Phylogeny and divergence time estimation of Io moths and relatives (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: ).

The saturniid moth genus includes 145 described species. Their geographic distribution ranges from the eastern half of North America to as far south as Peru. s moths are cryptically colored, with forewings that resemble dead leaves, and conspicuously colored, elaborate eyespots hidden on their hindwings.

Chromosome-Aware Phylogenomics of Assassin Bugs (Hemiptera: Reduvioidea) Elucidates Ancient Gene Conflict.

Though the phylogenetic signal of loci on sex chromosomes can differ from those on autosomes, chromosomal-level genome assemblies for nonvertebrates are still relatively scarce and conservation of chromosomal gene content across deep phylogenetic scales has therefore remained largely unexplored. We here assemble a uniquely large and diverse set of samples (17 anchored hybrid enrichment, 24 RNA-seq, and 70 whole-genome sequencing samples of variable depth) for the medically important assassin bugs (Reduvioidea). We assess the performance of genes based on multiple features (e.

A Kiss of Deep Homology: Partial Convergence in the Genomic Basis of Hypertrophied Lips in Cichlid Fish and Human Cleft Lip.

The genomic loci generating both adaptive and maladaptive variation could be surprisingly predictable in deeply homologous vertebrate structures like the lips. Variation in highly conserved vertebrate traits such as the jaws and teeth in organisms as evolutionarily disparate as teleost fishes and mammals is known to be structured by the same genes. Likewise, hypertrophied lips that have evolved repeatedly in Neotropical and African cichlid fish lineages could share unexpectedly similar genetic bases themselves and even provide surprising insight into the loci underlying human craniofacial anomalies.

Taxonomic revision of the Apiomerus maya species group (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae).

The Apiomerus maya species group of the genus Apiomerus Hahn, 1831 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae: Apiomerini), the bee assassins, is revised. Four species that are native to parts of Mexico and Central America are recognized and redescribed: Apiomerus maya Dispons, 1971, A. pipil Dispons, 1971, A.

Hiding in Plain Sight: An Abundant and Widespread North American Horse Fly (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the Tabanus sulcifrons Group, Tabanus variegatus Fabricius, Redescribed.

Tabanus variegatus F. 1805 has been called by the name Tabanus sulcifronsMacquart 1855 for over 80 yr; T. variegatus is one of the most common large horse flies attacking livestock in much of the southeastern U.

Phylogenomic Analyses Show Repeated Evolution of Hypertrophied Lips Among Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes.

Cichlid fishes have repeatedly evolved an astounding diversity of trophic morphologies. For example, hypertrophied lips have evolved multiple times in both African and Neotropical cichlids and could have even evolved convergently within single species assemblages such as African Lake Malawi cichlids. However, the extremely high diversification rate in Lake Malawi cichlids and extensive potential for hybridization has cast doubt on whether even genome-level phylogenetic reconstructions could delineate if these types of adaptations have evolved once or multiple times.

Between a Rock and a Hard Polytomy: Phylogenomics of the Rock-Dwelling Mbuna Cichlids of Lake Malaŵi.

Whole genome sequences are beginning to revolutionize our understanding of phylogenetic relationships. Yet, even whole genome sequences can fail to resolve the evolutionary history of the most rapidly radiating lineages, where incomplete lineage sorting, standing genetic variation, introgression, and other factors obscure the phylogenetic history of the group. To overcome such challenges, one emerging strategy is to integrate results across different methods.

Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of the ambush bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae).

The ambush bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae) are a diverse clade of predators known for their cryptic hunting behavior and morphologically diverse raptorial forelegs. Despite their striking appearance, role as pollinator predators, and intriguing biogeographic distribution, phylogenetic relationships within Phymatinae are largely unknown and the evolutionary history of the subfamily has remained in the dark. We here utilize the most extensive molecular phylogeny of ambush bugs to date, generated from a 3328 base pair molecular dataset, to refine our understanding of phymatine relationships, estimate dates of divergence (BEAST 2), and uncover historical biogeographic patterns (S-DIVA and DEC).

Reared microgastrine wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Yanayacu Biological Station and environs (Napo Province, Ecuador): diversity and host specialization.

The microgastrine braconid wasps recovered up through 2007 by the NSF-sponsored rearing project "Caterpillars and Parasitoids of the Eastern Andes in Ecuador" are summarized in terms of their host specialization and faunistic uniqueness. Two hundred fifty eight rearings of caterpillars resulted in records of Microgastrinae, distributed among 14 genera (Apanteles Förster, Choeras Mason, Cotesia Cameron, Diolcogaster Ashmead, Distatrix Mason, Dolichogenidea Viereck, Exix Mason, Glyptapanteles Ashmead, Hypomicrogaster Ashmead, Papanteles Mason, Parapanteles Ashmead, Protapanteles Ashmead, Sathon Mason and Venanus Mason). Eleven records of hyperparasitoids of Microgastrinae are also summarized; Mesochorus Gravenhorst (Ichneumonidae) and Perilampidae are both recorded.