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Cryptodacus (Diptera: Tephritidae) Phylogeny

Cryptodacus belongs to the tribe Carpomyini, whose phylogenetic relationships were discussed by Smith & Bush (1999).  The relationship of Cryptodacus among other carpomyine genera is not fully resolved, but several other American genera, namely Haywardina, Rhagoletotrypeta, and Zonosemata may be its closest relatives. Norrbom (1994) noted that all four genera have a medial white scutal spot or vitta, which is a possible synapomorphy. Morphological analyses (Norrbom 1994, Jenkins 1996) and several molecular studies (McPheron & Han 1997, Han & McPheron 1997) have generally clustered these genera, although sometimes also with some Neotropical, Solanaceae-breeding species of Rhagoletis, and with limited support. The molecular analyses have included only a few representative species.

Norrbom (1994) analyzed relationships within Cryptodacus, Haywardina, and Rhagoletotrypeta, and concluded that Cryptodacus is a well supported monophyletic group (click here to access the full results of that study). Synapomorphies of Cryptodacus include: wing vein Cu₁ bordered by brown band between BM-Cu and the discal band, although it is lost in C. quirozi and variable in C. tau; and R-M displaced apically, which occurs as homoplasy in H. cuculi. The subapical band faint anteriorly, which occurs as homoplasy in Z. scutellata and H. cuculiformis, and loss of the white apical band on at least tergite 4, which occurs as homoplasy in R. morgantei and is difficult to code in the species with yellow abdomens, are also interpreted as synapomorphies, with reversal in the former character in C. silvai + tigreroi, and in the latter character in C. ornatus. Another possible synapomorphy of all Cryptodacus species is the slightly sagittate and finely serrate aculeus tip, but unfortunately, no females of C. obliquus are known, so whether this is a synapomorphy for the entire genus or only the seven other species is uncertain. A similar but convergent shape occurs in four species of the Rhagoletis nova group (Foote 1981), in which the tip is sagittate, but with much larger serrations (Frias 1986).

Within Cryptodacus, the hypothesis that C. obliquus is the sister taxon of the other species is well supported. The positions of the other species are consistent in all trees, except for C. ornatus and C. tau. Cryptodacus ornatus is variously hypothesized as the sister group of C. silvai + tigreroi, of C. parkeri + quirozi, or of all four species. Cryptodacus tau is either the sister group of those five species, which are always grouped together, or the sister group of C. lopezi.

Norrbom (1994) considered Lezca a subjective synonym of Cryptodacus. Continued recognition of Lezca as a monotypic taxon for C. tau, would make Cryptodacus paraphyletic. Cryptodacus silvai and the five new species instead could be placed in Lezca, leaving only C. obliquus in Cryptodacus, but since the close relationship of all of these species is well supported, it is unnecessary to divide them into separate genera.

See the Fruit Fly Literature Database for full information for cited references.