Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe macropelopiini (chironomidae: Tanypodinae): Adjusting homoplasies

Abstract

Macropelopiini is a widely distributed tribe of Tanypodinae, with immature stages inhabiting cool seeps, springs, and small streams. The present study evaluated the monophyly and the supporting synapomorphies within a phylogenetic context for the first time for Macropelopiini. The monophyly and the intergeneric relationships were tested by morphological evidence in a cladistic framework, and the information gained from each homoplastic character was evaluated. The monophyly of Macropelopiini is corroborated through the objective synapomorphy 'outer fringe decreasing from base to apex ending in small spines' in the pupa, and the subjective synapomorphies 'tibial spurs with main teeth and short lateral tooth' in males and 'dorsal setae arising from prominent tubercles' in the pupa. FittkauimyiaKarunakaran, 1969 is excluded from Macropelopiini, GressitiusSublette & Wirth, 1980 is established as a junior synonym of AlotanypusRoback, 1971, and the new combination Alotanypus antarcticuscomb.nov. is proposed. Character combination, mainly through the use of the characters with informative taxonomical value, remains an efficient tool to diagnose the Macropelopiini genera. The new genus Paggipelopiagen.nov. for Paggipelopia spaccesiigen.etsp.nov. is erected and the emendation of the species diagnosis of Wuelkerella toncekensisAñón Suárez & Sublette, 2012 is conducted.