PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE AUSTRALIAN LEP TOPHLEBIIDAE

摘要

The phylogeny of Australian Leptophlebiidae has not been studied in detail although previous research has indicated close relationships with the Neotropical fauna. Phylogenetic relationships of Australian Leptophlebiidae were examined using a cladistic analysis of 34 morphological characters and 21 genera. Character polarity was assessed by out-group comparison and then analysed with NONA (version 2). The three most parsimonious trees produced were used to construct a strict consensus tree. Relationships among the Australian fauna specify some monophyletic groups and unresolved terminals. This study elucidates some previously unknown relationships among the Australian fauna and indicates that the currently recognised genera of Leptophlebiidae in Australia require further definition. Comparison with hypotheses previously proposed for Australian Leptophlebiidae demonstrate partial agreement, recognizing 'Meridialaris' and 'Atalonella' clades (sensu Pescador and Peters 1980a) and support for a sisterrelationship between the burrowing genera Jappa and Ulmerophlebia. Cladistic characters are tabulated and discussed with illustrations. Examined taxa, materials and comprehensive bibliographic sources are provided.