First Molecular Phylogeny of Minettia (Diptera: Lauxaniidae) Reveals Homoplastic Morphology and Challenges Subgeneric Classification

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study presents the first phylogeny of the genus Minettia Robineau‐Desvoidy, reconstructed from five gene markers ( COI , Cytb , 16S , 18S and 28S ) and incorporating representatives of all five recognized subgenera. Analyses of 56 species (49 Minettia spp.+seven outgroups) support the monophyly of Minettia , but the monophyly of the subgenera Frendelia , Minettia , Minettiella and Plesiominettia is not supported; the monophyly of the subgenus Scotominettia cannot be tested as only one species was sampled. A close relationship between Minettiella and Plesiominettia was strongly supported, corroborated by the presence of facial tubercle morphology as a potential synapomorphy. The taxonomically problematic Minettia baihualingensis had an unstable phylogenetic position, consistent with its morphological intermediacy and inability to be assigned to any existing subgenus. Ancestral state reconstruction demonstrates that key diagnostic traits, such as the coloration of the wing base, arista morphology and the absence of the dorsal phallic sclerite, are highly homoplastic, having evolved independently multiple times. The first Chinese record of the subgenus Scotominettia ( M. ( Scotominettia ) austriaca ) is also reported. Overall, our results provide a phylogenetic framework that fundamentally challenges the current morphology‐based subgeneric classification and highlights the need for its integrative revision.