Higher-level phylogeny of the Therevidae (Diptera : Insecta) based on 28S ribosomal and elongation factor-1 alpha gene sequences

Therevidae (stilleto flies) are a little-known family of asiloid brachycera n Diptera (Insecta). Separate and combined phylogenetic analyses of 1200 ba ses of the 28S ribosomal DNA and 1100 bases of elongation factor-la were us ed to infer phylogenetic relationships within the family. The position of t he enigmatic taxon Apsilocephala Krober is evaluated in light of the molecu lar evidence. In all analyses, molecular data strongly support the monophyl y of Therevidae, excluding Apsilocephala, and the division of Therevidae in to two main clades corresponding to a previous classification of the family into the subfamilies Phycinae and Therevinae. Despite strong support for s ome relationships within these groups, relationships at the base of the two main clades are weakly supported. Short branch lengths for Australasian cl ades at the base of the Therevinae may represent a rapid radiation of there vids in Australia. (C) 2000 Academic Press.