A GENERIC RECLASSIFICATION AND PHYLOGENY OF THE TRIBE MYOPITINI (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE: TEPHRITINAE).

Authors: FREIDBERG, AMNON - TEL AVIV UNIV., TEL AVIV; Norrbom, Allen

Submitted to: CRC Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The Tephritidae (true fruit flies)is one of the most agriculturally important families of flies. It includes numerous pests, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly and the apple maggot, but also species that are beneficial as biological control agents of noxious weeds. The latter include six species of the genus Urophora that have been introduced to North America to control rangeland weeds. To use these beneficial species to the fullest advantage, knowledge of their relationships is important because evolutionary relationships are the best predictor of other biological attributes, such as host plant relationships. This chapter analyzes the relationships among Urophora and other genera belonging to the tribe Myopitini. The classification of this group has been poorly understood and numerous species have been erroneouly placed in Urophora. Our new classification recognizes 11 genera, three of which are new, and all of which are well defined as natural groups on the basis of derived characters. This information will aid ARS and other researchers studying fruit flies as potential biological control agents as well as agencies such as USDA-APHIS that are responsible for fruit fly quarantine and control.

Technical Abstract: In this chapter, the tribe Myopitini was redefined and demonstrated to be monophyletic, and a new generic classification was proposed, based on phylogenetic analysis using new and traditional characters. Eleven genera were recognized, of which three were described as new (Geodenia, Neomyopites and Spinicosta), and an additional three were elevated from subgeneric status (Eurasimona, Inuromaesa, and Myopitora, all described as subgenera of Urophora). Two genus group names were synonymized: Nearomyia with Myopites, and Promyopites with Inuromaesa. A key to the genera, a checklist of included species, a diagnosis for each genus, and data about the hosts and distribution were provided. A short summary of the biology of the Myopitini and a detailed treatment of its phylogeny were given.