The first comprehensive, multigene molecular phylogeny for big-headed flies (Diptera: Pipunculidae)

Abstract

Abstract The first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Pipunculidae (Diptera) is inferred from analyses of 6963 bp of DNA sequence data from the following five loci: cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome b (Cytb), 12S ribosomal DNA, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase region of CAD (CAD) and alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AATS). The monophyly of Pipunculidae and most known subfamilies, including Chalarinae, Nephrocerinae, Pipunculinae and Protonephrocerinae, are well supported, as are most existing generic concepts. Molecular analysis reveals that Nephrocerinae, either with or without Protonephrocerinae, depending on analytical method, is sister to the rest of the family. Within Pipunculinae, Cephalopsini is synonymized with Pipunculini (synon. nov.) and Eudorylini with Tomosvaryellini (synon. nov.), leaving Pipunculinae with three tribes: Microcephalopsini, Pipunculini and Tomosvaryellini. Jassidophaga is proposed as a synonym of Verrallia (synon. nov.). Beckerias, Cephalops s.s., Cephalosphaera s.s., Neocephalosphaera, Parabeckerias and Semicephalops are all raised to generic status (stat. nov.). Eudorylas fusculus and E. vineti are transferred to Clistoabdominalis (comb. nov.) and Clistoabdominalis ruralis and C. doczkali to Eudorylas (comb. nov.). We provide evidence for four new genera of Pipunculidae, one of which is described herein (Tricosus gen. nov.; Australia: New South Wales, contains two new combinations, Tricosus cyclohirtus and Tricosus anorhaebus).