Phylogenetic systematics of the Milichiidae (Diptera, Schizophora)

A phylogenetic tree based on adult characters is proposed for the Milichiid ae. The computer-based cladistic analysis employed 23 taxa and 53 character s. The monophyly of the Milichiidae and of the subfamily Milichiinae is con firmed. However, the subfamily Madizinae in its former sense is paraphyleti c and has therefore been restricted to the genera Desmometopa, Leptometopa, Litometopa, and Madiza. These genera are more closely related to the Milic hiinae than to the genera Aldrichiomyza, Costalima, genus nov. 1, Microsimu s,Neophyllomyza, Paramyia, Phyllomyza, Stomosis, and Xenophyllomyza. For th ese latter genera, the new subfamily Phyllomyzinae is established. The sist er-group of the Milichiidae is the Chloropidae. It is suggested that the Ac artophthalmidae is the sister-group of the Milichiidae + Chloropidae, based on the elongation and coiling up of the spermathecal ducts. The Acatiophth almidae has been used to represent the outgroup for the computer-based clad istic analysis. The morphology and character transformations within the Mil ichiidae are discussed and the stem-species pattern of the Milichiidae is c ompared with the stem-species pattern of the Chloropidae, Acartophthalmidae , Carnidae, and the Chloropidae family-group. The main emphasis is laid on the morphology of the labella, ovipositor, female reproductive system, and male genitalia. A catalogue of world Milichiidae and a key to genera are gi ven.