Arūnas Diškus - VPU biblioteka - Vilniaus pedagoginis universitetas

Phylogeny
Morphological or trophic differences among tischeriids have prompted the
erection of a few sections or species-groups within the family. Five sections have been
designated in the Nearctic fauna by Braun (1972). These were not followed (at least
in most cases) by workers on the European fauna. Until recently all known tischeriid
species in the world were treated as belonging to a single genus (i. e., Tischeria Zeller,
1839). However, the monotypic concept of the family was contradicted by Leraut
(1993), who erected a new genus Emmetia. Our personal studies of the genitalia of
some tropical species and particularly studies of chromosomes and gonads (Puplesienë
& Puplesis, manuscript/unpublished) well support the polytypic concept of the family.
Unfortunately, Leraut (1993) did not notice that his newly erected genus completely
corresponded with Coptotriche of Walsingham (1890), a genus designated for Northern
American tischeriids, which for the last hundred years has been commonly treated as
a junior synonym of Tischeria Zeller, 1839. Further, Leraut (1993) associated the
name Coptotriche with Tischeria (s. str.), not with Emmetia, suggesting that he had no
idea what Coptotriche of Walsingham actually represented.
Tischeria complanoides Frey & Boll, 1873 was designated originally by
Walsingham (1890) as the type-species for Coptotriche; however complanoides is a
commonly recognized junior synonym of T. zelleriella Clemens, 1859. Irrespective
of whether complanoides is recognized as a separate species from zelleriella or not
(we recognize it as a synonym), the type-species of Coptotriche possesses the same
phylogenetically important characters as the species of Emmetia, including the
type-species Tischeria marginea Haworth, 1828: the broadened valva, tulip-shaped
and spined aedeagus, presence of transtilla, absence of a juxta, diaphragma with
spines, greatly extended membranous half of ductus spermathecae, etc.
Interestingly, one of most striking characters of the genus, the broadened valva,
was illustrated by Walsingham 113 years ago (Walsingham, 1890: fig. c).
The name Coptotriche can not be treated as a nomen nudum; it was used by
Braun (1972) and twice by Leraut (1993).
Therefore, the recently erected Emmetia has to be synonymized (Diðkus,
Puplesis, 2003). But a new genus (Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diðkus) is described by
us from Northern and Southern America for tischeriid species with striking
genitalia and feeding characters.
Three main lineages of generic rank can be recognized within Tischeriidae (fig.
24). The first (Tischeria) may be the best characterized by the development of a juxta
in the male genitalia, and an antrum in the female genitalia; the second (Astrotischeria)
by the development of a dorsal lobe to the valva, the uncus overlaid dorsally by lobes
of the pseuduncus, utilization of new host-plant families (particularly Asteraceae),
and the third (Coptotriche) by the development of transtilla, spines on the
diaphragma, a ‘tulip-shaped’ aedeagus and by the great enlargement of the
membranous half of the ductus spermathecae in the female genitalia.
The cladogram of the Tischeriidae (fig. 24) is based on 34 apomorphies listed
in the disertation or published version in Diðkus, Puplesis, 2003.
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