Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography provide insights into the subgeneric classification of Wiedemannia Zetterstedt (Diptera: Empididae: Clinocerinae)

Abstract

The subgenera of Wiedemannia are poorly defined and, as such, most recently described species are not assigned to a subgenus or have been assigned to a subgenus without explanation. In this study we perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis to elucidate relationships within the genus Wiedemannia. We sequenced two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I and cytochrome ) and two nuclear (carbomoylphosphate synthase domain of rudimentary and elongation factor-1 ) gene fragments to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among the subgenera Chamaedipsia, Eucelidia, Philolutra, Pseudowiedemannia, Roederella and Wiedemannia (s.s.) using both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood approaches. The genus was found to be monophyletic, but most of the subgenera were not. We propose eliminating the present subgeneric division altogether. Molecular dating using a log-normal clock model and calibration with fossil species indicated that Wiedemannia diversified about 48 Ma, while there was still land connectivity between Europe and Asia with North America. Wiedemannia has a near-worldwide distribution apart from the Australasian and Neotropical regions and Antarctica, with greatest species richness in the western Palaearctic, especially the Mediterranean region. Molecular phylogenetics support more recent morphological studies. The subgenera of Wiedemannia are invalid and rejected. Biogeographical data suggest potential hotspots, and the current distribution is discussed.

First Annoted Checklist of Aquatic Diptera (Insecta) of Two Ramsar Sites (Ahançal and Aït Bouguemaz Rivers) at the Central High Atlas (Morocco): Families Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, Tipulidae, Empididae, and Tabanidae

“…Wiedemannia sp. Tis genus has a worldwide distribution, but its greatest richness is in the Western Palearctic, more especially in the Mediterranean region [170], where it is common in streams and small rivers [171,172], generally clear and fresh [173,174]. In Morocco, the genus has six species that are already known in the High Atlas mountains [16] and we found it in Assif Ahançal: one larva collected on July 03, 2020, at Ouakhoudan (A5, 1229 m of altitude).…”

The Century Old Taxonomic Confusion Surrounding Wiedemannia zetterstedti Fallén and Related Species Is Resolved (Diptera: Empididae): Revision of the W. zetterstedti Group

“…This group of species was previously assigned to two different subgenera, Eucelidia Mik and Roederella Engel, and included five species/subspecies: W. czernyi (Bezzi), W. czernyi rufipes (Oldenberg), W. ouedorum Vaillant, W. pirata Mik, and W. zetterstedti (Fallén) [ 20 ]. Currently, the former subgenera of Wiedemannia are no longer recognized [ 6 ] and this group of species is now referred to as the W. zetterstedti group. Wiedemannia pirata was considered related to the W. zetterstedti group on the basis of erect preapical setae on the fore femur.…”

“…Adult flies gather on emergent rocks, where mating and feeding occurs [ 5 ]. In Europe, some 78 species are recorded, which until very recently were assigned to a number of subgenera [ 6 ]. Species of Wiedemannia are readily identified on the basis of facial colouration, genal width, pterostigma shape, scutal chaetotaxy and male terminalia, with their uniquely shaped clasping cercus [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The validity of the subgenera beyond Europe was questioned as early as Melander [ 10 ] and a detailed study of the subgeneric concepts was required [ 11 ]. In a molecular phylogenetic study using multiple genes, Ivković et al [ 6 ] found most subgenera not monophyletic, and the elimination of the subgeneric classification of Wiedemannia was recommended. Despite this conclusion, in the Bayesian analysis [ 6 ] a group including W. zetterstedti and W. ouedorum was strongly supported.…”

High endemicity in aquatic dance flies of Corsica, France (Diptera, Empididae, Clinocerinae and Hemerodromiinae), with the description of a new species of Chelipoda

“…The names of taxa reflect current nomenclature and classifications (Sinclair 1995;Yang et al 2007). Species of Wiedemannia mentioned herein are not assigned to subgenus, as the subgenera do not represent monophyletic groups and are therefore considered invalid (Ivković et al 2019). The literature used for identification included Engel (1939, 1940), Vaillant (1965, 1982, Wagner and Horvat (1993), Wagner (1995), andPusch (1996).…”