Molecular data sheds light on the classification of long-legged flies (Diptera : Dolichopodidae)
Christoph Germann A , Marc Pollet B , Corinne Wimmer A and Marco Valerio Bernasconi A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Zoological Museum, Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
B Research Group Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University (UGent), K.L.Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium and Department of Entomology, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
C Corresponding author. Email: marco.bernasconi@access.uzh.ch
Invertebrate Systematics 25(4) 303-321 https://doi.org/10.1071/IS11029
Submitted: 1 July 2011 Accepted: 26 September 2011 Published: 22 December 2011
Abstract
Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies) is the world’s fourth largest dipteran family, but a phylogeny based on a broad global taxon sample is still lacking. We present here a first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for Dolichopodidae, based on 157 dolichopodid species in 68 genera and 15 subfamilies from the Old and New World, and seven empidoid species (Empididae, Hybotidae) as outgroups. Both relatively fast-evolving mitochondrial markers (COI, 12S, 16S) and a more conserved nuclear marker (18S) were used, the latter being widely employed to study the phylogeny at higher taxonomic levels. We present strong evidence for Microphorinae as sister group to Dolichopodidae sensu stricto, and for the monophyletic Parathalassiinae as part of Dolichopodidae sensu stricto. Monophyly of Achalcinae, Dolichopodinae, and Sciapodinae is supported and Stolidosomatinae are placed within Sympycninae. Diaphorinae, Medeterinae, Neurigoninae, Rhaphiinae, and Sympycninae are paraphyletic, and Hydrophorinae and Peloropeodinae polyphyletic. Our broad taxon sample allows us to gain new insights into the complex systematics of Dolichopodidae. Our results highlight several problems with the traditional classification, which have considerable consequences for the systematic status of some taxa. The poor resolution observed in deep divergences supports previous hypotheses suggesting a rapid early radiation of Dolichopodidae.
Additional keywords: Empidoidea, evolution, molecular phylogeny, mitochondrial DNA, systematics, 18S.
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