Phylogeny of the tribe Abrotrichini (Cricetidae,Sigmodontinae): integrating morphological and molecular evidence into a new classification

The tribe Abrotrichini (five genera and 14 living species) is a small clade within the speciose subfamily Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae), representing one of the extant successful radiations of mammals at southern high latitudes of the Neotropics. Its distribution is mostly Andean, reaching its greatest diversity in southern Argentina and Chile. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe through parsimony and Bayesian approaches based on 99 morphological characters (including 19 integumental characters, 38 skull characters, 31 dental characters, three postcranial skeletal characters, seven from the male accessory glands and phallus and one from the digestive system) and six molecular markers (one mitochondrial and five nuclear). We include representatives of all, except one, of the currently recognized species of living Abrotrichini plus one fossil form. Based on total evidence, we recovered a primary division between the genus Abrothrix and a group including the long‐clawed Abrotrichini, Chelemys, Geoxus, Notiomys and Pearsonomys. Both clades are recognized and named here as subtribes. The large degree of morphological variation observed within Abrothrix suggests that species in the genus fall into four groups, which we recognize as subgenera. In addition, the two known species of Chelemys do not form a monophyletic group, and Geoxus was recovered as paraphyletic with respect to Pearsonomys. To reconcile classification and phylogenetics, we describe a new genus for Chelemys macronyx and include Pearsonomys as a junior synonym of Geoxus. Our results highlight the importance of both morphology and molecules in resolving the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe. Based on biogeographical analyses, we hypothesize that Abrotrichini originated in south‐western South America by vicariance and then diversified mostly by successive dispersal events.     

Phylogeny,classification and evolution of the water scavenger beetle tribe Hydrobiusini inferred from morphology and molecules (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae)

The water scavenger beetle tribe Hydrobiusini contains 47 species in eight genera distributed worldwide. Most species of the tribe are aquatic, although several species are known to occur in waterfalls or tree mosses. Some members of the tribe are known to communicate via underwater stridulation. While recent morphological and molecular‐based phylogenies have affirmed the monophyly of the tribe as currently circumscribed, doubts remain about the monophyly of included genera. Here we use morphological and molecular data to infer a species‐level phylogeny of the Hydrobiusini. The monophyly of the tribe is decisively supported, as is the monophyly of most genera. The genus Hydrobius was found to be polyphyletic, and as a result the genus Limnohydrobius stat. rev. is removed from synonymy with Hydrobius, yielding three new combinations: L. melaenus comb.n. , L. orientalis comb.n. , and L. tumbius comb.n. Recent changes to the species‐level taxonomy of Hydrobius are reviewed. The morphology of the stridulatory apparatus has undergone a single remarkable transformation within the lineage, from a simple, unmodified pars stridens to one that is highly organized and complex. We present an updated key to genera, revised generic diagnoses and a list of the known distributions for all species within the tribe.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Peniocereus (Cactaceae) inferred from plastid DNA sequence data

The phylogenetic relationships of Peniocereus (Cactaceae) species were studied using parsimony analyses of DNA sequence data. The plastid rpl16 and trnL-F regions were sequenced for 98 taxa including 17 species of Peniocereus, representatives from all genera of tribe Pachycereeae, four genera of tribe Hylocereeae, as well as from three additional outgroup genera of tribes Calymmantheae, Notocacteae, and Trichocereeae. Phylogenetic analyses support neither the monophyly of Peniocereus as currently circumscribed, nor the monophyly of tribe Pachycereeae since species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are embedded within tribe Hylocereeae. Furthermore, these results show that the eight species of Peniocereus subgenus Peniocereus (Peniocereus sensu stricto) form a well-supported clade within subtribe Pachycereinae; P. serpentinus is also a member of this subtribe, but is sister to Bergerocactus. Moreover, Nyctocereus should be resurrected as a monotypic genus. Species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are positioned among species of Acanthocereus within tribe Hylocereeae, indicating that they may be better classified within that genus. A number of morphological and anatomical characters, especially related to the presence or absence of dimorphic branches, are discussed to support these relationships.     

Mitochondrial and nuclear markers support the monophyly of Dolichopodidae and suggest a rapid origin of the subfamilies (Diptera: Empidoidea)

Abstract. The Dolichopodidae is a species‐rich dipteran group with almost 7000 described species. The monophyly of the subfamilies and their relationships remain largely unknown because the polarities of key morphological characters are unclear and molecular data are available only for 9 of the 19 proposed subfamilies. Here we test whether molecular data from two nuclear (18S, 28S) and four mitochondrial (12S, 16S, Cytb, COI) genes can resolve the higher‐level relationships within the family. Our study is based on 76 Oriental species from 12 dolichopodid subfamilies and uses eight species of Empididae and Hybotidae as outgroups. Parsimony and likelihood analyses confirm the monophyly of the Dolichopodidae, as well as the monophyly of five of the ten subfamilies represented by more than two species [Sympycninae, Sciapodinae, Dolichopodinae, Hydrophorinae (excluding tribe Aphrosylini), Neurigoninae]. There is strong support for restoring the tribe Aphrosylini as a separate subfamily Aphrosylinae. The monophyly of Medeterinae, Peloropeodinae and Diaphorinae is dependent on which tree reconstruction technique is used, how indels are coded, and whether the fast‐evolving sites are excluded. Overall, we find that our sample of Oriental species is largely compatible with the subfamily concepts that were developed for the northern temperate fauna. However, our data provide little support for relationships between the subfamilies. Branch lengths, saturation, and distance plots suggest that this is probably the result of the rapid origin of dolichopodid subfamilies over a relatively short time. We find that genera that are difficult to place into subfamilies based on morphological characters are generally also difficult to place using molecular data. We predict that a dense, balanced taxon sample and protein‐encoding nuclear genes will be needed to resolve the higher‐level relationships in the Dolichopodidae.     

Phylogeny of the bee family Megachilidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) based on adult morphology

Phylogenetic relationships within the bee family Megachilidae are poorly understood. The monophyly of the subfamily Fideliinae is questionable, the relationships among the tribes and subtribes in the subfamily Megachilinae are unknown, and some extant genera cannot be placed with certainty at the tribal level. Using a cladistic analysis of adult external morphological characters, we explore the relationships of the eight tribes and two subtribes currently recognised in Megachilidae. Our dataset included 80% of the extant generic‐level diversity, representatives of all fossil taxa, and was analysed using parsimony. We employed 200 characters and selected 7 outgroups and 72 ingroup species of 60 genera, plus 7 species of 4 extinct genera from Baltic amber. Our analysis shows that Fideliinae and the tribes Anthidiini and Osmiini of Megachilinae are paraphyletic; it supports the monophyly of Megachilinae, including the extinct taxa, and the sister group relationship of Lithurgini to the remaining megachilines. The Sub‐Saharan genus Aspidosmia, a rare group with a mixture of osmiine and anthidiine features, is herein removed from Anthidiini and placed in its own tribe, Aspidosmiini, new tribe . Protolithurgini is the sister of Lithurgini, both placed herein in the subfamily Lithurginae; the other extinct taxa, Glyptapina and Ctenoplectrellina, are more basally related among Megachilinae than Osmiini, near Aspidosmia, and are herein treated at the tribal level. Noteriades, a genus presently in the Osmiini, is herein transferred to the Megachilini. Thus, we recognise four subfamilies (Fideliinae, Pararhophitinae, Lithurginae and Megachilinae) and nine tribes in Megachilidae. We briefly discuss the evolutionary history and biogeography of the family, present alternative classifications, and provide a revised key to the extant tribes of Megachilinae.     

Using molecules and morphology to infer the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the Dirini (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), a tribe of butterflies endemic to Southern Africa

The first empirically supported phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships for the southern African endemic butterfly tribe Dirini is presented. Data derived from the morphology and ecology of the adults and immature stages (33 characters), and portions of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and the nuclear genes elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and wingless (WG) (totalling 1734 bp) were used to infer the relationships of the in‐group genera. An expanded molecular dataset using four genera from the Nymphalini and Satyrini to root the tree, and three genera from the Melanitini to test the monophyly of the tribe, was analysed using parsimony and Bayesian methods. Estimates of divergence times were calculated using two fossil calibrations under a relaxed molecular clock model. The monophyly of the tribe and each in‐group genus were strongly supported. Key findings are the sister‐taxon relationship of Aeropetes and Tarsocera, the apparent simultaneous or nearly simultaneous radiation of four lineages, the polyphyly of the species within Torynesis, and the apparent trans‐Atlantic dispersal of the ancestors of Manataria about 40 Ma. Estimates of divergence times indicate that the tribe has undergone two major radiations since its origin: the first when they left forest habitats in the mid–late Oligocene, shortly after the radiation of the grasses (Poaceae), and the second in the early‐middle Pliocene, coinciding with the aridification of southern Africa and the spread of conditions that favoured C₄ grasses over the C₃ grasses that dirine larvae prefer to eat. The high species diversity within the tribe appears to be partly a taxonomic artefact that may have resulted from the misinterpretation of climate‐related phenotypic variation within extant species. Relocation and breeding experiments should test this hypothesis.     

Phylogenetic relationships,subdivision, and biogeography of the cyprinid tribe Labeonini (sensu ) (Teleostei: Cypriniformes), with comments on the implications of lips and associated structures in the labeonin classification

The Labeonini (sensu Rainboth, 1991) is a tribe of the subfamily Cyprininae, the largest subfamily of Cypriniformes. With around 400 species in 34 genera, this tribe is widely distributed in the freshwaters of tropical Africa and Asia. Most species are adapted to fast-flowing streams and rivers, and exhibit unique morphological modifications associated with their lips and other structures around the mouth. The monophyly of this tribe has been tested and generally accepted in previous morphological and molecular studies. The major objectives of this study were to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Labeonini, test its monophyly and explore the taxonomic subdivisions, intrarelationships and biogeography of the group. The value of the morphological characters associated with the lips and other associated structures in the taxonomic classification of labeonins was also discussed. Nucleotide sequences (3867 bp) of four unlinked nuclear loci were obtained from 51 species in 18 Labeonini genera from throughout the range of the tribe. Maximum parsimony, partitioned maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian analyses were used for phylogenetic inference from combined and separate gene data sets. Based on our results, the monophyly of Labeonini was well supported. Two major clades could be recovered within the tribe. Three subclades could further be recognized from the first clade. These clades/subclades are not consistent with groupings of any of previous workers using either morphological or molecular characters for phylogenetic inference. Only five currently recognized genera in this analysis are monophyletic. The similarity between some lips and associated structures (e.g. suctorial discs) of labeonins may due to convergence or parallelism instead of common ancestry. Labeonins of Southeast Asia, India and China are closely related to each other; the multiple clades of African taxa do not form a single monophyletic group, indicating multiple, independent dispersal events of labeonins into Africa from Asia.     

Phylogenetic analyses of band‐winged grasshoppers (Orthoptera,Acrididae, Oedipodinae) reveal convergence of wing morphology

Husemann, M., Namkung, S., Habel, J.C., Danley, P.D. & Hochkirch, A. (2012). Phylogenetic analyses of band‐winged grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Oedipodinae) reveal convergence of wing morphology. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 515–526. Historically, morphological traits have been used to examine the relationships of distantly related taxa with global distributions. The use of such traits, however, may be misleading and may not provide the resolution needed to distinguish various hypotheses that may explain the distribution patterns of widely distributed taxa. One such taxon, the Oedipodine grasshoppers, contains two tribes principally defined by wing morphologies: the Bryodemini have broad wings whereas Sphingonotini are narrow‐winged. Through the use of morphological features alone, hypotheses concerning the evolution of these tribes cannot be distinguished. To differentiate hypotheses that may explain the distribution of Oedipodines, such as vicariance, natural dispersal and anthropogenic translocation, we used two mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within and between the two tribes, and employed a molecular clock to evaluate the hypotheses of vicariance and dispersal. Our results clearly reject monophyly of the tribes and revealed monophyletic Old and New World clades, which is in agreement with previous molecular studies. The split between both clades was dated at 35 Ma (±12 Ma). This clearly rejects the vicariance hypothesis and supports a single invasion via the Beringian land bridge. In addition, our data clearly show that the similarities in wing morphology used for distinguishing both tribes are the result of at least one convergent event. Our study shows that interpretations of relationships based on the currently accepted taxonomy in the study groups will be error prone. We suggest that future revisions that consider our findings are required.     

Molecular systematics and biodiversity of the Cryptotis mexicanus group (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae): two new species from Honduras supported

Small-eared shrews of the genus Cryptotis (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) are widespread in the northern Neotropics. Systematic studies of these shrews over the past two decades have revealed previously undocumented morphological and species diversity, resulting in a quadrupling of the number of recognized species. Unfortunately, a small proportion of the species in the genus have been included in molecular phylogenetic studies, and evolutionary relationships within the genus are incompletely known. Traditionally, species have been assigned to four or five morphologically defined ‘species groups’, but tests of the monophyly of some of these groups show weak support and relationships amongst species groups remain somewhat speculative. The largest species group is the C. mexicanus group inhabiting Mexico and northern Central America. We studied sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome-b and 16S genes, as well as nuclear ApoB and BRCA1 genes from 22 species of Cryptotis, including 15 species in the C. mexicanus group. Our combined analysis shows that the C. goldmani subgroup is very weakly supported as monophyletic; however, the C. mexicanus group as a whole is not monophyletic. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the distinctiveness of two newly described species (C. celaque and C. mccarthyi) from isolated highlands of western Honduras and illustrate their relationship with other species formerly considered part of a widespread C. goodwini.     

Phylogenetics and evolution of Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), and the systematics of Corynidae

Nawrocki, A. M., Schuchert, P. & Cartwright, P. (2009). Phylogenetics and evolution of Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), and the systematics of Corynidae.—Zoologica Scripta, 39, 290–304. Generic‐ and family level classifications in Hydrozoa have been historically problematic due to limited morphological characters for phylogenetic analyses and thus taxonomy, as well as disagreement over the relative importance of polyp vs. medusa characters. Within the recently redefined suborder Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Hydroidolina), which includes 15 families and almost 200 valid species, family level relationships based on morphology alone have proven elusive, and there exist numerous conflicting proposals for the relationships of component species. Relationships within the speciose capitate family Corynidae also remain uncertain, for similar reasons. Here, we combine mitochondrial 16S, and nuclear 18S and 28S sequences from capitate hydrozoans representing 12 of the 15 valid capitate families, to examine family level relationships within Capitata. We further sample densely within Corynidae to investigate the validity of several generic‐level classification schemes that rely heavily on the presence/absence of a medusa, a character that has been questioned for its utility in generic‐level classification. We recover largely congruent tree topologies from all three markers, with 28S and the combined dataset providing the most resolution. Our study confirms the monophyly of the redefined Capitata, and provides resolution for family level relationships of most sampled families within the suborder. These analyses reveal Corynidae as paraphyletic and suggest that the limits of the family have been underestimated. Our results contradict all available generic‐level classification schemes for Corynidae. As classification schemes for this family have been largely based on reproductive characters such as the presence/absence of a medusa, our results suggest that these are not valid generic‐level characters for the clade. We suggest a new taxonomic structure for the lineage that includes all members of the newly redefined Corynidae, based on molecular and morphological synapomorphies for recovered clades within the group.     

Rodent louse diversity,phylogeny, and cospeciation in the Manu Biosphere Reserve,Peru

We investigated the diversity, cophylogenetic relationships, and biogeography of hoplopleurid sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) parasitizing rodents (Muridae: Sigmodontinae) in the Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve. Our morphological and molecular studies reveal that 15 distinct louse species parasitize 19 rodent species. Three of these louse species are new to science, and all but two of the host associations were previously unknown. We find that hoplopleurid lice in South America parasitize multiple host species across a large geographic area, and that Peru represents a new geographic locality for almost all the louse species collected in the present study. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear data reveal that the louse family Hoplopleuridae and the genera Hoplopleura and Pterophthirus are not monophyletic, and lice do not appear to group by host tribe, collecting locality, or collection elevation. The lack of monophyly for these apparently natural groups (taxonomic, locality, and elevation) indicates that host switching with or without parasite speciation may be prevalent among hoplopleurid lice. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 598–610.     

Phylogeny of North American Tolypella (Charophyceae,Charophyta) based on plastid DNA sequences with a description of Tolypella ramosissima sp. nov.

Characeae (Charophyceae, Charophyta) contains two tribes with six genera: tribe Chareae with four genera and tribe Nitelleae, which includes Tolypella and Nitella. This paper uses molecular and morphological data to elucidate the phylogeny of Tolypella species in North America. In the most comprehensive taxonomic treatment of Characeae, 16 Tolypella species worldwide were subsumed into two species, T. intricata and T. nidifica, in two sections, Rothia and Tolypella respectively. It was further suggested that Tolypella might be a derived group within Nitella. In this investigation into species diversity and relationships in North American Tolypella, sequence data from the plastid genes atpB, psbC, and rbcL were assembled for a broad range of charophycean and land plant taxa. Molecular data were used in conjunction with morphology to test monophyly of the genus and species within it. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data showed that Characeae is monophyletic but that Nitelleae is paraphyletic with Tolypella sister to a monophyletic Nitella + Chareae. The results also supported the monophyly of Tolypella and the sections Rothia and Tolypella. Morphologically defined species were supported as clades with little or no DNA sequence differences. In addition, molecular data revealed several lineages and a new species (T. ramosissima sp. nov.), which suggests greater species diversity in Tolypella than previously recognized.     

Genetic divergence in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae)

To reveal evolutionary relationships and the rate of divergence of lanternfishes in the tribe Electronini (Myctophidae), analysis of sequence of cox 1 mtDNA fragment in three genera (12 species) of the tribe and in a closely related genus Myctophum (9 species) was performed. The results support the tribe monophyly; however, the divergence within it appeared to be not profound: genetic distances between genera and subgenera are smaller than between species within Myctophum and other genera of myctophids. In subgenera of Protomyctophum, species formation has obviously not completed since interspecies distances in them (0.5–4.7%) are comparable to estimates of intraspecific variation in other lanternfishes. Minimal genetic differences were found between species P. (Hierops) arcticum and P. (H.) subparallelum, whose ranges at the present time are isolated in the northern and southern hemispheres. After calibration of the molecular clock, the time of isolation of these two species can be dated to the Middle Pleistocene. Weak tribe diversification indicates its evolutionary youth, which can be related to the absence of efficient hydrographic barriers for isolation. The data obtained do not permit to consider tribe members as the most primitive in the family Myctophidae.     

Integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of freshwater mussel,Potamilus streckersoni sp. nov. (Bivalvia: Unionidae): implications for conservation and management

Inaccurate systematics confound our ability to determine evolutionary processes that have led to the diversification of many taxa. The North American freshwater mussel tribe Lampsilini is one of the better-studied groups in Unionidae, however, many supraspecific relationships between lampsiline genera remain unresolved. Two genera previously hypothesized to be non-monophyletic that have been largely overlooked are Leptodea and Potamilus. We set out to resolve supraspecific relationships in Lampsilini and test the monophyly of Leptodea and Potamilus by integrating molecular, morphological, and life history data. Our molecular matrix consisted of four loci: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and 28S ribosomal RNA. Secondly, we performed both traditional and Fourier shape morphometric analyses to evaluate morphological differences and finally, we compared our results with available life history data. Molecular data supported the paraphyly of both Leptodea and Potamilus, but nodal support was insufficient to make any conclusions regarding generic-level assignments at this time. In contrast, inference from our integrative taxonomic assessment depicts significant support for the recognition of a new species, Potamilus streckersoni sp. nov., the Brazos Heelsplitter. Our data show clear separation of three taxonomic entities in the P. ohiensis species complex: P. amphichaenus, P. ohiensis, and P. streckersoni sp. nov.; all molecularly, geographically, and morphologically diagnosable. Our findings have profound implications for unionid taxonomy and will aid stakeholders in establishing effective conservation and management strategies.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:502647C0-418B-4CC4-85A8-BD89FC3F674F     

Comparison of methods for rooting phylogenetic trees: A case study using Orcuttieae (Poaceae: Chloridoideae)

DNA sequence data (cpDNA trnL intron and nrDNA ITS1 and ITS2) were analyzed to identify relationships within Orcuttieae, a small tribe of endangered grasses endemic to vernal pools in California and Baja California. The tribe includes three genera: Orcuttia, Tuctoria, and Neostapfia. All three genera carry out C₄ photosynthesis but aquatic taxa of Orcuttia lack Kranz anatomy. The unusual habitat preference of the tribe is coupled with the atypical development of C₄ photosynthesis without Kranz anatomy. Furthermore, the tribe has no known close relatives and has been noted to be phylogenetically isolated within the subfamily Chloridoideae. In this study we examine the problem of inferring the root of the tribe in the absence of an identified outgroup, analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the constituent taxa, and evaluate the evolutionary development of C₄ photosynthesis. We compare four methods for inferring the root of the tree: (1) the outgroup method, (2) midpoint rooting, the imposition of a molecular clock for both (3) maximum likelihood (ML) and (4) Bayesian analysis. We examine the consequences of each method for the inferred phylogenetic relationships. Three of the methods (outgroup rooting and the ML and Bayesian molecular clock analyses) suggest that the root of Orcuttieae is between Neostapfia and the Tuctoria/Orcuttia lineage, while midpoint rooting gives a different root. The Bayesian method additionally provides information about probabilities associated with other possible root locations. Assuming that the true root of Orcuttieae is between Neostapfia and the Tuctoria/Orcuttia lineage, our data indicate Neostapfia and Orcuttia are both monophyletic, while Tuctoria is paraphyletic (with no synapomorphies in either dataset) and forming a grade between the other two genera and needs taxonomic revision. Our data support the hypothesis that Orcuttieae was derived from a terrestrial ancestor and evolved specializations to an aquatic environment, including C₄ photosynthesis without Kranz anatomy.     

Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is monophyletic: a molecular systematic analysis

The subfamily Chrysomyinae includes blowflies of considerable ecological and applied importance. Previous extensive morphological investigations have affirmed chrysomyine monophyly, but did not support the monophyly of traditional chrysomyine tribes. Conversely, molecular systematic analyses suggested a para‐ or polyphyletic Chrysomyinae. Conflicting hypotheses have been proposed about the tribe‐level classification, and about the relationships of the obligate bird parasites Protocalliphora Hough and Trypocalliphora Peus. To understand chrysomyine evolution better, we reconstructed phylogenies of the Chrysomyinae based on 2285 bp of combined data from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (COI) and nuclear carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPS) genes. Maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analysis (BA) strongly supported the monophyly of Chrysomyinae and the paraphyly of the tribe Chrysomyini. BA and ML yielded a monophyletic tribe Phormiini, but this was unresolved by MP. A sister‐group relationship between Trypocalliphora and Protocalliphora indicates that obligate bird parasitism evolved once within the Calliphoridae. For the first time all Neotropical genera (Cochliomyia Townsend, Compsomyiops Townsend, Paralucilia Brauer and Bergenstamm, Hemilucilia Brauer and Chloroprocta Wulp) were found to comprise a single lineage, and Chrysomya Robineau‐Desvoidy, traditionally a member of Chrysomyini, was found to be closer to the Phormiini. Similarly, Hemilucilia + Chloroprocta was a monophyletic group. Every genus for which we examined more than one species was monophyletic.     

Molecular phylogeny of the family Tephritidae (Insecta: Diptera): New insight from combined analysis of the mitochondrial 12S, 16S,and COII genes

The phylogeny of the family Tephritidae (Diptera: Tephritidae) was reconstructed from mitochondrial 12S, 16S, and COII gene fragments using 87 species, including 79 tephritid and 8 outgroup species. Minimum evolution and Bayesian trees suggested the following phylogenetic relationships: (1) A sister group relationship between Ortalotrypeta and Tachinisca, and their basal phylogenetic position within Tephritidae; (2) a sister group relationship between the tribe Acanthonevrini and Phytalmiini; (3) monophyly of Plioreocepta, Taomyia and an undescribed new genus, and their sister group relationship with the subfamily Tephritinae; (4) a possible sister group relationship of Cephalophysa and Adramini; and (5) reconfirmation of monophyly for Trypetini, Carpomyini, Tephritinae, and Dacinae. The combination of 12S, 16S, and COII data enabled resolution of phylogenetic relationships among the higher taxa of Tephritidae.     

Phylogenetics of the common raven complex (Corvus: Corvidae) and the utility of ND4, COI and intron 7 of the β-fibrinogen gene in avian molecular systematics

The common raven (Corvus corax) is one of the most widely distributed and recognizable avian species in the world. Recent molecular work, however, described two mitochondrial lineages of the common raven, termed the Holarctic clade and the California clade, and questioned the monophyly of this taxon by placing the Chihuahuan raven (C. cryptoleucus) sister to the California clade. We evaluated this phylogenetic hypothesis with additional sequence data and increased taxon sampling. We used ～3.7 kb of DNA sequence data from sections of the mitochondrial coding genes COI, cyt b and ND4, a fragment of the non‐coding mitochondrial DNA control region, and the entire intron 7 of the nuclear β‐fibrinogen gene (β‐fibint 7). We combined these DNA sequence data to erect hypotheses of relationships for lineages of the common raven and related taxa. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods yield a paraphyletic common raven. These analyses nest the Chihuahuan raven within the common raven, with strong support for a sister relationship between the Chihuahuan raven and the California clade. In addition, the pied crow (C. albus) is also nested within the common raven, and is sister to the Holarctic clade. Our analyses reveal the challenge of determining phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries in this morphologically conservative genus, and suggest that future molecular work with increased taxon sampling will uncover cryptic species and novel evolutionary relationships. Lastly, this survey is one of a growing number of avian phylogenetic studies to employ either β‐fibint 7 or COI, and the first to use ND4. We developed a simple procedure for comparing rates of evolution in molecular markers, and show that in Corvus the nuclear intron β‐fibint 7 is evolving at a considerably slower pace than the mitochondrial markers, while COI is evolving at a slower rate than cyt b, and ND4 approximately the same rate as cyt b. Hence, β‐fibint 7 and other individual nuclear introns may have limited utility in resolving relationships among recently evolved taxa, whereas both COI and ND4 should be useful in a wide range of avian molecular genetic investigations.     

First phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Phyllotini (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) combining morphological and molecular data

Previous phylogenetic analyses of the tribe Phyllotini, one of the largest components of the subfamily Sigmodontinae, have been based on a single source of evidence. In particular, morphological analyses were largely based on craniodental data, almost neglecting the potential phylogenetic information present in the postcranium. Despite the significant advances made in relation to the knowledge of phyllotine phylogeny in recent times, there are several unsolved issues that highlight the importance of a phylogenetic analysis that integrates multiple sources of evidence, including previously considered sources as well as new sources of data. We present here the first combined phylogenetic analysis (morphological and molecular) of phyllotines, which includes the widest taxon and character sampling to date. Our dataset includes 164 morphological characters, of which 83 are postcranial characters, plus 3561 molecular characters, scored for 52 species from 34 genera of Oryzomyalia. In this study 75 postcranial characters not previously considered in this group are thoroughly described, and their utility for solving the relationships within Phyllotini is evaluated by means of different complementary analyses. Phyllotini was retrieved as a monophyletic clade in the combined analysis, with a composition that matches that obtained in most other recent analyses. All genera of phyllotines were monophyletic and show high support values. Abrotrichini, Akodontini and Oryzomyini were also monophyletic. The inclusion of postcranial data appears to be of limited utility to solve the phylogenetic relationships within Phyllotini.