Testing phylogenetic hypotheses: new species of Gymnophora Macquart (Diptera: Phoridae) from Japan and Nepal, with an updated world classification

Abstract

Thirteen species of Gymnophora are recorded from Japan and Nepal: G. inexpectata Beyer (Japan and Nepal), G. fastigiorum Schmitz (Japan), G. integralis Schmitz (Japan), and 10 new to science: G. priora (Japan), G. enigmata (Nepal), G. nepalensis (Nepal), G. prolata (Japan), G. longissima (Japan), G. quadriseta (Nepal), G. platypalpis (Nepal), G. gotoi (Japan), G. pararcuata (Japan), and G. setulata (Nepal). Gymnophora priora is related to the two species of the Neotropical G. cymatoneura-group, G. nepalensis, G. prolata, and G. longissima are classified in the Holarctic G. nigripennis-subgroup, G. gotoi and G. pararcuata are classified in the Palearctic G. integralis-series, and G. setulata is classified with the Nearctic G. luteiventris-subseries. Other new species have more questionable positions in the preexisting classification and point out some probable errors. Keys to the species of Japanese and Nepalese Gymnophora are given, as well as a key to world species of the G. nigripennis-subgroup. A phylogenetic, partially sequenced classification of the genus is given, including changes prompted by the discovery of the new species.