Molecular evolution of tephritid fruit flies in the genus Bactrocera based on the cytochrome oxidase I gene

Fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) are one of the major economically important insects in Asia and Australia. Little attention has been given to analyses of molecular phylogenetic relationships among Bactrocera subgenera. By using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) sequences, the phylogenetic relationships among four subgenera, Asiadacus, Bactrocera, Hemigymnodacus, and Zeugodacus, were investigated. Nucleotide diversity within subgenera ranged from 11.7 to 12.4%, and the net divergence among subgenera ranged from 11.2 to 15.7%. Phylogenetic trees calculated from both maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis methods were highly congruent in terms of tree topologies. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI sequences suggests that tephritid fruit fly species, which attack cucurbit plants, that is, Asiadacus, Hemigymnodacus and Zeugodacus, were more closely related to each other than to fruit fly species of the subgenus Bactrocera, which attack plants of numerous families. Our data supports previous classification of Bactrocera based on morphological characters. However, the phylogenetic tree showed the polyphyletic of fruit flies in subgenus Zeugodacus. Possible causes of speciation among fruit flies species in this genus were also discussed.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

Ainscough, B.J., Breinholt, J.W., Robison, H.W. & Crandall, K.A. (2013). Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 306–316. The crayfish genus Fallicambarus contains 19 species of primary burrowing freshwater crayfish divided into two distinct subgenera. We test current hypotheses of the phylogenetic relationships among species within the genus as well as the monophyly of the genus. Our study samples all 19 species for five gene regions (both nuclear and mitochondrial) to estimate a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. We show that the genus is not a monophyletic group. The subgenus Creaserinus does fall out as a monophyletic group, but distinct from the subgenus Fallicambarus. The subgenus Fallicambarus appears to be monophyletic with the exception of the species Procambarus (Tenuicambarus) tenuis, which falls in the midst of this subgenus suggesting that it might be better classified as a Fallicambarus species. We also show that the species Fallicambarus fodiens is a species complex with distinct evolutionary lineages that are regionalized to different geographic areas.     

Molecular phylogeny of the subgenus Holothuria (Selenkothuria) Deichmann, 1958 (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida)

The subgenus Selenkothuria comprises 12 species of tropical shallow water sea cucumbers that share morphological features, such as rods in the body wall and tube feet, modified tentacles for suspension feeding, and cryptic colours. The taxonomic status of this taxon has been controversial, but currently it is accepted as a subgenus of the genus Holothuria. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial genes [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 16S RNA] of ten species of Selenkothuria and related subgenera showed the polyphyly of this subgenus; monophyly was rejected by a likelihood ratio test. A geographical split divides the species of this subgenus into three different groups: one Indo‐West‐Pacific (IWP) group and two American groups. The IWP group is more closely related to Holothuria (Semperothuria) cinerascens and to other subgenera such as Roweothuria, Holothuria, and Vaneyothuria, whereas the two American groups are more closely related to each other and to some species of the subgenus Halodeima. These results suggest multiple parallel originations and diversification of ossicle morphology within the subgenus Selenkothuria. The current scheme of subgenera for the genus Holothuria is not supported, suggesting the need for a new classification. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 109–120.     

The molecular phylogeny of the sea star Echinaster (Asteroidea: Echinasteridae) provides insights for genus taxonomy

In this study, we used sequences of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA, and one nuclear gene, 28S rRNA, to test the monophyly of the sea star genus Echinaster, and understand the phylogenetic relationships among species and subgenera within this genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods revealed three clades with high values of genetic divergence among them (K2P distances for COI over 23%). One of the clades grouped all Echinaster (Othilia) species, and the other two clades included Echinaster (non‐Othilia) species and Henricia species, respectively. Although the relationships among Henricia, Othilia, and Echinaster could not be completely clarified, the Othilia clade was a well‐supported group with shared diagnostic morphological characters. Moreover, the approximately unbiased test applied to the phylogenetic reconstruction rejected the hypothesis of the genus Echinaster as a monophyletic group. According to these results, we suggest the revalidation of Othilia as a genus instead of a subgenus within Echinaster. Our study clarifies important points about the phylogenetic relationships among species of Echinaster. Other important systematic questions about the taxonomic classification of Echinaster and Henricia still remain open, but this molecular study provides bases for future research on the topic.     

A multilocus phylogeny of the fish genus Poeciliopsis: Solving taxonomic uncertainties and preliminary evidence of reticulation

The fish genus Poeciliopsis constitutes a valuable research system for evolutionary ecology, whose phylogenetic relationships have not been fully elucidated. We conducted a multilocus phylogenetic study of the genus based on seven nuclear and two mitochondrial loci with a thorough set of analytical approaches, that is, concatenated (also known as super‐matrix), species trees, and phylogenetic networks. Although several relationships remain unresolved, the overall results uncovered phylogenetic affinities among several members of this genus. A population previously considered of undetermined taxonomic status could be unequivocally assigned to P. scarlli; revealing a relatively recent dispersal event across the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) or Pacific Ocean, which constitute a strong barrier to north–south dispersal of many terrestrial and freshwater taxa. The closest relatives of P. balsas, a species distributed south of the TMVB, are distributed in the north; representing an additional north–south split in the genus. An undescribed species of Poeciliopsis, with a highly restricted distribution (i.e., a short stretch of the Rio Concepcion; just south of the US‐Mexico border), falls within the Leptorhaphis species complex. Our results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that this species originated by “breakdown” of an asexual hybrid lineage. On the other hand, network analyses suggest one or more possible cases of reticulation within the genus that require further evaluation with genome‐wide marker representation and additional analytical tools. The most strongly supported case of reticulation occurred within the subgenus Aulophallus (restricted to Central America), and implies a hybrid origin for P. retropinna (i.e., between P. paucimaculata and P. elongata). We consider that P. balsas and P. new species are of conservation concern.     

Oligoneuria Pictet: phylogenetic analysis and description of three new species from Brazil (Ephemeroptera: Oligoneuriidae)

For 150 years O. anomala has been the only known species of Oligoneuria, the type genus of the Oligoneuriidae (Ephemeroptera). However, two species have been recently described and Oligoneuria has been proposed as a senior synonym of the genus Oligoneurioides. In the present paper, based on material from the Amazon and Brazilian Atlantic Forest, three new species are described, including information on all life stages. Given these new species, as well as the lack of cladistic support for the proposed synonymy between Oligoneuria and Oligoneurioides, a phylogenetic analysis was performed in order to address the relationships between all species and to test the status of Oligoneurioides. Our results show that the status of the genus is uncertain, mainly due to the lack of knowledge of the type species of O. anomala, known exclusively from a female subimago. Taking into account phylogenetic as well as taxonomic arguments, we propose that the genus Oligoneuria should be divided into three subgenera: Oligoneuria s.s., for O. anomala; Oligoneuria (Yawari) new subgenus, for Oligoneuria truncata sp.n. ; and Oligoneuria (Oligoneurioides) for the remaining five species, including O. amandae sp.n. and O. mitra sp.n. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2AEE4B7‐FEA8‐4067‐8F3B‐666095EDB997 .     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Mus (Rodentia: Murinae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear data

The genus Mus encompasses at least 38 species divided into four subgenera: Mus , Pyromys , Nannomys and Coelomys . The subgenus Mus , which comprises the house mouse and related species, is by far the most extensively studied, although the subgenus Nannomys is the most speciose. Although the relationships within the subgenus Mus are rather well characterized, those between subgenera are still unclear. In the present study, phylogenetic analyses of the whole genus were performed using a larger species sample of Nannomys than in previous studies, and a nuclear gene (IRBP) in addition to mitochondrial data (cytochrome b and 12S rRNA). Members of the Acomyinae and Murinae were used as outgroups. Separate and combined analyses were performed with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, and divergence times were estimated. The results showed that the monophyly of the genus Mus and of each subgenus was strongly supported by the three genes and the combined analysis. The phylogenies derived from the three genes were on the whole congruent; however, several conflicting topologies were observed such as the relationships between the three Asian species of the subgenus Mus ( caroli , cervicolor and cookii ). Increasing the taxonomic sampling of Nannomys did not satisfactorily improve the resolution of relationships between the four subgenera. In addition, molecular calibrations indicate that the Mus and Nannomys radiation coincided with major environmental changes.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 84 , 417–427.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Several members of the dipteran family Tephritdae are serious pests because females lay eggs in ripening fruit. The genus Bactrocera is one of the largest within the family with over 500 described species arranged in 28 subgenera. The phylogenetic relationships among the various species and subgenera, and the monophyly of specific groups have not been examined using a rigorous phylogenetic analysis. Therefore, phylogenetic relationships among 24 Bactrocera species belonging to 9 subgenera were inferred from DNA sequence of portions of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase II, tRNA(Lys), and tRNA(Asp) genes. Two morphological characters that traditionally have been used to define the four groups within the subgenus Bactrocera were evaluated in a phylogenetic context by mapping the character states onto the parsimony tree. In addition, the evolutionary trend in male-lure response was evaluated in a phylogenetic context. Maximum parsimony analyses suggested the following relationships: (1) the genus Bactrocera is monophyletic, (2) the subgenus B. (Zeugodacus) is paraphyletic, (3) the subgenus B. (Daculus) is a sister group to subgenus B. (Bactrocera), and (4) the subgenus B. (Bactrocera) is monophyletic. The mapping analyses suggested that the morphological characters exhibit a simple evolutionary transition from one character state to another. Male-lure response was identified as being a labile behavior that has been lost on multiple occasions. Cue-lure response was plesiomorphic to methyl-eugenol response, and the latter has evolved independently within the Bactrocera and Zeugodacus groups of subgenera. The implications of our results for devising a coherent, consolidated classification for Bactrocera is discussed.     

Reconsideration of anopheline mosquito phylogeny (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae) based on morphological data

The phylogeny of anopheline mosquitoes (Culicidae: Anophelinae) is re‐examined using morphological data derived from adults, fourth‐instar larvae and pupae. Based on the data set of Sallum et al. (2000), we add some previously missing data and simplify and recode characters to eliminate ambiguities and more accurately reflect homologies, with special emphasis on characters of the male genitalia that provide the main criteria for the subgeneric classification of genus Anopheles. The principal aim of the study is to assess objectively the phylogenetic relationships and classification of two taxa not included by Sallum et al. (2000): Anopheles corethroides, a representative of the Australasian Stigmaticus Group, and An. kyondawensis, an unusual Oriental species whose adult and pupal stages were only recently discovered. The revised data set consists of 167 characters for 66 species representing the three traditionally recognised genera of Anophelinae, the six traditionally accepted subgenera of genus Anopheles and all informal series and most species groups of subgenera Anopheles, Cellia and Nyssorhynchus. The data are analysed using equal weighting (EW) and implied weighting (IW). Analysis under EW generates a strict consensus tree with principal lineages consistent with those reported by Sallum et al. (2000). Analysis under IW supports the monophyly of Anophelinae, the basal position of Chagasia, the monophyly of subgenera Cellia, Kerteszia and Nyssorhynchus, and the sister relationship of Kerteszia + Nyssorhynchus, but otherwise yields relationships that differ significantly in one respect or another from those obtained in all previous analyses of both morphological and molecular data. Subgenus Anopheles is arrayed as a polyphyletic lineage basal to a monophyletic clade comprising the Neotropical Kerteszia + Nyssorhynchus and the Old World Cellia in a sister‐group relationship. Bironella, Lophopodomyia and Stethomyia are firmly nested within subgenus Anopheles, which would nevertheless still be paraphyletic if these taxa were subsumed within it. Anopheles kyondawensis is well supported as the sister group of Bironella + all other Anopheles. Bironella, Stethomyia, An. corethroides and several other Anopheles clades are each strongly supported in a pectinate series of relationships, terminating in the clade comprising subgenera Cellia, Kerteszia and Nyssorhynchus. These relationships and other aspects of the phylogeny are discussed in relation to the formal and informal classification of genus Anopheles.     

Molecular phylogeny and systematic in the genus Brachycaudus (Homoptera: Aphididae): insights from a combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes

Phylogenetic relationships among members of the Aphid genus Brachycaudus (Homoptera: Aphididae) were inferred from partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome B oxidase (CytB), two partial fragments of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer II (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA. Twenty-nine species, with several specimens per species, were included, representing all the historically recognized species-groups and subgenera used in the genus except the monospecific subgenus Mordvilkomemor. Results indicate that the genus Brachycaudus is a well-supported monophyletic group. While our results validate the monophyly of subgenera Thuleaphis , Appelia and Brachycaudus s. str. , they reveal two discrepancies in the classical taxonomy. First, the monotypic subgenus Nevskyaphis does not appear valid. Second, the traditionally defined Acaudus subgenus is not monophyletic. On the other hand, our phylogenetic trees corroborate Andreev's recent definition of Acaudus and Brachycaudina. However, they clearly show that the subgenera Prunaphis , Nevskyaphis and Scrophulaphis as defined by this author do not form monophyletic groups. Our results also highlight a highly supported clade that has not been discussed by previous authors; this clade could form a new subgenus, the subgenus Nevskyaphis . Finally, our study shows that molecular data and morphology meet the same limits in delimiting species groups and species themselves. Species groups in which taxonomic treatment is difficult are polytomous. Furthermore, except for one node clustering Brachycaudus s. str . and Appelia, intersubgeneric relationships remain poorly resolved even when several genes are added to the phylogenetic analysis. These results, together with previous studies in other aphid groups suggest that diversification might have been a rapid process in aphids.     

Chloroplast-DNA restriction site analysis in the genus Bromus (Poaceae)

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site variation was examined in 32 species, representing five subgenera, of Bromus (Poaceae). Thirty-seven phylogenetically informative restriction sites were detected. Cladistic analysis of the restriction site data produced a single most-parsimonious tree of 50 steps. The cladogram indicated two major clades within the genus. One clade included B. trinii of subgenus Neobromus and species of subgenus Ceratochloa. The other was composed of subgenera Festucaria, Stenobromus, and Bromus. Within the second clade, species of subgenus Festucaria appeared in three lineages. The second clade also contained an assemblage of species belonging to subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus in a separate lineage. There was very little resolution of relationships in this assemblage since several species appeared individually in separate lineages. The cpDNA phylogenetic hypothesis did not separate species of subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus into well-defined clades as circumscribed by morphology and cytogenetics. The cpDNA tree is in agreement with the phylogenetic scheme based on traditional data in that: 1) subgenera Neobromus and Ceratochloa were the first to diverge, while Bromus and Stenobromus diverged later; 2) within the genus Bromus species with small chromosomes are ancestral; and 3) subgenera Bromus and Stenobromus probably originated from similar ancestors as Festucaria. The tree based on cpDNA data does not support that: 1) subgenera Neobromus and Ceratochloa did not have a common origin; 2) subgenus Festucaria is monophyletic; and 3) subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus are distinct entities. The mean nucleotide sequence divergence values between pairs of subgenera ranged from p = 0.0 to 0.9. These values suggest that cpDNA evolution in Bromus is slow.     

Molecular phylogenetic study of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate genus Protoperidinium (Dinophyceae) inferred from small subunit rRNA gene sequences

In the present study, we investigated the intrageneric and intergeneric phylogenetic relationships of the heterotrophic marine dinoflagellate genus Protoperidinium. Using single‐cell polymerase chain reaction methods, we determined small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences for 10 Protoperidinium species belonging to four sections and two subgenera. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum parsimony, neighbor joining and maximum likelihood methods. We found intraspecific variability of small subunit rDNA sequences in Protoperidinium conicum (Gran) Balech, Protoperidinium crassipes (Kofoid) Balech and Protoperidinium denticulatum (Gran et Braarud) Balech, but not in other species. The small subunit rDNA phylogeny revealed that the genus is monophyletic, but its phylogenetic position within the Dinophyceae could not be determined because of ambiguous basal topologies. Within the genus Protoperidinium, species of the subgenus Archaeperidinium with two anterior intercalary plates (2a) were shown to be monophyletic, but species of the subgenus Protoperidinium with three anterior intercalary plates (3a) were resolved as paraphyletic. The sections Avellana, Divergentia and Protoperidinium were shown to be monophyletic, while the section Conica was paraphyletic. Based on the trees obtained in the present study, most of the traditionally defined sections are supported by molecular phylogeny. It was also indicated that the section Avellana evolved from one of the Conica‐type dinoflagellates.     

A review of the tribe Auletini (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subtribe Auletobiina

The genus Auletobius in the Russian fauna is revised. Five species (A. egorovi, A. irkutensis, A. puberulus, A. sanguisorbae, and A. submaculatus) belonging to two subgenera are revealed. The distribution of these species in Russia is given. The data on the trophic associations of the species are summarized. Keys to the subtribes of the tribe Auletini, subgenera of the genus Auletobius, and species of the subgenus Auletobius s. str. are given. All the taxa are redescribed.     

HYBRIDIZATION AND CYTOTAXONOMY OF DICENTRA

Biosystematic relationships among species assigned to three subgenera of the genus Dicentra were investigated with respect to hybridization and chromosomal constitution and fertility of the hybrids. Four species of subgenus Dicentra, D. formosa, D. eximia, D. nevadensis, and D. peregrina, were intercrossed in various ways to form diploid, triploid, and tetraploid hybrids. Hybrids at the tetraploid level in this subgenus invariably were highly fertile. Triploid hybrids, as expected, were mostly very sterile. Diploid hybrids varied in this respect, but none was highly fertile. Crosses with two of the remaining four species of subgenus Dicentra produced no hybrids, but abundant seed was obtained in one instance. The two species of the subgenus Chrysocapnos, D. chrysaniha and D. ochroleuca, cross to produce a partially fertile tetraploid hybrid, but cross-pollinations involving these species with those of other subgenera failed. The single species of subgenus Hedycapnos, D. spectablis (diploid) produced no hybrids when cross-pollinated with members of the other two sections. These results are fully concordant with presumed affinities based on morphological similarity In addition, preliminary results of hybridization between the monocotyledonous D. peregrina and a number of dicotyledonous species of Dicentra are reported.     

The phylogeny of Anophelinae revisited: inferences about the origin and classification of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae)

The evolution of anopheline mosquitoes (Culicidae: Anophelinae) has been the subject of speculation and study for decades, but a comprehensive phylogeny of these insects is far from complete. The results of phylogenetic studies based on morphological and molecular data sets are conspicuously ambiguous. Here, we revisit the phylogenetic relationships of anopheline mosquitoes using state‐of‐the‐art software and cladistic methods to analyse the data set of Harbach & Kitching (2005). We present a refined interpretation of relationships based on analyses of a revised data set that includes an additional species. Implied weighting analyses were conducted with TNT with the concavity constant K ranging from 1 to 33. We determined the optimal K value by summing the GC supports for each MPC and selected the tree with the highest support, K = 30, as the preferred cladogram. We then collapsed the branches with GC support < 1 to obtain the ‘best’ topography of relationships. Genus Chagasia is the basalmost taxon of Anophelinae, and genus Anopheles is recovered as monophyletic but only if Anopheles implexus is excluded and genus Bironella is subordinated within it. The Afrotropical An. implexus is recovered as the sister to all other anophelines, and Christya Theobald, stat. nov., is elevated from synonymy with Anopheles Meigen as a subgenus to accommodate it. The other anophelines comprise two large clades. The first includes the reciprocally monophyletic subgenera Kerteszia + Nyssorhynchus; the second consists of subgenus Cellia as the sister to a heterogeneous clade that includes genus Bironella and subgenera Anopheles, Baimaia, Lophopodomyia and Stethomyia of genus Anopheles. The sister relationship of Cellia and the heterogeneous clade is lost when the branches with GC <1 are collapsed. The monophyly and non‐monophyly of the informal subordinate taxa of subgenera Nyssorhynchus, Cellia and Anopheles, and also evolutionary scenarios, are discussed in relation to previous studies.     

Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae), inferred from ITS-2 nrDNA, with an emphasis on the taxonomic subdivision of the genus

Sequences from the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer‐2 (ITS‐2) were compared among species of Sargassaceae including the genera Sargassum and Hizikia. Species of different subgenera and sections of Sargassum were used to assess the taxonomic relationships within the genus, especially the subdivisions of the subgenus Bactrophycus. Sequences were aligned in accordance with their common secondary structure. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using neighbor‐joining, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods with three species of Turbinaria as outgroups. The resulting phylogenetic trees showed that the genus Sargassum is divided into three clades corresponding to the subgenera Phyllotrichia, Sargassum and Bactrophycus. This last subgenus is further divided into four distinct groups: a Spongocarpus clade, a Teretia clade, a Hizikia clade, and a Halochloa/ Repentia clade. The position of the section Phyllo‐cystae, excluded from the subgenus Bactrophycus and included within the subgenus Sargassum is once again confirmed by the present study. Current results strongly support the assignation of Hizikia fusiformis to the genus Sargassum. Based on morphological differences and a distinct position in the molecular trees, Hizikia should be recognized as a section in the subgenus Bactrophycus so that Hizikia (Okamura) Yoshida, stat. nov. is proposed. A remarkably low divergence of ITS‐2 sequences was observed for the species in the sections Repentia and Halochloa, suggesting very recent radiation of these species. The subgenus Sargassum is divided into three clades corresponding to the three known sections: Acanthocarpicae, Malacocarpicae and Zygocarpicae, previously recognized by the morphology of receptacles. The position of Sargassum duplicatum, S. carpophyllum, S.yendoi, S. piluliferum and S. patens within the subgenus Sargassum is discussed.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of the dung beetle genus Phanaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract The dung beetle genus Phanaeus as currently recognized by Edmonds (1994) consists of 51 species placed in 13 species groups and two subgenera. Here, I examine the phylogeny and biogeography of this genus by analysing the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (530 bp), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (28S, D2 region), and 67 morphological characters for 28 species of Phanaeus. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses from the combined data yielded well‐resolved trees, although low bootstrap and posterior probability support were found for basal nodes. The phylogenetic hypotheses presented here suggest that the subgenera Phanaeus s.str. and Notiophanaeus should each be elevated to the status of full genus. With the exception of the eucraniine outgroups, the paleano species group of the genus Phanaeus is recovered as sister to all other taxa, including the outgroups Oxysternon, Sulcophanaeus and Coprophanaeus. High bootstrap values and posterior probabilities supported the species groups endymion, tridens and vindex. Biogeographical analyses suggest an ancestral distribution for Phanaeus in the Andes in South America, although numerous dispersal events evidently have produced a complicated biogeographical history.     

Mise à jour taxonomique et répartition des puces du genre Ctenophthalmus Kolenati 1856 en région paléarctique occidentale (Insecta : Siphonaptera : Ctenophthalmidae)

Summary. Taxonomic update and geographic distribution of fleas of the genus Ctenophthalmus Kolenati 1856 in the Western Palearctic Region (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae). Among fleas (Siphonaptera), the genus Ctenophthalmus is the one that comprises the largest number of taxa and is also characterized by a large geographical range. Here, we present a taxonomic revision of the Western Paleartic subgenera, groups, species and subspecies. We recognized a total of 143 taxa (57 species and 86 subspecies). These taxa are clustered into 23 groups of species, which fall into seven of the 16 subgenera of the genus Ctenophthalmus. According to Hopkins & Rothschild (1966), the subgenus Ctenophthalmus would only include the agyrtes group, itself divided into subgroups. We decided to raise these subgroups to group status to clarify taxonomic relationships within the subgenus Ctenophthalmus. Within this subgenus, the arvernus group is renamed baeticus, the fransmiti group is confirmed, and the egregius group is created. For each taxon, we provided information on geographical distribution, mammalian hosts, and host specificity.