The mitochondrial genome of Ectophasia roundiventris (Loew, 1858), the first representative of subfamily Phasiinae, was sequenced and annotated. So far, there are four Tachinidae mitochondrial genomes, here, all of them are used in Neighbour-Join and Maximum Likelihood analyses. The nucleotide composition of Ectophasia roundiventris mitochondrial genome was 40.4% of A, 39.0% of T, 11.8% of C, 8.8% of G, 79.4% of A + T content. The codon ATG was the most popular start codon. The conservative stop codon was TAA, COX2, and ND5 terminated with an incomplete stop codon T, while the gene ND4 was ended with stop codon TA.
House flies (Muscidae) comprise the most species-rich family of the muscoid grade with over 5000 described species worldwide, and they are abundant in various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The high number of species, varied appearances, complex feeding habits, and wide distributions have hindered researchers from understanding their phylogeny and evolutionary history. Here, we newly sequenced fifteen mitochondrial genomes and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time among eight subfamilies of Muscidae (Diptera). The best phylogenetic tree, which was inferred by IQ-Tree, recovered the monophyly for seven out of eight subfamilies (except for Mydaeinae). Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, we prefer the subfamily status of Azeliinae and Reinwardtiinae, and separate Stomoxyinae from Muscinae. Genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 was synonymized with Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. The divergence time estimation indicated Muscidae originated at 51.59 Ma (early Eocene). Most subfamilies had originated around 41 Ma. We provided a mtgenomic viewpoint on the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimation of Muscidae.
Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies, represent the most taxonomically diverse family of Diptera Carnoidea, comprising over 3000 described species worldwide. Previous phylogenetic studies of this family have predominantly relied on morphological characters, with mitochondrial genomes being reported in a few species. This study presents 11 newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes (10 Chloropidae and 1 Milichiidae) and provides the first comprehensive comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes for Chloropidae. Apart from 37 standard genes and the control region, three conserved intergenic sequences across Diptera Cyclorrhapha were identified in all available chloropid mitochondrial genomes. Evolutionary rates within Chloropidae exhibit significant variation across subfamilies, with Chloropinae displaying higher rates than the other three subfamilies. Phylogenetic relationships based on mitochondrial genomes were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The monophyly of Chloropidae and all four subfamilies is consistently strongly supported, while subfamily relationships within Chloropidae remain poorly resolved, possibly due to rapid evolution.
Twelve species of the subgenus Vestiplex (Diptera, Tipulidae) were previously known to occur in Tibet (= Xizang), China. Here, six species are described and illustrated as new to science: Tipula (Vestiplex) bucera sp. nov., Tipula (Vestiplex) magatama sp. nov., Tipula (Vestiplex) motuoensis sp. nov., Tipula (Vestiplex) nayogabuensis sp. nov., Tipula (Vestiplex) platyphylla sp. nov. and Tipula (Vestiplex) uncinella sp. nov. The following three species are redescribed: Tipula (Vestiplex) himalayensis Brunetti, 1911, Tipula (Vestiplex) nigroapicalis Brunetti, 1911 and Tipula (Vestiplex) zayulensis Alexander, 1963. A key to the species of Tipula (Vestiplex) from Tibet is presented.
Tipulidae, one of the most diverse families of Diptera, is widely distributed in the world. The adults have weak flight ability, making it an ideal model for studying the formation of insect diversity. This study aims to explore the species diversity and endemism of Tipulidae in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the surrounding areas, as well as analyze the relationships between the diversity pattern and 25 environmental factors in mountainous and non-mountainous regions. To this end, we collected 2589 datasets for the distribution of 1219 Tipulidae species, and found three areas with high diversities of Tipulidae around the QTP, including the Sikkim-Yadong area, Kamen River Basin, and Gongga Mountain. Further R, generalized additive model (GAM), and stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the richness and endemism of Tipulidae is mainly influenced by the warmest quarter precipitation and topographic heterogeneity in mountainous regions, but in non-mountainous regions, the richness is mostly affected by the precipitation seasonality, while there is no regularity in the relationship between endemism and environmental factors. In addition, the richness model in mountainous regions was in conformity with the results of GAM.
1 October 2017 in Transactions of the American Entomological Society
Previously there were four known species in the Hercostomus ulrichi group all from China. In this paper, the species of the Hercostomus ulrichi group are reviewed. The following two species from China are described as new to science: Hercostomus baixionggouanus sp. nov. and Hercostomus pingwuensis sp. nov. A key to species of the group is provided.