Phylogeny and Classification of the Genus Scatophila Becker (Diptera: Ephydridae)

Abstract

The phylogeny of the tribe Scatellini and the relationships between genera related to Philotelma (Limnellia, Scatophila, Philotelma and Tauromima) are discussed. In this group, the lateral portions of the hypandrium are fused to the gonites and are separated from the central portion. The latter structure is termed the ''neohypandrium''. The genus Scatophila, sensu late, also includes species with two fronto-orbital setae. Based on a reconstructed phylogeny of the genus, the first classification is proposed. Scatophila is divided into nine species groups : the primitive, andica, avida, despecta, contaminata, mesogramma, tropical, noctula and quadriguttata groups. The ancestors of the genus originated presumably in South America, and some lineages migrated to other regions. Two species are resurrected from synonymy (Scatophila pumilio (Loew) and S. variabilis Cresson), S. striata (Walker) is a junior synonym of S. cribrata (Stenhammar; Limnellia minima Canzoneri and Meneghini is transferred to Scatophila).