Revisiting Pholidopterini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae): Rapid radiation causes homoplasy and phylogenetic instability

Abstract

AbstractThis study aims to rectify the taxonomy of Pholidopterini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniinae) using a phylogenetic approach. To this end, DNA sequences of three mitochondrial and two nuclear genes were produced and analysed. Reconstructed phylogenetic trees were consistent with the limits of the tribe and internal generic clades. However, the relationship among genera could not be resolved. Based on these trees and previous publications, we draw the following conclusions. Pholidopterini is monophyletic and consists of nine internal clades corresponding to generic level taxa. Pholidoptera, Eupholidoptera, Parapholidoptera, Apholidoptera, Uvarovistia and Exopholidoptera were previously given in the tribe, and Psorodonotus is transferred from Platycleidini. Aparapholidoptera Çıplak gen. n. and Spinopholidoptera Çıplak gen.n. are two new genera in the tribe. Additionally, the macro‐evolutionary pattern of the tribe was evaluated by correlating the tempo of radiation and the homology/homoplasy status of morphological characters used in generic descriptions/diagnoses. Results indicated that rapid radiation periods prior to achievement of lineage monophyly may leave their signature as instability or polytomy in present phylogenetic reconstruction, and cause the evolution of homoplasic characters and reticulate character sharing among the units in a lineage. This pattern may explain why genera in the Pholidopterini are definable by non‐unique character combinations.