The first large‐scale, total‐evidence phylogeny of the owlflies (Neuroptera, Ascalaphidae) is presented. A combined morphological and molecular dataset was analysed under several analytical regimes for 76 exemplars of Myrmeleontiformia (Psychopsidae, Nymphidae, Nemopteridae, Myrmeleontidae, Ascalaphidae), including 57 of Ascalaphidae. At the subordinal level, the families were recovered in all analyses in the form Psychopsidae + (Nymphidae + (Nemopteridae + (Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae). In the DNA‐only maximum‐likelihood analysis, Ascalaphidae were recovered as paraphyletic with respect to the Myrmeleontidae and the tribe Ululodini. In both the parsimony and Bayesian total‐evidence analyses, however, the latter with strong support, traditional Ascalaphidae were recovered as monophyletic, and in the latter, Stilbopteryginae were placed as the immediate sister group. The long‐standing subfamilies Haplogleniinae and Ascalaphinae were not recovered as monophyletic in any analysis, nor were several of the included tribes of non‐ululodine Ascalaphinae. The Ululodini were monophyletic and well supported in all analyses, as were the New World Haplogleniinae and, separately, the African/Malagasy Haplogleniinae. The remaining Ascalaphidae, collectively, were also consistently cohesive, but included a genus that until now has been placed in the Haplogleniinae, Protidricerus. Protidricerus was discovered to express a well‐developed pleurostoma, a feature previously only encountered in divided‐eye owlflies. The feature traditionally used to differentiate the Haplogleniinae and Ascalaphinae, the entire or divided eye, can no longer be regarded as a spot‐diagnostic synapomorphy to separate these groups within the family. A new subfamilial classification based on these results is proposed and includes the following five subfamilies: Albardiinae, Ululodinae, Haplogleniinae, Melambrotinae and Ascalaphinae. In addition, the monophyletic containing group (Myrmeleontidae + (Palparidae + (Stilbopterygidae + Ascalaphidae))) is elevated to the rank of superfamily, as Myrmeleontoidea, in order to accommodate much‐needed taxonomic and nomenclatural restructuring anticipated to occur within the Ascalaphidae in the future. A list of genera included in each subfamily of Ascalaphidae is provided.
Ledrinae represent a relatively small subfamily within the very large and diverse leafhopper family Cicadellidae. Prior to this study, the subfamily contained approximately 450 species in 5 tribes and 73 genera distributed worldwide, but primarily in Australia, Africa, and the Indomalayan region. Several authors have suggested Ledrinae are not monophyletic, and recent studies based on molecular and morphological data have called the existing classification into question. The goals of this study were to collect and analyze morphological data under rigorous phylogenetic criteria in order to test the monophyly of Ledrinae, provide robust definitions for the subfamily and its tribes, and provide a phylogenetic framework for understanding relationships among these leafhoppers. New phylogenetic hypotheses are presented here regarding the monophyly of Ledrinae and its included tribes. A total of 235 morphological characters were coded for 60 species from 31 genera in the tribes Ledrini and Petalocephalini, 5 species from the tribes Stenocotini, Thymbrini, and Xerophloeini, and 10 species selected as outgroups from various other cicadellid subfamilies. Data were analyzed in PAUP*, resulting in a single completely resolved topology with many well-supported nodes. Ledrinae, as previously defined, were found to be polyphyletic with respect to Stenocotini, Thymbrini, and various ledrine genera, which were placed with the outgroup taxa. Stenocotini and Thymbrini were placed with Tartessinae, agreeing with results of other recent studies. Rubria, Hespenedra, and the Afrorubria genus group formed independent lineages within Ledrinae. The tribe Xerophloeini was placed as a basal lineage within Ledrinae closely associated with the Afrorubria group. Ledrini and Petalocephalini, as previously defined, did not form monophyletic lineages, but were randomly interspersed (paraphyletic) with respect to one another. Stenocotini and Thymbrini are here removed to the subfamily Tartessinae, and Petalocephalini is made a synonym of Ledrini. The new tribes Afrorubrini, Hespenedrini, and Rubrini are described within Ledrinae by the first author, and several new informal genus groups are named. Within Ledrini, Epiclinata Metcalf is made a synonym of Tituria Stål, Epiclinata planata (Fabricius) and Epiclinata flavomarginata Kuoh & Cai are moved to Tituria, Tituria obtusa Walker is moved to Thlasia Germar, and two additional species are included in Latycephala McKamey as new combinations. Taxa placed outside of Ledrinae in this analysis are removed to other subfamilies or considered unplaced within Cicadellidae. This newly revised classification strengthens hypotheses that the Ledrinae are a very old group within Cicadellidae. As here defined, the subfamily includes five tribes with a total of 38 genera and approximately 300 species.
The lack of national standards for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads has put pressure on local governments to make judgment calls about their road networks. Unpaved roads have unique characteristics that differ from those of paved roads. They usually are very low volume and were not necessarily designed by engineers. This study was conducted to determine the necessary standards and guidelines for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads in Wyoming. The process used national standards and state practices to ensure that a comprehensive methodology was followed. A focus group composed of traffic and safety engineers was formed to find an efficient process for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads. The group examined four main aspects for establishing speed limits: data collection requirements, roadway safety, determination of the appropriate speed limit, and declaration of the speed limit. Once the standards and guidelines were developed, five groups were asked to provide feedback to ensure that all stakeholders had an opportunity to review them. The Wyoming Technology Transfer Center–Local Technical Assistance Program developed and offered several training options for local jurisdictions to start their own speed limit programs. These options allowed for the standards and guidelines to be implemented by local jurisdictions in Wyoming. The findings of this study will provide states and counties with established standards for setting speed limits on unpaved roads as well as with a guide to different options for establishing speed limit programs.
A new species of Haploglenius Burmeister, 1839 from Colombia (H. abdominevittatus Ardila & Jones sp. nov.) is described.This species is unique among members of Haploglenius—which are newly diagnosed here under a slightly revised definitionby the presence of three rows of anal cells in the hind wing—in having both a well-developed axillary angle and a highly exca-vated posterior margin at the base of the forewing, characters normally distinctive of other Neotropical genera of Haploglenii-nae. This species also exhibits unique color patterning on the abdomen. The male genitalia are illustrated, a first for species in the genus.
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