PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CULICOMORPHA INFERRED FROM 18S AND 5.8S RIBOSOMAL DNA-SEQUENCES (DIPTERA, NEMATOCERA)

We investigated the evolutionary origins of the mosquito family Culici dae by examination of 18S and 5.8S ribosomal gene sequence divergence. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that within the infraorder Culicom orpha, taxa in the families Corethrellidae, Chaoboridae and Culicidae formed a monophyletic group; there was support for a sister relationsh ip between this lineage and a representative of the Chironomidae. A ch aoborid midge was the closest relative of the mosquitoes. Taxa from fo ur genera of mosquitoes formed a monophyletic group; lack of a spacer in the 5.8S gene was unique to members of the Culicidae. A member of t he genus Anopheles formed the most basal lineage among the mosquitoes analysed. Phylogenetic relationships were unresolved for representativ es in the families Dixidae, Simuliidae and Ceratopogonidae.