Phylogeny of Oestridae (Insecta: Diptera)

Summary The phylogeny of Oestridae was analysed at the generic level using 118 characters from all developmental stages and including morphology, ontogeny, physiology and behaviour. Four major clades were given subfamilial rank with the phylogenetic relationship (Cuterebrinae (Gasterophilinae (Hypodermatinae + Oestrinae))). The subdermal parasites of the African elephant, Neocuterebra squamosa Grünberg and Ruttenia loxodontis Rodhain, had their most probable affiliation subordinate to the clade of stomach parasites, although their exact position needs further investigation. Genus Ochotonia Grunin, which is known from a single third‐instar larva only, was the probable sister group of all other Hypodermatinae. Twenty‐five oestrid genera were recognised as valid and those containing more than one species were defined through lists of autapomorphies. Cuterebra Clark was proposed as a senior synonym of Alouattamyia Townsend, Andinocuterebra Guimarães, Pseudogametes Bischof and Rogenhofera Brauer. The clade of hypodermatine ungulate parasites ( Hypoderma Latreille + Pallasiomyia Rubtzov + Pavlovskiata Grunin + Przhevalskiana Grunin + Strobiloestrus Brauer) remained largely unresolved, and genus Przhevalskiana emerged without defining characters.