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Haywardina (Diptera: Tephritidae) Phylogeny

Haywardina 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 Cryptodacus, 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 at least Haywardina bimaculata, cuculiformis, and cuculi form a well supported monophyletic group (click here to access the full results of that study). Support is weaker for the inclusion of H. obscura in Haywardina, but the female of this species is unknown and it otherwise has mostly plesiomorphic character states, so there are few apomorphies grouping it with any taxa. Discovery of its female and host plant may clarify its relationships. Of the other three species, H. cuculiformis and cuculi appear to be more closely related.

Norrbom (1994) considered Cryptoplagia a subjective synonym of Haywardina. Because H. cuculiformis and cuculi, the type species of Cryptplagia and Haywardina, are sister taxa, continued recognition of Cryptoplagia would require the proposal of additional monotypic genera for H. obscura and H. bimaculata or recognition of Cryptoplagia as a paraphyletic group (if the latter species were included there).

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