Phylogeny of the nematocerous families of Diptera (Insecta)

Abstract

The relationships of the nematocerous families of Diptera are cladistieally analysed using the parsimony programs PAUP and Hennig86. An extensive review, as well as a data matrix, is presented for 98 almost exclusively morphological characters (larva, 56; pupa, 6; adult, 36). Four infraorders are recognized, viz, Ptychopteromorpha, Culicomorpha, Blephariceromorpha, Bibionomorpha, and a clade containing the ‘higher Nematocera’ and Brachycera. Traditionally the family Nymphomyiidae or the infraorder Tipulomorpha (=Tipulidae, with or without Trichoceridae) are considered the most basal clade of the extant Diptera. On the basis of our cladistic analysis it is suggested that the Ptychopteromorpha‐Culicomorpha clade is the sister‐group of all other extant Diptera. We provide evidence that the Axymyiidae are part of a monophyletic Bibionomorpha. The latter infraorder is proposed as the sister‐group of the higher Nematocera and Brachycera. We transfer the Tipulidae (Tipulomorpha) to the higher Nematocera, at a position next to Trichoceridae and near the Anisopodidae‐Brachycera lineage. Previous hypotheses concerning nematocerous relationships are reviewed.

Lista das espécies de Bibionomorpha (Diptera) do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

“…Essa família foi tratada como parte de Bibionomorpha (p. ex., Hennig, 1973;Amorim, 1993;Amorim & Tozoni, 1994), como um clado independente -Anisopodomorpha -por Tuomikoski (1961), como parte de Psychodomorpha (Wood & Borkent, 1989) e como grupo-irmão de Brachycera (Woodley, 1989;Oosterbroek & Courtney, 1995). Trabalhos recentes com base em dados morfológicos (Amorim & Rindal, 2007) e moleculares (Bertone et al, 2008;Wiegmann et al, 2011) apontam para a inclusão de Anisopodidae em Bibionomorpha.…”

Global diversity of dipteran families (Insecta Diptera) in freshwater (excluding Simulidae, Culicidae, Chironomidae, Tipulidae and Tabanidae)

“…This classification has been followed ever since (e.g. Wood & Borkent, 1989;Oosterbroek & Courtney, 1995). Relations among most genera have yet to be clearly analysed, although it appears the Southern Hemisphere species form a monophyletic clade (Sinclair, unpubl.…”

“…Recent analyses (e.g. Oosterbroek & Courtney, 1995) recognised it as sister-group of the Blephariceroidea. Hoffeins & Hoffeins (1995) found fossil European Nymphomyiidae in the Eocene Baltic and Bitterfeld amber that were described by Wagner et al (2000).…”

“…Family Deuterophlebiidae (G. Courtney & R. Wagner) Deuterophlebiidae + Blephariceridae form a monophyletic group (Blephariceroidea) supported by several synapomorphies (Wood & Borkent, 1989;Courtney, 1991b;Oosterbroek & Courtney, 1995). No fossil records of the group are available.…”

“…Nymphomyiidae were established as a new family based on a single species, Nymphomyia alba (Tokunaga 1932(Tokunaga , 1935a. Phylogenetic relationships have been discussed controversial, but recent studies (Wood & Borkent, 1989;Oosterbroek & Courtney, 1995) suggest the Nymphomyiidae are sister group to the superfamily Blephariceroidea (Blepahriceridae + Deuterophlebiidae). Only few observations of larval and adult biology exist (Cutten & Kevan, 1970;Harper & Lauzon, 1989;Courtney 1994b).…”