PHYLOGENY OF EMBIOPTERANS (INSECTA)

CLAUDIA SZUMIK , JANICE EDGERLY ROOKS & CHERYL Y. HAYASHI

CLADISTICS (PRINT)

Blackwell Synergy

Lugar: London; Año: 2008 p. 993 - 1005

0748-3007

Abstract.- A cladistic analysis of embiopterans, based on 157 species (representing 70% of the known genera) and 186 morphological characters, is presented, as well as a molecular analysis for 22 taxa using 16, 18 and 28S rDNA and COI.  Species of all known families are included, except Andesembiidae Ross (of which specimens are in a private collection).  The evidence presented supports the monophyly of four of the families (Australembiidae, Oligotomidae, Teratembiidae and Anisembiidae).  Notoligotomidae is paraphyletic and included within the Afro-neotropical family Archembiidae (which is also paraphyletic).  The genera Embia, Cleomia, Macrembia and Dihybocercus (Embiidae) form, together with Australembiidae, a group strongly supported by morphology; the position of the remaining genera of Embiidae has two quite different resolutions.  Almost 80% of the genera of Anisembiidae recently described appear as either paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Contrary to the opinion of other specialists, the major groups as well as the monophyly of some families are supported by features which have been ignored in classic approaches to systematics of Embioptera, such as the ovipositor and cephalic and leg structures, characters with an almost perfect fit.