Cryptic diversity in the subgenus Oxyphortica (Diptera, Drosophilidae, Stegana )

Phylogenetic relationships of the subgenus were reconstructed based on two mitochondrial genes ( and ). The results revealed the paraphyly of and supported high levels of cryptic diversity within this subgenus. By integrating morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, we identified 17 new species as members of : . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) , . ( .) and . ( .) To test the early morphological identifications and confirm the species boundaries, different species delimitation methods, including Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BP&P), were used, together with traditional distance. All species boundaries were clearly defined. As species are mainly distributed across Southwest China ( , 20 spp. from the Hengduan Mountains), the complex climate and topographic landforms of the area may be responsible for the high levels of species diversity and endemism.