Distributional patterns of the neotropical fly genus Polietina Schnabl & Dziedzicki (Diptera, Muscidae): a phylogeny-supported analysis using panbiogeographic tools

Abstract

Over the last decades, Neotropical region has been subdivided into smaller units (areas of endemism), yet

Distributional patterns of the Neotropical genus Thecomyia Perty (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) and phylogenetic support

“…The same support for this Neotropical classification was also observed by Pires et al (2008) based on Sepedonea distribution, as well as by Morrone (2003) and Nihei & Carvalho (2005), who analyzed decapods of the family Trichodactylidae and the species of Polietina (Diptera, Muscidae) respectively. The congruence of these patterns in a given area is of fundamental importance for understanding their evolution (Morrone 2006).…”

“…In this sense, they can represent important biodiversity hotspots (Grehan 1993) occupied by biotic elements with different origins (Morrone & Crisci 1992;Prevedello & Carvalho 2006). When they are supported by previously published phylogenies, these may also indicate, together with generalized tracks, that the studied organisms are not randomly arranged, but share a common spatial and temporal evolutionary context (Nihei & Carvalho 2005).…”

“…Reconstruction of the individual and generalized tracks was performed manually. The phylogeny of Thecomyia species was then used in seeking support for biogeographical homologies initially established by panbiogeography (Nihei & Carvalho 2005). A generalized track consisting of the overlap in the distributional pattern of phylogenetically related species would confirm the historical identity of the concerned area.…”

“…The discussion, however, will be sustained on the basis of the phylogenetic relationships among Thecomyia species (Marinoni et al 2003). This association aims at the identification of historically supported areas of endemism according to the genus phylogeny (Nihei & Carvalho 2005;Pires et al 2008).…”

“…It means that node 2, for example, formed by the phylogenysupported tracks C and D (Fig. 7), may comprise species with a common history on Earth (Nihei & Carvalho 2005). Similarly, node 1 comprises the supported track C and node 4, track G. Node 5, track I, node 6, tracks I and L, node 7, track L and finally node 8 encompasses the supported track N (Fig.…”