitate taxa of the P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes. Despite subtle morphological differences, wing geometric morphometrics variables of wing size and shape showed highly significant differences among species within P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes, which were supported by the molecular data.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Cheilosia and the tribe Rhingiini (Diptera, Syrphidae) based on morphological and molecular characters

The phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Rhingiini and the genus Cheilosia (Diptera, Syrphidae) were investigated using morphological and molecular characters. The genus Cheilosia is one of the most diverse lineages of hoverflies (Syrphidae). The mitochondrial protein coding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and the D2‐3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene were chosen for sequencing, and morphological characters were scored for both adults and immature stages. The combined dataset included 56 ingroup taxa. The datasets were analyzed separately and in conjunction, using both static and dynamic alignment under the parsimony criterion. The aim of the study was to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Rhingiini, and to explore if the subgenera of Cheilosia were supported as monophyletic clades. Results showed that the monophyly of subtribes of Rhingiini remained ambiguous, especially due to unstable phylogenetic placements of the genera Portevinia and Rhingia. We recovered most subgenera of Cheilosia as monophyletic clades. Dynamic alignment, using the optimization alignment program POY, always recovered more parsimonious topologies under all parameter weighting schemes, than did parsimony analyses using static alignment and analyzed with NONA.     

Systematic revision of Entomobryidae (Collembola) by integrating molecular and new morphological evidence

Entomobryidae, the largest collembolan family, is traditionally classified at suprageneric level using a limited set of morphological structures, such as scales, antennal segmentation. Most tribal and subfamilial delimitations appear, however, disputable in the light of recent works. Integrating molecular and morphological evidence, we propose here a revision of the systematics of the family. In addition to traditional taxonomic characters, tergal specialized chaetae (S‐chaetae) are newly introduced, and their patterns are shown to be diversified at all levels from species to subfamilies. S‐chaetotaxic pattern on phylogenetic tree shows that evolution of S‐chaetae is not parallel between the different terga and that their patterns coincide well with the known molecular phylogeny, providing a powerful tool for the systematics of Entomobryidae. Orchesellinae sensu Soto‐Adames et al. (Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 101, 2008, 501); is divided into three subfamilies: Orchesellinae s. s., Bessoniellinae and Heteromurinae, the latter two upgraded from the original tribal level. Entomobryinae sensu Szeptycki (Morpho‐Systematic Studies on Collembola. IV. Chaetotaxy of the Entomobryidae and its Phylogenetical Significance, 1979), is no longer divided into scaled and unscaled tribes, and Lepidosira‐group is transferred from Seirinae to Entomobryinae. A key to subfamilies and tribes and a comparison with previous classifications of the Entomobryidae are provided. This study greatly improves the understanding of primary and secondary characters and erects the fundamental framework for the taxonomy of Entomobryidae.     

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of all genera of Conopidae (Diptera) based on morphological data

All global genera of the fly family Conopidae are revised here. A cladistic analysis of 117 morphological characters recorded from 154 species, including representatives of 59 genera and subgenera, recovers a phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. This hypothesis is used as the basis of a new classification for the family. Both Sicini and Zodionini are removed from Myopinae and elevated to subfamilial status. A new tribe, Thecophorini, is proposed within Myopinae to accommodate Thecophora, Scatoccemyia, and Pseudoconops. Two genera, Pseudomyopa and Parazodion, are removed from Dalmanniinae and placed in Myopinae and Zodioninae, respectively. Conopinae is divided into 11 tribes, seven of which are newly described (Asiconopini, Caenoconopini, Gyroconopini, Microconopini, Neoconopini, and Siniconopini). Some examined species are transferred to different or new genera and subgenera. A new genus, Schedophysoconops gen. nov. , and subgenus Asiconops (Aegloconops) subgen. nov. within Conopinae are described. A review of character evolution and phylogeography is included in light of the new classification. A catalogue of all genus‐group names is included with new emendations noted.     

The phylogeny of stiletto flies (Diptera: Therevidae)

The therevoid clade represents a group of four families (Apsilocephalidae, Evocoidae, Scenopinidae and Therevidae) of lower brachyceran Diptera in the superfamily Asiloidea. The largest of these families is that of the stiletto flies (Therevidae). A large‐scale (i.e. supermatrix) phylogeny of Therevidae is presented based on DNA sequence data from seven genetic loci (16S, 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA and four protein‐encoding genes: elongation factor 1‐alpha, triose phosphate isomerase, short‐wavelength rhodopsin and the CPSase region of carbamoyl‐phosphate synthase‐aspartate transcarbamoylase‐dihydroorotase). Results are presented from Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of approximately 8.7 kb of sequence data for 204 taxa representing all subfamilies and genus groups of Therevidae. Our results strongly support the sister‐group relationship between Therevidae and Scenopinidae, with Apsilocephalidae as sister to Evocoidae. Previous estimates of stiletto fly phylogeny based on morphology or DNA sequence data, or supertree analysis, have failed to find significant support for relationships among subfamilies. We report for the first time strong support for the placement of the subfamily Phycinae as sister to the remaining Therevidae, originating during the Mid Cretaceous. As in previous studies, the sister‐group relationship between the species‐rich subfamilies Agapophytinae and Therevinae is strongly supported. Agapophytinae are recovered as monophyletic, inclusive of the Taenogera group. Therevinae comprise the bulk of the species richness in the family and appear to be a relatively recent and rapid radiation originating in the southern hemisphere (Australia + Antarctica + South America) during the Late Cretaceous. Genus groups are defined for all subfamilies based on these results.     

A revision of Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon (Dryopteridaceae) based on morphological and molecular evidence with description of a new species

Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon is a small section of ferns with about 12 species mainly distributed in East Asia. Here, we carried out morphological and phylogenetic analyses of this section. A new species from southwest China, D. gaoligongensis, is described and illustrated. Dryopteris gaoligongensis resembles D. indonesiana and D. sparsa, but differs by having a creeping rhizome and large 4-pinnate fronds. We also show that D. glabrior Ching & Z.Y. Liu is a distinct species; however, because it is a later homonym of D. glabrior Copel., it should be renamed D. renchangiana. We conclude that a species previously known as D. nitidula, also an illegitimate homonym, should be recognized with a new name, D. sinonepalensis. We resolve the phylogenetic position of D. yoroii as sister to other sampled species of D. sect. Diclisodon. Our phylogenetic analyses confirm the distinctiveness of D. gaoligongensis, D. renchangiana, and D. sinonepalensis. A key to species of D. sect. Diclisodon in China is provided.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Iberian Aphodiini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) based on morphological and molecular data

A phylogeny of Iberian Aphodiini dung beetles was reconstructed based on morphological and molecular data. The data set included a total of 84 variable characters from wing venation, mouthparts, genitalia, and external morphology, as well as mitochondrial partial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), complete tRNA-Leu (UUR), and partial cytochrome c oxidase II (COII) gene nucleotide sequences (1210 positions). Phylogenetic trees based on molecular data were relatively more resolved than those based on morphological characters. The Bayesian analysis of combined molecular and morphological data provided resolution not achieved by each data set separately. Ammoecius and Aphodius are the first lineages that branch off from the tree, followed by Acrossus, Nimbus, and Heptaulacus. The remaining studied taxa are recovered in a more derived clade that lacks internal resolution. Reconstructed trees based on molecular data showed relatively short internal nodes that were weakly supported. Such pattern may reflect a rapid radiation at the origin of the tribe Aphodiini, but also saturation of mutational changes. Several tests were conducted to discern between both competing hypotheses, as well as to assess the effect of incomplete taxon sampling.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Lappula Moench (Boraginaceae) based on molecular and morphological data

Lappula Moench includes ca. 70 species and exhibits a wide range of nutlet variation. Currently, the evolutionary relationships among species of Lappula have not been examined; therefore, to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and morphological evolution within Lappula and related genera, we conducted phylogenetic analyses with matrices that include 48 species as well as four DNA regions (ITS, trnL-trnF, rpS16 and psbA-trnH) and 18 morphological characters. These matrices were analyzed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. Analyses of the combined molecular and morphological data result in a phylogeny that is better resolved than that based solely on molecular sequence data. Phylogenetic results suggest that the current infrageneric classification of Lappula, at least at the subsectional and series level, is artificial. The evolutionary patterns of 18 morphological characters are investigated in a phylogenetic context. In Lappula, nutlet homomorphism and small corollas are resolved as ancestral, while nutlet heteromorphism and larger corollas are derived.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the Pterygiella complex (Orobanchaceae) inferred from molecular and morphological evidence

The Pterygiella complex, i.e. Pterygiella, Phtheirospermum, Pseudobartsia and Xizangia, is controversial in terms of both its relationships and taxonomic status. The genera of the complex are all species‐poor and endemic to eastern Asia. In this study, we sampled all taxa in the complex for seven genic regions [atpB‐rbcL, atpH‐I, psbA‐trnH, rpl16 intron, trnL‐F, trnS‐G and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)], which were analysed separately and in combination. We examined capsule and seed morphology of these genera using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results indicate that the complex is polyphyletic and comprises two clades. The first, designated ‘Pterygiella complex I’, includes only Phtheirospermum japonicum. This clade is uniquely diagnosed by its papery yellow capsule and reticulate secondary thickening on the seed coat. The second clade, ‘Pterygiella complex II’, includes Phtheirospermum tenuisectum, P. parishii, P. muliense, Pseudobartsia, Xizangia and Pterygiella. These taxa share a coriaceous capsule. Pterygiella is monophyletic and is characterized by eglandular, unicellular, pilose hairs on the capsule and hook‐like protuberances on the horizontal ridges of the striate or reticulate seed coat. Excluding P. japonicum, the remaining taxa of Phtheirospermum cluster together and are sister to Pterygiella. Xizangia bartschioides and Pseudobartsia yunnanensis are separated from Pterygiella and Phtheirospermum, respectively, and are supported as genera by molecular and morphological evidence. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Acusicola margulisae n. sp. (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from freshwater fishes in a Nicaraguan crater lake based on morphological and molecular evidence

Systematic Parasitology - The ergasilid copepod Acusicola margulisae n. sp. is described based on material from three species of cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Günther), Parachromis...     

Phylogenetic position of the Strepsiptera: Review of molecular and morphological evidence

Molecular evidence of the monophyly of the Halteria (Strepsiptera + Diptera) is reviewed. The majority of morphological characters, which have classically been used to establish a Strepsiptera + Coleoptera sister group, are rejected, because they are based on erroneous interpretations of strepsipteran morphology. The scorings of 31 morphological characters, which directly relate to the phylogenetic position of Strepsiptera, are provided, and their distribution and optimization on the molecular + morphological tree is discussed. Of these, 13 characters specifically support the placement of Strepsiptera within the Mecopterida; seven of which are based on the optimization of inapplicable or missing data, and six of which are based on states that can be scored for Strepsiptera. Only a single character (posteromotorism) suggests a sister group relationship with the Coleoptera. The morphological and molecular data are largely congruent, and suggest that the Strepsiptera are sister group to the Diptera.     

Determination of phylogenetic position ofPipizini (Diptera: Syrphidae): based on molecular biological and morphological data

Based on the sequence analysis of 5.8S subunit and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA), the molecular phylogenetic tree of representative species of Pipizini and three groups of Syrphidae with different feeding habits (seven species belong to six genera) was constructed. Meanwhile, the phylogenetic tree of tribes (including Pipizini and other 17 tribes of Syrphidae) was constructed using morphological characteristics of adults and larvae and the number of chromosomes. Both the results show that the relationship between Pipizini and predatory groups is closer than that between Pipizini and saprophagous groups. So it is suggested that Pipizini be transferred from Milesiinae to Syrphinae.     

Phylogenetic systematics of Erythronium (Liliaceae): morphological and molecular analyses

For a nearly complete set of species of Erythronium (Liliaceae), we examined two plastid loci (the rps16 intron and the 5′ trnK intron, excluding the matK exon), one nuclear locus (nrITS) and morphology to evaluate species relationships and that of Erythronium to Amana, the putatively most closely allied genus. A matrix of morphological characters was developed through observation of around 900 living and herbarium specimens; evolution of these was examined using character optimization on the combined (total‐evidence) tree. Parsimony methods were used to examine the morphological and molecular data sets produced, both separately and in combination, with Bayesian methods also used on the molecular data sets. These established that the genus is probably sister to Amana (although most analyses placed Amana inside Erythronium) and that Tulipa is sister to the pair of Erythronium and Amana. Within Erythronium, there are three strongly supported geographically distinct clades: (1) Eurasian and (2) eastern and (3) western North American. Separation of species in these three clades is less clear, particularly among the western North American taxa. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ●●, ●●–●●.