Molecular phylogenetics and piercer evolution in the bug‐killing flies (Diptera: Tachinidae: Phasiinae)

Abstract

Abstract. Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) are endoparasitoid flies that attack Heteroptera, including a multitude of agricultural pests. A phylogenetically informed classification of Phasiinae has eluded systematists for over a century, primarily because of the conflicting character states and confusing morphology of certain taxa that indicate potential placement within other subfamilies. The unstable nature of phasiine taxonomy discourages important research into their classification, life history and potential use in biological control. In hopes of resolving several longstanding taxonomic debates and encouraging future research into this important group of parasitoids, the first molecular systematic analysis of Phasiinae is presented, including 128 worldwide taxa (80 genera) and approximately 7.6 kb of nuclear data representing four genes.

Reclustering the cluster flies (Diptera: Oestroidea, Polleniidae)

“…DNA extraction and PCR amplification were performed using the methods and primers described in Winkler et al . (; see also Blaschke et al ., ; Stireman et al ., ). Sanger sequencing was performed by the University of Arizona Genetics Core (http://uagc.arl.arizona.edu).…”

“…Former family Current status Angioneura Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1893 Rhinophoridae Valid genus in the family Calliphoridae, teste Pape (1986), subfamily Melanomyinae, teste Rognes (1991, 2011) Melanomya Rondani, 1856 Rhinophoridae Valid genus in the family Calliphoridae, teste Pape (1986) and Rognes (1986), see also Downes (1986), subfamily Melanomyinae, teste Rognes (1991, 2011) Morinia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 Rhinophoridae Valid genus in the family Calliphoridae, teste Pape (1986), subfamily Polleniinae, teste Rognes (1991Rognes ( , 1997Rognes ( , 2011 phylogenetic reconstruction based on three protein-coding nuclear genes (CAD, MCS, MAC; see Winkler et al, 2015;Blaschke et al, 2018;Stireman et al, 2019) mostly focused on tachinids were circulated privately for a few months after the South African field expedition. The undescribed species of the carinata-group clustered with a species of the genus Pollenia with strong statistical support, and not with the several 'other' rhinophorids included in that analysis, which formed a well-supported monophyletic group not closely related to the 'Pollenia clade.'…”

“…To evaluate the position of the carinata-group and its relationships with other oestroid lineages, we used a combination of published and novel sequence data for three nuclear coding genes, CAD (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2), MAC (methyl-accepting chemoreceptor), and MCS (molybdenum cofactor sulfurase) (see Winkler et al, 2015;Blaschke et al, 2018;Stireman et al, 2019). The total dataset consists of 29 ingroup taxa including nine Rhinophoridae (sensu stricto), six 'Calliphoridae' (including Bengalia Robineau-Desvoidy and Rhynchomya Robineau-Desvoidy), five Tachinidae, three Sarcophagidae, two Oestridae, one Mesembrinellidae, the only known Ulurumyiidae (Ulurumyia macalpinei Michelsen & Pape), a species of Pollenia, and an undescribed species of Morinia from South Africa (belonging to the carinata-group) ( Table 2).…”

“…Three legs were removed from fresh or ethanol-preserved flies and stored in 95% ethanol until the extraction procedure. DNA extraction and PCR amplification were performed using the methods and primers described in Winkler et al (2015; see also Blaschke et al, 2018;Stireman et al, 2019). Sanger sequencing was performed by the University of Arizona Genetics Core (uagc.arl.arizona.edu).…”

“…At that time (2013), the Stireman laboratory was busy obtaining DNA sequences from hundreds of oestroid taxa, including the fresh material collected in South Africa. The results of a preliminary phylogenetic reconstruction based on three protein‐coding nuclear genes ( CAD , MCS , MAC ; see Winkler et al ., ; Blaschke et al ., ; Stireman et al ., ) mostly focused on tachinids were circulated privately for a few months after the South African field expedition. The undescribed species of the carinata ‐group clustered with a species of the genus Pollenia with strong statistical support, and not with the several ‘other’ rhinophorids included in that analysis, which formed a well‐supported monophyletic group not closely related to the ‘ Pollenia clade.’ A sketch of this cladogram was later presented at the 8th International Congress of Dipterology in Potsdam (Germany) (Stireman et al ., ).…”