We
are using DNA sequence data to get new insight into the phylogenetic
relationships of the Siphonaptera. Thus far we have generated
preliminary data for 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Elongation Factor
1-alpha, and Cytochrome B. These data are overall congruent
and suggest that many flea families as currently constituted
appear to be paraphyletic assemblages. This is especially
true of the Ctenophthalmidae which has historically been a
grab-bag of taxa. As we generate more data and have a better
sampling of taxa, we should produce more robust topologies.
Parsimony
analysis with all positions weighted equally and gaps treated
as missing produced 16 trees, the strict consensus of which
is given below. These data strongly support Siphonaptera as
monophyletic, Boreidae as its sister taxon, and Nannochoristidae
as the most basal of the mecopteran lineages. Ceratophyllidae
is monophyletic and relatively well supported, as is Neopsyllinae.
Leptopsyllidae is paraphyletic with Opthalmopsylla basal to
Ceratophyllidae as seen with COII. Ceratophylloidea is monophyletic
and the bat fleas (Ischnopsyllidae) are sister group to the
other two leptopsyllids. Pulicidae sensu stricto is monophyletic,
Tunga is basal to Rhopalopsyllidae + Stenoponia, and Rhopalopsyllidae
is monophyletic.
Preliminary
Phylogeny of Siphonaptera Based on 18S rDNA *
*
This topology, or any description of this topology, cannot
be reproduced, referenced, or used in any way without express
permission from Michael
Whiting. This topology is only preliminary and will certainly
change as additional taxa and/or characters are added to the
analysis.