|aThe evolutionary biology of Conopidae (Diptera): A life history, molecular, morphological, systematic, and taxonomic approach.
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|a317 p.
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|aSource: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-08(E), Section: B.
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|aThesis (Ph.D.)--Carleton University (Canada), 2011.
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|aConopidae is a fascinating family commonly referred to as thick-headed flies. Over 800 species, in over 50 genera and subgenera have been described, but little phylogenetic work has been completed. Past theories on life history, conopid-host interactions, mating strategies, family placement, phylogeny, and classification have been based on very little data and analysis. Based on field observation and collections analysis, evidence of hilltopping mating behaviour is confirmed for thirteen species of Conopidae in the vicinity of Ottawa, Ontario. This represents only the second ever record of this behaviour amongst species of Conopidae. DNA sequence data from ten gene regions is used in a phylogenetic analysis of ten species of Conopidae and representatives of seventeen other families of Diptera. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses are used to propose a phylogenetic hypothesis that places Conopidae within Schizophora as adelphotaxon to Lauxaniidae. Also, a comparison of the informative qualities of mitochondrial versus nuclear DNA sequence data and ribosomal versus protein coding DNA sequence data is included. Further DNA sequence data from five gene regions and over fifty species of Conopidae are combined with morphological data. A cladogram recovered via parsimony analysis confirms the monophyly of five subfamilies within Conopidae. Relationships between subfamilies are also determined with morphological autapomorphies proposed for all nodes in the cladogram. A phylogenetic analysis including only morphological data for all world genera of Conopidae is completed. The recovered cladogram includes six monophyletic subfamilies, two monophyletic tribes within Myopinae, and eleven monophyletic tribes within Conopinae. This phylogenetic hypothesis is used as the basis of a new classification of the genera of Conopidae. Chrysidiomyia Smith, 1989 is placed as a junior synonym of Callosiconops Krober, 1940a, stat. rev. A new genus, Schedophysoconops gen. nov., and subgenus, Asiconops (Aegloconops) subgen. nov., are described. The evolution of body structures within the family is discussed. Biogeographic patterns within subfamilies are noted. The first ever key to world genera of Conopidae is included.