Phylogeny of Trichoptera

Abstract

The vitality of the phylogenetic dialogue in trichopterology, especially since 1967, is evidenced by the high quality and large number of published phylogenetic inferences concerning caddisflies and the continuing spirited exchange of opinions about some differences among those ideas. Monophyly for Trichoptera seems well argued. Monophyly for suborder Annulipalpia sensu stricto also is widely acknowledged, as is monophyly for suborder Integripalpia sensu stricto. Various postulated relationships of Hydrobiosidae, Rhyacophilidae, Glossosomatidae, and Hydroptilidae (="Spicipalpia") are less convincing. Phylogenies for several groups of families within Annulipalpia and Integripalpia have been proposed and relationships within at least 126 intrafamilial taxa also have been inferred.

Studies of Neotropical Caddisflies, Lxi: New Species of Leptonema GuéRin (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)

“…However, Spicipalpia is not monophyletic in either morphological or molecular phylogenetic analyses (Morse 1997;Kjer et al 2001Kjer et al , 2002. Some phylogenetic works recognize to a fourth suborder called Protomeropina, composed of fossil families from the Permian.…”

Characterization of a Cysteine-Rich Protein Specifically Expressed in the Silk Gland of CaddisflyStenopsyche marmorata(Trichoptera; Stenopsychidae)

“…The larvae are similar the larvae of the sister order Lepidoptera with respect to ability to spin silk and to a pair of labial glands, and the two orders evolved to form the superorder Amphiesmenoptera. 1) Special attention has been placed on the silk of the caddisfly because it is not only able to keep its tensile strength under the long exposure to water, but can also adhere irreversibly to various surfaces in an aqueous environment. Heavy-chain fibroin (H-fibroin) and light-chain fibroin (L-fibroin), the major components of the lepidopteron filament, have been found to be conserved in caddisfly by a screen of silk gland specific cDNA libraries.…”

Micrasema longulum(Trichoptera: Brachycentridae) builds a special pupation chamber

“…At the same time, students agree that the various charac teristic, sometimes elaborate, ways of retreat-and case-building among Trichoptera have developed inde pendently in several different phyletic lines. Although the limits and interrelationships of these clades remain a matter of debate (e.g., Weaver & Morse 1986, Wiggins & Wichard 1989, Weaver 1992, Wiggins 1992, Morse 1997) there seems to be no doubt that the so-called tube-case-builders among the Trichoptera are a monophyletic unit, known as the Integripalpia (Frania & Wiggins 1997). The family Brachycentridae is an undoubted member of this taxon.…”

“…A similar interpretation may even more appropriately describe the situation in Hydroptilidae. The family is presently included in Spicipalpia, but its real affinities remain doubtful (Frania & Wiggins 1997, Morse 1997. Hydroptilid larvae build only in the last instar, but long before pupation; actually, the fifth instar spends most of its life in variably shaped portable or attached purse cases that are sealed before pupation (Klapálek 1893, Thienemann 1905.…”