|
|
Evolution of Host Specialisation, Phylogeography and Taxonomic Revision of Xenidae (Strepsitera)
Benda, Daniel ; Straka, Jakub (advisor) ; Malenovský, Igor (referee) ; Cook, Jerry L. (referee)
Twisted-winged parasites (Strepsiptera: Xenidae) are an excellent group for studying the specialisation of parasites on hosts. Their parasitic lifestyle led to the evolution of numerous morphological, behavioural, physiological, and reproductive adaptations. Moreover, many complex adaptive traits of Strepsiptera have no parallel in other organisms. In contrast, little attention has been paid to the study of strepsipteran molecular phylogeny, phylogeography, species delimitation, and their implications for taxonomic classification. Using the methods of molecular phylogeny, we created the first dated phylogenetic study of the family Xenidae. By investigating historical biogeography and ancestral host groups, we indicate that multiple lineages were exchanged between the New World and the Old World + Australia until Antarctica became completely frozen over. During the late Paleogene and Neogene periods, several lineages spread from the Afrotropics to other Old World regions and Australia. The original hosts of Xenidae were most likely social wasps, and the subsequent host switch from social to solitary wasps was secondary and probably occurred only once. The parallel host switch from solitary wasps to digger wasps (Sphecidae) occurred independently in the New and Old World. The biogeography and...
|
guest ::
RSS feed.