Cladistic analysis of the family Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in South America

Abstract

The family Baetidae, which belongs to the order Ephemeroptera, was first described by Leach in 1815. Since then, almost 100 genera and 900 species have been described. Although diverse, this family is relatively homogeneous. The adults are extremely similar to one another, the wings vary little and the penes are membranous, features that significantly reduce differentiation among taxa. In contrast, the larvae have more conspicuous differences. Most are collector–gatherers, but a few are carnivorous or filter feeders. In South America, although knowledge concerning the 27 genera and 132 species of Baetidae described for this region has improved in the last three decades, phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. The present study, the first cladistic analysis of Baetidae in South America, included 70 species (55 are Neotropical) and 126 morphological characters. The matrix was analysed using tnt, under implied weights. Although the monophyly of the family Baetidae was obtained with good support, the subfamilies proposed originally (Baetinae, Cloeoninae and Callibaetinae) were recovered as paraphyletic. The Baetodes complex, as well as the relationships between genera, is discussed. The validity of some structures or characters as support of different groupings is also discussed.