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Title: MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE HOLLY-FEEDING LEAFMINING FLIES OF THE PHYTOMYZA ILICICOLA GROUP (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE).

Author
item Scheffer, Sonja

Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Before the advent of molecular systematics, it was often difficult to conduct phylogenetic analyses on closely related insect species that only differ slightly in morphology. Such phylogenetic analyses are valuable because they provide information on patterns and processes of speciation, life-history and diet evolution. Agromyzid leafminers of the Phytomyza illicicola group are the major pests of ornamental hollies. Evolutionary relationships among the holly-feeding species in this group were explored by molecular systematic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Results allow conclusions to be drawn regarding leafminer colonization of holly species, host-switching, and life-history evolution. Additionally, several new holly-feeding species were discovered during the course of this study.