Classification of the genusLucilia(Diptera: Calliphoridae): a preliminary parsimony analysis

Abstract

A parsimony analysis was performed for 25 species of the genus Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using the phylogenetic analysis package PAUP, based on 14 of the morphological characters most commonly used for Lucilia species identification. Species descriptions were derived primarily from those given by Aubertin (1933). Parsimony analysis, using equally weighted characters, produced 45 trees and the strict consensus tree derived from these identified three groupings to be present in all 45 trees. The first group was composed of two uniquely North American species Lucilia caeruleiviridis and Lucilia cluvia. The second group contained Lucilia ampullacea, Lucilia caesar and Lucilia illustris. The third group, contained the six species previously described by some authors as the sub-genus Phaenicia: Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia pilosiventris, Lucilia regalis, Lucilia richardsi, Lucilia sericata and Lucilia thatuna, but also contained Lucilia bufonivora and Lucilia silvarum. Using a majority rule consensus tree the 12 unresolved species grouped together in 98% of the trees. The results are discussed in terms of the classification of the genus and the evolution of the myiasis habit. However, the lack of resolution observed in this study indicates the limitations of the current data set and suggests that more detailed studies using a greater number of characters are needed to uncover the evolutionary pathways which have given rise to the diversity of this genus.