Molecular phylogeny of moth flies ( D iptera, P sychodidae, P sychodinae) revisited, with a revised tribal classification

Classification of Psychodinae has been a hotly contested topic in the taxonomic literature, with multiple mutually incompatible classifications proposed. Three main points of contention can be identified: (i) the validity of Maruinini Enderlein as a tribe‐level taxon and whether it forms a monophyletic group; (ii) the placement of subtribe Trichopsychodina Ježek – specifically whether it belongs with Psychoda Latreille in Psychodini or with Paramormia Enderlein and Telmatoscopus Eaton in Paramormiini Enderlein or Mormiini Enderlein; and (iii) whether Mormia Enderlein is more closely related to Brunettia Annandale or Paramormia Enderlein and Telmatoscopus Eaton. In the present paper, these questions are investigated using a molecular phylogeny of sequences compiled from all previous molecular phylogenies relevant to Psychodinae, as well as some hitherto unpublished sequences. The resulting matrix comprised 5406 base pairs from six markers for 32 taxa, and when analysed using Bayesian inference it yielded a well‐resolved tree which was unambiguous for all previously contentious points: Maruinini sensu lato (including Setomimini) was resolved as a valid taxon, Trichopsychodina is rendered paraphyletic by Psychodini, and Mormia is not closely related to Brunettia , but instead closer to Telmatoscopus and Paramormia . A revised tribal classification of Psychodinae is proposed, recognizing the tribes Psychodini, Brunettiini, Maruinini and Pericomaini as well as 17 unplaced genera.