PHYLOGENETIC STUDY OF SELECTED TEPHRITID FLIES (INSECTA, DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) USING PARTIAL SEQUENCES OF THE NUCLEAR 18S RIBOSOMAL DNA

We analyzed sequence data from 107 base pairs within the nuclear 18S r ibosomal RNA gene from 26 tephritid species and four out-group taxa. A total of 45 sites were variable within the Tephritidae, and 28 sites were considered informative for parsimony analysis. sites were conside red informative for parsimony analysis. Phylogenetic information was e xtracted from this data set using maximum parsimony and neighbor joini ng methods and compared to a phylogenetic hypothesis proposed from the morphological literature. Our molecular data suggest: (1) monophyly o f the subfamily Tephritinae; (2) membership of Gymnocarena in the subf amily Tephritinae; (3) the possible existence of a large monophyletic group including the subfamily Dacinae and a large part of the Trypetin ae. We propose that molecular approaches show great promise for helpin g to create a phylogenetically-based higher classification for the Tep hritidae.