Four chapters about the monophyly of insect ‘orders’: A review of recent phylogenetic contributions
Zrzavý Jan
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 48(2): 217-232, 2008
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Abstract: Recent phylogenetic analyses, both morphological and molecular, strongly support
the monophyly of most insect ‘orders’. On the contrary, the Blattaria,
Psocoptera, and Mecoptera are definitely paraphyletic (with respect of the
Isoptera, Phthiraptera, and Siphonaptera, respectively), and the Phthiraptera
are possibly diphyletic. Small relictual subclades that are closely related to
the Isoptera, Phthiraptera, and Siphonaptera were identified (Cryptocercidae,
Lipo- scelididae, and Boreidae, respectively), which provides an enormous amount
of evidence about the origin and early evolution of the highly apomorphic
eusocial or parasitic ex-groups. Position of the enigmatic ‘zygentoman’
Tricholepidion Wygodzinsky, 1961, remains uncertain. Possible non-monophyly of
the Megalo- ptera (with respect of the Raphidioptera) and the Phasmatodea (with
respect of the Embioptera) are shortly discussed.
Key words: Insecta, Zygentoma, Tricholepidion, Blattaria, Isoptera, Cryptocercus, Psocoptera, Phthiraptera, Liposcelididae, Mecoptera, Siphonaptera, Boreidae, Nannochoristidae, Timema, phylogeny, monophyly