Molecular phylogeny of the fungus gnat family Mycetophilidae (Diptera,Mycetophiliformia)

Abstract A molecular phylogeny of the fungus gnat family Mycetophilidae based on the nuclear 18S, 28S, and the mitochondrial 16S rRNA genes is presented. The total alignment included 58 taxa and 1704 bp. The family was recovered as monophyletic in parsimony and Bayesian analyses. In the Bayesian analysis, Mycetophilinae and its two tribes, Mycetophilini and Exechiini, were monophyletic with good statistical support. The subfamily Mycomyinae was found consistently in a sister‐group relationship to Mycetophilinae. Gnoristinae was rendered paraphyletic, subtending Mycomyinae and Mycetophilinae. Within Gnoristinae, the genera Coelosia Winnertz, Boletina Staeger, Gnoriste Meigen group with Docosia Winnertz, usually considered to be a member of Leiinae. No support was found for the monophyly of the subfamilies Sciophilinae and Leiinae.     

Molecular phylogeny of the fungus gnat subfamilies Gnoristinae and Mycomyinae,and their position within Mycetophilidae (Diptera)

The phylogeny of the fungus gnat family Mycetophilidae (Diptera) is reconstructed with a focus on the species‐rich and taxonomically difficult subfamilies Gnoristinae and Mycomyinae. The multigene phylogenetic analyses are based on five nuclear (18S, 28S, CAD, MCS, ITS2) and four mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI, CytB) gene markers. The analyses strongly support the monophyly of Mycetophilidae and the subfamilies Manotinae, Sciophilinae, Leiinae, and Mycomyinae, although Gnoristinae is paraphyletic with respect to Mycetophilinae. All the genera and groups of genera included are supported as monophyletic, except for Acomoptera Vockeroth, Boletina Staeger, Dziedzickia Johannsen, Ectrepesthoneura Enderlein, and Neoempheria Osten Sacken. Ancestral character state reconstructions were applied to two morphological features present in Gnoristinae and Mycomyinae (i.e. presence of setae on wing membrane and wing vein R₄) in order to assess their evolution. The wing vein R₄ appears as an unstable character, spread throughout different clades. A dated phylogeny of the family Mycetophilidae showed that most of the subfamilies of Mycetophilidae originated and diversified during the Cretaceous. The youngest subfamilies, originated in the Paleogene, appear to be Mycomyinae and Mycetophilinae.     

中国菌蚊科属的系统发育关系分析(双翅目:眼菌蚊总科)

采用Hennig 86程序,以柄菌蚊科和喙菌蚊科代表种为外群,选取48个特征,使用mhen-nig^*和bb^*指令在586微机上运算,首次对菌蚊科中5亚科28属的28种进行支序分析,探讨各分类单元系统发育关系。结果表明：菌蚊亚科与滑菌蚊亚科的亲缘关系较近,二者互为姐妹群,粘菌蚊亚科属于原始类群;菌蚊亚科为5个亚科中的进化类群;邻菌蚊亚科可能为并系群;真菌蚊亚科是介于邻菌蚊亚科与菌蚊亚科之间的类群。     

Monophyly of Euaesthetinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): phylogenetic evidence from adults and larvae,review of austral genera,and new larval descriptions

Abstract We develop a morphological dataset for the rove beetle subfamily Euaesthetinae comprising 167 morphological characters (135 adult and 32 larval) scored from 30 terminal taxa including 25 ingroup terminals (from subfamilies Euaesthetinae and Steninae) and five outgroups. Four maximum parsimony analyses using different sets of terminals and character sets were run to test the monophyly of (1) Euaesthetinae, (2) Steninae, (3) Euaesthetinae + Steninae, (4) euaesthetine tribes Austroesthetini, Alzadaesthetini, Euaesthetini, Fenderiini and Stenaesthetini, and (5) the ten currently known austral endemic genera together. Analyses of adult and larval character sets separately and in combination recovered the monophyly of Euaesthetinae, Steninae, and both subfamilies together, with strong support. Analysis of 13 ingroup terminals for which complete data were available suggests that monophyly of Euaesthetinae is supported by 19 synapomorphies (13 adult, six larval), of Steninae by 23 synapomorphies (14 adult, nine larval), and of both subfamilies together by 24 synapomorphies (21 adult, three larval). Within Euaesthetinae, only the tribe Stenaesthetini was recovered as monophyletic based on adult characters, and in no analyses were the ten austral endemic genera recovered as a monophyletic group. Phylogenetic relationships among euaesthetine genera were weakly supported, although analyses including adult characters supported monophyly of Octavius and Protopristus separately, and of Octavius + Protopristus, Austroesthetus + Chilioesthetus and Edaphus + Euaesthetus. Steninae may include a third genus comprising two undescribed species probably possessing a ‘stick–capture’ method of prey capture, similar to that in Stenus. These two species formed a strongly supported clade recovered as the sister group of Stenus based on adult characters. Diagnoses and a key to adults are provided for the 15 euaesthetine genera currently known from the austral region (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and southern South America). Euaesthetine larvae previously were known only for Euaesthetus, and we describe the larvae of nine more genera and provide the first larval identification key for genera of Euaesthetinae.     

When molecules and morphology concur: the ‘Gondwanan’ midges (Diptera: Chironomidae)

A phylogeny of the Chironomidae subfamily Podonominae, significant in the history of phylogenetic biogeography, is estimated from an analysis of four genes. Fragments of two ribosomal genes (18S and 28S), one nuclear protein‐coding gene (CAD), and one mitochondrial protein‐coding gene (COI) were sequenced from specimens representing 13 of 15 genera, and analysed using mixed model Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference methods. Podonominae is monophyletic and sister to Tanypodinae – the shared development of the larval ligula is synapomorphic and diagnostic. Tribe Podonomini is monophyletic with the inclusion of Trichotanypus; tribe Boreochlini is a grade. Monophyly is confirmed for the genera Podonomus Philippi, Podonomopsis Brundin, Podochlus Brundin, Archaeochlus Brundin and Austrochlus Cranston, Edward & Cook: Parochlus Enderlein becomes monophyletic through the inclusion of Zelandochlus Brundin ( n.syn. ) with its type species, P. latipalpis (Brundin) n.comb. The ‘mandibulate’Archaeochlus plus Austrochlus is monophyletic with nonmandibulate Afrochlus weakly supported as a member of, or sister to, the African Archaeochlus. Subtending this group is Lasiodiamesa, although it associates in some analyses with the sister group Tanypodinae. Generic relationships coincide with those proposed based on morphology, particularly as understood via all life history stages of some problematic (autapomorphic, adult‐based) taxa. Divergence time analysis (beast ) allows inference of Mesozoic diversification of higher taxa in Podonominae, of appropriate timing for fragmentation of Gondwana, post‐African divergence, to have caused vicariance. Shallower nodes (within genera) imply both younger vicariance involving Antarctica and some recent dispersal, including southern to northern hemisphere movement in the New World. New Zealand taxa test controversial biogeographical relationships and show proximity to southern South America without direct Australian sister taxon pairs: dating implies persistence of midges through the ‘Oligocene’ bottleneck.     

Phylogeny of western Mediterranean Leptodirini, with an emphasis on genital characters (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae)

Abstract The tribe Leptodirini (Leiodidae: Cholevinae) is one of the largest radiations of Coleoptera in the subterranean environment. Although subjected to systematic and evolutionary studies, the phylogeny remains poorly understood. We assessed the phylogeny of the western Mediterranean lineages (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees and Sardinia) based on a cladistic analysis of fourteen characters of external morphology and twenty characters of the male and female genitalia, studied in 182 species belonging to thirty‐nine genera. We tested the monophyly of the traditional two main divisions of the group (infraflagellates and supraflagellates), as well as that of some ‘phyletic series’. The final matrix contained fifty‐eight terminal taxa, twenty‐four of which had different character state combinations. The strict consensus of the sixty most parsimonious trees recovered a monophyletic Leptodirini, but not their separation into infraflagellates and supraflagellates. The supraflagellates formed a paraphyletic group with respect to the infraflagellates (corresponding to our sampled ‘Speonomus’ series), with Notidocharis sister to all other included Leptodirini, and Speonomidius sister to Leptodirini excluding Notidocharis. The series ‘Spelaeochlamys’, including the Sardinian genera but excluding Pseudochlamys, was recovered as monophyletic with weak support. The ‘Quaestus’ series formed a polytomy with Pseudochlamys plus the ‘Speonomus’ series (including Bathysciola), which was recovered as monophyletic with strong support. Speonomus, Bathysciola, Quaestus and Troglophyes were para‐ or polyphyletic. Our results suggested the respective monophyletic origin of the Leptodirini from the Pyrenees (Pseudochlamys plus the ‘Speonomus’ series) and the Mediterranean coast plus Sardinia (series ‘Spelaeochlamys’). On the contrary, the Leptodirini of the Atlantic north coast of the Iberian Peninsula (series ‘Quaestus’ and ‘Speonomidius’) were not monophyletic.     

Phylogeny and classification of the shrimp genera Acetes,Peisos, and Sicyonella (Sergestidae: Crustacea: Decapoda)

Despite their role in marine systems, Sergestidae remain one of the most poorly understood families amongst planktonic shrimps with regard to phylogeny. Recent morphological and phylogenetic revisions of a number of sergestid genera have disentangled classificatory problems and emphasized the importance of reproductive structures for the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Sergestidae. Only three genera, Acetes, Peisos, and Sicyonella, remain unrevised phylogenetically. We undertook a phylogenetic analysis of these groups based on 124 morphological characters (120 binary, four multistate). Eighteen new characters were based on scanning electron microscopy studies of the clasping organ and petasma. The phylogenetic analysis revealed statistically supported monophyly of the clades Sicyonella and Acetes + Peisos. We combine Peisos and Acetes into a monophyletic genus Acetes, give emended diagnoses and keys to all species of Sicyonella and Acetes, and discuss morphological trends within these genera. We present maps of geographical distribution for all valid species of Acetes. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

A morphological cladistic analysis of Lecythidoideae with emphasis on Bertholletia, Corythophora, Eschweilera, and Lecythis

A cladistic analysis was conducted to test the monophyly of Eschweilera and Lecythis as well as to examine the relationships of these two genera and their close relatives Bertholletia and Corythophora. The study included 86 species, representing all four genera and covering the range of taxonomic and morphological variation in the genera. The data matrix included 49 parsimony-informative characters derived from vegetative, floral, fruit, and seed morphology and anatomy. The results based on the consensus of all most parsimonious trees indicate that Bertholletia, Corythophora, Eschweilera, and Lecythis form a clade supported by brachyparacytic stomata, the absence of pedicels (with subsequent reversals in several clades), a two or four-locular ovary, the presence of an aril, and the absence of cotyledons. Within the clade, the monophyly of Corythophora is supported by the presence of inflorescence scales and the absence of nectar. Eschweilera is monophyletic only if E. congestiflora and E. simiorum are excluded. The monophyly of Eschweilera is supported by the presence of a two-locular ovary. Lecythis is not monophyletic, but sections Corrugata, Pisonis, and Poiteaui are monophyletic. Three species of section Lecythis are more closely related to Eschweilera, and other species of section Lecythis along with Bertholletia excelsa remain as unresolved.     

Molecular phylogeny of telenomine egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l.: Telenominae): evolution of host shifts and implications for classification

Parasitoid wasps of the subfamily Telenominae (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea, Platygastridae) develop as immatures within the eggs of other insects (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Neuroptera). Rearing records indicate that individual species are restricted to attack hosts within only one of these four main groups. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the group using sequence data from multiple genes (18S, 28S, COI, EF‐1α) to assess the pattern of shifts among host groups and to test the monophyly of and relationships among genera and species‐groups. Telenominae sensu Masner—that is, including only the nominate tribe Telenomini—is not monophyletic. Representatives of the Psix group of genera (Psix Kozlov & Lê and Paratelenomus Dodd) form a monophyletic group that is sister to Gryon Haliday (Scelioninae: Gryonini) and are excluded from the subfamily. The remaining telenomines are monophyletic. The genus Phanuromyia Dodd and the crassiclava group of Telenomus Haliday, both recorded as parasitoids of planthopper eggs (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoroidea), form a monophyletic group that is sister to all other telenomines exclusive of the Psix group. Twenty‐nine species of the crassiclava and aradi groups of Telenomus are transferred to Phanuromyia as new combinations. Basal elements of the remaining species are all in groups reared from the eggs of true bugs (Heteroptera), primarily the stink bugs (Pentatomoidea) and seed bugs (Lygaeoidea). A shift to parasitism of lepidopteran eggs evolved within a single clade, occurring either one or two times. From this clade a small group of species, the Telenomus tabanivorus group, subsequently shifted to parasitism of egg masses of true flies (Tabanidae and Stratiomyiidae). Aholcus Kieffer and Platytelenomus Dodd both belong to the clade of lepidopteran parasitoids and are considered as junior synonyms of Telenomus (new synonymy for Aholcus). The monophyletic status of the two core genera, Telenomus and Trissolcus could not be resolved using these data. The phylogenetic pattern of host shifts suggests comparisons among taxa that may be fruitful in elucidating mechanisms by which parasitoids locate their hosts, the proximate factors that determine the host range, and the changes in these factors that influence host changes.     

MULTIGENE ANALYSES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC EUGLENOIDS AND NEW FAMILY,PHACACEAE (EUGLENALES)1

Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood (ML) analyses of the combined multigene data (nuclear SSU rDNA, and plastid SSU and LSU rDNA) were conducted to evaluate the phylogeny of photosynthetic euglenoids. The combined data set consisted of 108 strains of photosynthetic euglenoids including a colorless sister taxon. Bayesian and ML analyses recovered trees of almost identical topology. The results indicated that photosynthetic euglenoids were divided into two major clades, the Euglenaceae clade (Euglena, Euglenaria, Trachelomonas, Strombomonas, Monomorphina, Cryptoglena, Colacium) and the Phacaceae clade (Phacus, Lepocinclis, Discoplastis). The Euglenaceae clade was monophyletic with high support and subdivided into four main clades: the Colacium, the Strombomonas and Trachelomonas, the Cryptoglena and Monomorphina, and the Euglena and Euglenaria clades. The genus Colacium was positioned at the base of the Euglenaceae and was well supported as a monophyletic lineage. The loricate genera (Strombomonas and Trachelomonas) were located at the middle of the Euglenaceae clade and formed a robust monophyletic lineage. The genera Cryptoglena and Monomorphina also formed a well‐supported monophyletic clade. Euglena and the recently erected genus Euglenaria emerged as sister groups. However, Euglena proxima branched off at the base of the Euglenaceae. The Phacaceae clade was also a monophyletic group with high support values and subdivided into three clades, the Discoplastis, Phacus, and Lepocinclis clades. The genus Discoplastis branched first, and then Phacus and Lepocinclis emerged as sister groups. These genera shared a common characteristic, numerous small discoid chloroplasts without pyrenoids. These results clearly separated the Phacaceae clade from the Euglenaceae clade. Therefore, we propose to limit the family Euglenaceae to the members of the Euglena clade and erect a new family, the Phacaceae, to house the genera Phacus, Lepocinclis, and Discoplastis.     

Molecular phylogeny of Omaliinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and its implications for evolution of atypically long elytra in rove beetles

Staphylinidae, or rove beetles, are a megadiverse family known for their typically very short elytra exposing most of the abdomen, but the putatively early-derived subfamily Omaliinae and its relatives have been known to include multiple taxa with unusually long elytra. The ancestral elytral length of the family and of this subfamily have long been debated. We present a phylogenetic analysis of Omaliinae based on partial mitochondrial COI (1488 bp), COII (366 bp), 12S rDNA (353 bp), nuclear 18S rDNA (1814 bp), 28S rDNA (876 bp) and CAD (869 bp) data. In all, 51 species in 31 genera and four outgroup species were included. The concatenated sequences were analysed by both parsimony- and model-based (Bayesian and maximum likelihood) methods. The subfamily Omaliinae was not supported as a monophyletic group. The model-based analyses (Bayesian and maximum likelihood trees) showed Empelinae nested within Omaliinae (excluding Corneolabiini), whereas parsimony analysis found all three putative ingroup subfamilies, Empelinae, Glypholomatinae and Microsilphinae, grouped within Omaliinae. Within the Omaliinae, the tribes Coryphiini and Eusphalerini were each supported as monophyletic, whereas Anthophagini and Omaliini were each nonmonophyletic. We hypothesize that there have been at least four independent origins of long elytra from short elytra in the omaliine lineage.     

Phylogenetic placement of DethawiaMeum,and Rivasmartinezia (Apioideae,Apiaceae): Evidence from nuclear and plastid DNA sequences

The flora of Western Europe is rich in endemic species of Apiaceae, many of which have been poorly investigated and whose phylogenetic relationships are poorly known. To investigate relationships among three endemic European genera (Dethawia, Meum, and Rivasmartinezia gen. nov.) and to ascertain their higher-level phylogenetic placements within the subfamily Apioideae, we examined nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequences and the plastid trnL-trnF region. Phylogenies estimated using parsimony and Bayesian inference reveal that (1) the historically known “Conioselinum chinense” Clade (Conioselinum chinense; C. scopulorum; Ligusticum canadense; L. porteri; Meum athamanticum; Mutellina purpurea; and Trochiscanthes nodiflora) comprise a strongly supported monophyletic group (100% BS); (2) the genera Dethawia and Meum comprise a strongly supported monophyletic group also included in the “Conioselinum chinense” Clade; and finally (3) a new genus (Rivasmartinezia) with one species (R. vazquezii) from the Northwestern of the Iberian Peninsula, and placed in the basal position in the “Conioselinum chinense” Clade, is described for the family Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae.     

Genera and species of Baetidae in Japan: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigrobaetis,Alainites, Labiobaetis</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tenuibaetis</Emphasis> n. stat. (Ephemeroptera)

We describe morphological characters of the genera Nigrobaetis, Alainites, Labiobaetis, and Tenuibaetis n. stat. and provide generic situations of six Japanese species: Nigrobaetis chocoratus n. comb., N. sacishimensis n. comb., Alainites atagonis, A. florens, A. yoshinensis, and Tenuibaetis pseudofrequentus. To evaluate the polarities of the morphological characters and the monophyly of Nigrobaetis, Alainites, Labiobaetis, and Tenuibaetis, character states of these four genera were compared with the genus Cloeon as an outgroup. Labiobaetis is considered to be a monophyletic group supported by a wide paraglossa. Tenuibaetis is a monophyletic group that is distinguishable from the related genera by robust setae with a medial ridge on the dorsomedian surface of the nymphal femur. We did not find any synapomorphic characters of Nigrobaetis or Alainites. Although we tentatively treat Nigrobaetis and Alainites as distinct genera, they are considered to be paraphyletic taxa.     

A global phylogeny of apple snails: Gondwanan origin, generic relationships, and the influence of outgroup choice (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Apple snails (Ampullariidae) are a diverse family of pantropical freshwater snails and an important evolutionary link to the common ancestor of the largest group of living gastropods, the Caenogastropoda. A clear understanding of relationships within the Ampullariidae, and identification of their sister taxon, is therefore important for interpreting gastropod evolution in general. Unfortunately, the overall pattern has been clouded by confused systematics within the family and equivocal results regarding the family's sister group relationships. To clarify the relationships among ampullariid genera and to evaluate the influence of including or excluding possible sister taxa, we used data from five genes, three nuclear and two mitochondrial, from representatives of all nine extant ampullariid genera, and species of Viviparidae, Cyclophoridae, and Campanilidae, to reconstruct the phylogeny of apple snails, and determine their affinities to these possible sister groups. The results obtained indicate that the Old and New World ampullariids are reciprocally monophyletic with probable Gondwanan origins. All four Old World genera, Afropomus, Saulea, Pila, and Lanistes, were recovered as monophyletic, but only Asolene, Felipponea, and Pomella were monophyletic among the five New World genera, with Marisa paraphyletic and Pomacea polyphyletic. Estimates of divergence times among New World taxa suggest that diversification began shortly after the separation of Africa and South America and has probably been influenced by hydrogeological events over the last 90 Myr. The sister group of the Ampullariidae remains unresolved, but analyses omitting certain outgroup taxa suggest the need for dense taxonomic sampling to increase phylogenetic accuracy within the ingroup. The results obtained also indicate that defining the sister group of the Ampullariidae and clarifying relationships among basal caenogastropods will require increased taxon sampling within these four families, and synthesis of both morphological and molecular data. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98 , 61–76.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Alpinioideae (Zingiberaceae), particularly Etlingera Giseke, based on nuclear and plastid DNA

Parsimony analyses based on DNA sequence data of the plastid group II intron rps16 and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were performed in order to examine the relationship of the pantropical subfamily Alpinioideae in Zingiberaceae (Zingiberales). Special emphasis was given to the large genus Etlingera placed in the tribe Alpinieae. A total of 50 taxa were included in the analysis. The strict consensus tree obtained by combining all data (280 parsimony informative characters of ITS, rps16, and coded indels) is well resolved with strongly supported clades. The subfamily Alpinioideae (excluding Pommereschea and Rhynchanthus) is strongly supported as monophyletic. The basal part of the tree is unresolved but a clade containing the derived genera of Alpinieae (Geocharis, Amomum, Hornstedtia, and Etlingera) is strongly supported. The establishment of Etlingera as the inclusive name for Achasma, Geanthus, and Nicolaia is also strongly supported: Etlingera is monophyletic with Hornstedtia as sister group.     

The phylogeny and classification of Embioptera (Insecta)

A phylogenetic analysis of the order Embioptera is presented with a revised classification based on results of the analysis. Eighty‐two species of Embioptera are included from all families except Paedembiidae Ross and Embonychidae Navás. Monophyly of each of the eight remaining currently recognized families is tested except Andesembiidae Ross, for which only a single species was included. Nine outgroup taxa are included from Blattaria, Grylloblattaria, Mantodea, Mantophasmatodea, Orthoptera, Phasmida and Plecoptera. Ninety‐six morphological characters were analysed along with DNA sequence data from the five genes 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase I and histone III. Data were analysed in combined analyses of all data using parsimony and Bayesian optimality criteria, and combined molecular data were analysed using maximum likelihood. Several major conclusions about Embioptera relationships and classification are based on interpretation of these analyses. Of eight families for which monophyly was tested, four were found to be monophyletic under each optimality criterion: Clothodidae Davis, Anisembiidae Davis, Oligotomidae Enderlein and Teratembiidae Krauss. Australembiidae Ross was not recovered as monophyletic in the likelihood analysis in which one Australembia Ross species was recovered in a position distant from other australembiids. This analysis included only molecular data and the topology was not strongly supported. Given this, and because parsimony and the Bayesian analyses recovered a strongly supported clade including all Australembiidae, we regard this family also as monophyletic. Three other families – Notoligotomidae Davis, Archembiidae Ross and Embiidae Burmeister, as historically delimited – were not found to be monophyletic under any optimality criterion. Notoligotomidae is restricted here to include only the genus Notoligotoma Davis with a new family, Ptilocerembiidae Miller and Edgerly, new family, erected to include the genus Ptilocerembia Friederichs. Archembiidae is restricted here to include only the genera Archembia Ross and Calamoclostes Enderlein. The family group name Scelembiidae Ross is resurrected from synonymy with Archembiidae (new status) to include all other genera recently placed in Archembiidae. Embiidae is not demonstrably monophyletic with species currently placed in the family resolved in three separate clades under each optimality criterion. Because taxon sampling is not extensive within this family in this analysis, no changes are made to Embiidae classification. Relationships between families delimited herein are not strongly supported under any optimality criterion with a few exceptions. Either Clothodidae Davis (parsimony) or Australembiidae Ross (Bayesian) is the sister to the remaining Embioptera taxa. The Bayesian analysis includes Australembiidae as the sister to all other Embioptera except Clothididae, suggesting that each of these taxa is a relatively plesiomorphic representatative of the order. Oligotomidae and Teratembiidae are sister groups, and Archembiidae (sensu novum), Ptilocerembiidae, Andesembiidae and Anisembiidae form a monophyletic group under each optimality criterion. Each family is discussed in reference to this analysis, diagnostic combinations and taxon compositions are provided, and a key to families of Embioptera is included.     

Cladistic Analysis of the Briza Complex (Poaceae,Poeae)

The Briza complex comprises 23 species from South America, Mesoamerica and Europe. They constitute a monophyletic group because of the tendency of the spikelets to be dorsiventrally compressed. A cladistic analysis of the complex was performed using 32 characters from morphology. The terminal taxa were the species of the genera Briza, Calotheca, Microbriza, Poidium and Rhomboelytrum. Dactylis and Arrhenatherum were chosen to root the cladograms. Results of the cladistic analysis of the complex provide support for the ideas of Nicora and Rugolo (1981, Darwiniana 23(1), 279–309): Briza, Calotheca, Microbriza, Poidium and Rhomboelytrum are supported as monophyletic groups. Within Briza, only the Chascolytrum group appears monophyletic, while the Briza and Uniolae groups are paraphyletic. Poidium ambiguum, sometimes placed in Poa, is considered here as Poidium.     

A molecular phylogeny of Cochylina,with confirmation of its relationship to Euliina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

This work presents a multiple-gene phylogenetic analysis of 70 species representing 24 genera of Cochylina and eight species representing eight genera of Euliina, and a maximum-likelihood analysis based on 293 barcodes representing over 220 species of Cochylina. The results confirm the hypothesis that Cochylina is a monophyletic group embedded within a paraphyletic Euliina. Six major monophyletic lineages are recognized and defined within Cochylina: a Phtheochroa Group, a Henricus Group, an Aethes Group, a Saphenista Group, a Phalonidia Group and a Cochylis Group. The work summarizes the groups (including related genera not included in our analysis), provides morphological characters that support the molecular data, and compares results to previous phylogenies of Cochylina. The following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Brevicornutia, rev.stat. ; Neocochylis, rev.stat. ; Paracochylis, rev.stat. ; Pontoturania, rev.stat. ; and Platphalonidia, rev.stat.     

Phylogenetic relationships in tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae) inferred from nucleotide sequence data

Tribe Spiraeeae has generally been defined to include Aruncus, Kelseya, Luetkea, Pentactina, Petrophyton, Sibiraea, and Spiraea. Recent phylogenetic analyses have supported inclusion of Holodiscus in this group. Spiraea, with 50-80 species distributed throughout the north temperate regions of the world, is by far the largest and most widespread genus in the tribe; the remaining genera have one to several species each. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL-trnF nucleotide sequences for 33 species representing seven of the aforementioned genera plus Xerospiraea divided the tribe into two well supported clades, one including Aruncus, Luetkea, Holodiscus, and Xerospiraea, the second including the other genera. Within Spiraea, none of the three sections recognized by Rehder based on inflorescence morphology is supported as monophyletic. Our analyses suggest a western North American origin for the tribe, with several biogeographic events involving vicariance or dispersal between the Old and New Worlds having occurred within this group.