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Video Q&A ViewAttendees 2

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

10-Minute Paper

SysEB: Phylogenetics On-Demand Presentations

Progress towards development of a robust natural classification for the meniscus midges (Diptera: Dixidae): phylogenomics, character homology assessment, revisionary studies, and DNA barcoding

On-Demand
On-Demand

    Presenting Author(s)

  • John K. Moulton

    Associate Professor
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

    • Co-Author(s)

  • GC

    Gregory R. Curler

    Postdoctoral Associate
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  • IM

    Isai R. Madriz

    Postdoctoral Associate
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  • RD

    Robert S. De Moya

    Postdoctoral Associate
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  • KL

    Kurt H. Lamour

    Professor
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  • MS

    Margaret Staton

    Associate Professor
    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  • BS

    Bradley J. Sinclair

    Entomologist
    Canadian National Collection of Insects & Canadian Food Inspection Agency
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada


The Dixidae, or meniscus midges, comprise a small group of true flies currently including approximately 200 species and eight recognized genera  They occur on all continents, except Antarctica, and most major islands and archipelagos. Adult dixids most closely resemble members of related culicomorph families: Chaoboridae, Corethrellidae, and Culicidae. Dixid larvae are distinct, both morphologically and behaviorally. Once considered a subfamily within Culicidae, their removal from this family undoubtedly resulted in far less attention from systematists. A vast majority of described species are placed in genera Dixa Meigen or Dixella Dyar & Shannon. Generic and, to a lesser extent, subfamily concepts in Dixidae are subjective and have never been rigorously tested using modern phylogenetic methods, thereby hampering efforts to revise the classification. The main goals of our project are as follows: (1) develop a natural classification for Dixidae informed by morphological and phylogenomic data; (2) assess homologies in taxonomically important character systems across all life stages and develop 3-dimensional models to illustrate hypothesized homologies and character states in complexes such as the male terminalia; (3) complete revisions of Nearctic Dixidae, including DNA fingerprinting of all known species; (4) DNA fingerprinting of known world Dixidae; and (5) lead and participate in outreach in the US and abroad, elucidating the significance and diversity of Dixidae and, more generally, aquatic insects. Products will include monographic treatises, interactive 3D models and associated color-coded illustrations, next-generation genomic data and barcodes, and methodological developments pertaining to DNA handling, larval rearing, and morphological terminology.