Taxonomy and phylogeny of the genera Gymnocnemia Schneider, 1845, and Megistopus Rambur, 1842, with remarks on the systematization of the tribe Nemoleontini (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)

Abstract

The delineation of antlion genera has often been based on morphological characters not tested in a phylogenetic context, thus seriously impairing the study of systematics of the family Myrmeleontidae. Nebulous generic limits also impede the taxonomy and study of the affinities of closely related species. As a case study, the generic placement of Megistopus mirabilis Hölzel, 1980, was based on a single leg character. To test the position of this species, the reciprocal relationships of the members of the genera Gymnocnemia Schneider, 1845, and Megistopus Rambur, 1842 were investigated, using a morphology-based phylogenetic analysis. This approach demonstrated that M. mirabilis should actually be assigned to the genus Gymnocnemia, as G. mirabilis comb. n. This analysis also supports the subdivision of the tribe Nemoleontini in two subclades based on morphology of male and female genitalia. A new characterisation of these genera is provided, as well as a redescription of the very rare G. mirabilis and the poorly investigated Megistopus lucasi ). An updated identification key to the members of the genera Gymnocnemia and Megistopus is presented.

Owlflies are derived antlions: anchored phylogenomics supports a new phylogeny and classification of Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

“…Badano et al . (, b) also recovered Myrmecaelurini as polyphyletic. Unfortunately, our weak taxon sampling for Myrmecaelurini provides no new information on intergeneric relationships within the tribe.…”

“…Of these, only Dimarellina was recovered as monophyletic (but nested within a larger clade of New World genera). Both of the two larger subtribes – Nemoleontina and Neuroleontina – were recovered as highly and intractably polyphyletic (both previously recovered as paraphyletic by Badano et al ., ). The monophyly of Obina (containing only two genera, Obus Navás and Exaetoleon Kimmins, with a total of five described species) was not tested, as only one species was included.…”

“…However, the recent larval morphological phylogeny of Badano et al . () recovered Nemoleontinae as paraphyletic, whereas an adult morphological phylogeny by the same authors (Badano et al ., ) recovered the group as monophyletic.…”

“…The monophyletic nonbrachynemurine myrmeleontine clade (i.e. Myrmeleontini + Acanthaclisini + Nesoleontini + Myrmecaelurini) is very similar to a grouping proposed by several previous authors (Markl, ; Stange, ; Badano & Pantaleoni, ; Badano et al ., , b). Species in this clade have been called ‘specialized diggers’ based on their larval behaviours (Badano et al ., ), and they represent one of the major radiations of antlions in xeric areas around the world.…”

“…Some desirable features of such an analysis include augmented taxon sampling, the inclusion of additional ‘key’ taxa (those whose placement has varied in previous classifications and phylogenetic analyses), broader geographical representation, increased character set size, and expanded application of molecular phylogenetic data and technologies, as suggested by Badano et al . (, c). We present here the first phylogenomic study of the Myrmeleontidae.…”