The taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the Pollenia semicinerea species‐group (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

Abstract. Within Pollenia Robineau‐Desvoidy, a semicinerea species‐group is defined. It consists of the redescribed P.semicinerea Villeneuve, P.grunini sp.n., P.mystica sp.n. and P.paragrunini sp.n., and P.pectinata Grunin, for which some new characters are given. A key is provided and the known terminalia of both sexes are illustrated. A lectotype is designated for P.semicinerea Villeneuve. P.semicinerea is known from the Middle East (Israel, Syria, Lebanon), P.grunini, P.mystica and P.paragrunini from the Caucasus and neighbouring areas in the U.S.S.R. and P.pectinata from the temperate parts of the Palaearctic Region except west of Poland and U.S.S.R. It is argued that the semicinerea‐ and racfe‐groups are monophyletic sister‐groups. The tenuiforceps‐group is most probably the monophyletic sister‐group of the composite monophyletic group (rudis‐group+semicinerea‐group). The intermedia‐group and the griseo‐tomentosa‐group are both monophyletic. The composite group (rudis‐group +semicinerea‐group+tenuiforceps‐group + intermedia‐group + griseotomentosa‐group) is probably a monophyletic subgroup of Pollenia. A partly resolved synapomorphy diagram is provided, which is compared to trees generated by various computer programs in the Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP) of Felsenstein. Pollenia alajensis Rodendorf (=sytshevskajae Grunin) is assigned to the tenuiforceps species‐group on the basis of male and female genitalia.