■ Phylogeny of World Tachinidae Project
A study is underway to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of the world Tachinidae. Aided by a grant from the United States National Science Foundation, the collaborators are gathering morphological and molecular data from a broad range of tachinid taxa from all biogeographic regions of the world. These data are being analyzed to produce successively more refined hypotheses about the evolutionary history of the Tachinidae.
Hypothesized relationships within the Tachinidae
based on morphology (Cerretti et al., in press).
More specific goals of the project over the next several (many?) years include:
- The robust reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships among major tachinid lineages (ca. 200–300 genera) using molecular (5+ genes) and morphological data.
- To use our phylogenetic findings to revise current classificatory schemes and produce a stable, predictive classification of Tachinidae.
- More focused phylogenetic analyses of two biologically interesting and agronomically important groups, the tribe Blondeliini and the subfamily Phasiinae.
- Analysis of the evolution of reproductive traits, oviposition strategy, and host associations and their effects on diversification and biological control success.
- Dissemination of taxonomic and biological information on Tachinidae through the development of web resources and an interactive key to North American (for now) genera.
Parts of this section of Tachinidae Resources are under construction as of late November 2013. Return here periodically and click the links in the side bar to see what new information has been added.
