The first molecular phylogeny of smooth clam shrimps (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Laevicaudata) is presented here, with description of a new Chilean species of Lynceus and an updated key to species in the Americas. The new Chilean species clusters with an Australian clade of Lynceus. Our study highlights the necessity of a worldwide revision of Laevicaudata using multiple genetic markers and detailed morphological studies.

Flies from the genus Bactrocera represent major global biosecurity threats, although evolutionary relationships are relatively unknown and species identification requires expert knowledge. We demonstrated that a restriction-digest sequencing approach can be used to determine evolutionary relationships between closely related Australian and Malaysian Bactrocera, and showed multiple movements between the regions. Our approach also showed promise for genomics-based species identification for biosecurity assessment.

The Australian arid zone harbours significant undiscovered invertebrate biodiversity. Here, we explore the phylogenetic diversity and biogeographic history of the Australian trapdoor spider genus Conothele. We recovered 61 operational taxonomic units, all undescribed, reflecting a complex biogeographic history that transpired concurrently with the formation of the arid zone. This result is comparable to many other trapdoor spider families in Australia, and the taxonomic challenge needs urgent attention.

Five new species of the highly diverse butterfly genus Calisto, endemic to the Greater Antilles, are described from Cuba using morphological and molecular features. All new species belong to the herophile species group, endemic to Cuba and the Bahamas. The herophile group apparently evolved in north-eastern Cuba, starting 12 million years ago, and started the colonisation of all other territories ~6 million years ago, originating new lineages in the process.

Collembola species identified by morphological characters may comprise high cryptic diversity as indicated by DNA-based methods. This study revealed high intraspecific genetic variation and cryptic diversity in two widely distributed Collembola species, Lepidocrytus lanuginosus and L. cyaneus, which are both non-monophyletic. Future studies on Collembola taxonomy and ecology may benefit from incorporating molecular methods for a fast and accurate determination.

Thripidae is the second largest family of Thysanoptera, but little emphasis has been placed on phylogenetic relationships among genera. This cladistic analysis based on morphology revealed the monophyly of the subfamilies and several genus-groups, and resolved the systematic relationships among most genera. This work provides a factual background for better understanding the evolution of Thripidae genera, as well as the phylogeny of Thysanoptera.