Phylogenetic relationships, species limits, and host specificity of gall-forming Fergusonina flies (Diptera : Fergusoninidae) feeding on Melaleuca (Myrtaceae)

Date

2004

Authors

Scheffer, S.
Giblin-Davis, R.
Taylor, G.
Davies, K.
Purcell, M.
Lewis, M.
Goolsby, J.
Center, T.

Editors

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Type:

Journal article

Citation

Annals of the Entomological Society of America: devoted to the interest of classical entomology, 2004; 97(6):1216-1221

Statement of Responsibility

Conference Name

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of recently described gall-forming Fergusonina Malloch flies was performed using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. Fifty-three flies reared from nine species of Melaleuca L. were sequenced. Species boundaries delimited by mitochondrial data confirm recent morphological investigation with one exception. Fergusonina turneri Taylor, believed to feed on both Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake and Melaleuca fluviatilis Barlow, seems to be comprised of two cryptic species, each specialized on one of the two hosts. Because F. turneri is under consideration as a potential biological control agent for invasive M. quinquenervia in the Florida Everglades, understanding cryptic variation and the degree of dietary specialization of this species is critical.

School/Discipline

Dissertation Note

Provenance

Description

Copyright © 2004 Entomological Society of America

Access Status

Rights

License

Grant ID

Call number

Persistent link to this record