In an effort to improve knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of the subfamily Sarcophaginae, the current study analyzed data from three mitochondrial gene fragments.
Sequence data for portions of the genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) were obtained from 43 species of Sarcophagidae representing 15 genera. Researchers used a Bayesian approach to simultaneously choose how best to partition the data and which substitution model to apply to each partition. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. The results are consistent with monophyly of the subfamily Sarcophaginae (posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 93 percent), as well as with monophyly of several genera within the Sarcophaginae (including Sarcophaga s.l.; posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 97 percent). Support was found for a sister group relationship between Ravinia Robineau; Desvoidy and Oxysarcodexia Townsend, which has been hypothesized by past authors based on morphological similarities, although this was supported only in the Bayesian analyses (posterior probability 0. 81-0. 98), and for some novel supra generic clades. Contrary to a recent morphological hypothesis, this study did not find Helicobia Coquillett to be nested within Sarcophaga Meigen; the data suggest, but do not strongly support, a hypothesis that Peckia Robineau Desvoidy is the sister group to Sarcophaga. (publisher abstract modified)