Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350546
Research Project: Detection, Control and Area-wide Management of Fruit Flies and Other Quarantine Pests of Tropical/Subtropical Crops

Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research

Title: Incongruence between molecules and morphology: A seven-gene phylogeny of Dacini fruit flies paves the way for reclassification (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Author
item SAN JOSE, MICHAEL - University Of Hawaii
item DOORENWEERD, CAMIEL - University Of Hawaii
item LEBLANC, LUC - University Of Idaho
item BARR, NORMAN - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item Geib, Scott
item RUBINOFF, DANIEL - University Of Hawaii

Submitted to: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2017
Publication Date: 4/20/2018
Citation: San Jose, M., Doorenweerd, C., Leblanc, L., Barr, N., Geib, S.M., Rubinoff, D. 2018. Incongruence between molecules and morphology: A seven-gene phylogeny of Dacini fruit flies paves the way for reclassification (Diptera: Tephritidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 121:139-149.

Interpretive Summary: The taxonomic relationship of true fruit flies (Tephritidae) is not well resolved, particularly in the Dacini, once of the most diverse groups within this family. Current taxonomic relationships are based on morphological characters and some limited genetic information. Often the morphology does not describe the true taxonomic relationship, as many wasp mimics exist in this group, all mimicking a common wasp morphology. To better understand the relationship of species within this group, a multi-gene phylogeny was developed on 167 distinct species across this tribe. Our phylogeny confirms the monophyly of Dacus, Bactrocera, and Zeugodacus. However, most groups below the genus level are not monophyletic, and only through further revision will we be able to understand their evolution and clarify the taxonomy within this tribe.

Technical Abstract: Molecular and morphological research often suggest conflicting results. Selective pressure on certain morphologies can confound understanding of evolutionary relationships. Dacini is one of the most diverse tribes of tephritid flies and contains many economically important pest species. Their black and yellow patterned body markings are presumed to act as wasp mimicry, and the characters separating species and groups are limited and in some cases phenotypically plastic. The traditional taxonomy of the tribe is controversial because groupings are based on unique combinations of morphological characters without the use of cladistic methods, though recent phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses have resulted in significant changes to their taxonomy. The monophyly of the three largest genera in the tribe has been tested with only small numbers of representatives per genus and a limited number of genes. To further understand the taxonomy and evolution of Dacini we sequenced seven genes from 167 Dacini species and five dipteran outgroups to construct a robust phylogeny and test phylogenetic relationships between genera, subgenera, and species complexes. Our phylogeny confirms the monophyly of Dacus, Bactrocera, and Zeugodacus. However, most groups below the genus level are not monophyletic, and only through further revision will we be able to understand their evolution and clarify the taxonomy within this tribe.