Molecular phylogeny of the Taeniapterini (Diptera: Micropezidae) using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, with a reclassification of the genus Taeniaptera Macquart

Abstract

DNA molecular data are used to generate a phylogeny for the micropezid subfamily Taeniapterinae. Thirty-two taeniapterine species were sampled, including 10 of the 20 New World genera recognized by Steyskal, as well as one genus formerly treated as a synonym of Poecilotylus Hennig (Hemichaeta Steyskal). Five species from the Micropezinae were included as outgroups. A total DNA dataset of 4705 bp, including mitochondrial genes (12S and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI)) and nuclear coding genes (wingless and CAD), was analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. The genus Taeniaptera Macquart was found to be non-monophyletic with respect to the remainder of the Taeniapterini analysed here. Taeniaptera is restricted to the Taeniaptera trivittata Macquart species group, Mitromyia Cresson is resurrected to contain the Taeniaptera grata (Wulp) species group, and Paragrallomyia Hendel is resurrected to contain most species previously considered Taeniaptera. Poecilotylus is recognized as a paraphyletic group awaiting further research.