The Higher Classification of the Ephemeroptera and Its Evolutionary Basis1,2

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The higher classification of the extant Ephemeroptera of the world is reviewed. The suborders Schistonota (to include the Baetoidea, Leptophlebioidea, and Ephemeroidea) and Pannota (to include the Ephemerelloidea, Caenoidea, and Prosopistomatoidea) are introduced and defined on the basis of thoracic structure and other characters. The families Ephemerellidae and Tricorythidae are removed from the Leptophlebioidea and placed as the Ephemerelloidea. The phyletic basis for this classification and the evolutionary history of the superfamilies is presented. The Siphlonuridae and Leptophlebiidae are paraphyletic groups as constituted. All extant mayfly lineages take their origin within the Siphlonuridae and their derivations are discussed. The Leptophlebiidae gave rise to the Ephemeroidea. Classificatory modifications in the makeup of the Siphlonuridae, Siphlaenigmatidae, Baetidae, Ametropodidae, Oligoneuriidae, Ephemerellidae, and Tricorythidae are discussed. On the basis of phyletic intermediacy, the Siphlaenigmatinae is recognized as a subfamily of Baetidae, and the Isonychiinae and Coloburiscinae are recognized as subfamilies of Oligoneuriidae.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: