Investigating the phylogeny and evolution of the cactus fly family Neriidae (Diptera: Schizophora) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, with synonymy of Nipponerius with Stypo

Abstract

The cactus fly family Neriidae (Diptera: Schizophora: Nerioidea) is a small group of morphologically distinctive acalyptrate flies characterized by a slender body, anteriorly projected antennae, and distinctly elongate legs. Current understanding of the higher-level classification, phylogeny, and evolution of Neriidae is limited, and molecular phylogenetic studies of the family are lacking. In the present study, we generated molecular datasets comprising 15 mitochondrial (13 protein-coding genes, 16S, and 12S) and 2 nuclear (18S and 28S) genes, and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Neriidae using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our results support Neriidae as a monophyletic family closely related to Cypselosomatidae and Pseudopomyzidae. The 2 previously proposed subfamilies, Neriinae and Telostylinae, are recovered as paraphyletic. Teloneria Aczél is supported as a genus distinct from Chaetonerius Hendel. Molecular dating indicates an Eocene origin of Neriidae at ca. 48.47 Ma, with diversification of its crown group beginning around 37.84 Ma. In combination of morphological evidence, the monotypic genus Nipponerius Cresson, syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Stypocladius Enderlein, the latter being recognizable by its well-developed and glabrous antennal base, complete transverse suture on the mesonotum, and presence of 5 dorsocentral setae. Furthermore, we propose Paranerius continentalis Hennig, syn. nov. as a junior synonym of Stypocladius femoratus (Coquillett), comb. nov.