Molecular Phylogenetic Study of Tephritidae (Insecta: Diptera) Using Partial Sequences of the Mitochondrial 16S Ribosomal DNA

We analyzed sequence data from 925 base pairs within the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA from 34 tephritid species and two outgroup taxa. DNA sequences were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced by the dideoxy chain-termination method. Patterns of nucleotide composition and substitution were assessed based on sequence comparison. Phylogenetic relationships among the included taxa were inferred using neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods. The trees were congruent with the morphological classification and suggested the following phylogenetic relationships: (1) monophyly of the tribe Trypetini, s. str., excludingParastenopa;(2) a possible sister group relationship betweenPlatypareaand the subfamily Tephritinae; (3) a sister group relationship betweenHexachaetaand the tribe Toxotrypanini; (4) monophyly of the Dacinae and possible relationship ofOedicarenato this subfamily; (5) monophyly of the tribe Adramini; and (6) the nonmonophyletic nature of the genusRhagoletis.We propose that the 16S rDNA shows great promise for helping to create a phylogenetically based higher classification of the Tephritidae.