Cladistic analysis of the genus Dichaetophora Duda (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and a revised classification

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships among the genus Dichaetophora, the genus Nesiodrosophila and the Lordiphosa tenuicauda species-group and some possibly related genera of Drosophilinae were analyzed in this study using 30 morphological characters derived from 34 species. It is concluded that the three taxa constitute a monophyletic group, within which three monophyletic groups are recognized: Dichaetophora + Nesiodrosophila comprise a monophyletic group, while the L. tenuicauda group is divided into two monophyletic groups. This clade is revised as the genus Dichaetophora, with its three constituent monophyletic groups treated as new specis-groups: the agbo, the tenuicauda and the acutissima groups. Nesiodrosophila becomes a junior synonym. A key to the species-groups is provided.

A New Species Group in the Genus Dichaetophora Duda (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Based on a Phylogenetic Analysis, with Descriptions of Four New Species from China

“…In addition, this study reconfirmed the results of our previous study (Hu and Toda, 2002), i.e., the monophyly of the tenuicauda, acutissima, and agbo species groups of the genus Dichaetophora, the subgenera Drosophila + Dorsilopha Sturtevant (though the genus Drosophila is paraphyletic; cf. Throckmorton, 1975;Hu and Toda, 2001;Tarrio et al, 2001), and the genera Scaptomyza and Hirtodrosophila.…”

“…This clade was placed in a comparable position to the three known species groups, the tenuicauda, acutissima and agbo groups, within the genus Dichaetophora. The monophyly of the genus Dichaetophora, including the clade comprising the four new species, was reconfirmed (bootstrap value=71.3%, Bremer support=2 steps) by the same synapomorphies as in Hu and Toda (2002): cibarium only slightly protruded at anterolateral corners (ch. 10-1); apical ovisensillum on oviscapt robust and the largest among marginals (ch.…”

“…We selected a number of characters from Hu and Toda (2002), with the character number from this reference given in parentheses as (HT#) in the following list, and added several new characters. In all, a total of 37 characters of male and female adult morphology were analysed.…”

“…Grimaldi (1990) regarded this taxon as an independent genus in the new infratribe Drosophiliti based on his very extensive cladistic analysis. Hu and Toda (2002) examined relationships among Dichaetophora , the Lordiphosa tenuicauda species group, and the genus Nesiodrosophila Wheeler & Takada by a cladistic analysis of 30 morphological characters, and revealed that these three taxa constitute a monophyletic group. Based on this result, they revised the genus Dichaetophora , including the above three groups, and established three species groups within it: the agbo , tenuicauda, and acutissima groups.…”

“…Based on this result, they revised the genus Dichaetophora , including the above three groups, and established three species groups within it: the agbo , tenuicauda, and acutissima groups. Accordingly, a total of 60 species of the genus have been reported worldwide (Hu and Toda, 2002).…”