title: A first higher-level time-calibrated phylogeny of antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).
abstract: In this study, we reconstruct the first time-calibrated phylogeny of the iconic antlion family, the Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontiformia). We use maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to analyse a molecular dataset based on seven mitochondrial and nuclear gene markers. The dataset encompasses 106 species of Neuroptera, including 94 antlion species. The resulting phylogenetic framework provides support for a myrmeleontid classification distinguishing four subfamilies: Acanthaclisinae, Myrmeleontinae, Palparinae, and Stilbopteryginae. Within Myrmeleontinae, Myrmecaelurini and Nemoleontini are recovered as monophyletic clades; Gepini also appears as a valid tribe, distinct from Myrmecaelurini whereas Myrmecaelurini and Nesoleontini on one hand and Brachynemurini and Dendroleontini on the other hand, appear closely related. Some preliminary information related to generic and specific levels are also implied from our results, such as the paraphyly of several genera. Dating analyses based on thoroughly evaluated fossil calibrations indicate that the antlion family likely originated in the Cretaceous, between 135 and 138 million years ago (depending on the set of fossil calibrations), and that all higher-level lineages appeared during the Early Cretaceous. This first phylogenetic hypothesis will provide a valuable basis to further expand the taxonomic coverage and molecular sampling, and to lay the foundations of future systematic revisions.
authors: CIRAD, UMR 1062 CBGP (INRA, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), 755 Avenue du Campus Agropolis, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez, France. Electronic address: bruno.michel@cirad.fr.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Michel
authors: INRA, UMR 1062 CBGP (INRA, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), 755 Avenue du Campus Agropolis, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez, France.
authors: Anne-Laure
authors: AL
authors: Clamens
authors: Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, MNHN, CNRS, Centre de Recherche sur la Paléobiodiversité et les Paléoenvironnements (CR2P), Paris, France.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Béthoux
authors: INRA, UMR 1062 CBGP (INRA, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro), 755 Avenue du Campus Agropolis, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez, France.
authors: Gael J
authors: GJ
authors: Kergoat
authors: CNRS, UMR 5554 Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution (Université de Montpellier), Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France. Electronic address: fabien.condamine@gmail.com.
authors: Fabien L
authors: FL
authors: Condamine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D005580:Fossils; D007313:Insecta / Q000145:classification*; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D010802:Phylogeny; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Early Cretaceous; Fossil calibrations; Higher-level phylogeny; Molecular dating; Myrmeleontidae; Stilbopteryginae