Estudo taxonômico dos gêneros de Richardiidae e análise filogenética de Richardiinae (Diptera, Tephritoidea)

Abstract

The family Richardiidae belongs to Tephritoidea and only occurs in the New World, being essentially Neotropical. The family is currently represented by about 170 species in 33 genera and two subfamilies, Richardiinae and Epiplateinae. Richardiinae are conspicuously more diverse with more than 90% of the species diversity in the family. From a taxonomic perspective, however, the group is relatively poorly studied. Many genera have confusing diagnoses and the lack of revisions and keys makes identification of species and genera, especially the determination of new taxa, more difficult. From a phylogenetic perspective, Richardiinae have never been studied. To bridge this gap in our knowledge, a cladistic study was produced that is based on morphological data with the specific objective of evaluating the monophyly of the subfamily and to indicate intergeneric relationships within Richardiinae. In some cases, we also tested the monophyly of some genera. For this purpose, 136 characters from adults were identified and analyzed, with 87 from morphology of the head, thorax, wing, legs and part of abdomen, 22 from female part of abdomen and terminalia and 27 from male part of abdomen and terminalia. The characters were evaluated by Fitch parsimony with equal weights, and the resulting topology was rooted a posteriori following outgroup position. The analysis resulted in two most parsimonious trees and confirmed the monophyly of Richardiinae supported by 13 synapomophies and indicated that the genus Schnusimyia is the sister group to the subfamily. Four major clades were recognized in Richardiinae: the first clade includes (Melanoloma + Coilometopia); the second clade consists of (Euolena abdominalis (Euolena egregia (Spheneuolena (Batrachophthalmum + Megalothoraca)))) + (Hemixantha [group 1] (Antineuromyia appendiculata + new genus D)); third clade comprises (Maerorichardia (Cladiscophleps + Neoidiotypa)); and the fourth clade corresponds to the largest group, comprising (Richardiodes (Richardia (new genus B (Setellida + Beebeomyia (Poecilomyia (Euolena flava (Hemixantha [group 2] (new genus C (Acompha (Johnrichardia (Oedematella (new genus A + Ozaenina)) (Odontomerella (Coniceps + Setellia) (Sepsisoma (Oceanicia + Odontomera))))))))))))). The genera Hemixantha, Euolena and Melanoloma were not recognized as monophyletic groups. Five new genera were recognized, four from new species and one based on the transfer of E. flava, which is not related to E. egregia and which merits generic status. An identification key for all genera (except Paneryma) is provided. Redescription of existent genera and description of new genus are also provided.