Comprehensive Molecular Sampling Yields a Robust Phylogeny for Geometrid Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
2011

Phylogeny of Geometrid Moths

Sample size: 164 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sihvonen Pasi, Mutanen Marko, Kaila Lauri, Brehm Gunnar, Hausmann Axel, Staude Hermann S.

Hypothesis

What are the phylogenetic relationships among the Geometridae family of moths?

Conclusion

The study provides a comprehensive phylogeny of the Geometridae, confirming their monophyly and clarifying relationships among subfamilies and tribes.

Supporting Evidence

  • The Geometridae family is confirmed to be monophyletic.
  • All previously recognized subfamilies were found to be monophyletic, with some exceptions.
  • Phylogenetic relationships among many tribes were clarified, although some remained weakly supported.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a large group of moths to understand how they are related to each other, and they found that most of them belong to a single family.

Methodology

The study involved molecular analysis of eight genes from 164 taxa, including 150 from the Geometridae family.

Limitations

Some taxa had to be excluded due to limited sequencing success, and the study did not resolve affinities among non-geometrid taxa.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020356

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