Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Phytoseiulus evans (Acari: Phytoseiidae). III. Cladistic analysis

Abstract

Cladistic analysis of the 4 species in the genus Phytoseiulus suggests that this group is monophyletic: these species probably originated from a common ancestor not shared by any other taxon. A phylogenetic tree for the 4 species was reconstructed by the Wagner method. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) and P. persimilis Athias-Henriot are the most closely related species, sharing a number of synapomorphies. Phytoseiulus longipes Evans is the most apomorphic species, having a number of autapomorphies, whereas P. fragariae Denmark and Schicha is the most plesiomorphic species, retaining most characters in the ancestral state. The present study supports a taxonomie arrangement placing these 4 species in a tight monophyletic taxon.