The phylogenetic system of the Mecoptera |
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Authors: | RAINER WILLMANN |
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Institution: | Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität Kiel, West Germany |
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Abstract: | Abstract. Many families like the Mesochoristidae, Agetopanorpidae and Permopanorpidae, which were believed by earlier writers to be Mecoptera, are members of the stem group of the Antliophora (Diptera Mecoptera+Siphonaptera) or of stem groups of monophyletic groups of even higher rank (e.g. Mecopteroidea). Others - like the so-called 'Pro-tomecoptera' from the Permian of the Kusnetsk Basin - are not even closely related to the Mecopteroidea. Only the families mentioned in the following phylogenetic system of the Mecoptera are definitely members of the order: 1 Nannomecoptera (Nannochoristidae) 2 Pistillifera 2.1 Raptipedia (Neorthophlebiidae, Bittacidae, Cimbrophlebiidae) 2.2 Opisthogonopora 2.2.1 Boreomorpha (Boreidae) 2.2.2 Meropomorpha (Meropeidae) 2.2.3 Panorpomorpha 2.2.3.1 Eomeropina (Eomeropidae=Notiothaumidae) 2.2.3.2 Panorpina 2.2.3.2.1 Apteropanorpini (Apteropanorpidae) 2.2.3.2.2 Panorpini 2.2.3.2.2.1 Choristoidea (Choristidae) 2.2.3.2.2.2 Panorpoidea (Orthophlebiidae, Dinopanorpidae, Austropan-orpidae, Muchoriidae, Panorpodidae, Panorpidae) The Orthophlebiidae and Neorthophlebiidae are not monophyletic. There are, however, no characters preserved which would allow a clarification of the exact relations between members of these two groups and the families derived from them. The fossil Xenochoristidae, Triasso-choristidae, Mesopanorpodidae and Robinjohniidae may be further members of the Mecoptera. Their exact phylogenetic relations, however, are unknown. |
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